Malcolm Jenkins Report

Shutdown corners in the NFL are few and far between. We, as fans, throw that title around way to much, and not enough respect is given to the true lock down guys. While Malcolm Jenkins won't immediately step in and be a Champ Bailey, Nnamdi Asomugha or Antonie Winefild, Jenkins has the physicality, natural instincts, and experience to be in the class very quickly in his NFL career.
Jenkins has been remarkable as a cover corner despite teams avoiding him every game. He started 3 years at Ohio State and named 1st team All-Big Ten in each of those years. As a starter, he averaged 54 tackles and 4 interceptions in every season. He is the next great corner-back in the long line of Ohio State defensive back greats such as Antonie Winfield, Nate Clements, and Chris Gamble.

Strengths:
Jenkins's pure cover skills and body makeup give me the indication that he is bound for NFL success. He is very smooth as a defensive back in the sense that there is rarely wasted motion and he's very athletic in coverage. He has great size and a long arms, key for jamming the receiver as well as staying with him and batting the ball down. Jenkins also isn't a liability in run support, and can come up and make a sound hit. Finally, he is a very hard worker and a high character guy, and could even be willing to shift positions as a pro, most likely to free safety if a team doesn't feel he's a natural cover corner.

Weaknesses:
Jenkins's biggest knock is his lack of speed. Guys like Steve Smith or Chad Johnson could very well burn him deep if he can't keep his hands on them. He also has issues in his hip fluidity, and his breaks could be a problem when he is covering those deep posts or deep slants. Finally, he gambles a little as a corner, something he will have to stop all together because of his lack of great feet or recovery speed.

Jenkins, combine-wise, doesn't look like the ideal corner for the pro level. I agree that he may be best fit in the Cover 2 or at free safety to start his career, if he can break better and improve his foot speed, he could end up being another coming of Antonio Cromartie. Jenkins has shutdown ability, and if a team gives him a shot, they likely won't be disappointed. Because, at worst, he's an above average free safety, he brings relatively low risk to his drafting team, and will likely not drop out of the Top 20.

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