FanHouse MalcolmJenkins

NEW YORK -- Malcolm Jenkins might have been a higher pick a year ago. Might have made more money. But he decided to stay one more year at Ohio State, and he went No. 14 overall to the New Orleans Saints in this year's draft.

He has no regrets.

"That's one of the best decisions I ever made, to stay in school and enjoy my senior year," Jenkins said at a press conference moments ago at Radio City Music Hall. "I'll graduate in June, I won the (Jim) Thorpe Award (for nation's best defensive back), I got to have Senior Day and all that went with that. I'm so glad I made that decision, because it's something I'm going to remember for the rest of my life."

Malcolm Jenkins, DB Selected: College: Ohio State Age: 21 Height: 6-foot-0 Weight: 204 lbs. 2008 Stats: 57 tackles (34 solo), 4 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 3 interceptions

Scouting Report: Size should translate immediately to NFL game, either at cornerback or safety. One of those guys that simply makes plays over and over again. Jam's well at the line. Exceptional tackler and very heavy hitter, both qualities that bode well for a move to safety. Not great in deep coverage.

2009 Outlook: Jenkins is sort of a 'tweener, which could slow his stardom in the NFL. His lack of elite speed means he might not be able to be a lock-down No. 1 corner in the league, but a transition to safety will take some time. Should contribute in some way right out of the gate; he's simply too good not to.

HIGHLIGHT REEL:

NFL Network's Charley Casserly and Brian Billick talked to the media today about the upcoming NFL Draft. Choicest nuggets below.

On the news that B.J. Raji didn't fail a drug test as reported by SI.com and NFLDraftBible.com...
Brian Billick: "This is of great concern to me, as I think it is to the league and a number of different people. The vetting process that these rookies go through, particularly at the combine, and to have the misconception, or the rumors or the innuendo about some of these young people ... it sounds like there has been some misinformation put out there.

Believe it or not, there is going to be an important storyline at next week's NFL draft that won't involve Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez or offensive tackles.

Even through all the posturing and coach-speak, it's still fairly easy to pinpoint just a handful of locations where Stafford or Sanchez might wind up. You can also more or less figure out which team needs a burly lineman or linebacker upgrade, and guess where guys like Eugene Monroe, Brian Cushing or Ray Maualuga might end up.

But I dare you to find a team that doesn't need cornerback help. There aren't many out there, which is why that position's fluidity heading into New York is a large part of the reason draft boards are still so uncertain.

Earlier today, MDS noted that Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins' draft stock may be dipping after he ran a disappointing 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday. Connecticut's Darius Butler does not have the same issue, and could wind up reaping the benefits of a Jenkins slide.

While Jenkins clocked in with a 4.52 40, Butler managed to record an unofficial 4.45 -- slower than he hoped, but still the second-fastest time posted by a cornerback, behind only the 4.41 time of Norfolk State's Don Carey.

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

Gregg Williams hasn't informed a free agent decision for New Orleans yet, hasn't hand-picked the inevitable defensive playmaker the Saints choose with their 14th-overall selection this year, hasn't installed a single scheme in a minicamp. Yet Williams' reputation has preceded him to the Crescent City, and his hiring as defensive coordinator is already considered one of the most important moves in team history.

After almost two decades of guaranteed defensive putridity, the last three of which have revolved around Gary Gibbs' lack of talent identification and bland scheming, the idea of Williams and his history of intelligent, hard-working, active, complex defenses coming to the Superdome is music to the ears. It also might finally push the Saints over the top.

Last week we noted that Ohio State cornerback Malcolm Jenkins needed to run a good 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine if he wanted to prove he had shutdown corner speed. Today Jenkins ran, and he did not deliver.

If Ohio State's Malcolm Jenkins had entered last year's NFL draft, he might very well have been the first defensive back off the board, ahead of Leodis McKelvin and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie. But Jenkins stayed for his senior season, and even though he played well, he still has a lot to prove over the next few days at the NFL Scouting Combine.

We've reached draft season, the time of year where Mike Mayock, Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay become you're best friends, and it's possible to spend 10 hours a day mulling over draft scenarios.

You may have your opinion on who is the best draft expert, but there's also something to be said for the wisdom of crowds. Why look at one mock draft when you can look at 10? We compiled the results from 10 of the most respected mock drafts on the Internet to see if there is agreement on who each team will pick. We'll do this several times before the draft arrives to give you an idea of what players and what positions look to be your team's best bets.