In a stop-gap effort to replace cornerbacks they released in March of this year, the Tennessee Titans signed Janoris “Jackrabbit” Jenkins to a two-year, $15 million contract. Through the first four weeks, the 32-year-old has not looked anything like the player who earned Pro Bowl honors in 2016.
Jenkins, a former second-round pick of the then-St. Louis Rams in 2012, has struggled, allowing a 66.7 percent completion rate on 30 balls thrown his way, and a 102.2 QB rating, both on pace for career-worsts.
In Sunday’s overtime loss to the New York Jets, Jenkins was allowing nearly 15 yards of cushion on a third-and-3 in the extra period. Thanks to Denico Autry, Tennessee held the Jets to a field goal.
On Monday, Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said he would speak with Jenkins — and Kristian Fulton — about playing tighter coverage in these situations, but that’s something a nine-year veteran should know by now.
Vrabel on this play: I will tell Kristian and Jenkins that they shouldn’t be this far off. #Titans pic.twitter.com/UGQc7raN0L
— Luke Worsham (@luke_worsham) October 4, 2021
On Sunday, he was responsible for allowing Jets receiver Keelan Cole to haul in a 54-yard gain in the third quarter, and a 29-yard reception in overtime.
“Us as a defense, or us as team, we’re just not understanding how to play complementary football right now,” safety Kevin Byard said on Sunday. “When the offense makes a big play, we have to go out there and make a stop. When you don’t do that, things aren’t going to go well.”
The Titans have had their issues giving up big plays, and while not all of the blame falls squarely on Jenkins’ shoulders, he’s been a liability in the secondary thus far.
Here’s a complete look at his advanced statistics, per Pro Football Reference.
- 66.7 completion percentage allowed
- 99.5 QBR
- 12.1 yards per completion
- 190 air yards on completion
All values are the worst among Titans defensive backs who have been targeted at least five times.
The Titans are not in a position for rookie Caleb Farley to take over for Jenkins, as the team’s first-round pick in this year’s draft is still getting up to speed after sitting out all of 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Should he continue at this pace, the Titans can cut ties with Jenkins in the offseason, but they would carry a $3.2 million dead cap hit next season, according to Spotrac.
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