FL AJ Jenkins of Illinois ~ 6.0/189
"Jenkins was a two-year starter at Illinois (while also starting four games over his first two years) for the now-departed Ron Zook and has the speed to take the top off of defenses in the NFL.
He separates well when running with defenders and is good in securing the catch. He has shown a good amount of production and has fifth-round value at the next level if he can continue to get open the way he did in the Big Ten.
Strengths: Jenkins is quick off the ball and gets to top speed quickly. If he gets a free release, he can be tough for corners to stay with initially. He has ability to separate when necessary and is very fluid throughout his routes. His body is strikingly under control throughout, and he has good balance if corners try to push into his hips in-phase.
Jenkins is willing to go across the middle and always reaches out to pluck the ball. He is effective both long and deep but is less of a threat after the catch as he is running his routes.
Weaknesses: At the line, Jenkins initiates a hard step in, then back out, as his go-to move to release off the line, and corners can see it coming at times and get their hands in his chest to throw him off. He is a smooth runner, but he will take plays off and doesn't seem to run every route as hard as the next."
He separates well when running with defenders and is good in securing the catch. He has shown a good amount of production and has fifth-round value at the next level if he can continue to get open the way he did in the Big Ten.
Jenkins is willing to go across the middle and always reaches out to pluck the ball. He is effective both long and deep but is less of a threat after the catch as he is running his routes.
"Jenkins, who was also recruited by Florida, Florida State, Miami and South Carolina, was one of the more heralded recruits brought to Illinois by Ron Zook.
He saw immediate action in 2008 as a true freshman, playing in all 12 games, including one start (11-287-3). He started three games in 2009 as a sophomore, but saw his production drop a bit (10-123-1), missing two games with a knee injury. Jenkins started nine games in 2010 and finished as the team's leading receiver (56-749-7).
However, he really emerged in 2011 as a senior, posting team-highs in every receiving category, including a Big Ten-best 84 receptions for 1,196 yards and 7 TDs.
Jenkins isn't a burner or consistent vertical threat, but he plays fast and with a degree of confidence. He is more quick than fast and covers a lot of ground in the short half of the field and is slippery after the catch. He has a lanky frame and will be overmatched physically by most cornerbacks in the NFL, but should be a solid underneath option.
Jenkins doesn't appear to have the strength or natural speed to hold up on the outside as a pro, but could develop into a solid No. 3 or 4 for a team if he becomes more disciplined as a route-runner and devotes himself to the game of football.
***
Strengths: Jenkins is a balanced athlete with good body control and hand/eye coordination. He plays fast and can create after the catch. Jenkins does a nice job finding soft spots in zone coverage and will immediately turn upfield after the reception.
He catches the ball with his large, soft hands and is tough, showing the ability to hold onto the ball after a big hit. Jenkins is a much improved route-runner with sharp moves in/out of his breaks and good field awareness. He uses his body movements to sell routes and makes plays at all levels of the field.
Jenkins has a very good feel in coverage and has deceptive jets to gain a step and track the deep ball downfield.
He put together a strong senior resume, leading the Big Ten in catches (84) and emerged as Illinois' go-to option through the air - producing at least four catches in every game in 2011 and set a new single game school record with 268 receiving yards (vs. Northwestern, 10/1/11).
Weaknesses: Jenkins has only average size with a narrow body type and a lean, lanky frame. He needs to spend more time in the weight room and get stronger. Jenkins' lack of strength has been exposed in a few jump-ball situations and he needs to be more competitive in tight coverage.
He tends to round off some patterns and will get lazy in this area, choosing instead to abandon his routes and freelance at times. Jenkins will hold the ball too loose from his body and needs to improve his ball security and cut down on fumbles. He will try and make body catches at times, which will lead to drops.
Jenkins has some experience as a kick returner, but isn't overly effective or reliable in this area. The Florida native has struggled in poor weather games, especially snow. He got into a few spats with former head coach Ron Zook and the rest of the Illinois coaching staff, so pre-draft interviews will be crucial to answering any effort or character concerns.
NFL Comparison: Brandon Lloyd, Rams: Jenkins has similar build and playing style as the former Illini, but not the same type of ball skills and polish."
-- Dane Brugler
He saw immediate action in 2008 as a true freshman, playing in all 12 games, including one start (11-287-3). He started three games in 2009 as a sophomore, but saw his production drop a bit (10-123-1), missing two games with a knee injury. Jenkins started nine games in 2010 and finished as the team's leading receiver (56-749-7).
However, he really emerged in 2011 as a senior, posting team-highs in every receiving category, including a Big Ten-best 84 receptions for 1,196 yards and 7 TDs.
Jenkins isn't a burner or consistent vertical threat, but he plays fast and with a degree of confidence. He is more quick than fast and covers a lot of ground in the short half of the field and is slippery after the catch. He has a lanky frame and will be overmatched physically by most cornerbacks in the NFL, but should be a solid underneath option.
Jenkins doesn't appear to have the strength or natural speed to hold up on the outside as a pro, but could develop into a solid No. 3 or 4 for a team if he becomes more disciplined as a route-runner and devotes himself to the game of football.
***
Strengths: Jenkins is a balanced athlete with good body control and hand/eye coordination. He plays fast and can create after the catch. Jenkins does a nice job finding soft spots in zone coverage and will immediately turn upfield after the reception.
He catches the ball with his large, soft hands and is tough, showing the ability to hold onto the ball after a big hit. Jenkins is a much improved route-runner with sharp moves in/out of his breaks and good field awareness. He uses his body movements to sell routes and makes plays at all levels of the field.
Jenkins has a very good feel in coverage and has deceptive jets to gain a step and track the deep ball downfield.
He put together a strong senior resume, leading the Big Ten in catches (84) and emerged as Illinois' go-to option through the air - producing at least four catches in every game in 2011 and set a new single game school record with 268 receiving yards (vs. Northwestern, 10/1/11).
Weaknesses: Jenkins has only average size with a narrow body type and a lean, lanky frame. He needs to spend more time in the weight room and get stronger. Jenkins' lack of strength has been exposed in a few jump-ball situations and he needs to be more competitive in tight coverage.
He tends to round off some patterns and will get lazy in this area, choosing instead to abandon his routes and freelance at times. Jenkins will hold the ball too loose from his body and needs to improve his ball security and cut down on fumbles. He will try and make body catches at times, which will lead to drops.
Jenkins has some experience as a kick returner, but isn't overly effective or reliable in this area. The Florida native has struggled in poor weather games, especially snow. He got into a few spats with former head coach Ron Zook and the rest of the Illinois coaching staff, so pre-draft interviews will be crucial to answering any effort or character concerns.
NFL Comparison: Brandon Lloyd, Rams: Jenkins has similar build and playing style as the former Illini, but not the same type of ball skills and polish."
-- Dane Brugler
"Possesses average height for the position with a thin frame. However, displays a real savvy about his game when asked to find soft spots in coverage. Works his back toward the quarterback, understands angles and is always finding himself open vs. zone. Is also very coordinated when asked to adjust to the throw.
Does a nice job extending his arms, plucking the football away from his frame and coming down with the catch. Displays good body control along the sideline as well, knowing where he's located, maintaining concentration and keeping his feet in bounds.
Possesses good straight-line speed. Looks like a low 4.4 guy and is a potential vertical threat at the next level. Accelerates well underneath on crossing patterns and can run away from defenders in man coverage.
Does a nice job stemming his route off the line, doesn't tip his hand early. Has a "plus" initial burst when asked to eat up the cushion and can accelerate a bit when changing direction. However, gets leggy out of his routes. Rounds off his breaks consistently and isn't real clean when trying to change directions on sharply breaking routes.
But, possesses "plus" burst down the field out of his break on vertical routes and does a nice job being patient setting up his breaks. Hasn't been asked to handle much press coverage and/or even man coverage for that matter playing in the Illinois spread offense.
Is going to need time to get used to seeing defenders up in his grill. Doesn't seem overly physical or quick in order to handle press however.
Impression: Has a nice feel for the game, plucks the football well and has the speed to run away from defenders. Is a developing route runner who looks a bit limited in that area, but in the right offense he should be able to create as a reserve down the field."
Does a nice job extending his arms, plucking the football away from his frame and coming down with the catch. Displays good body control along the sideline as well, knowing where he's located, maintaining concentration and keeping his feet in bounds.
Possesses good straight-line speed. Looks like a low 4.4 guy and is a potential vertical threat at the next level. Accelerates well underneath on crossing patterns and can run away from defenders in man coverage.
Does a nice job stemming his route off the line, doesn't tip his hand early. Has a "plus" initial burst when asked to eat up the cushion and can accelerate a bit when changing direction. However, gets leggy out of his routes. Rounds off his breaks consistently and isn't real clean when trying to change directions on sharply breaking routes.
But, possesses "plus" burst down the field out of his break on vertical routes and does a nice job being patient setting up his breaks. Hasn't been asked to handle much press coverage and/or even man coverage for that matter playing in the Illinois spread offense.
Is going to need time to get used to seeing defenders up in his grill. Doesn't seem overly physical or quick in order to handle press however.
Impression: Has a nice feel for the game, plucks the football well and has the speed to run away from defenders. Is a developing route runner who looks a bit limited in that area, but in the right offense he should be able to create as a reserve down the field."
"Strengths: Jenkins is a master at finding soft spots in coverage. I love his football IQ as he finds ways to get open and shows a route running savvy that is rare. He has very good speed that could lend itself to being a vertical threat in the NFL. He is a hands catcher that doesn’t often put the ball on the ground. He has very good body control on the sidelines and in the air. His speed make him dangerous in the open field and on crossing patterns as he’s able to run away from man coverage. He could be a dangerous receiver in the West Coast offense working the crossing routes.
Weaknesses: Jenkins is a savvy route runner but lacks the refinement in technique. He runs through breaks rather than selling them as he relies on his straight-line speed. Doesn’t often face press man coverage which could be an issue in the NFL with a thinner frame. Strength at the line will need to be test in the pre-draft process.
Bottom Line: Jenkins could have some value for a team in need of a speed receiver that can work the underneath crossing patterns with the best of them. I like Jenkins for teams like Green Bay and Cleveland that utilize underneath crossing routes that rely on yards after the catch. Jenkins thin frame and durability could be a concern.
Draft Projection: Jenkins will be a good value in the middle of round 3."
Weaknesses: Jenkins is a savvy route runner but lacks the refinement in technique. He runs through breaks rather than selling them as he relies on his straight-line speed. Doesn’t often face press man coverage which could be an issue in the NFL with a thinner frame. Strength at the line will need to be test in the pre-draft process.
Bottom Line: Jenkins could have some value for a team in need of a speed receiver that can work the underneath crossing patterns with the best of them. I like Jenkins for teams like Green Bay and Cleveland that utilize underneath crossing routes that rely on yards after the catch. Jenkins thin frame and durability could be a concern.
Draft Projection: Jenkins will be a good value in the middle of round 3."
"Adequate-sized, slender, short-to-intermediate zone receiver who is tough, quick and slippery underneath and shows good hands to extend and snatch throws away from his body.
Needs to bulk up, does not run a full route tree and work habits are inconsistent."
Needs to bulk up, does not run a full route tree and work habits are inconsistent."
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