The Las Vegas Raiders need to bolster their cornerback group this offseason. They have a pair of promising players in Damon Arnette and Travon Mullen. However, they need to round out the group and Janoris Jenkins could be an enticing free-agent option.
The New Orleans Saints are releasing Jankins, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media. Although the transaction hasn’t been officially announced, it’s a matter of time before it is. The Saints were in need of cap room and releasing the corner frees up $7 million in cap space.
Jenkins was solid in 2020, posting a 67.4 Pro Football Focus grade. Also, he registered 55 total tackles (two for a loss), 12 pass deflections, and three interceptions in 2020. A second-round selection by the Los Angeles Rams in 2012, the 2016 Pro Bowler played for the New York Giants before joining the Saints late in the 2019 season.
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Why should the Raiders sign Janoris Jenkins?
Trayvon Mullen went through a sophomore slump but should get back on track under new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley’s tutelage. On the other hand, Damon Arnette, the 19th overall pick in 2020’s draft, struggled last season and it’s uncertain whether he is the player the Raiders expected him to be. Thus, adding a veteran to the cornerback room makes sense.
Jenkins has plenty of experience, having appeared in 128 games, with 125 starts, and logging 522 total tackles (14 for a loss), 118 passes defensed, 26 interceptions. On the other hand, the Raiders must be comfortable with his penchant for giving up as many plays as the ones he makes. In the last three years, he’s snagged ten interceptions but has also surrendered 13 touchdowns.
After making a few cuts, the Raiders have plenty of cap space ahead of free agency. Even though bolstering their defensive front may be a bigger priority, they shouldn’t neglect their secondary. Jenkins is a low-end number-one cornerback that can give their cornerback a boost at the right price.
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