Davante Adams has long been a star. Jaire Alexander predicted he’d be one. Four games into the 2019 season, the pair of Green Bay Packers have both been among the NFL’s best at their respective positions.
Adams and Alexander were named to Pro Football Focus’ “First Quarter NFL All-Pro Team,” which represents a collection of the highest-graded players at every position through the first four games of 2019.
Adams is currently second in the NFL in yards per route run and receiving grade, two of PFF’s most important measurables at the receiver position. Alexander leads all cornerbacks in coverage grade and forced incompletion percentage, making him PFF’s top cornerback in the NFL during the first quarter of the season.
Adams leads the Packers in catches (25) and receiving yards (378). Although he doesn’t have a touchdown catch, Adams is currently setting career highs in yards per catch (15.1), receiving yards per game (94.5), catch percentage (69.4) and yards per target (10.5), and he’s turned 20 of his 25 catches into first downs (80 percent).
The Packers might have to make it work in the passing game without Adams in Week 5. He’s dealing with a toe injury and hasn’t practiced yet this week.
Alexander, who predicted he’d be an All-Pro in 2019, has backed it up on the field. According to Ben Fennell of The Athletic, Alexander has been targeted 27 times and allowed only 11 catches, with six pass breakups. His primary matchups through four games include Taylor Gabriel, Stefon Diggs, Emmanuel Sanders and Nelson Agholor. He also forced and recovered a fumble all in one play, leading to a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in Week 3.
He might get his toughest challenge in Week 5. It’s possible Alexander will shadow Cowboys receiver Amari Cooper in Dallas on Sunday.
