If Vontae or Jenkins are Around at 23?

[Bring Back Antowain!]

I know the need is outside linebacker, but the Patriots brought both Vontae Davis and Malcolm Jenkins (or are planning to) for visits.

Personally, I think both will be gone by 23.

But if not, if either of them were around, would you take them?

Personally, I think both are going to be great cornerbacks in this league. If Vontae can keep his off-the-field antics to a minimum, he could be a Pro Bowl level talent.

I think Jenkins can be that good to. People are saying that he has to play free safety because of his 4.55 40 yard dash. I don't buy it. He is football fast. He closes quick, has great instincts, is a ball hawk. If the likes of Ty Law and Shawn Springs still have the speed to play corner, I believe Jenkins does.

So there you have it. Which, of the two, would you prefer? And would you take that player at 23?

 

[mayoclinic]

I don't want Davis. Too much inconsistency and mental mistakes. Jenkins is another matter. Mel Kiper has him falling to 25 in his latest mock. Jenkins at 23 would have to get serious consideration, and might be hard to pass up. I could see him being another Ty Law - not elite speed, but a pro bowl CB nonetheless. If we didn't have Meriweather he would be my #1 FS candidate as well.

 

[patchick]

Jenkins' outstanding quickness times outweigh his 40 for me. I'd be shocked to find him at 23, but I'd be very tempted if he were available.

Vontae, no thanks. Even the polite terms analysts use to refer obliquely to his personal/mental characteristics aren't too polite.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

My ultimate dream draft has Jenkins falling to 23. I don't care what his forty time is; he has exceptional coverage ability, great size, and extraordinary quickness. Watch his INT returns, for example, to see his change of direction on full display. It's impressive.

I really honestly believe he would be the next Ty Law in this system, and I know how outrageous that statement sounds. I don't think he'll be there, but I think he's worth trading up for--maybe NO wants to pick up a second rounder?

Springs is fairly old, Hobbs and Bodden are FAs at the end of the year, and W squared may or may not pan out. I have high hopes for them, but they're young, undersized, and don't appear to project as our long-term starters. Besides, you can never have enough DBs in this league.

Vote Jenkins in '09: we may actually get off the field on 3rd down!

 

[mayoclinic]

My ultimate dream draft has Jenkins falling to 23. I don't care what his forty time is; he has exceptional coverage ability, great size, and extraordinary quickness. Watch his INT returns, for example, to see his change of direction on full display. It's impressive.

I really honestly believe he would be the next Ty Law in this system, and I know how outrageous that statement sounds. I don't think he'll be there, but I think he's worth trading up for--maybe NO wants to pick up a second rounder?

Springs is fairly old, Hobbs and Bodden are FAs at the end of the year, and W squared may or may not pan out. I have high hopes for them, but they're young, undersized, and don't appear to project as our long-term starters. Besides, you can never have enough DBs in this league.

Vote Jenkins in '09: we may actually get off the field on 3rd down!

I don't think it's outrageous at all. He had the fastest 3-cone of the combine at 6.59 (Louis Delmas, whom I've been touting for a while, had another extremely fast time at 6.67). I think the Law comparison is apt. He's not yet at my "ultimate dream" stage (Raji falling to 23 would be that for me), but he would be terrific value at that spot.

 

[Bring Back Antowain!]

I don't want Davis. Too much inconsistency and mental mistakes. Jenkins is another matter. Mel Kiper has him falling to 25 in his latest mock. Jenkins at 23 would have to get serious consideration, and might be hard to pass up. I could see him being another Ty Law - not elite speed, but a pro bowl CB nonetheless. If we didn't have Meriweather he would be my #1 FS candidate as well.

Doesn't Kiper have us taking Donald Brown?

If we passed on Malcolm Jenkins for Donald Brown I would flip.

I believe that Davis is a high risk/high reward type of player that won't be on a lot of teams draft boards due to like you said his inconsistency as well as the off the field stuff. Still, he has the raw skills and athleticism to be a real playmaker in this league.

Also, I agree with your Malcolm Jenkins - Ty Law comparison. Malcolm Jenkins really would be a dream scenario. If the Patriots really like him, I wouldn't be too surprised if they moved up a few slots to ensure taking him.

 

[mgteich]

I also have no interest in Davis. Jenkins is the real deal. It would be difficult to pass on him at 23.

 

[patchick]

This thread has been an alarming display of unanimity. Is everybody feeling ok?

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Too much unanimity? What, you want us to argue? Fine. Just to change things up . . .

At what point does Davis have simply too much talent/upside/value (whatever that all means) to pass up? 47? 58? I highly doubt he drops that far, but on the off-chance he does, well, do we take him? I say yes, if we haven't drafted another DB, for two reasons.

1) The corner market is artificially inflated right now. When a contract value jumps 67%, something is clearly out of whack. So unless we want to go the FA route and pick up players past their prime or stuck in a rut (Springs, Bodden), corners have largely outpriced what we're willing to pay. Thus the draft offers an attractive alternative: good players at much better value.

2) I think Davis gets a bad rap from the press because of his brother, and has a greater chance of turning into an impact player. Yes, he's been a bit arrogant and resistant to coaching. Yes, he's had a few issues. Yes, he's inconsistent. But he's also very young (only twenty, I believe), and seems like he's learning from his brother's mistakes. Let's judge the person, not the aggregate of his past or the specter of his kin.

This kid clearly has talent, and the inconsistencies in his game can be taken care of through good, firm coaching. He's already stated that he idolizes Moss--maybe we pair them up and let Davis learn from Moss, who doesn't exactly have a perfect track record. I think he'd really benefit from this arrangement and flourish in this environment.

There. How's that for some dissension in the ranks?

 

[PATSNUTme]

Grab Jenkins at #23 if he falls there even if it means passing up ****** or ********.

Davis - no.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Jenkins=yes at 23
Davis+ I wouldn't him until 58

 

[mayoclinic]

Grab Jenkins at #23 if he falls there even if it means passing up ****** or ********.

Davis - no.

I'm fine with Jenkins over ********. Not 100% sure about passing on ****** at 23, even for Jenkins - probably, but not 100% sure.

 

[TriplecHamp]

I would be fine with Jenkins at #23 but not Davis. I would be fine with Davis at #34tho.

 

[mayoclinic]

I would be fine with Jenkins at #23 but not Davis. I would be fine with Davis at #23 tho.

Can you explain this one to me?

 

[TriplecHamp]

Can you explain this one to me?

Whooops I meant Davis at #34!

 

[jsull87]

i honestly don't get this stuff. while the season is going both are top 15 picks and jenkins is to some a top 5 definately top 10. then somehow after people work out and show some bench presses they drop and people wonder whether to take them at 23. both should be gone if either is there then they would be best player available probably

 

[TriplecHamp]

i honestly don't get this stuff. while the season is going both are top 15 picks and jenkins is to some a top 5 definately top 10. then somehow after people work out and show some bench presses they drop and people wonder whether to take them at 23. both should be gone if either is there then they would be best player available probably

I agree 100%. I can almost guarantee every team picking after us will be grinning ear to ear if we let Jenkins slip past us. It seems like the more I read things on this board the less we start talking about drafting football players but drafting people we like. If Aaron Curry slapped my mother I would still want us to draft him. If BJ Raji was my neighborhood drug dealer I would still want us to draft him. If Crabtree ran a 4.6 I would still think he is a top ten pick. They are football players not workout warriors. Fourth and Goal from the 1 yard Line I would take Knowshon Moreno over any of the backs that ran faster than him because of his toughness and will to win.

 

[JMarr]

I'm fine with Jenkins over ********. Not 100% sure about passing on ****** at 23, even for Jenkins - probably, but not 100% sure.

Whatever you're smoking, I want some--and the quality seems to be getting better and better as we approach the actual draft.

Barwin is a HUGE risk at 23; Jenkins is the closest to a sure thing future pro bowler as anyone in the draft. With the stellar Hobbs as our #1 CB and FA in 2010, plus nothing but question marks on the other side (like last year) you'd pass on Jenkins for your binkie? Really is a moot point though, as no way in hell Jenkins falls to us at 23. Period.

 

[CoachK]

I don't want Davis. Too much inconsistency and mental mistakes. Jenkins is another matter. Mel Kiper has him falling to 25 in his latest mock. Jenkins at 23 would have to get serious consideration, and might be hard to pass up. I could see him being another Ty Law - not elite speed, but a pro bowl CB nonetheless. If we didn't have Meriweather he would be my #1 FS candidate as well.

I've already gone on record as saying I want no part of Davis, and that Jenkins reminds me of Ty law, so .............WHAT HE SAID !!

 

[Feep50]

Jenkins at #23? In a heartbeat...... YES

I don't want Davis at all..... anywhere!