Prospect of the day: Florida State Seminoles Defensive End Brandon Jenkins

Earlier today, when discussing defensive prospects who the Giants could have their eyes on for the 2012 N.F.L. draft at strongside linebacker and defensive end, I mentioned Brandon Jenkins from FSU. Jenkins will generally be considered a 34 Outside linebacker, tweener pass rusher by most teams, but the New York Giants view their starting Strongside linebacker differently than most teams. They want long athletes who can rush the passer. The Giants have tried to (and failed most of the time) to convert 34 OLB or 43 Defensive ends in college into their starting strongside linebacker, and even though that hasn’t been successfully, they continue to pursue that route. The Giants have moved Clint Sintim, Adrian Tracy, and Mathias Kiwanuka to the outside linebacker position in the past few seasons. None of these players is a natural 43 outside linebacker. Could they try to do the same with Florida States’ Brandon Jenkins.

That’s not to say that the Giants would prefer Jenkins at 43 outside linebacker. He is roughly the same size as Kiwanuka and Osi Umeniyora. The Giants could view Jenkins as a pass rushing right defensive end while Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre Paul had the primary responibility at left defensive end. I’m just saying it wouldn’t surprise me if they took a long look at Jenkins as either a possible SAM linebacker or a replacement for Osi Umeinyora who is clearly disgruntled. This much is sure: when Jenkins is on the field he hits the quarterback.

Take a look at some highlights/film and let me know what you think.

Brandon Jenkins vs Miami and Boston College

Brandon Jenkins Highlights

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