Janoris Jenkins - Pro Football Rumors

NFC East Notes: Giants, Solder, Jenkins, Redskins

October 23rd, 2019 at 9:16pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Stonewalled by the Redskins in Trent Williams talks, the Browns reportedly have interest in acquiring left tackle Nate Solder from the Giants. Solder, however, doesn’t seem to have any interest in leaving New York — not that he’d necessarily have any say in the matter. “I love being here, I love this group of guys and I love this team,” Solder said when asked about the trade rumors, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. Solder signed a four-year, $62MM deal with the Giants just last year, but given Big Blue’s 2-5 record, they could conceivably be open to moving the veteran. Cleveland, for its part, seems intent in trading for an offensive tackle before next week’s deadline and has reportedly contacted other NFC East clubs.

Here’s more from the NFC East:

Speaking of Giants who could be on the move in the next week, Ralph Vacchiano of SNY spoke with NFL scouts and executives about what certain New York players could be worth via trade. By all accounts, cornerback Janoris Jenkins is the most likely Giant to be dealt, and Vacchiano speculates the veteran defensive back could reap a third- or fourth-round pick. Linebacker Alec Ogletree, wide receiver Golden Tate, and even tight end Evan Engram could all be candidates to be traded if New York decides to embark on a full rebuild.
Adrian Peterson is hoping to face his former team when the Redskins go up against the Vikings on Thursday night football, but he’s currently wearing the “questionable” label for Week 8, as John Keim of ESPN.com tweets. The veteran running back suffered multiple ankle sprains against the 49ers on Sunday, but he told Josina Anderson of ESPN.com (Twitter link) that he feels “good” and wants to play. Peterson, who’s posted 307 yards on 83 carries this year, was a limited participant at Wednesday’s practice session.
Giants wideout Sterling Shepard put in a limited practice today, per Vacchiano (Twitter link). Still, it’s unclear whether he’ll be ready to go when New York faces Detroit on Sunday. Shepard hasn’t played since Week 5 after suffering a concussion, and he’s actually suffered two brain injuries already this year. Given that the Giants aren’t contenders, they may continue to hold Shepard out with his long-term health in mind.

NFC Notes: Gurley, Panthers, Cowboys, Giants

April 28th, 2019 at 9:28pm CST by Micah Powell

Much has been made about Todd Gurley and his knee, which caused him issues in the 2018 postseason. The Rams didn’t do much to quiet those rumors when they tabbed Memphis running back Darrell Henderson with the No. 70 pick in the draft.

The team, however, is adamant the pick of Henderson has nothing to do with Gurley’s status, Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams writes. Though the team did mention monitoring the perennial Pro Bowl back’s workload.

“Like we have said all along, we anticipate Todd being a huge part of this like he has been the last couple of years,” head coach Sean McVay said. “As far as managing the workload, those are things that we talk about with Todd and as you continue to get educated on, is that something that we should do for the long haul or something that is or isn’t going to affect Todd most importantly and how does that affect our team? But we added a really good playmaker was a big thing.”

Henderson was one of college football’s stars in 2018, rushing for 1,909 yards and 22 touchdowns on just 214 carries. His 8.9 yards per rush was no fluke, as he posted the exact same average as a sophomore in 2017.

It will be interesting how the Rams handle their backfield in 2019. In addition to Gurley and Henderson, the team also matched an offer for running back Malcolm Brown.

Heres’ more from around the NFC:

Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore has hired Drew Rosenhaus to represent him, per Sports Business Journal’s Liz Mullen (via Twitter). Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey will team up in repping the Maryland product, who posted 788 yards on 55 receptions in 2018.
The Cowboys are expected to be extremely cautious with cornerback Byron Jones, who underwent offseason hip surgery, the Dallas Morning News’ Jon Machota tweets. Machota mentioned Jones, a breakout star in his first season as a cornerback, will be “highly managed,” but they do expect him to be ready for the start of the season.
Sticking in Dallas, new slot receiver Randall Cobb said he signed with the team because he wanted to play on a contender, Machota writes. “Once I talked to everybody I knew this was the place,” Cobb said. “I definitely believe in this team. I felt like I wanted to be on a team that was a contender and I definitely believe that we have the ability, it’s just putting the pieces together.” Cobb replaces Cole Beasley in the slot, after the latter left for Buffalo early in the 2019 offseason.
The Giants will bring back veteran cornerback Janoris Jenkins, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan tweets. Though the team drafted three cornerbacks, Giants general manager Dave Gettleman left no doubt Jenkins would be back, saying, “Janoris has a bunch of puppies he has to train.”

New York Notes: Giants, Cornerbacks, Jets, Saffold

March 10th, 2019 at 9:34pm CST by Andrew Ortenberg

The Giants have been overhauling their defense recently. They’ve traded away defensive end Olivier Vernon, and they’ve decided not to retain safety Landon Collins. Dave Gettleman is looking to rebuild the unit, and he is reportedly looking to add to the secondary. The Giants “will target veteran starting cornerbacks” in free agency, sources told Ryan Dunleavy of NJ.com. Dunleavy points out that their secondary has only one returning starter for next year, so the back half of their defense will look quite a bit different.

Specifically, the Giants will be interested in Colts cornerback Pierre Desir when the market opens, a source told Dunleavy. Desir had been a bit of a journeyman early in his career, but blossomed into a full-time starter with Indianapolis last year and had a really good season. Pro Football Focus graded him as the 18th-best cornerback in the NFL last year. Whatever happens, defensive coordinator James Bettcher will have a lot of new parts next season.

Here’s more from the Big Apple:

Before making the trade for Kelechi Osemele, the Jets “had been eyeing” Rams guard Rodger Saffold, according to Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com (Twitter link). Pauline writes that they’ll no longer be interested after bringing in Osemele to be a starting guard. Saffold has had a big last couple of years in Los Angeles, and will be landing a hefty contract on the open market. The Rams are hoping to retain him, and it’s possible the Jets making this trade will indirectly help them get their left guard back.
“There will be a market for” Giants defensive end Kerry Wynn, an impending free agent, sources told Dunleavy. Given that Wynn is apparently expected to draw heavy interest, Dunleavy thinks the team might be better off trying to retain Josh Mauro, another impending free agent. Wynn had just 1.5 sacks last year, but teams are apparently high on him. Dunleavy also reports that the team has no plans to release cornerback Janoris Jenkins or restructure his contract, and that they plan on Jenkins anchoring the secondary next year.
In case you missed it, the Jets are looking to add a blocking tight end and were interested in the recently released Darren Fells.

Giants To Keep Janoris Jenkins?

March 4th, 2019 at 12:05pm CST by Zachary Links

Janoris Jenkins‘ name has been brought up as a potential cap casualty, but the sense around the league is that the Giants have no plans to release the cornerback, according to NJ.com’s Matt Lombardo. The Giants aren’t planning on asking Jenkins to restructure his contract or take a pay cut, either, according to those sources.

The Giants figure to make significant changes to their defense this offseason, but Jenkins is still in their plans. The veteran is set to carry a $14.75MM cap hit this year, but releasing him would result in a $7MM cap hit with $7.75MM in savings. Losing Jenkins would also leave them with a thin secondary in the event that safety Landon Collins is tagged and refuses to show up for work.

Jenkins, 30, is entering the fourth year of his five-year, $62.5MM contract. Last year, he amassed 70 tackles and two interceptions in a full 16-game season but graded out as Pro Football Focus’ No. 53 ranked cornerback out of 112 qualified players. His $12.5MM average annual value, however, positions him as the ninth-highest paid CB in the NFL.

Chiefs Interested In Janoris Jenkins

October 30th, 2018 at 10:24am CST by Zachary Links

Janoris Jenkins is on the Chiefs’ radar, according to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post (on Twitter). Jenkins, who turned 30 this week, has reportedly been on the trade block for the last week as the Giants continue their rebuild.

Jenkins is in the third year of a five-year, $62.5MM deal. The Giants, who are virtually out of the playoff picture in 2018, are probably looking at a slow climb back to the top that would have them in contention in 2020. Given Jenkins’ salary and the draft value that he can fetch in return, it only makes sense for the G-Men to explore deals.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, have one of the league’s most dynamic offenses, but could use some improvement on the other side of the ball. Eric Berry‘s prolonged absence has clearly dented the secondary, and Jenkins would offer some serious help in downfield pass protection. Presently, the Chiefs are using Kendall Fuller, Steven Nelson, and Orlando Scandrick as their top corners.

For what it’s worth, Jenkins currently ranks as Pro Football Focus’ No. 84 ranked cornerback in the NFL, a far cry from his usual position on the list.

Giants In Fire Sale Mode?

October 24th, 2018 at 10:12am CST by Zachary Links

In the span of two days, the Giants unloaded two defensive starters. Cornerback Eli Apple was shipped to the Saints and defensive tackle Damon Harrison was sent to the Lions, and there could be more deals to come between now and the deadline. Those in the know are under the impression that anyone on the Giants defense is available for the right price, Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com tweets.

That just might include cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who is drawing interest from teams around the league, according to CBSSports.com’s Jason La Canfora (on Twitter). Jenkins, who turns 30 on Monday, is in Year Three of a five-year, $62.5MM contract, and it doesn’t make sense a rebuilding club to hold on to him.

If the Giants can get something of value back for the veteran, they should probably jump at the chance to make a deal, even though it will leave them with some dead money on the cap. Despite having two interceptions and one forced fumble through seven games, Jenkins hasn’t been consistently sharp in coverage. The Giants presently rank 27th in pass defense DVOA, per Football Outsiders, and some of the blame rests on Jackrabbit’s shoulders.

If Jenkins remains with the club, he’ll carry expected cap hits of $14.7MM in each of the next two seasons.

Giants Rework CB Janoris Jenkins’ Contract

September 7th, 2018 at 9:12am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Giants have created $3MM in cap space by reworking the contract of veteran cornerback Janoris Jenkins, according to Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link).

Jenkins had been scheduled to earn a $10.9MM base salary in 2018, but he agreed to convert $4.5MM of that total into a signing bonus. It’s a positive both for Jenkins, as he’ll get a portion of his money immediately, and New York, who had only about $5.5MM in available salary cap space before today’s move.

The Giants needed the extra funds, as certain issues — injured reserve players, adding reinforcements — will arise throughout the season, but restructuring Jenkins’ deal will make him all the more difficult to release down the line. Signing bonuses are prorated over the life of a contract, so Jenkins’ cap charge (and hypothetical dead money) will increase by $1.5MM in both 2019 and 2020.

Jenkins had an eventful campaign in 2017, as he missed seven games due to injury and a team-imposed suspension. When he was on the field, Jenkins graded as an average cornerback per Pro Football Focus, which ranked him 60th among 120 qualifiers. He finished 24th in Football Outsiders’ success rate, meaning he was effective at stopping receivers short of the sticks.

Giants To Place CB Janoris Jenkins On IR

November 29th, 2017 at 10:06am CST by Dallas Robinson

The Giants will place cornerback Janoris Jenkins on injured reserve as he battles an ankle injury, according to Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Jekins will undergo surgery later today, tweets Adam Schefter of ESPN.com.

Jenkins has reportedly been playing with a “debilitating” ankle issue that has limited his ability to cut and change direction, so it’s no surprise that New York is choosing to shut down the veteran defensive back in what has become a lost 2017 campaign. Despite his injury, Jenkins hasn’t been terrible, although he certainly hasn’t produced like a shutdown corner (as he did in 2016). In nine games, Jenkins graded as the NFL’s No. 42 corner among 118 qualifiers per Pro Football Focus, and ranked ninth in Football Outsiders’ success rate.

Of course, Jenkins has also been involved in off-field controversy this year, as the Giants suspended him for one week late last month. The 29-year-old Jenkins reportedly violated team rules and became the second Big Blue cornerback — joining Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie — to be handed a team-issued ban by New York this year.

With Jenkins sidelined, the Giants will likely turn to Ross Cockrell, whom the club acquired from the Steelers prior to the season, as a new starting corner. He’ll likely play opposite Eli Apple, although Apple is going through his own off-field issues. Rodgers-Cromartie will continue to man the slot, while recent signees Brian Dixon and Darryl Morris could theoretically see playing time given New York’s lack of secondary depth.

Jenkins signed a five-year, $62.5MM contract with the Giants prior to the 2016 campaign, and he’s $10.9MM in non-guaranteed base salary next season. While there’s been no indication New York has any interest in releasing Jenkins, the club could soon be under new management (both in the front office and on the coaching staff). The Giants would save $7MM by cutting Jenkins next spring.

NFC Notes: Jenkins, Winston, Seahawks

November 26th, 2017 at 11:41am CST by Rory Parks

The Giants‘ disastrous 2017 season keeps getting worse. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, New York cornerback Janoris Jenkins has been playing for the last two months with a “debilitating” ankle injury that has limited his ability to cut and change direction (which certainly could explain why he has regressed this year after enjoying a strong 2016 campaign, his first with Big Blue). Schefter says that Jenkins will need to undergo ankle surgery at some point, and doctors are scheduled to discuss the matter tomorrow. It sounds as if Jenkins will be shut down so that he can have the surgery, which makes plenty of sense given that the Giants do not have anything to play for this year.

Now for more from the NFC:

Schefter reports that the NFL has already spoken with Buccaneers head of security, Andres Trescastro, as part of its investigation into the most recent sexual assault accusations leveled against Tampa Bay quarterback Jameis Winston. Schefter says the conversation was more introductory and exploratory in nature, and that the league’s investigation is not expected to be wrapped up by the end of the season (which is hardly surprising).
Winston, of course, is also battling a shoulder injury, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (video link) reports that the Buccaneers signal-caller received platelet-rich plasma injections several weeks ago and is rapidly improving. However, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com cautions that Winston receives an MRI every week, and last week’s MRI revealed he was still not ready to return to practice, despite the PRP injection. Taking reps in practice will be the next step for Winston.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll indicated that there will soon be more clarity on the injuries to defensive stalwarts Cliff Avril and Kam Chancellor, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes. Avril is battling a serious stinger and numbness in his arm that was initially reported to be career-threatening, while Chancellor is contending with a neck injury that will likely sideline him for the rest of the year, though Carroll recently kept the door open on a return for his star safety.
Seahawks left guard Luke Joeckel, who has missed the last five games following arthroscopic knee surgery, is expected to return to action for today’s matchup with the 49ers, as Brady Henderson of ESPN.com writes.
The Cowboys have waived Darren McFadden, and Ed Werder names the Seahawks as a potential fit for the former first-round pick (Twitter link). As Werder observes, Seattle is the only ream in the league without a running back that has rushed for 250 or more yards, making a McFadden-Seahawks marriage eminently plausible.
In addition to shakeups at cornerback and the rest of their roster, the Cowboys are looking at potential changes to their safety positions as well, as Clarence Hill, Jr. of the Star-Telegram tweets.

Giants Reinstate Janoris Jenkins

November 7th, 2017 at 11:00am CST by Zachary Links

The Giants announced that they have reinstated cornerback Janoris Jenkins. It was just one week ago that Jenkins was handed an “indefinite” suspension by head coach Ben McAdoo.

Jenkins was banned from the team when he missed last Monday’s meeting. Initially, the Giants said that Jenkins’ absence was excused. Later, McAdoo told reporters that wasn’t the case.

Jenkins’ act-out marked the second time a Giants star has publicly disrespected McAdoo. Just weeks ago, fellow starting corner Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie butted heads with the coach. He too was handed an “indefinite” suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. And, he too was reinstated after just one week. We know that DRC had some issues with McAdoo specifically, but it’s not immediately clear why Jenkins missed last Monday’s practice.

The Giants are 1-7 after a 51-17 drumming at the hands of the Rams. In the midst of a disastrous season, it’s fair to wonder whether McAdoo will be brought back for another.

In related moves, the Giants signed linebacker Deontae Skinner off the Raiders’ practice squad and waived defensive end Jordan Williams and defensive back Tim Scott. Linebacker Nigel Harris (ribs) was placed on injured reserve.