Tag: rayshawn jenkins

Jaguars land some secondary help after agreement with Rayshawn Jenkins

With Day 1 of the tampering period about to wrap up, the Jags were able to land a starter in the secondary.

The Jacksonville Jaguars needed to come out of free agency with a starter in their secondary and did just that Monday. Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the team came to terms with safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who formerly played for the Los Angeles Chargers.

The deal was a four-year deal, but the terms haven’t been disclosed yet.

Jenkins, 27, will be returning to his home state of Florida as a native of St. Petersburg. He was drafted in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami.

Jenkins will join a Jags’ safety group that desperately needs him as the Jags have struggled to find a proven or consistent answer to play alongside Jarrod Wilson. He’ll also provide them with a player who can stay healthy as he’s only missed three regular season games.

Jenkins will enter his Jags tenure with 32 career regular season NFL starts to his name. During his time in Los Angeles, he was also able to accumulate 174 combined tackles along with nine pass breakups and five picks.

In terms of his Pro Football Focus figures, Jenkins overall grade of 68.9 ranked him 29th of 94 eligible players when it comes to safety grades. A big part of that was the 70 figure he registered in coverage, which is an area the Jags safeties struggled at.

Rayshawn Jenkins appears to be hinting at free agency move

The Los Angeles Chargers’ fourth-round pick of the 2017 NFL draft could be playing elsewhere next season.

With the NFL offseason in full swing, teams have already begun locking up some of their own players.

The only moves that the Chargers have made are releasing Casey Hayward and Trai Turner, but have not re-signed any of their in-house members to this point.

Los Angeles has a few notable pending free agents that the franchise will have to make a decision on. Among the crop is safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who recently hinted at not returning next season.

Jenkins went to his Twitter, where he posted a tweet that said, “Scary Hours. 2 years starting, I’m just getting started. Excited to see where we headed next,” which included a highlight tape.

After spending the beginning of his career as an outlier in the secondary, Jenkins was a key contributor at both safety spots and as the team’s dime backer, especially during the absence of Derwin James the past two seasons.

In 2019, Jenkins led the team in defensive snaps, posting a career-high in interceptions (3). In 2020, he finished second in tackles (84) while amassing four passes defended, two interceptions, and a sack.

After two consecutive seasons of strong play, Jenkins is worth being re-signed. However, the reason why he might not be back next season is because head coach Brandon Staley could be choosing to build his secondary with players that fit his scheme, hence the reason to let go of Hayward.

Only time will tell.

2021 Free Agency: What will Chargers do with safety Rayshawn Jenkins?

The Los Angeles Chargers have a decision to make.

The Chargers will have a handful of unrestricted players set to hit free agency and among the notables is safety Rayshawn Jenkins.

After spending the beginning of his career as an outlier in the secondary, Jenkins was a key contributor at both safety spots and as the team’s dime backer, especially during the absence of Derwin James the past two seasons.

In 2019, Jenkins led the team in defensive snaps, posting a career-high in interceptions (3). In 2020, he finished second in tackles (84) while amassing four passes defensed, two interceptions and a sack.

Jenkins was ranked 29th out of 94 in his position by Pro Football Focus

Jenkins, the team’s fourth-round pick of the 2017 NFL draft, recently turned 27 years old. Still relatively young, he has shown that he can be counted on in the starting role.

Given the fact that Nasir Adderley struggled in the single-high role last season, Jenkins is a candidate to start there next season after proving his worth at the spot in 2019.

While he’s improved each season, his tackling still leaves a little bit to be desired. With the new coaching staff, it’s correctable.

But what remains to be seen is if head coach Brandon Staley wants to be the one who maximizes his skillset or if he’d rather roll with someone who’s already familiar with his system like John Johnson to pair with James.

The likelihood of him returning is moderate. My prediction is that the Bolts will re-sign him to a three-year deal worth $21 million.

What that being said, what should L.A. do? Vote in the poll below.

12 low-cost free agents who can help the Lions in 2021

Some budget free agency options for the Lions and GM Brad Holmes

Free agency begins on March 17th, the first time the new Detroit Lions management regime, headed by GM Brad Holmes, will have a chance to add significant pieces to the roster (outside of the Goff-Stafford trade, which also becomes official that day). We don’t yet know how Holmes, assistant GM Ray Agnew and senior executive John Dorsey will handle free agency acquisitions, but one way they can help the team is to find value without overpaying.

The theme here is to find lower-budget free agents who have a chance to contribute right away, but also with an eye toward perhaps being part of the longer-term success of the Lions.

None of the 12 players listed here should command more than $5 million per year on average. If that threshold isn’t met, the Lions probably need to pass on the players here. Also, none will be more than 31 years old at the start of the 2021 regular season.

Ranking Chargers free agents that could be re-signed for 2021 season

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco could be prioritizing these eight players.

While all the attention is shifted to who the Chargers could sign in free agency, there’s also a crop of in-house players that general manager Tom Telesco will have to decide on when the new league year begins in March.

It’s unclear how many of these players the team will be able to keep, but they will have to be selective during the process.

With that being said, I’ve ranked them in order, from least likely to be re-signed to most likely.

Predictions on which Chargers free agents will return in 2021

Who will Chargers general manager Tom Telesco bring back next season?

The Chargers enter this offseason with 17 players who will be unrestricted free agents, and everyone knows that the team can’t keep everyone.

The good news for Los Angeles is that they have the salary-cap space to ensure that they’re able to keep some of them, as they’re estimated to have a little over $23 million in estimated cap space.

So who will return this upcoming season?

It all starts with the top free agent not only on the team but among the entire league, with that being tight end Hunter Henry.

Henry, who played on the franchise tag this past season, proved that he’s worthy of receiving a long-term extension.

There have been some concerns over Henry’s injuries, but he played in all but two games in 2020, where he had a career-high 60 catches (93 targets) for 613 yards and four touchdowns.

He could command close to a top-of-the-market deal, which is in the per-year-range of $14 million to 15 million. However, tight ends like Henry don’t grow on trees, so it would be wise for the team to re-sign him.

Next on the list is cornerback Michael Davis.

Davis improved as a player this season, both as a tackler and in coverage. He surpassed career high in interceptions with three, including a pick-six against the Buccaneers. He appeared more confident, showing the ability to be a solid No. 2 corner.

Sticking in the secondary, safety Rayshawn Jenkins proved that he’s worthy of a contract extension.

Jenkins has shown to be a key contributor at both safety spots and as the team’s dime backer. The gradual growth with Jenkins has been evident and with a healthy Derwin James in 2021, the two would make a formidable safety tandem.

Head coach Brandon Staley’s defense is predicated off of good defensive back play, so he could be banking on getting the most out of them with his coaching.

Staying on the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Denzel Perryman enjoyed arguably his best season as a pro this past season.

Playing all but three games, Perryman performed at a high level. The former Miami product was strong against the run and he was improved in coverage. Plus, he presented a much-needed veteran presence in the middle of the defense, especially while LB Kenneth Murray dealt with growing pains.

The Chargers have three starters along the offensive line from this past season who are expected to be free agents, tackle Sam Tevi, guard Forrest Lamp and center Dan Feeney.

I see L.A. re-signing all of them.

After making the switch from right tackle to left tackle, Tevi played fine in the starting role. The Chargers like Tevi, and I believe they will keep him to at least serve as a depth piece.

Feeney was inconsistent this past season, but Los Angeles still seems confident that he will develop into a reliable starter in the middle of their offensive line. Plus, Feeney has been durable since entering the league in 2017, so it helps his case.

As for Lamp, he managed to put together a full season where he stayed healthy after being hampered with lower body injuries. I believe he will be re-signed to serve as a swing depth guard.

But regardless, the Chargers still need more talent up front.

So there you have it. I believe the Bolts will re-sign seven of their own players.

Poll: Which free agents should Chargers re-sign in 2021?

Which impending free agents should Chargers general manager Tom Telesco bring back next season?

The Chargers have a handful of impending free agents when the new league year begins in March. It’s unclear how many of these players the team will be able to keep, but they will have to be selective during the process.

Even though they have a decent amount of salary cap space available, they need to make sure that they have enough to bring in unrestricted free agents from other teams.

There are several of these players that will likely get attention on the open market because of their success that they had with the Bolts.

If the decision was up to you, which free agents would you have the Bolts re-sign in 2021?

While our poll only lists nine, you can find the full list of the team’s free agents here.

Note: You can pick more than one player.

https://fast-poll.com/poll/ba1c5587

6 pivotal questions heading into the Chargers offseason

The Chargers need to nail the offseason in order to get back to their winning ways.

A week after the regular season came to an end, the Chargers are already hard at work preparing for how their team might look during the 2021 season.

Here are six of the top questions surrounding Los Angeles entering the offseason:

1. Who will be the head coach?

The Chargers and Anthony Lynn ended a four-year marriage after the second consecutive season of underwhelming results. The inconsistent play-calling and game management was the reason that Lynn got the boot, and Los Angeles making sure there isn’t a repeat of that.

Los Angeles is not only looking for someone to maximize rookie sensation Justin Herbert’s potential, but someone who can oversee the team, not just one side of the ball or the other. Along with that, someone who is quick to make changes when an area is not going as planned, such as special teams.

The current favorite to get the job is Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, given his success with QB Josh Allen and the close ties he has to general manager Tom Telesco. There are plenty of other intriguing options that could get the job, too, including 49ers’ Robert Saleh, Colts’ Matt Eberflus and Titans’ Arthur Smith.

Then comes the rest of the staff. Offensive coordinator Shane Steichen is still under contract. Whoever is hired, will they elect to keep Steichen as the offensive coordinator, given his success with quarterback Justin Herbert. Maybe they promote quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton? Or, will they bring in someone from another team?

2. Who will be re-signed?

Like last offseason, the Chargers will have a slew of starters whose contracts are up. The crop includes tight end Hunter Henry, cornerback Michael Davis, safety Rayshawn Jenkins, edge defender Melvin Ingram, linebacker Denzel Perryman, center Dan Feeney, guard Forrest Lamp and tackle Sam Tevi.

Out of the bunch, I expect Telesco to look to re-sign Henry, Davis, Jenkins, Feeney and Perryman. Henry has been a key contributor in the passing and run game. At only 26, his best years are still ahead of him. Davis and Jenkins were arguably the two best players in the secondary. While inconsistent, Feeney has been durable as can be. Perryman played one of his best seasons.

Ingram is one of the more notables, but I believe the injuries and lack of production (zero sacks and four QB hits) in a contract year hindered his chances of getting an extension. Plus, the team may believe that Uchenna Nwosu is capable of taking the starting role.

3. How will the offensive line be re-shaped?

Last offseason, it appeared that the Chargers hit a home run with the acquisitions of tackle Bryan Bulaga and guard Trai Turner. However, it didn’t pay off during the regular season, as the two only managed to play 10 and nine games, respectively, due to injuries.

As for the rest of the line, Tevi was arguably the most consistent. While he managed to play every game, Lamp had his struggles, particularly in pass protection. Feeney’s play was up and down. OT Trey Pipkins didn’t improve much from last season. Storm Norton impressed in his limited action.

All in all, the line needs some remodeling. Los Angeles could draft a starting left tackle in the first two rounds and depth with another pick or two. With roughly $23 million in cap space, they could find a starting left guard in free agency and use of that money to find a reliable depth piece for cheap.

At his end-of-season press conference, Telesco says there is a lot of improvements that needs to happen with the offensive line. He has struggled to build a competent offensive line since the start of his tenure. Can he finally do it this year?

4. How will the draft be attacked?

The Chargers have two additional draft picks, one third-round compensatory from the Colts acquisition of QB Philip Rivers and a sixth-round via the Titans (cornerback Desmond King trade).

With nine picks, this could be a make or break draft for Telesco. He is tasked with finding at least two offensive lineman, a potential replacement for Ingram, a starting caliber cornerback, another weapon or two for Herbert and depth players that can be special teams aces from Day 1.

5. Will any players be cut?

Telesco has seen players walk in free agency that eventually find success elsewhere, but he hasn’t been notorious for cutting those who are still under contract. Could that change this year? Two players come to mind: Turner, cornerback Casey Hayward.

Turner only saw the field nine times this past season. They would save $11.5 million in cap space with no dead money if they cut him. Hayward’s play was disappointing, too. The team would save $9.75 million in cap space with a $2 million dead-money charge this offseason if they cut Hayward.

6. What will the defense look like?

With Lynn gone, that likely means that defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will be finding a new home, too. The past four years under Bradley, the Chargers ran a heavy Cover 3 scheme that was fixed on zone coverages.

Whoever the new head coach brings in as the new defensive coordinator is and the system they implement will be enticing. Should they stick with a similar scheme or shift to a different one, maybe a more pressure oriented defense that is multiple?

This will all have an impact on the players that they’re looking to target in free agency and the draft. Before, it was easy to diagnose if they were a fit. But with no set defensive coordinator, we don’t know what kind of players and prospects fit the bill.

ESPN: Chargers ‘surprisingly comfortable despite losing record’

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler lists the offseason priorities for the Chargers in order to get better over the next six months.

With the 2020 regular season behind us, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler presented his annual “NFL overhaul tiers,” where he writes about every non-playoff team in 2020 and what they need to do to improve in 2021.

Following a season that was riddled with injuries inconsistent play-calling, inconsistent performances — with the exceptions of quarterback Justin Herbert — the Chargers made the decision to part ways with coach Anthony Lynn.

The first thing that Fowler mentions is maximizing Herbert by giving him whatever he needs as far as offensive system with the new head coach, adding that the rookie already has elite play-makers around him.

Los Angeles has wide receivers Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and running back Austin Ekeler. But, tight end Hunter Henry’s future with the team remains to be seen, considering he is a free agent.

Today, general manager Tom Telesco said that the offensive line needs a lot of work, which I concur with. Fowler noted that the line just needs at least one more piece.

Bryan Bulaga and Trai Turner have drawn durability concerns and starters Sam Tevi, Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney are all slated to hit free agency.

To build around Herbert, I laid out six offensive options that the Bolts could target in the first-round of the 2021 NFL draft.

On the other side of the ball, Fowler said that the defense isn’t as talented as it was two years ago, highlighting it being aging and needing reinforcements up front and in the secondary.

Notables like edge defender Melvin Ingram, cornerback Michael Davis, safety Rayshawn Jenkins and linebacker Denzel Perryman will be free agents. Meanwhile, the depth proved to be unreliable. The team needs more play-makers at all levels.

Chargers safety Alohi Gilman set for expanded role in season finale

Audition time for the Chargers’ sixth-round pick.

The Chargers and Chiefs have nothing to play for in the season finale this Sunday, which makes this a great opportunity for players that haven’t seen the field that much to finally get some reps.

Among the crop that could get an expanded role this weekend is rookie safety Alohi Gilman.

Rayshawn Jenkins is likely going to be out and today, defensive coordinator Gus Bradley implied that his backup, Jahleel Addae, is not going to play in Week 17. Therefore, Gilman, as well as Jaylen Watkins, will get a good chunk of playing time.

Gilman, the sixth-round pick, has primarily been used on special teams this season. Last weekend against the Broncos when Jenkins left, he was on the field in dime packages, playing a total of 22 snaps.

This weekend, the former Notre Dame product will likely log snaps at both strong safety and dime linebacker.

Gilman was a player that always flashed in college and when he was down in Mobile, AL for the Senior Bowl. At his best in the underneath areas, he showed an understanding of pursuit angles and great instincts against the run and in zone coverage.

Given the inconsistent production from the safety position, this will be the perfect opportunity for Gilman to prove that he’s worth receiving more playing time next season. His combination of physicality and all-out effort could carve out a role.