Patriots Free Agency Outlook, Cornerbacks

Janoris Jenkins
Jenkins is one of two starting corners for the St. Louis….er Los Angeles Rams who is a free agent, the other being Trumaine Johnson. Jenkins was a very important piece of an outstanding Rams defense in 2015. He had good numbers this season, with 64 tackles, 3 interceptions and 15 passes defensed. In his 4-year career in St. Louis, Jenkins has 10 interceptions with half being returned for pick sixes. He also has three forced fumbles with one being returned for a touchdown as well.

Jenkins is a playmaker but a gambler, and sometimes his decisions can come back to bite him. But that is part of who he is and why he’s been so successful. Jenkins isn’t the biggest guy and his tackling has at times been inconsistent. But if you’re searching for a guy who makes plays, Jenkins is a tremendous talent.

Both he and Johnson will want to get paid this season and with the year each had, they both will probably cash in. Can the Rams afford to keep both? One would assume not, but they just cleared a ton of cap room with the releases of James Laurinaitus, Jared Cook and Chris Long this week.

Would Jenkins fit on the Patriots defense? Yes, as he and Butler would give them tremendous presence at the corner position for years to come. He’s only 27 and would have plenty of productive years ahead of him. “Jack Rabbit” as he’s known with the Rams was usually tasked to guard the opponent’s top wide receiver. He’s excellent in man coverage and would fit in perfectly with the Patriots defense.

Why would they pass on him? Money. Jenkins may command some big bucks during free agency and the Patriots right now don’t have a lot of cap room to begin with. Unless they could get creative with him, he may be too highly priced for them to land.

There are other players out there in free agency that could be of interest to the Patriots, (Jerraud Powers, Leon Hall, Prince Amukamara) and of course the NFL Draft will provide plenty of players that will be out there as well.

The defense is coming together nicely and there is no reason to assume they won’t be even better in 2016. Butler’s first season as a starter was a very solid one and with the pieces they already have at corner, they could just use some depth and/or veteran presence to help out.

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About Steve Balestrieri

A former US Army Special Forces NCO and Officer, Steve has been following the Patriots since their days at Fenway Park. Steve has worked in the film industry and wrote as an Military Editor at SpecialOperations.com, 1945.com as a reporter for the Millbury Daily Voice, Millbury-Sutton Chronicle, and the Grafton News. He's also a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA)

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