Pre-Season 2012 NFL Mock Drafts: Where does Brandon Jenkins Stand?

by Matt Champion on Aug 9, 2011 8:35 PM EDT

Football season is knocking at our door! Now that the NFL lockout is in the rearview mirror FSU football fans won't only have our September 3rd date with the ULM Warkhawks to look forward to . Speaking of the NFL, I thought it would be very appropriate to look at where some of our elite players stand in regards to the 2012 NFL Draft. The first player that jumps out in my mind is Brandon Jenkins.

Jenkins established himself as one of the best defensive ends in the nation last season with 13.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss, ranked 3rd and fourth in the nation respectively. He has proven himself to be an elite pass-rusher, and since he dedicated himself to getting bigger in the weight room, his ablility to defend the run should be just as good this season. Even though Jenkins is only a junior, all of the NFL mock draft sites I visited have him going in either the mid or the late first round. If Jenkins has an all-around solid season, then he should rocket up the draft boards to the top 10 which could tempt him to leave early.

Where do the NFL Draft mockers have him going and where in the first round? I will have analysis and the links after the jump.

Walter Cherepinsky of Walterfootball.com has Jenkins going to the San Diego Chargers at pick No. 24. http://walterfootball.com/draft2012_1.php

Greg Cox, also of Walterfootball.com, has Jenkins going to New England Patriots at pick No.36. http://walterfootball.com/draft2012greg_1.php

NFLDraftScout.com, affiliated with CBS Sports, has Brandon Jenkins going 16th overall. http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/TSX/2012

Chris Ransom of NFLmocks.com has Jenkins going to the San Diego Chargers with the 22nd pick. http://nflmocks.com/2011/08/08/chris-ransoms-2012-nfl-mock-draft-2-rounds-post-free-agency/

The draft mocks I visited also confirmed what Bud and many here on Tomahawk Nation have been saying and that is Brandon Jenkins likely will not stay at defensive end once he reaches the NFL. While Jenkins is a bit small to play end in a 4-3 scheme, he would be perfect as a rush linebacker in a 3-4 scheme with his elite pass-rushing ability and hopefully his improved ability to defend the run. Both mocks that picked San Diego as his destination see him as an upgrade over 2009 first-rounder Larry English, who so far has failed to develop as an effective pass-rusher. It would also make sense for Jenkins to go to the Patriots as he could be a conernstone in that defense next to Jerod Mayo.

FSU fans should enjoy Jenkins' talents as there is a decent chance he could turn pro after his junior season with or without moving up in the draft boards. While we may not miss him that much due to our outstanding recruiting, him turning pro so early helps recruiting in the long run as defensive ends even more talented than Jenkins will most certainly be vying for a scholarship offer from FSU. It also goes a long way to having NFL draft boards being littered with FSU prospects again, like it was in the 90's and early 2000's. Let me know what you guys think, the next piece will be on Andrew Datko's NFL prospects.

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I’m really interested to see how he does this season, because I’ve read many on here question whether he has the ability to play as a stand up rusher in a 3-4 defense.

by cbs_24 on Aug 9, 2011 11:17 PM EDT reply actions

I just think

it would be a matter of adjusting to the scheme. Jenkins has the pass-rushing ability, he would just have to get used to playing in a new scheme. Thanks for commenting on the article man.

"The helmet doesn't make you, you make the helmet"- Jimbo Fisher

by Matt Champion on Aug 9, 2011 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I've done some reading

on the 3-4 defense and I don’t see how Jenkins can not be successful in this defense, especially if he goes to a good defensive team like San Diego or New England. If he went to those teams, he would have a lot of open lanes to run through and sack the QB. How high he goes in the draft if he declares depends on how much improvement he shows defending the run game, and I’m sure that will improve this year now that he has gotten bigger.

"The helmet doesn't make you, you make the helmet"- Jimbo Fisher

by Matt Champion on Aug 9, 2011 11:43 PM EDT reply actions

I really think with the weight that he has added

that he is a lock to go in the 1st round to a 3-4 team. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see the Patriots or the Steelers, or the Chargers as you mentioned, coveting him.

by Noleforever9399 on Aug 10, 2011 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions

The Steelers would be interesting.

With the contract Woodley just got, Jenkins would essentially be drafted to play James Harrison’s position. Harrison is 33 and won’t get another deal from Pitt. It makes sense to me.

Also, Jenk would give Pitt three starters that are former Noles on D provided they keep McFadden. Gotta love that.

I just pre-ordered my SI 2012 FSU Championship Package.

by Jamil Dawson on Aug 10, 2011 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah that would be awesome

I would see him fitting well into a disciplined team like the Pats or the Steelers as he seems like a very good kid who works hard.

by Noleforever9399 on Aug 10, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

ah yes

I did not think of the Steelers initially. James Harrison is a lot like Joey Porter to me, a talented player who runs his mouth far too much. Like you, I don’t see Pittsburgh keeping him long term and Jenkins would be a good fit for them. FSU would certainly be well represented by the Steelers. Thanks for the comment FloridaStateJay.

"The helmet doesn't make you, you make the helmet"- Jimbo Fisher

by Matt Champion on Aug 10, 2011 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Thank you for commenting Noleforever9399

"The helmet doesn't make you, you make the helmet"- Jimbo Fisher

by Matt Champion on Aug 10, 2011 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah man, no problem

Good work, looking forward to the next one.

by Noleforever9399 on Aug 11, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

If Jenkins leaves early....I wish him the best of luck--Tank slides over to RE and FSU still wins the NC.

Theoretical 2012 DE depth chart:
RE – Tank Carradine, Sn/Dan Hicks, rsJr/Chris Casher or D.Fowler
LE – Bjoern Werner, Jr/Mario Edwards, Jr, Fresh/G.Newberry,

"D.RUSSO IS THE MAN" -DA-2

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by DRusso97 on Aug 10, 2011 6:19 PM EDT reply actions

I will miss Brandon Jenkins

but as you have stated Carradine is just as talented as Jenkins and would help FSU in a quest to win the national championship. Thank you for the comment DRusso.

"The helmet doesn't make you, you make the helmet"- Jimbo Fisher

by Matt Champion on Aug 10, 2011 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions

D.Russo: he's not JUST d!ck jokes!!

"D.RUSSO IS THE MAN" -DA-2

Follow me on Twitter for all the outrageous sh!t I can't say on Tomahawk Nation...
http://Twitter.com/DRusso97

by DRusso97 on Aug 11, 2011 3:48 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Jenkins can definitely play OLB in a 3-4

He favorably compares with Justin Houston (UGA) who may have been drafted anywhere from 25-50 this past draft if not for character concerns. Houston will be a 3-4 OLB with the Chiefs. Jenkins has better than advertised agility in space and has better inital quickness and more pass rush moves than Houston, although Houston is stronger and can threaten the edge better with his length.

If Jenkins can play the run better this year (And increase his edge speed a little bit) he and is valued by a 3-4 team that wants to have him simply gets after the quarterback (Thereby playing to his strengths) I see no reason why I couldn’t go anywhere from 30-50 (Depending on where the 2012 is deep at position wise) in the draft. He would need to go pro if that were the case. A good all around season plus another 10 sacks just may solidify him as a solid late first round pick with the premium that is put on pass rushers who can play all three downs

by westcoastnolefan on Aug 10, 2011 8:36 PM EDT reply actions