GREEN BAY – Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander has been named to the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) All-Rookie team for 2018.
Green Bay's first-round draft pick out of Louisville, taken at No. 18 overall, played in 13 games with 11 starts as a rookie and led the team in passes defensed with 15.
Playing both the boundary and slot corner positions, Alexander also finished second on the team in total tackles with 76 (61 solo), plus had an interception, a half-sack and three tackles for loss. On special teams, he recorded two tackles and returned four punts for 25 yards.
The other cornerback to make the All-Rookie team is Cleveland's Denzel Ward, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2018 draft.
Alexander is the first Packers player named to the PFWA All-Rookie team since 2014, when center Corey Linsley and safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix were selected. He's just the second cornerback in team history to earn the honor, joining Casey Hayward in 2012.
2018 PFWA All-Rookie team
Offense
QB: Baker Mayfield, Cleveland
RB: Saquon Barkley, N.Y. Giants; Phillip Lindsay, Denver
WR: Calvin Ridley, Atlanta; DJ Moore, Carolina
TE: Chris Herndon, N.Y. Jets
C: Billy Price, Cincinnati
G: Will Hernandez, N.Y. Giants; Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis
T: Mike McGlinchey, San Francisco; Braden Smith, Indianapolis
Defense
DL: Bradley Chubb, Denver; Marcus Davenport, New Orleans; Da'Shawn Hand, Detroit; Daron Payne, Washington
LB: Darius Leonard, Indianapolis; Roquan Smith, Chicago; Leighton Vander Esch, Dallas
CB: Jaire Alexander, Green Bay; Denzel Ward, Cleveland
S: Jessie Bates, Cincinnati; Derwin James, L.A. Chargers
Special teams
PK: Jason Sanders, Miami
P: Michael Dickson, Seattle
KR: Tremon Smith, Kansas City
PR: Christian Kirk, Arizona
ST: Zeke Turner, Arizona
Rookie of the year: Mayfield
Offensive rookie of the year: Barkley
Defensive rookie of the year: Leonard
