Saints 2020 Year-In-Review: CB Janoris Jenkins

A look back at Janoris Jenkins' 2020 campaign with the New Orleans Saints.

Jackrabbit's release was expected in a cap-saving maneuver by the New Orleans Saints front office.  We take a look at Janoris Jenkins' second season with the Saints and his performance in 2020.

A late-season addition to the New Orleans Saints back in 2019, NFL veteran defensive back Janoris Jenkins looked to be the long-awaited answer to who would play opposite Marshon Lattimore in the Saints secondary. In limited time a season ago, Jenkins made his presence felt coming up huge in the 2019 NFC Wild-Card Round, recording a sack and forced fumble. 

Expectations were sky-high for the "Jack Rabbit" in his first full season with the Black and Gold, the 2016 Pro-Bowl selection did not disappoint, starting the year off with a bang. In Week 1, New Orleans squared off against the new-look Tampa Bay Buccaneers in America's Game of the Week. Following a 17-7 halftime lead, Jenkins helped the Saints put the game out of reach with a pick-six on the Bucs opening drive of the second half to give New Orleans a three-score lead.

Credit: Michael Hebert, Saints

Despite missing three games because of injury, Jenkins was a mainstay of the Saints defense throughout the season, playing 90% of the team's defensive snaps in 12 of the 13 games he appeared in. The former second-round pick recorded interceptions in back-to-back weeks mid-season, helping New Orleans muster out victories without QB Drew Brees at the helm.

Jenkins' excellent play down the season's stretch for the New Orleans Saints helped propel the Saints to a Top-5 defense in football in 2020. However, Jack Rabbit's future with the team came to an abrupt end this week. New Orleans released the nine-year NFL veteran for cap relief, leaving a hole at their starting cornerback spot opposite three-time Pro Bowl selection, Marshon Lattimore.

In his New Orleans Saints career, Jenkins played in 15 regular-season and 3 postseason games making 17 total starts.  He tallied 72 combined tackles, 15 passes defended, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, and 1 touchdown. 

Following his release, Jenkins is now a free-agent and looks to find his third team in three years.

Season Highlight: Pick-Six vs. Tampa Bay

Janoris Jenkins jumps in front for the pick-6! #Saints

📺: #TBvsNO on FOX
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/5o8cWoN1yf pic.twitter.com/59dxseKWNC

— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2020

2020 Season Stat Line:

• Games Played: 13
• Tackles: 55
• Tackles For Loss: 2
• Pass Break Ups: 12
• INTs: 3
• Defensive Touchdowns: 1 

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