Mike Jenkins Rumors: Cowboys Still Can't Find Trade Partner

One of the moves that defined the early stages of the 2012 NFL draft was the Dallas Cowboys' decisive decision to acquire the sixth-overall pick from St. Louis in order to select cornerback Morris Claiborne from LSU.

Claiborne, along with high-priced free-agent signee Brandon Carr, are the cornerstones of the Cowboys efforts to fortify their secondary this offseason, as the group struggled mightily under the direction of coordinator Rob Ryan in 2011.

As a results of the shuffling, former first-round pick and starter Mike Jenkins has become expendable for Dallas and is a player that would figure to draw interest from cornerback-needy teams around the league.

That doesn't appear to be the case, however, as Calvin Watkins of ESPN Dallas reports that Jenkins remains available, although the Cowboys are currently unable to find a trade suitor. 

Although the lack of interest is slightly surprising given the need for cornerbacks around the league, it's possible that Dallas' market will grow as training camp approaches and teams that were unable to find a cornerback during the rest of the offseason will come calling. 

Jenkins had a quiet year in 2011, totaling just 24 tackles and single interception, but he flashed capable ball skills and reactive athleticism during 2009 when he recorded a career-best five interceptions. 

At the age of 27 and with one year and just $1.052 million remaining on his contract, Jenkins certainly seems the part of a low-risk, medium-reward investment in the secondary.

This situation is one worth tracking, as teams like Tennessee, Denver, Oakland, St. Louis and Carolina would all make sense to jump into the mix for Jenkins, give their need to add depth to the position.