McShay Has Us Taking Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio St.
 

ESPN.com link

Although the story is about QBs, not Jenkins, and it is an Insider column (you can see through pick 16 without being an Insider), I thought I would post this because Jenkins is not a name I've seen bandied about much.

Since I liked the idea of drafting Vontae Davis, I'd support this pick as well. He's a much safer choice than Davis - less upside but less risk. He'd do the same thing for us that I suggested with Davis. He'd be insurance if Dunta can't be signed to an extension or if Dunta just can't come all the way back. Plus, if Dunta does stay around, the Texans could conceivably have one of the best CB duos in the NFL within a few years. That then opens up your defense to take more risks knowing you've got two solid corners at the back line.

Note that the run on LBs (other than Curry) hasn't started so any of the USC linebackers would also be there. Note, too, that Michael Oher is still there so the Texans could have some trade-down options at that point.

Just more April thoughts to mull over.

I'm not a big fan of Jenkins.

However, if he and Oher are there, I could see a trade down as a real possibility.

Jenkins may be the only S worth a first round pick if you were to move him to safety.

That's something that would have to be discussed in an interview. If the guy isn't excited about playing FS because he wants to be a CB, then I might be hestitant to spend the money on a guy who may or may not want to be here.

I think Jenkins could be a FS/CB. By that, I mean he could immediately come in and play the nickel for us. He could also be a back-up for Wilson. And he would provide insurance for Dunta come 2010.

I like Jenkins, maybe even enough to trade up for him.

In my latest mock draft attempt, I have the Texans drafting him at #15 because the Saints took Vontae Davis.

I'd rather trade down and get Sean Smith (6' 4" and 220 lbs). He also has better speed and was a productive college CB.

Not according to the measurables.

Jenkins: 4.51 - 40, 15 - reps, 33" - Vert, 2.62 - 20, 1.47 -10, 10'04" - Jump, 4.08 - Shuttle, 6.59 - Cone

Smith: 4.50 - 40, 10 - reps, 34" - Vert, 2.59 - 20, 1.53 - 10, 09'11" - Jump, 4.15 - Shuttle, 6.92 - Cone.

Now, I don't have a horse in this race, because I don't really like either. I'd like to see some more upper body strength in a FS than 10 reps on the bench. When discussing speed, take a look at the 10, 20, Shuttle, and Cone and add those up. Jenkins clocks in with 14.76 seconds compared to Smith's 15.19.

I don't think either has the tackling ability to play FS, so we are really just comparing CBs. Jenkins is a better Cover-2 player than somebody who should be asked to play press man. Smith is a bit of a gambler who will get eaten alive as a rookie until he learns to play the WR and quit looking into the backfield. He is a bit of a project for a 1st round pick.

When are people going to learn the type of CB we are looking at? We are not a Tampa 2 team. Jenkins is a fit for a one of the teams that runs that defense.

I see Jenkins being like Marlon Jackson a few years ago. A very good cover 2 CB.

I realize that the Bucs have a new coach, but I wonder if they would be willing to trade up for Jenkins. They would have Taqib Alib and Jenkins as a pretty good combo for that defense.

You're right of course, up to now we've been primarily a team that used man-coverage but new DC Bush is on record as saying we're going to mix it up more with him calling the shots on D.
So I take that to mean we will be employing some Cover-2 and therefor also less Man in the future ?

I take it to mean we'll be doing less off-man and more press-man. But I see that when I look at ink blots too. :D

Everyone uses a cover 2 at some point in a game. It is part of the reason for interchangeable safeties. But when I am talking about a cover 2 CB, it means the guy is more of a zone guy play off the receiver type. That is type coverage Dallas runs, it is not a Tampa 2, but it is cover 2 type defense. Reeves failed in this defense, and Roy Williams was exposed for his lack of cover skills.

We are going to ask our CBs to press more often then play off based on the comments of Bush, Jenkins is not a good press guy and would be a 1st round nickle guy at best. As for safety, there are no 1st safeties in the this draft, IMO.

I would rather take Alphonso Smith for his cover and ball skills then Jenkins.

I keep thinking about that little guy for my draft board. He's not as fast as he looks on the field, but he's a playmaker. As for shadowing those little jitterbugs, he's got those skills and would be a very good nickle CB covering the slot. My biggest problem is that for somebody that short, he's not a lightning fast guy and he's not going to remind anybody of Antoine Winfield with his tackling.

DGDB&D has had some entertaining anti-Jenkins commentary and analysis on their site, most recently in this post.

Actually, the Buckeyes had a young corner (name escapes me) that the Longhorns picked on in the Fiesta Bowl who was not Jenkins. The Longhorns looked at Shipley and Cosby and decided who they were going to based on how they were covered. Jenkins was matched against Shipley most of the day which was why Cosby had the big day and not Shipley. Tressel mixed coverages but I think McCoy was aware of where Jenkins was and picked on the young corner instead.

On the game-winning TD, the Longhorns went four wide and put Cosby in the slot. The Buckeyes tried to match him with a safety whom the Longhorn coaches knew was inclined to cheat up towards the line. So they watched the safety cheat up and realized they could beat him to the point of the throw. Boom-boom. Slip the tackle...touchdown. McCoy and Cosby saw the key and must have been licking their chops when they saw the safety move up. Both said they KNEW they had that play as soon as they saw the safety cheat up.

So, whether Jenkins is first-round quality can be debated but I don't think you can fault Jenkins for Cosby's performance or the Fiesta Bowl loss.

I really would have to go back and watch that game to remember how much Jenkins got thrown at, but Matt is a huge Michigan fan...so he watches way more Big 10 football than me, but he also despises Ohio State with every fiber in his body. So you have to take that analysis with a grain of salt.

There's no denying Jenkins is a first round talent. And on the surface, he's probably one of the the safest and most sensible pick for us. He can play two positions and with Dunta's future with the team in doubt, he'd provide some security while we found a replacement at CB. Whether we go that route or not, who knows? But I can see Jenkins being a high probablity if he's still there at #15.

but seems like Jenkins draft rank is dropping to end of first round. lot of vlue difference between picks 15 and 30, even though both in first round. but who knows, could work out great in a couple years.

A lot of factors go in to value. Depends who's there and how you have your board rankings, what your needs are, if your willing to deal and if there's another team willing to deal, etc., etc. I don't have a problem moving down if we can, but I'm of the opinion that if the guy you want is there, then take him and don't play around with the odds someone you like will there if you move down. Also, I'm not advocating we take Jenkins, but he does make sense and I could see them going that route regardless if they pick him at #15 or later.