Why Jelani Jenkins Is Miami Dolphins' Most Pleasant Surprise After Three Weeks
There hasn't been a lot of positive things going the Miami Dolphins way in the last two weeks, but one of the few reasons for hope on the team has been second-year weak-side linebacker Jelani Jenkins.
Jenkins, who was chosen in Round 4 of the 2013 draft out of the University of Florida, has come on strong for Miami in the first three games of the season, with his last two games producing double-digit tackles in each game, making an impact while on the field.
Jenkins started the last two games in place of the injured Dannell Ellerbe, and came on in relief of Ellerbe after the veteran was hurt in Week 1 against the New England Patriots —this after a rookie season that saw Jenkins relegated to special teams duty, with very few snaps on defense and not a single game started.
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What makes the surprise of Jenkins so pleasant is the fact that he provides the Dolphins with help at a position of need. Miami's linebackers were the weak spot of the defense going into the season.
It was expected that for Jenkins 2014 would be a lot like 2013, with plenty of special teams work and occasional spot duty at linebacker. However with injuries to Ellerbe, Koa Misi and Philip Wheeler (who missed the first game of the season but has played ever since), Jenkins has taken advantage of his new role as starter.
| New England | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Buffalo | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Kansas City | 15 | 1 | 1.5 | 1 |
| Total | 35 | 2 | 1.5 | 1 |
His first game against New England showed some promise, as Jenkins recorded six tackles. His best work won't show up in statistics, though, as he was tasked with covering New England running back Shane Vereen in passing situations.
Vereen was held to seven catches for 35 yards, with Jenkins either meeting Vereen at the point of the catch, or breaking up the pass. Pro Football Focus (subscription required) graded Jenkins out at 1.2 for the game but 1.8 in pass coverage.
Jenkins neutralized Vereen, a major weapon in Tom Brady's arsenal. Not bad for a game that Jenkins didn't expect to see much playing time in.
He would start against the Buffalo Bills and was one of the Dolphins' few bright spots, recording 14 tackles, including one for a loss. In this game, he was more effective in run defense, as Pro Football Focus graded him at 1.6 and 0.5 in pass coverage.
Keep in mind that last season, Miami wasn't as strong at weak-side linebacker, a spot being played by Wheeler, who has since moved to strong side linebacker.
Jenkins' best game came against Kansas City in Week 3, when he recorded a career high with 15 tackles (one for a loss), 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and a safety. The safety came thanks in part to Randy Starks up front, who both got to Alex Smith and helped to create the hole to allow Jenkins to get to the Chiefs quarterback unencumbered.
Jenkins also managed to get three pressures and stop the run five times, prompting Pro Football Focus to place him on their Week 3 All-Star team thanks to his 4.5 grade, fifth-highest among outside linebackers. Jenkins was praised for his play against the run more so than his pass-rushing, with PFF stating: "For Jenkins, the two sacks were nice splash plays, but his best work actually came against the run."
Jenkins has been excellent so far against both the run and the pass, and his play suggests a player who will only improve as the season goes on.
With his continued good play, Jenkins will make it difficult for Dannell Ellerbe (or Philip Wheeler) to retain their jobs next season, as Jenkins is still on his rookie contract, and will only be due $703,172 in 2015, an absolute bargain in comparison to the multimillion dollar deals possessed by Ellerbe and Wheeler.
Can Jenkins keep up this performance and make the two megabucks linebackers obsolete? We shall see as the season goes on, but if his first three games are any indication, there's no reason why he shouldn't, followed by him becoming a multimillionaire himself.
That would be a pleasant surprise for everyone involved, except of course for Wheeler and Ellerbe.
Statistics provided by NFL.com unless otherwise noted. Salary-cap figures provided by Spotrac.com.
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