Editor's note: Our own Joe Goodberry has been kind enough to write his own scouting reports on some of the players that the Bengals may be interested in, players he likes in the positions the team needs and players that have been selected by them in mock drafts. We will be posting these periodically through the next few weeks. Enjoy.
|
North Alabama - Florida |
CB - PR |
Height: 5095 (5'9.5") |
Weight: 193 lbs. |
40-yard: 4.46 |
|
|
Broad Jump: 10'1" |
Arm Length: 32" |
Vertical: 33.5" |
Bench: DNP |
Senior |
10-yard: 1.47 |
|
Strengths Jenkins was born to be a CB; He has natural man-coverage ability thanks to his quick reactions and agility. Highly competitive and super confident; He seems to elevate his game when he's facing higher competition; his juices flow and he plays like an elite prospect. Sound wrap-up tackler; usually locks onto the ball carriers ankles and holds on. Technically sound; stays low, balanced and precise in transition. Good speed and very rare acceleration. Will sit on routes because he knows he can easily recover. Upper echelon punt returner. |
Weaknesses Jenkins is shorter than you'd like in a top prospect. Isn't always willing to stick his nose into a pile; He picks his spots to make tackles. Seems slower in zones; trouble processing information? Better if he can just let his instincts take over. Will sit on routes and won't budge; causes illegal contact penalties and leaves Jenkins vulnerable to double moves. He can be a hot-head on the field with dumb penalties and jawing at the opposing team. Big time character risk; Multiple charges while at Florida, eventually was kicked off of the team; played Div II ball and was thrown out of a game for fighting. Reports have said Jenkins as 4 children from 4 different women. All signs of a long-term problem for a franchise. Some teams have reportedly already removed him from their draft boards. |
Year Tackles TFL Sacks INT Pass Def FF Punt Returns PR Yards PR TD 2008 39 1 1.0 3 14 1 2009 38 3 0.0 2 8 1 2010 44 5.5 1.0 3 11 0 18 150 0 2011 53 4 0.0 2 4 0 18 390 3
Final Analysis
Janoris Jenkins is the most naturally gifted CB in this draft. The physical skills that he wakes up with cannot be taught. He's a little shorter than you'd like but he has long arms for his size. If he didn't have such a checkered past, Jenkins would be a top-15 pick. He came clean and said all of the right things at the NFL Scouting Combine but what matters will be his background checks and private interviews with teams. I think he could develop into a team's top CB in a couple years, or Jenkins could bounce around three teams in six years. It will be up to him, but is he worth the risk?
Player Comparison: Adam Jones (From their size to their style of play, return skills, and character risk.)
Current Ranking: #4 CB and #24 overall on our board
Draft Projection: Picks 15-40
Video Review
You'll see in this video pretty much every trait that I listed in his breakdown. On the first play, you'll see Jenkins aggressiveness; he's too small to really make an impact on the play because the offensive lineman would demolish him, but it's nice to see the effort. The next play was designed by Alabama to take Jenkins out of the ball and allow the RB to catch the ball in the flats. You'd like to see Jenkins stay on his feet batter, but he makes a nice tackle. You'll see Jenkins nice tackling effort on a few plays in this video. When he wraps around the ball carrier's ankles, he doesn't let go.
1:10 - You can see Jenkins in zone coverage. This isn't his strength and you can feel how hesitant he is. At the 1:13 mark, the Alabama QB is throwing underneath to the WR on the crossing route; Jenkins first step forward is as soon as the intended WR has already secured the pass and is starting to turn up-field. Then Jenkins doesn't fly up to make the hit, instead he just corrals the WR and slowly forces him inside to his teammates.
The next play shows Jenkins in man coverage vs. Julio Jones. Jones gets almost no separation and the ball falls incomplete; Jenkins then trash talks.
The most impressive and most telling play in this video is at the 1:38 mark. Alabama puts Julio Jones in motion. This is to back Jenkins off of the line and give Julio some room to work. Teams do this when they don't feel confident in winning in man-coverage. It works, and Jones catches a quick screen. Jenkins gets really tough and takes on one of the offensive linemen. Jenkins goes low and completely stops the play. That's high effort on that play.
The next run play shows where I said Jenkins won't just stick his nose into a pile, but he does a great job of playing his assignment and making the tackle when he had to.
Overall, this game shows Jenkins highs and lows. His level of play can vary on each snap, but his highs are extremely high. You can see how Alabama respects Jenkins and allow him to get his hands on Julio Jones in a press-man situation. The rest of the game, Jenkins looked really good in man-coverage and iffy in zone. His play warrants a top pick, his off-field concerns could keep him waiting until round two.
Skills Breakdown (1-5)
|
Size |
3 |
Short but good bulk for his size - Long arms |
|
Speed |
2 |
Quicker than fast - Good recovery speed |
|
Athleticism |
1 |
Agility, acceleration and quickness are elite - Great return man |
|
Man Coverage |
1 |
Natural in press and off coverage - Anticipation is rare |
|
Zone Coverage |
3 |
Slow to react - I would test his knowledge in private interviews |
|
Vs Run |
2 |
He isn't always willing, but he's a pretty good wrap-up tackler |
|
Experience |
1 |
4-year starter with three years in the SEC against some elite WRs |
|
Ball Skills |
2 |
Reacts well and can track the ball easily - Good hands |