-- It doesn't get much better than what the Green Bay Packers got out of their No. 18 overall pick on Sunday.

Rookie cornerback Jaire Alexander emerged from Sunday's loss against the Los Angeles Rams with one of the best performances a player at his position has had for the Packers in recent memory.

Coach Mike McCarthy seemed to agree on Monday, citing Alexander's performance as of the "alpha" nature.

"I can't say enough about the game that he put together, all four quarters," McCarthy said. "I don't recall seeing a young man -- particularly a rookie -- play at that level. It was clearly an alpha performance; that's the way we grade that."

Since recording his first career interception against the Buffalo Bills late last month, Alexander has been sidelined with a groin injury. His return to the Packers' secondary made the unit appear that much more potent with another ball-hawking defensive back in their arsenal.

"He walked in the door with tremendous confidence," McCarthy continued. "He has tremendous competitive spirit. Sometimes it takes some guys a little longer. They tested him; I thought he played lights out."

Alexander's five pass break-ups were the most by any Packers cornerback in a single game since Ahmad Carroll did it in 2005. That's a high achievement considering the cover talent the Packers have had walk through their doors in the last 13 years.

Albeit the Rams were lacking Cooper Kupp, who is arguably one of the top slot receivers in football today, Alexander lined up in various positions and across from multiple players -- most notably Rams receiver Brandin Cooks.

According to Pro Football Focus, Alexander was targeted nine times against the Rams, allowing just four catches for 80 yards to pair with his five pass break-ups. Six of those targets were for Cooks, who caught three of them.

Cooks being Alexander's assignment wasn't by mistake or out of desperation. McCarthy said on Monday that the staff thought highly of Cooks, that's why Alexander, the Packers' "best cover guy," was on his tail for most of the afternoon.

"I don't know what film they were watching to make them throw at him that many times," Packers cornerback Kevin King said, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. "He was just coming off an injury, and they might have thought he was a step slower. That brings the dog out of you right there, and that brought it out of him. Just learn how to stack it. Stack it."

Alexander's well-rounded play gives newly-signed cornerback Bashaud Breeland a little more time -- and a little less urgency -- to find his place amongst the Packers' cornerbacks.

Breeland was signed at the end of September, however, a lingering hamstring injury set his learning process back considerably. It's also worth nothing Breeland missed the entire offseason program with a foot injury.

If Alexander can continue playing at such a high level and uplift the group around him -- both Kevin King and Tramon Williams secured the perimeter efficiently against the Rams -- then there's more than enough reason for optimism in the Packers' pass defense.