3 toughest CB matchups for Commanders’ Terry McLaurin in 2022

1. Jaire Alexander (Packers)

A number of NFL stars missed a chunk of the 2021 schedule, and Alexander unfortunately fell under that category, as a shoulder injury cost him all but four games. The Packers secondary actually thrived in his absence, but that takes nothing away from what Alexander brings to the table in coverage.

Alexander injured his shoulder tackling Steelers running back Najee Harris in Week 4 last season and Green Bay didn’t visit FedEx Field until Week 7, so fans were deprived of the McLaurin-Alexander box-office matchup.

Fittingly enough, McLaurin erupted for a game-high 122 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions, albeit in a losing effort. Assuming Alexander is healthy when the Packers visit Washington again in 2022 McLaurin will have his work cut out for him to produce another imposing stat line in this contest.

Over 48 games, Alexander has amassed 188 tackles, 44 passes defended and five interceptions. Despite missing 13 games last year, his 44 passes defended rank in the top 15 among CBs since he was drafted in 2018.

Over the last two seasons, Alexander has really emerged as a premier cornerback, allowing a lowly 51% completion rate over 96 targets and a 62.5 passer rating. In 2020, he posted a 90.6 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus and his 16 forced incompletions ranked second at the position.

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