Bucs Scouting Report: Mike Jenkins

Each day leading up to the NFL Draft, Bucsblitz.com will break down a player that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be interested in on draft day. Today it’s South Florida DB Mike Jenkins. Find out his vitals, his college statistics, what our Scout.com personnel guru Tom Marino thinks of him and Matthew Postins’ thoughts on how Jenkins could fit in with the Bucs.

Mike Jenkins

POSITION: Cornerback.

MEASURABLES: 5-foot-10, 197, 4.38 in the 40.

COLLEGE CAREER: Started all thirteen games at right cornerback in 2007, as he was part of a secondary that ranked eighth in the nation in pass efficiency defense (105.27 rating) and 34th in pass defense (212.08 ypg). Recorded a career-high 41 tackles (31 solos), four stops for losses of 17 yards and a quarterback pressure.

PROJECTED AS: A nickel cornerback right away and a potential starter within a year or two.

ARE THE BUCS INTERESTED: The Bucs could still use a young cornerback to add to a veteran unit that honestly needs some young depth.

DRAFT VALUE: Jenkins will be a first-round pick unless something ridiculous happens.

SCOUT.COM’S TOM MARINO’S ANALYSIS: A shutdown corner with adequate size and outstanding quickness. Has racehorse speed, explosive hips and the ability to stick his foot in the ground and close to the ball. No wasted movement or extra steps. Underneath close was rare. Impressive play instincts and anticipation. Has the speed to easily stay on top of receivers on deep routes. Inconsistent hands. Special player.

WHAT OTHER SERVICES ARE SAYING:

“There is no questioning Jenkins' speed -- he can stay with any receiver on deep routes. However he is not a good tackler and tends to shy away from lending run support. Jenkins has some hip stiffness that is evident in transition and marginal hands to make the interception. He will bite on pump fakes and doesn't have great ball anticipation skills. He might be a better fit at free safety, as his best assets are his quickness, making plays in front of him and generating a good press. Quite a few publications list him as the best cornerback prospect for the 2008 NFL Draft. If he is indeed the best, NFL receivers could be salivating. He is a fine athlete, but isn't ready to star at the next level.” — NFLDraftscout.com

“Jenkins clearly put in a lot of time and hard work to improve after his junior season. He now is much more consistent, emerging as more of a playmaker while allowing almost no completions of note. Jenkins will shine in pre-draft workouts, and we are confident he will be the first cornerback selected.” — Sportingnews.com War Room.

MATTHEW POSTINS’ BOTTOM LINE: Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin loves this guy, and that’s good enough for me. Jenkins, to me, is likely the safest pick at the position in this draft. He’s quick, athletic, strong and accomplished on the college level. He can play well in any type of coverage, but really excels in zone packages. The word that I keep coming back to is steady. Jenkins makes few mistakes, plays with consistency and appears to take coaching well. I don’t think the difference between Jenkins and Troy’s Leodis McKelvin is that big, to be honest. I don’t think McKelvin will drop to the Bucs at No. 20, but I think there’s a good chance Jenkins will. And if he does, the Bucs should pull the trigger.

You can read more of Matthew Postins’ coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at bucsblitz.com.