Jennings Will Have a Bigger Impact In Year 1 Than Other Defensive Rookies

[captain stone]

Jennings' scouting reports repeatedly say he's got strength, and is an Edge technician with his long arms. Here is a scouting report before calling Trey Flowers slow and also a limited athlete, but with long arms and good at setting the edge.

As we know Trey went on to put up 3 straight 60-tackle 7-sack seasons as a Patriot and winning 2 Superbowls .

Trey Flowers NFL Draft 2015: Scouting Report, Grade for Patriots Rookie

Actually, except for a pedestrian 40-time (which he improved upon at his pro day), Trey Flowers was a pretty good athlete for his size:

Trey Flowers, Arkansas, DE, 2015 Draft Scout, DraftScout.com/NFL Draft Scout

 

[scott99]

Actually, except for a pedestrian 40-time (which he improved upon at his pro day), Trey Flowers was a pretty good athlete for his size:

Trey Flowers, Arkansas, DE, 2015 Draft Scout, DraftScout.com/NFL Draft Scout

Hard not to improve on a 4.98. Jennings is pretty athletic for his size as well, smart enough and athletic enough to drop back for an INT or jump up to block a pass.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

With the game trending toward speed being the ultimate factor in evaluating almost every position, Bill to the "opposite" route with the drafting of Jennings. But here's the thing quickness beats straight speed most of the time and football, on the front seven, is essentially played in a 5 yard box.

While I can't predict whether Jennings is going to wind up as a 8 year starter, or a 3 year special teams player, what I can tell you that he COULD be the former despite not having ideal speed and quickness. I have to admit I was disappointed not to be able to find a 3 cone time for him (my favorite combine drill) BUT I do know that having a "quick first step" and the ability to quickly react to visual keys can often make a slower player play faster than his natural athletic speed.

I am intrigued..

 

[mgteich]

Uche > Jennings

Perhaps eventually; the OP was discussing 2020

 

[TheRainMaker]

I don’t care what his 40 time is, this dude flys off the LOS.

 

[jimnance]

He isn't worthy to unfasten the laces on either Vrabel's or Phifer's cleats.

And you know this w/o seeing him play a single down for the NE Pats.
You are a freakin football genius.

 

[Wozzy]

The guy led Alabama in sacks, tackles for a loss and was third in tackles... he also had an INT. Last I heard Alabama was pretty good.

He did for Alabama and will do (assuming health) for the Patriots what Dont'a Hightower does. He can play all over the line, standing up as a SAM linebacker, he can flex outside and rush the passer or set the edge as an OLB.

Hightower doesn't accrue a ton of glory stats but he does a job most others can't. He can come up and essentially wham block a guard, blowing up run plays at the line of scrimmage. Otherwise that guard will be running wild in the defensive backfield. You won't see this or Hightower's positional flexibility on the stat sheet, but it's the difference between winning and losing. Jennings was a great value where he was drafted assuming health.