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2016 NFL free agency: Who will Janoris Jenkins sign with?

By Patrick Morgan

Nov 15, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins (21) takes up his position against Chicago Bears wide receiver Josh Bellamy (11) during a game at the Edward Jones Dome. The Bears won the game 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams cornerback Janoris Jenkins (21) takes up his position against Chicago Bears wide receiver Josh Bellamy (11) during a game at the Edward Jones Dome. The Bears won the game 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /
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Where will Janoris Jenkins sign in 2016 NFL free agency?

Janoris Jenkins figures to be right at the top of the Los Angeles Rams‘ (feels good saying that as an Angeleno, got to say) offseason signing priorities in the coming months. He’s part of an elite cornerback tandem in the NFL, along with Trumaine Johnson. Unfortunately for the Rams, both he and his counterpart, Johnson, are unrestricted free agents. While the Rams could retain both it’s going to cost them.

Vitals

Age: 27
Notable stat: 6 defensive touchdowns
Pro Bowls: 1 (alternate, 2014)
All-Pro Teams: 0

Contract comparison

Jenkins has been a real bargain for the Rams over his first four seasons, playing under a rookie contract that paid him about $4.9 million. That’s actually quite a bit higher than what Johnson made over a similar time period, so both players figure to see significant increases in their overall earnings entering 2016.

Jenkins has only been a starter for two seasons now, but he’s made the most of his opportunities. He played well enough in 2014 to merit Pro Bowl alternate status at cornerback, and followed that up with a campaign last season where he set a new personal high for passes defended, along with his second-highest interception and tackle totals since entering the NFL. He probably deserves to be paid a bit more than Prince Amukamara, so look for that deal to be a measuring stick.

Estimate: 4 years/$44 million/$23 million guaranteed

Will he stay?

He probably was going to be locked up by the Rams anyway, but if there was ever any doubt, it looks even clearer now that the team has released veterans Jared Cook, James Laurinaitis, and Chris Long.

In doing so, Los Angeles saved about $24 million in cap space, and now figure to have about $60 million to spend this offseason. That’s one of the highest numbers in the league, and bodes well for Jenkins getting what he wants in a lucrative new contract while still staying put with the Rams. It’s a win-win for both sides, and at this point it’d be an upset if L.A. lost out on retaining its star cornerback.

If he leaves…

On the rare chance the team actually deems Jenkins expendable, there would be no shortage of franchises lining up to offer him a new contract. The New Orleans Saints‘ Brandon Browner experiment was an absolute disaster, as the physically gifted cover corner can’t seem to learn how not to commit stupid penalties. Jenkins would provide an infusion of talent and youth in a defense that sorely lacks both.

Speaking of cornerback disasters, former first-round draft pick Morris Claiborne has been a bonafide bust at best and an absolute nightmare at worst since he entered the league. In four years, he has yet to play a full 16-game season, and his career highs in interceptions and pass deflections are three and 22, respectively. The Dallas Cowboys would have to be interested.

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