Pro Football Focus recently ranked the top 32 outside cornerbacks in the NFL going into the 2021 campaign, and Tennessee Titans cornerback Janoris Jenkins landed near the bottom of the list.
PFF’s Ben Linsey ranked Jenkins at No. 27 on the list as he prepares to play his first season in Nashville in 2021. Here’s what Linsey had to say about the veteran.
Jenkins was part of the facelift at the cornerback position for Tennessee this offseason, replacing Malcolm Butler and Adoree’ Jackson with Jenkins and first-round pick Caleb Farley.
Jenkins has been about as consistent as they come over his nine-year career. He has earned overall grades between 64.7 and 72.9 in every season since 2012, barring a career-high 82.5 grade in his first year with the Giants in 2016. The steady veteran presence that he should bring will be important for a secondary that will likely start two cornerbacks under the age of 24 alongside him.
Jenkins — along with the selections of cornerbacks Caleb Farley and Elijah Molden — is one piece of the Titans’ massive overhaul of its secondary that also included parting ways with cornerback Adoree’ Jackson and Malcolm Butler, and safety Kenny Vaccaro.
Jenkins is set to start on the boundary for Tennessee, but who starts opposite him and in the slot is still uncertain. Most believe — including yours truly — that Farley will ultimately get the nod on the boundary, and Kristian Fulton will man the slot.
Of course, that will depend upon how ready Farley is when the season starts, so we can’t rule out the LSU product taking that role on the outside, at least to start the season. Molden is another player to keep an eye on as far as the starting slot role is concerned.
No matter who Tennessee decides to go with, Jenkins, who has shown leadership qualities when it comes to helping younger players in the past, will bring valuable knowledge and experience, on top of his talent, to the Titans’ young secondary that will no doubt help in its development.