Miami Dolphins Preview: Jelani Jenkins

Jelani Jenkins 6’0″ 245 lbs.

2014 Review

Jelani Jenkins isn’t the biggest linebacker in the NFL, but he is certainly talented. Last year was his breakout year for the Miami Dolphins, when he was forced into action after week one. He took the starting job and ran with it, accumulating a team leading 110 tackles and 3.5 sacks. He was very good about filling the right running lanes and not missing tackles, but what he really excelled in was pass defense. Jenkins was the best pass covering linebacker that the Dolphins had last year and was given the task of covering running backs out of the backfield and tight ends very frequently.

According to profootballfocus.com, Jenkins was rated as the Dolphins best defender in pass coverage with a +2.4 pass coverage rating, which is very impressive considering pro bowl cornerback Brent Grimes is on the team.

While Jenkins came as a surprise to many people, including people inside the Dolphins’ organization, he won’t be surprising anyone this year.

2015 Preview:

While Jenkins came as a surprise to many people, including people inside the Dolphins’ organization, he won’t be surprising anyone this year. Sometimes, teams have a hard time stopping guys because they haven’t had any time to prepare for them. That will not be the case this season as teams will have had a whole season to scout him and figure out how to stop him.

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One way teams might stop him is by getting a big offensive guard on him and neutralizing him in the run game by using his small stature against him. If that is the case, then Jenkins will definitely need to work on shedding blocks much better this year. Another way teams might be able to stop him is by forcing him to defend bigger receivers and tight ends like the Denver Broncos did this year.

Jenkins was one of the key cogs for the Dolphins defense last year, and for the defense to improve this year, he will have to be that and even more by taking his game to the next level. He will need to cause more turnovers and help get the defense off the field on third downs even more.

Take a look at this article explaining why Jenkins could be a big x-factor for the Dolphins this year.

More from Phin Phanatic

• 4 offensive tackles Miami Dolphins could draft at 51
• Miami Dolphins don’t need CB help but these 5 could be available at 51
• 4 players that could replace Wilkins if Miami Dolphins don’t re-sign him
• Miami Dolphins have a starting point with Wilkins after Simmons deal
• The Miami Dolphins should not take a running back in the draft

If the Dolphins defense are going to be able to improve from last season, then Jenkins will need to have played an integral role in the success. Because of his versatility, he is able to play in the Dolphins 4-3 base defense and in their sub packages, like their nickel and dime packages. Look for Jenkins to improve upon what he did last year, simply because he will have had the whole off-season to practice as a starter, which is something that he wasn’t afforded last year.

Projected Stats: 125 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles