Can Jordan Jenkins be next premier player?

The New York Jets have decided to re-build their linebacker corps by drafting Jordan Jenkins during the third-round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Can he be their next premier player on defense?

With the New York Jets releasing former first-round draft pick Quinton Coples last season, and allowing an aging Calvin Pace to walk during free agency, it’s no surprise they have begun their re-building process at the linebacker position. A large part of that process begins with young guys such as second-year linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin, and rookie Jenkins out of Georgia.

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Head coach Todd Bowles has continuously said the team does not have a depth chart at this time and that no player is a locked in starter. However, when an official depth chart is released, Jenkins will without a doubt be at the top.

Since the beginning of offseason activities for the Jets, Jenkins has continued to impress by grasping the defensive scheme faster than fellow players. He makes progress each day and more importantly, says the right things when called upon by the media. It’s always a major plus to see a rookie perform and carry himself as if he has experience in the NFL.

The 6-foot-3 260 pound rookie linebacker did most of the dirty work for that Georgia defense while fellow linebacker Leonard Floyd got the bulk of the opportunities to rush the quarterback. Jenkins said that his job wasn’t to get to the quarterback but to stuff the run, eat up blocks, and set picks on defense so other could benefit.

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During the offseason, Jenkins has been absorbing every aspect on defense his coaches have been teaching him.

One in particular is perfecting his rushing craft.

The young linebacker wishes to be able to do it all when it comes to tackling, rushing the quarterback and stuffing the run.

Jenkins has the desire and passion to become an overall complete linebacker for the Jets’ defense, and it all starts with practice, practice and more practice.

Besides working on his run defense, Jenkins has also been working on some personal workouts, his hips, striking and overall ability to become a more efficient pass rusher. It’s also worth mentioning that Jenkins had a solid mandatory mini-camp in which fellow teammates such as fourth-year defensive end Sheldon Richardson was preaching on how Jenkins has been moving extremely fast.

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Jenkins is doing everything any team would love to see a rookie be doing throughout the offseason and much more. Coming off a very strong mini camp and earning positive endorsements from teammates and coaches, Jenkins continues to work on improving his game to become an overall complete linebacker for the Jets. He has the skill-set to be the next premier player on the Jets as he works his way into being a linebacker worthy of starting.