Archer: Cowboys add WR A.J. Jenkins

[Cotton]

Cowboys add WR A.J. Jenkins

Todd Archer, ESPN Staff Writer

IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys have signed wide receiver and former first-round draft pick A.J. Jenkins, according to a source.

Jenkins was among a group of players to work out for the Cowboys last week that included running backs Ben Tate, Felix Jones, Daniel Thomas and wide receiver Kris Durham.

Jenkins was the 30th overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2012, but did not catch a pass in three games. He was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013, and caught 17 passes for 223 yards in 2013 and '14.

The Cowboys opened their first of nine organized team activities Tuesday.

With Dez Bryant not expected to take part in any of the remaining offseason program, the Cowboys wanted to add another veteran at receiver. Terrance Williams and Devin Street have worked with the first group in Bryant's absence, with Cole Beasley taking up his slot role.

The Cowboys did not select a receiver in this year's draft, but added George Farmer, with $55,000 in guaranteed money, Antwan Goodley and Lucky Whitehead as undrafted free agents. Executive vice president Stephen Jones said the undrafted trio was the best group the Cowboys have had at receiver since they signed Miles Austin and Sam Hurd in 2006.

 

[Carp]

I think I would have rather signed Durham.

 

[boozeman]

 

[midswat]

Well this is certainly exciting.

 

[midswat]

Someone twittered that he can really play but was just misused in San Fran and KC. Seems legit.

 

[Carp]

I am happy with the Farmer and Goodley signings...I think Goodley could be our kick returner.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I'm sure everyone is disappointed that this isn't the signing they were hoping for. Felix Jones.

 

[mcnuttz]

Someone twittered that he can really play but was just misused in San Fran and KC. Seems legit.

Trade Dez for Peterson, straight up.

We got our 1st round WR. Now let's get that Super Bowl.

 

[boozeman]

Cut Chris Boyd.

 

[Cotton]

Trade Dez for Peterson, straight up.

We got our 1st round WR. Now let's get that Super Bowl.

I'm 98.4% sure that isn't going to happen.

 

[Cotton]

Cut Chris Boyd.

 

[Plan9Misfit]

How underwhelming. Jenkins won't even make it out of camp.

 

[NoDak]

How underwhelming. Jenkins won't even make it out of camp.

Nope. Neither will about 40% more of the guys that go.

 

[Plan9Misfit]

Very true, but most of those guys weren't 1st round busts like Jenkins. His bust level was epic.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Very true, but most of those guys weren't 1st round busts like Jenkins. His bust level was epic.

So who cares? If he is more talented then the undrafted free agents out there I don't see the harm in letting him be better then the last man we just cut. He was an epic draft bust but a big part of that is he was just an epic reach to start out with. No one thought he was a first round caliber player except the 49ers. He was a third round talent that someone reached for in the first round. I doubt he makes the roster but I have no problem giving him a chance to show maybe he is worth the 5th WR spot on our roster. He isn't exactly competing against highly decorated players.

 

[NoDak]

Right. Every team needs to take 90 players to camp. Not because those 90 players are all NFL caliber players, but because they need guys to take reps so the guys who will make the squad don't get burned out. Teams sign players off the street knowing full well that the vast majority of them won't ever make a game day roster. Sure, sometimes a guy breaks thru and becomes something. That's why you'll always see the guys that had some talent coming out of college get chance after chance.

This is the very reason Felix Jones will probably be in somebody's camp this year. Not because they think he'll suddenly become a good back. But because they need somebody to take the wear and tear while evaluating the other players around them. If he shows enough to hang on to the bottom of the roster, great. If not, he'll be cut when the time comes and nothing will be lost.

 

[boozeman]

Very true, but most of those guys weren't 1st round busts like Jenkins. His bust level was epic.

Even Bobbeh Carpenter laughs at this guy's level of FAIL.

 

[boozeman]

Scouting Report: New WR A.J. Jenkins Has Good Tape Despite Struggles


Tuesday, May 26, 2015 3:11 PM CDT

By Bryan Broaddus


Football Analyst/Scout



@BryanBroaddus

Name: A.J. Jenkins
Position: Wide Receiver
Height: 6-0
Weight: 192
College: Illinois

Games Studied: Kansas City 2014 vs. Denver, New England, San Francisco, San Diego, New York Jets, Buffalo

Nice quickness off the line when he had the opportunity to run those types of routes where he was going down the field. Was mainly used as a screen and slant route runner. Coaches did their best to try and get the ball into his hands quickly and let him create on his own.

Jenkins did an outstanding job shaking loose of tacklers in the Chargers game and nearly taking a screen to the house – but he stepped out of bounds. He shows some initial quickness with the burst. From what I observed, he only had one opportunity where he went on a vertical route where he had a chance to separate but he didn’t.

It was amazing how many poor passes that he had to adjust to from Alex Smith. Even with the screens, he had to adjust back with his body to make catches. Worked hard to make the catch. Has no issues trying to catch the ball in a crowd. Limited run after catch with the exception of the Chargers game. Didn’t appear to fight the ball when it came in his direction – again made some soccer goalie type of plays. Will extend to catch the ball away from his body.

I would say that his catching radius is wide. Did not see many snaps where he was used as a blocker. Would line up tight to the formation or in a bunch formation – was even used out of the backfield on some running plays to the corner.

I’m not quite sure why he has had the issues catching on with the 49ers or Chiefs. I have seen receivers on the street that have far worse talent than him. Appears to be a flyer that is worth taking a chance on just from the snaps that I was able to see in these games. Surprises you with the plays that he makes due to the numbers of passes he sees.
----------

Good turd polishing from Broaddus.

 

[VA Cowboy]

Jenkins and McFadden...Stellar.

 

[boozeman]

Jenkins and McFadden...Stellar.

Keep collecting former first round busts, it has got to pay off eventually. And stuff.