Jordan Jenkins: A solid fit for the Atlanta Falcons?

Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jordan Jenkins interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine. Does Jenkins stay in the Red and Black?

According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Falcons were one of several teams to meet with former Georgia Bulldogs standout outside linebacker at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis this week.

While Jenkins didn’t exactly grow up a Falcons fan, being a military brat and all, is there a strong possibility he will get to continue wearing the Red and Black and begin his NFL career with the 2016 Atlanta Falcons after four great years at the University of Georgia?

For as much love as parts of Dawg Nation had for their 2015 players entering the 2016 NFL Draft, I believe that it is Jordan Jenkins that will prove to have the most successful NFL career of all the Dawgs in the 2016 Draft Class.

Jenkins is an every-down type of outside linebacker that can thrive in both rushing the passer and stuffing the run. While he doesn’t have as high of a ceiling as other pass rushers, Jenkins is a no-nonsense type of player on the outside with an incredibly high floor at linebacker.

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He’s the type of player that through great coaching could transform into the elite player he was in the SEC for the Georgia Bulldogs at the NFL level. The Atlanta Falcons seem to have great hands-on coaches, particularly in the defensive front seven.

Defensive coordinator Richard Smith and linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich often draw rave reviews for their teaching tactics. Head coach Dan Quinn and defensive line coach Bryan Cox certainly know a thing or two about defensive line play and getting after the opposing quarterback.

While Jordan Jenkins isn’t going to come off the board until at earliest the third round, he is the type of high-character player that the Atlanta Falcons need to gravitate towards in either the third or fourth round. He was a team captain his senior year at Georgia and was the vocal leader of a surprisingly strong Jeremy Pruitt defense the last two years in Athens.

Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff rarely misses in the first round or finding value in players that didn’t get drafted as UDFAs, but too often gambles on players that don’t pan out in the middle rounds of his drafts.

While the Atlanta Falcons have for some reason shied away taking players from the Georgia Bulldogs in recent drafts, it could serve the football team to target Jordan Jenkins in either the third or fourth round to give their linebacker corps and pass rush more bite in 2016.

To me, Jenkins will have the best NFL career of any player entering the 2016 NFL Draft from the 2015 Georgia Bulldogs. He does all the little things correctly to stay in the league for the long haul. His passion for the game and his charismatic leadership style stood out from day one in Athens.

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He may not star in the league like he did in the SEC, but he’s the one player out of Georgia this year that is least likely to bust at the NFL level. Since the Atlanta Falcons clearly have needs on the front seven for a pass rushing outside linebacker, Jordan Jenkins more than fits the mold of the type of player that they would need as a high-end mid-round pick.

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