Is Jelani Jenkins a long term starter

[FSU Truth]

You can move forward with Jenkins as a starter and focus on filling the other LB positions.

 

[JTC111]

But even then, do you replace him asap in the offseason? or is he a long term solution?

That depends on some things. How high is replacing him on the "needs" list? I think we have other more pressing needs so I wouldn't make replacing him a priority. If a better option falls into our lap, fine, but he's not a glaring weakness right now. I don't think it's a priority and for all we know, he might further progress. In fact, we should be thankful he's come along or we might be reading articles about Miami playing a 6-1-4.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

Well, you're always looking for an all-pro at every position.

But right now, I'm looking for an all-pro at other positions, first.

 

[KTOWNFINFAN]

Jenkins is certainly not a position I would focus on upgrading. His coverage skills are very good and he is a good tackler with solid instincts and very good wheels. To be perfectly honest he is the last LB I would consider upgrading and yes that includes when Misi is back healthy.
If Tripp can make the kind of improvement next year that Jenkins has made and McCain can become the type of player that we all think he can become, LB MIGHT not even need upgrading next year. Tripp has great instincts but is weak at POA and needs to get stronger, but could turn out to be a starter.

What I think we have noticed is how important position coaching is this year. LB and OL have had a big change in performance without a huge upgrade in talent.

 

[So Be]

This is funny, Jenkins has played better than any other 4-3 OLB in the NFL so far, and there are not many good ones, and some want to question if he should be replaced next year. SMH and LOL.

 

[PhinFan1968]

Jenkins is playing at a great level. If he keeps it up, mark that position covered.

And, like it or not, Wheeler is also playing great...now that he's back in his natural spot.

These 2 guys have been a nice surprise...could be set there for a while.

---------- Post added at 11:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:34 AM ----------

This is funny, Jenkins has played better than any other 4-3 OLB in the NFL so far, and there are not many good ones, and some want to question if he should be replaced next year. SMH and LOL.

That and people still dogging Wheeler. He deserved it last year...not this year, so far.

 

[LDaniel7]

Just because Jenkins has surprised thus far in the season does NOT mean that the team should rest on its laurels in the offseason.

LB is a crucial position where you can't have enough good talent.

The days of sitting back (like at WR) and never drafting good talent simply because you have a Hartline and Bess maintaining at a nice, CONSISTENT nondescript level -- well, those days should be behind us.

Draft BPA and make sure the OL and DL and LBs and WRs and TEs get drafted and acquired overtop each other. Let the cream continually rise to the top. And the depth will be the kind of depth that a starter can go down and a backup come and take his spot. That's what you need as a team. And teams like Seattle get it.

LD

 

[Phinatic8u]

Just because Jenkins has surprised thus far in the season does NOT mean that the team should rest on its laurels in the offseason.

LB is a crucial position where you can't have enough good talent.

The days of sitting back (like at WR) and never drafting good talent simply because you have a Hartline and Bess maintaining at a nice, CONSISTENT nondescript level -- well, those days should be behind us.

Draft BPA and make sure the OL and DL and LBs and WRs and TEs get drafted and acquired overtop each other. Let the cream continually rise to the top. And the depth will be the kind of depth that a starter can go down and a backup come and take his spot. That's what you need as a team. And teams like Seattle get it.

LD

Boom..

 

[mrhankey81701]

We have 12 games to find that out. So far all signs point to him being a longterm player for the Dolphins.

 

[So Be]

Just because Jenkins has surprised thus far in the season does NOT mean that the team should rest on its laurels in the offseason.

LB is a crucial position where you can't have enough good talent.

The days of sitting back (like at WR) and never drafting good talent simply because you have a Hartline and Bess maintaining at a nice, CONSISTENT nondescript level -- well, those days should be behind us.

Draft BPA and make sure the OL and DL and LBs and WRs and TEs get drafted and acquired overtop each other. Let the cream continually rise to the top. And the depth will be the kind of depth that a starter can go down and a backup come and take his spot. That's what you need as a team. And teams like Seattle get it.

LD

True but, think we may want to WAIT a bit before thinking of replacing him? Last I heard, the draft was just a bit away. :)

 

[AL R]

Jenkins is certainly not a position I would focus on upgrading. His coverage skills are very good and he is a good tackler with solid instincts and very good wheels. To be perfectly honest he is the last LB I would consider upgrading and yes that includes when Misi is back healthy.
If Tripp can make the kind of improvement next year that Jenkins has made and McCain can become the type of player that we all think he can become, LB MIGHT not even need upgrading next year. Tripp has great instincts but is weak at POA and needs to get stronger, but could turn out to be a starter.

What I think we have noticed is how important position coaching is this year. LB and OL have had a big change in performance without a huge upgrade in talent.

Agree. Wonder what would have happened if we had an excellent QB coach here from the beginning with RT17.

 

[LDaniel7]

True but, think we may want to WAIT a bit before thinking of replacing him? Last I heard, the draft was just a bit away. :)

Oh, don't get me wrong -- I wasn't saying necessarily replace him. I was saying "Don't act like we've got the position covered just because he's played well so far."

Even if he plays great all year, you continually bring in talent at the position. At worst, Jenkins beats out the other talent -- or the talent beats him out -- and you have excellent depth and even better play at the position.

I like what he's done so far. But this is a league where premier LB play goes a long way -- ability to cover, read, react, and fill gaps w. impact in the running game -- huge points of emphasis. It used to be LBs were valued most for stopping the run and rushing the passer. Now the league needs LBs that can cover in limited space and stop the run, top of list. Jenkins is surprising so far -- gotta love it.

LD

 

[So Be]

Oh, don't get me wrong -- I wasn't saying necessarily replace him. I was saying "Don't act like we've got the position covered just because he's played well so far."

Even if he plays great all year, you continually bring in talent at the position. At worst, Jenkins beats out the other talent -- or the talent beats him out -- and you have excellent depth and even better play at the position.

I like what he's done so far. But this is a league where premier LB play goes a long way -- ability to cover, read, react, and fill gaps w. impact in the running game -- huge points of emphasis. It used to be LBs were valued most for stopping the run and rushing the passer. Now the league needs LBs that can cover in limited space and stop the run, top of list. Jenkins is surprising so far -- gotta love it.

LD

Last I looked, we have few positions covered, including QB, TE, RG, LG, DT, MLB, SOLB, S, and maybe a 2nd CB. ALL have played much worse than Jenkins. That's more picks than we have if all work out, which ain't gonna happen. Why pick on a guy playing well?

 

[LDaniel7]

Last I looked, we have few positions covered, including QB, TE, RG, LG, DT, MLB, SOLB, S, and maybe a 2nd CB. ALL have played much worse than Jenkins. That's more picks than we have if all work out, which ain't gonna happen. Why pick on a guy playing well?

I'm not necessarily trying to pick on him. It's just that we need not only a new draft philosophy but also a new acquiring players philosophy. Personally, I think Hickey is much closer to that needed philosophy than Ireland.

It's the kind of thing that Seattle does. Just because you have a Russell Wilson doesn't mean that you don't take a chance on a Terrelle Pryor. Just because you have a Richard Sherman doesn't mean that you don't acquire a good CB when one is available. Just because you have a Golden Tate doesn't mean that you don't acquire a Percy Harvin, etc.

And every position of need can be upgraded in one offseason, imo. Not perhaps to a playoff caliber, but if one has the right philosophy, still an upgrade.

LD

 

[BlueFin]

he is a fourth (?) round draft pick in his second year, of course his deal is ok, even first round picks have affordable deals. What I am asking is should he be a long term starter?

He has played well....if he continues improving he is a keeper.

You can't have an all-pro at every position.