Originally posted by Joecool:
He's being pumped up as if he's going to recreate those highlights in the NFL. He's not. Physical play was his college strength. Okay, that's fine, but if he can't get AS physical as he did in college, then he better have decent speed. Sanu ran a 4.4 when he was drafted. Need to stop making these comparisons because Jauan is lacking a lot of what these other proven receivers have.
I just don't see it working other than maybe twice a game to gain a couple of yards. LB's have no problem tackling 220lb WRs.
I possibly re-started this hype with my insanely long post, and while I said it was admittedly biased, I re-read it and it was maybe a bit too positive? So here's possibly a more balanced, albeit rambling post. First off, I don't expect him to break all those tackles in the league. Hell I don't expect him to even start, or possibly even get much PT at all especially early on. But if I had to bet $$, I'd count on him making the team and contributing somehow, and while I don't follow the league like I do college, I'd call that a win for a 7th round draft pick if it happens. Jennings to me seems like a guy that's gonna help your team. He's not going to drag linebackers and DBs around like he did in college, but I think he'll provide value by his special teams play, his blocking as a WR, his infectious attitude, and the ability to give you some decent WR play. Unfortunately for Jauan, the last one is probably the most important for him to make the roster, and probably where he's the weakest. To those that asked can he catch, will he bobble in the pros, you're absolutely right....that is where he will make the team or get cut.
Again I'll add, if he's not getting hit in practice (and thus other guys aren't getting hit), he's not going to shine as much as other guys. One of his strengths is the ability to catch and absorb contact and that won't show up at all in non/limited contact practices. Speedsters will look better, Jauan will not look as good, until full hits and tackles start happening, so it's probably wise to view any practice reports with that context.
Those highlight films obviously won't be replicated in the pros. But that was my point about 3d down possession usage and his leading the nation in broken tackles. Of course he can't/won't do any of that in the NFL and he has a lot of physical limitations, which is probably a huge reason he fell all the way to the 7th. But I say again, you can't do any of that, even in college, without having some sort of above average skill level, all of his negatives notwithstanding. Expectations should be greatly tempered for folks expecting him to look anything like those highlights in the pros, and comparisons to Fitzgerald and the like are just likely setting everyone up for disappointment. But if he just makes the team and gives you some valuable play, isn't that a win for a 7th rounder? Not following the NFL much like I said, how often do 7th round picks even make their team...I genuinely don't know?
I saw someone mention how much more athletic and physical Jalen Hurd is than Jennings. That argument is a microcosm of the difference between the two players. Hurd is absolutely more talented and skilled. On their best days, it's no contest and why they were both drafted where they each were. Physicality though.....pfffffft. Jennings will be at the next practice, while Hurd will not. I know the ACL tear was a fluke, and it could happen to Jauan today, but that's not a surprise to any Volunteer fan. All the measurables and times and hand size in the world don't do any good if you can't do the same with the pads on. That is where Jennings' hidden value lies I think, and where you should all hope he can replicate it somewhat in the NFL and if so, you'll have outfoxed all the other teams with a somewhat sleeper pick late. And I say again, if not, it's probably no huge loss for Niner fans....he's a 7th rounder, right?!
I'll leave with one more thought on Jennings. Despite all the positives I talked about from him, can he consistently catch the football? He didn't have a ton of drops last year, but he did bobble more wide open passes than he should have and many of those will = a TO (or punt at best) in the NFL while it just turned into an offensive highlight in college. It's like having a QB that can wow you 75% of the time, but 25% of the time he misses a wide open target. Has insane highlights in college, but that QB won't stand a chance in the NFL, despite having all the arm strength in the world. You can't miss wide up receivers in the pros. This is where I see Jauan making or missing his calling as a pro. Behavior, slowness, lack of size, etc. I'd tend to discount most if not all of that, he can still possibly contribute quite a bit in spite of these flaws based on all the positives I and others have offered up. But can he consistently make clean catches? If not, all of his positives likely won't cut it. If he CAN do that though, then I think you guys found a bit of a gem in the 7th round.
it's a perfectly solid comp IMO.