Free Agent Profile: Janoris Jenkins

3/3/2016

Janoris Jenkins, the unrestricted free agent from the Rams, could be in play for the cornerback needy Jaguars.

By Jordan de Lugo

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Who is this Guy?

Jenkins is a 27 year old cornerback from the University of North Alabama. He started his college career at the University of Florida where he shined, but his off the field issues led him to the small school Northern Alabama. He has since cleaned up his act and stayed out of trouble in the four years that he spent with the Rams who drafted him with the 39th overall pick in the 2012 draft. Jenkins has recorded 10 interceptions in his career along with 257 tackles, 48 passes defended, and an eye popping 6 defensive touchdowns. He stands 5’10’’ and weighs in at just under 200 pounds. Despite his smaller stature, Jenkins has excelled in his four years in the NFL, playing much bigger than his size would indicate. This will be Jenkins first go round in free agency and he is looking to get paid. He reportedly turned down a Rams offer that would have paid him around $8 million per year and went so far as to call the offer “disrespectful”. Jenkins is a confident player who believes he should be paid as one of the best young cornerbacks in the NFL.

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Does he fit with the Jags?

Anyone who can cover fits with the Jags at this point. Jenkins does not have the ideal size of a “prototypical” Gus Bradley cornerback as he is under six feet tall, but he plays much bigger. His 4.4 second 40 yard dash time combined with his 33.5’’ vertical allows him to play big against some of the top receivers in the league. If Jenkins is signed by the Jaguars he would immediately improve the Jaguars coverage ability and their ability to get off the field on third down, something the defense struggled to do last season. In addition to his solid coverage, he also has big play ability. He doesn't record a ton of interceptions due to a lack of balls coming his way, but when he does get his hands on the football it usually turns into a big play. The Jaguars defense doesn't currently have any players who are legitimate threats to score and Jenkins would certainly provide them that. In addition to his playmaking ability, Jenkins has an attitude on the field, a swagger about him that suggests he is the best player on the field and he knows it. The Jaguars lack that swagger and cockiness on the defensive side of the ball. His aggressive nature would be a welcome trait in Jax. Jaguars General Manager Dave Caldwell always talks about if a player is a free agent, why isn't his former team bringing him back. Well, with Jenkins the answer is they did want him back, but he wants more money. Overall Jenkins is a really strong cornerback option for the Jags, and will definitely be looked at by Dave Caldwell and co.

In terms of money, Jenkins will likely cost the Jaguars upwards of $10 million a year. He could be the highest paid cornerback in free agency and at this points it seems like he wants that designation. The Jaguars have more than enough cap space to afford paying a starting cornerback over $10 million. The concern of off the field issues will never truly disappear with Jenkins, but it isn't something that should stop the Jags from pursuing the talented defensive back.

Jenkins is highly talented and would be an immediate upgrade for the Jaguars at cornerback. The Jaguars should certainly be in play for the 27 year old playmaking cornerback when free agency begins.

What do you think? Would you like to see Jenkins in black and teal next year?

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