St. Louis Rams: Grading Rams Rookies Through First 2 Weeks of 2012 - Bleacher Report

Jenkins has shown brilliance in the secondary in his first two games as a pro.
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Grade: B+

Janoris Jenkins has proved that he is as advertised. The second-round pick out of North Alabama is going to be a stud cornerback in this league because of his ability to get to the ball and make plays.

In Week 1 against Detroit, he had a key interception at the goal line after the Lions offense was able to drive down the field and nearly scored. Jenkins locked down on Lions tight end Tony Scheffler, clearing a path to the ball.

His first career interception came in the first game his career, an unsurprising occurrence to the Rams' coaching staff. Jenkins also had one pass deflection in the game.

This past Sunday against Washington, Jenkins showed some of his youth. In the second quarter, with the Rams trailing 14-6, Jenkins was matched up on the far sideline against wideout Leonard Hankerson.

Robert Griffin III faked an end-around handoff to one of his other receivers. Jenkins must have bit on that fake because Hankerson ran a simple seam route straight up the middle of the field and had separation all the way. By the time Griffin let go of the ball, Hankerson was about 10 yards in front of Jenkins en route to an easy score. 

There is no doubt that Jenkins is one of the speediest rookies in the NFL. Had he realized Griffin was going deep and not handing it off, my feeling is Jenkins would have been there to cover Hankerson.

In the fourth quarter, with St. Louis now leading 31-28, the Skins had the ball with a chance tie or win the game. They had the ball at their own 21-yard line, and Griffin was back to throw.

He looked toward the near sideline and threw the ball to his tight end, Fred Davis, who appeared to have had the ball in his hands. Jenkins was right there to lay a menacing hit on the veteran, and the ball came loose. Officials immediately ruled the play an incomplete pass.

The broadcasters of the game on Fox were Chris Myers and Tim Ryan who also called the Rams-Lions game in week 1. Both seemed to be in agreement that Jenkins' hit on Davis was uncalled for because it was an intense blow to a defenseless receiver.

If one looks at the replay, it is clear that Davis is defenseless. However, Jenkins came up and used his arms, shoulders and chest to hit him. He did not use his helmet, which certainly would have been a personal foul on Jenkins.

Simply put, that's the right way to tackle a receiver when he is defenseless. It may have been a hard hit, but there was no use of the helmet or head in making the tackle.