Jaire Alexander, Xavier McKinney both land in top 10 of ESPN's positional rankings

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander and safety Xavier McKinney both landed in the top 10 of annual ESPN’s positional rankings, which are voted on by coaches, scouts and executives around the league.

Alexander, a potential lockdown perimeter cornerback, and McKinney, a versatile safety coming off his best professional season, are the foundational pieces of the Packers secondary under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. If Alexander bounces back and McKinney keeps ascending, the pair could rank among the best cornerback-safety duos in football in 2024 and beyond.

Alexander, a two-time All-Pro coming off a disappointing 2023 season that featured injuries and a bizarre suspension, ranked No. 7 among cornerbacks — a drop of three spots from last year.

Alexander’s highest ranking among evaluators was fourth. He got dinged for missing 10 games last season, but one executive credited Alexander for always matching up well against Justin Jefferson. The 2018 first-round pick showed up rejuvenated during the offseason workout program, potentially laying the groundwork for a return to elite status in 2024. Against a schedule loaded with top receivers, the Packers need Alexander to be a top player every week.

McKinney, who signed a $68 million deal to join the Packers this offseason, came in at No. 10 among safeties.

One personnel evaluator saw McKinney as a “versatile” safety who developed into a well-rounded safety with the New York Giants. His highest ranking was fourth. Another coordinator said McKinney “doesn’t scare you” while game-planning against him as a safety.

After a Pro Bowl-caliber season in 2023, McKinney will arrive in Green Bay as a potentially perfect safety in Hafley’s scheme. He can play deep as a single-high safety or down in the slot, and he’s both a sure tackler and a playmaker on the football.

In a league dominated by elite quarterbacks, defenses need elite players in the secondary to be great. The Packers could have two in Alexander and McKinney. If operating at the height of their powers, they could power drastic improvement in Year 1 of Hafley’s scheme in Green Bay.