Defensive backs will be put through their paces today at the 2012 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. With that in mind, let's use today's 2012 NFL Draft Prospect Profile on one of the more heavily-scrutinized cornerbacks in this year's class, Janoris Jenkins of North Alabama.
Jenkins is a talented player who carries a late first-round grade into the Combine, but who is an enormous risk. He has had a number of off-the-field issues, meaning his character has come into question.
Jenkins is spending a great deal of time at the Combine trying reassure teams that the drug issues that got him kicked out of Florida are a thing of the past.
"I’m done with marijuana forever. I can’t do it, man," Jenkins said.
After the jump, the Jenkins scouting reports.
From Draft Tek, which ranks Jenkins 25th overall and second among cornerbacks in this year's class.
Strengths
- Fluid hips
- Good backpedal and great in transition
- Great speed
- Very athletic
- Versatile, has a nice skillset for man, off, or zone
- Solid overall production, particularly at Florida
- Stayed clean during his senior year at North Alabama, rehabbing his image some
- Very competitive
- Great closing speed
- Solid tackler
- Dynamic punt returner
Weaknesses
- Mediocre senior season against competition he should have dominated
- Can be dominated by bigger, more physical corners
- Too aggressive at times which makes him susceptible to big plays
- A little undersized
- Missed 2010 bowl game with shoulder surgery
- Major character concerns, got into a ton of trouble off the field at Florida
"Janoris Jenkins has a ton of talent and would undoubtedly be rated as a first rounder based on his on-field production. There really isn't a whole lot to complain about in terms of on-field skills. He's very competitive, has fluid hips, great in transition, scheme versatile, experienced on special teams, and is a good tackler by corner standards. However, two marijuana arrests in a span of three months, an arrest in 2009 for a fight, and getting into a fight this season against Delta State that got him thrown out of a game all add up to major questions."
Wes Bunting of the National Football Post has Jenkins ranked No. 21 overall and, echoing others, believes his draft status simply comes down to whether or not he can proved to NFL teams that his off-the-field troubles are behind him.
"If he can put it all together off the field, he's got the ability to develop into a very good cover man in the NFL and despite his size he's going to be a really tough guy to separate from in just about any scheme he plays in."
NFL.com says:
"Jenkins is a natural cover corner who has strong instincts and athletic ability to cover top wideouts. Size is also a concern for Jenkins, but he has shown the ability to match up with big-time SEC talent through the years. He looks comfortable with the ball in his hands as a returner and projects to contribute there, as well. If teams can overlook his off-field transgressions, Jenkins has the natural abilities to be a bonafide first-round talent and potentially could be selected in the first 15 picks."
Anyone willing to see the Giants take a risk on this guy?
Janoris Jenkins Profile
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 183 pounds
School: North Alabama
40 Time: 4.45 (pre-Combine)
2011 Stats: 53 tackles, four passes defense, two interceptions