Draft Profile Series: Timmy Jernigan
- Updated: April 29, 2014
As we approach the deepest NFL Draft in recent memory, I’ll give my breakdown and analysis of 75 top prospects in this year’s class. At the conclusion of this series, I will include my final overall and positional rankings, as well as a mock draft.
Timmy Jernigan, DT, 6-1½, 300, Florida State
Key Stats: Posted 63 tackles, 11.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks in 2013.
Strengths: Very strong despite still playing just around 300 pounds. … Is also a very good athlete and has good speed. … Anchors and has a tremendous punch. … Has violent hands. … Much more of a run defender at this point, but is athletic enough to provide some rush. … Takes on double teams and sheds blocks well. … Has a nasty side, and enjoys inflicting punishment on offensive linemen and running backs. … Is a good tackler and can run down plays outside the tackle box. … Has decent array of pass rush moves, including rip and swim moves.
Weaknesses: Is not a quick-twitch athlete. … Sometimes is last off the ball. … If he can’t get off the ball quicker, he will have plenty of trouble in the NFL. … Instead of getting into offensive linemen then finding the ball, he stands up at the snap and looks for the action of the play, then engages. … Must improve in this area or he’ll get taken for rides on every play. … Has short arms and can be kept at distance. … Ran out of gas often during National Championship game, so he could work on his conditioning.
Conclusion: Jernigan could fit as a 3-technique in a 4-3, but also could play shaded over center in the 3-4. … If he improves his jump off the ball he will be a force in the league. If not, he will be a two-down defender.
NFL comparison: Brandon Mebane/Glenn Dorsey.
Draft projection: Should go between picks 15-35.
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