Packers 2025 NFL Draft Big Board: Who Could The Packers Draft To Replace Jaire Alexander If Released?

Packers Cornerback Jaire Alexander - Photo by Ryan Kang/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) – The 2025 NFL Draft Combine begins this week, and the Green Bay Packers will be busy. Friday will feature prospects who will likely target replacing Jaire Alexander if they decide to cut him before the June deadline.

Here are the top five cornerback prospects that the Packers are expected to be heavily interested in if they pass on Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison due to concerns over his hip injury or if Ole Miss’s Trey Amos goes too early in the first round.

1. Iowa State cornerback Darien Porter: Porter is a big, physical cornerback who stands 6’4 and 200 lbs. and currently holds a 2nd or 3rd-round grade from scouts at Pro Football Focus. He was voted to the coach’s 2024 Honorable Mention All-Big 12 list after recording three interceptions, deflecting two passes, and posting a PFF grade of 79.3 in 425 snaps played for the Cyclones this past season. The Packers need a corner with size, and Porter could be an impact player in Jeff Hafley’s defense on day one.

2. Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston: Hairston could be a player who raises draft boards after the combine after dominating SEC receivers this past season for the Wildcats earning him AP Second Team All-SEC honors. In 2024, he tied Kentucky’s record for touchdowns returned for touchdowns (3) which has been in place since the mid-1970s, and played very well against No. 3 ranked Texas recording seven tackles, forcing a fumble and a pass breakup. Had Hairston not missed five games last season due to a shoulder injury, he’d likely have a first-round grade on most big boards and could be a steal at 53rd overall for the Packers.

3. Kansas cornerback Cobee Bryant: Bryant makes a lot of sense for the Packers on Day Two after he became the first Jayhawk in Big 12 history to be named First Team All-Big 12 in three straight seasons. He started all 12 games last season, and recorded four interceptions, and seven pass breakups.
4. Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke: Burke, a former four-star recruit and 2023 First-Team All-Big Ten member, is believed to remain on the board until later in the day on Day Two or earlier in the day on Day Three after some scouts noted that he has a history of being a gambler that sometimes leads to big plays. However, he has developed a reputation as a great run defender and due to his proven versatility, he can be a solid cornerback in the NFL.
5. LSU cornerback Zy Alexander: Alexander is another long cornerback with a knack for forcing turnovers after he recorded two interceptions this last season and had six interceptions during his season at Southeastern Louisiana during the 2022 season. He suffered a torn ACL against Army in 2023 which may cause him to fall a little during the upcoming draft but due to his size (6’2) and his strong athletic skillset, he’d make a great Day Three target for the Packers.

The NFL Combine begins this Thursday at 1 p.m. on NFL Network with defensive linemen and linebackers scheduled to work out and interview with teams while defensive backs and tight ends are scheduled to participate on Friday. Quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers will work out on Saturday, and offensive linemen will finish the combine on Sunday.