As the Jets get close to training camp, I am examining the roster and giving you my top 25 players. Each weekday, we will reveal another person on the list, leading right into camp. I am not including rookies on this list because I do not feel it is possible to fully evaluate them before they play a game.
No. 12: Jordan Jenkins
Last year’s ranking: 12
Position: OLB
Age on Opening Day: 26
How acquired: Selected in the third round of the 2016 Draft.
Years left on contract: 1
2020 Salary Cap figure: $3.9 million
Looking back at 2019
Jenkins was his usual, steady self again in 2019. He is one of the rare mid-round draft picks that have worked out for the Jets in recent years.
He played in 14 games, starting 13. He missed two games early in the season with a calf injury but played well after he returned.
Jenkins led the Jets with eight sacks after posting seven the year before. He also had 32 tackles, three passes defensed, two forced fumbles, nine tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits, tied for the team lead.
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During his four years with the Jets, Jenkins has shown he is not an elite edge rusher, but is more than serviceable and his play is consistent. Jenkins played 52 percent of the defensive snaps.
PFF graded Jenkins as their 53rd edge rusher out of 102 who qualified. He was 55th in run defense and 47th in pass rush.
Outlook for 2020
It appeared Jenkins would be playing elsewhere in 2020 for a little while in March. The Jets were not interested in giving Jenkins the big contract he was seeking. There was speculation he could go to the Giants. Then, Jenkins seemingly realized his market was not developing as anticipated. So, Jenkins took a one-year, $3.25 million contract with just $1.5 million guaranteed to return to the Jets. It was one of the most stunning contracts of free agency because Jenkins was expected to get a decent deal.
Surely Jenkins will play this season with a chip on his shoulder and eager to show the Jets and every other team that he is worthy of a bigger contract. That should benefit the Jets.
Jenkins is a solid player on the field and a good locker-room guy. He is well liked by his coaches and teammates and has worked hard to get where he’s at. Jenkins has 15 sacks over the past two seasons. In his second season with Gregg Williams, maybe Jenkins can break through and get double-digit sacks this year. The Jets will be counting on him coming off the edge.