New York Jets: Final player evaluations at linebacker
Jordan Jenkins
FINAL STATS: 46 TACKLES, 30 SOLO, THREE SACKS, TWO PASSES DEFENDED, TWO FUMBLE RECOVERIES, ONE FORCED FUMBLE
This young man could be one of Maccagnan’s better draft choices. Jordan Jenkins was selected in the third round of the 2016 draft by the Jets. This was a player that wasn’t much of a sack artist in college (19 in four years), but was impactful with 39 tackles for loss. The Jets felt he could increase the presence on the outside.
Jenkins has essentially been as advertised. In college he averaged just under five sacks per season, last year with the Jets he posted three. As far as PFF is concerned, Jenkins received an overall grade of 71.8. He was especially good against the run with an 80.9 and put in a 71.4 in pass coverage. All in all, he performed like the quality all-purpose linebacker he was in college.
However, his shining night of the year came against the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football. That night at MetLife, Jenkins posted two tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. For his work, he earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Jenkins proved that night that he could wreak havoc on an NFL offense. If Jenkins continues to develop, he could become of the more pivotal parts of this defense going forward.