Dallas Cowboy: CB Mike Jenkins
War Room analysis
Round 1, Pick 25
by David Durochik
for http://warroom.sportingnews.com
Overall grade: 8.2
Position rank: 1
Ball skills: 5
Closing speed: 4
Coverage/skills: 3
Run support: 7
Run/pass recognition: 16
NFL comparison: Chris McAlister, Ravens
POST-DRAFT TAKE: Cowboys moved up from No. 27 to get ahead of the Texans and Chargers, who both were eye-balling cornerbacks. Jenkins is tough and physical and should step in as the starter opposite Terence Newman. That would allow the team to move Anthony Henry to safety. This pick also gives the Cowboys insurance in case newly acquired Pacman Jones gets in trouble again.
PRE-DRAFT REPORT:
Coverage skills: Has good height, and shows the quickness, athletic ability and speed to excel in all types of coverage. Was much more consistent in coverage as a senior. Stays with receivers man-to-man despite raw footwork. Shows ability to plant, drive and close explosively on passes, breaking them up or delivering violent hits. When back is to quarterback in deep man coverage, lacks ball awareness and allows completions over his shoulder. Grade: 8.5
Run/pass recognition: Diagnoses plays well, and does not bite on play-action fakes. Reads the quarterback well in "off" or zone coverage, using explosiveness to close on passes. Grade: 8.5
Closing speed: Shows good closing burst on passes in front of him, breaking up plays. Shows loose hips, speed and acceleration to run with any receiver downfield. Turns and runs with receivers in bump-and-run coverage, and stays with them all over the field. Grade: 8.5
Ball skills: In 2007, consistently was all over his man, making plays on the ball. Shows body control and coordination to use long arms to reach in front of receivers and break up passes. Shows the hands to make tough interceptions cutting in front of receivers. Grade: 8.0
Run support: Improved in '07 to become a real force in this area. Comes up quickly to deliver hard hits. Maintains balance, and tackles well in the open field. Grade: 8.0
Bottom line: Jenkins clearly put in a lot of time and hard work to improve after his junior season. He now is much more consistent, emerging as more of a playmaker while allowing almost no completions of note. Jenkins will shine in pre-draft workouts, and we are confident he will be the first cornerback selected.
Round 1, Pick 25
by David Durochik
for http://warroom.sportingnews.com
Overall grade: 8.2
Position rank: 1
Ball skills: 5
Closing speed: 4
Coverage/skills: 3
Run support: 7
Run/pass recognition: 16
NFL comparison: Chris McAlister, Ravens
POST-DRAFT TAKE: Cowboys moved up from No. 27 to get ahead of the Texans and Chargers, who both were eye-balling cornerbacks. Jenkins is tough and physical and should step in as the starter opposite Terence Newman. That would allow the team to move Anthony Henry to safety. This pick also gives the Cowboys insurance in case newly acquired Pacman Jones gets in trouble again.
PRE-DRAFT REPORT:
Coverage skills: Has good height, and shows the quickness, athletic ability and speed to excel in all types of coverage. Was much more consistent in coverage as a senior. Stays with receivers man-to-man despite raw footwork. Shows ability to plant, drive and close explosively on passes, breaking them up or delivering violent hits. When back is to quarterback in deep man coverage, lacks ball awareness and allows completions over his shoulder. Grade: 8.5
Run/pass recognition: Diagnoses plays well, and does not bite on play-action fakes. Reads the quarterback well in "off" or zone coverage, using explosiveness to close on passes. Grade: 8.5
Closing speed: Shows good closing burst on passes in front of him, breaking up plays. Shows loose hips, speed and acceleration to run with any receiver downfield. Turns and runs with receivers in bump-and-run coverage, and stays with them all over the field. Grade: 8.5
Ball skills: In 2007, consistently was all over his man, making plays on the ball. Shows body control and coordination to use long arms to reach in front of receivers and break up passes. Shows the hands to make tough interceptions cutting in front of receivers. Grade: 8.0
Run support: Improved in '07 to become a real force in this area. Comes up quickly to deliver hard hits. Maintains balance, and tackles well in the open field. Grade: 8.0
Bottom line: Jenkins clearly put in a lot of time and hard work to improve after his junior season. He now is much more consistent, emerging as more of a playmaker while allowing almost no completions of note. Jenkins will shine in pre-draft workouts, and we are confident he will be the first cornerback selected.
posted by The Gryphon at 9:26 PM
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