In our most recent round of mock drafts, both Pete Prisco and I pegged the Lions to nab talented-but-troubled North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins with the 23rd overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft.Of course, that was before three of the Lions draft picks from 2011 were busted for off-field issues. Now, it seems much less likely that Detroit would gamble on another troubled character in the 2012 draft. And a report from Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free-Press confirms as much.
Birkett reports that a Lions "team source said chances are slim they take [Jenkins] 23rd overall considering his checkered past the team's own recent spat of marijuana-related arrests."
As I noted at the combine, Jenkins was absolutely forthcoming about his marijuana arrests and the number of children he's fathered (four). But being honest about red flags doesn't do anything to actually remove the red flags.
Look no further than Jenkins changing agents: reports swirled that he'd been "fired" by CAA's Ben Dogra, but according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, it was a mutual parting of the ways. Getting "fired" by a high-profile agent leading up to the draft would be disastrous for Jenkins and the scrutiny shows exactly what a risky prospect he is.
Both defensive tackle Nick Fairley (second-degree marijuana possession) and running back Mikel LeShoure (second time for marijuana possession, reportedly) have been cited for off-field issues in the last week.
And so when the next set of mock drafts come out, don't expect to see Jenkins paired up with the Lions, even if it makes sense.
The Lions simply can't take another gamble in the draft this year after the group of recent 2011 disasters.
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