FanPost

2014 Patriots Draft: DT Timmy Jernigan

Streeter Lecka

Profile

Name: Timmy Jernigan

School: Florida State University

Size: 6'2, 299 lbs

Stats

Combine/Pro Day

Expected Round: 1st

Game Footage (Auburn, 2012 Georgia Tech, NC State, Boston College)

Highlights

Strengths: Stronger than his bench press indicates, anchors himself well with his legs. Doesn't give up ground when playing 0 technique, leaving runners with little room to get up field. Quick in small spaces, moves feet well. Has strong hands which he uses well to disengage in the run game and as a pass rusher. Possesses multiple pass rushing moves, including the ability to stack and shed when two-gapping (despite average range). Used rip and swim moves effectively. Doesn't mess around when tackling--wraps up and swallows ball carriers.

Example Film:

Run Defense Technique

GIF 1

Pass Rush Skill

GIF 2

Weaknesses: Looks slow to get off the line on a lot of snaps, could be assigned contain plays. Lacks ranginess of a Hageman or Tuitt. Could face problems with bigger linemen if he doesn't engage them with his hands. Isn't consistent enough--one play he'll blast off the LOS and another he'll be 5 yards into the backfield making a big play. Doesn't have great measurables, isn't a dominant athlete.

Here's Jernigan's explanation of why he looked slow coming off the line at times, which can be taken into account when analyzing his film.

We did a lot of two-gapping, reading and reacting. So I never really had a chance to just come off the ball and show how athletic I was.

-Tallahassee.com

What is his role? Although Jernigan was featured primarily as a 3-4 nose tackle, he did see some action as a 3 technique defensive tackle out of the 4-3. His college films projects him to a Geno Atkins hybrid defensive tackle role, playing multiple spots on multiple fronts.

On the Patriots though, I see Jernigan best fitting in as a 3 technique next to Vince Wilfork. Bill Belichick prefers the Vince Wilforks and Casey Hamptons of the world to fill the nose tackle position. In addition, with the Patriots transitioning to more 4-3 and subpackage looks featuring 4 man fronts, it makes sense for Jernigan to be drafted with the intention of playing 4-3 DT.

Will it change from year 1 to year 2? As everyone knows by now, Vince Wilfork will be back next season but he Tommy Kelly are getting up there in age. It's also possible that Tommy Kelly won't be a Patriot next year at this time. Jernigan projects as at least a part-time starter this year, with a starting role up for grabs in his sophomore year.

How many downs can he play? Jernigan is a 3 down player in theory, but he did tire out a few times last year when FSU was actually tasked with playing their starters the full game. It's definitely something to keep track of.

Which current player will he beat out? Jernigan has some skills that are immediately transferable to the NFL, including his strong hands and block shedding ability. I would expect him to beat out Chris Jones as Tommy Kelly's backup (attacking 4-3 DT) while competing with Sealver Siliga as Vince Wilfork's backup. He's a different type of player than Wilfork, so he could give the Pats flexibility to attack different offensive lines in different ways.

What’s his ST value? Similar to other DT's, he can play on the kick/punt block team.

Does he have positional versatility? Jernigan isn't as versatile as some of the other linemen in the draft (he doesn't have their athletic flexibility) but he has experience playing in both a 4-3 and 3-4. However, I don't think he projects well to the Patriots version of the 3-4.

Why the Patriots? Both Kelly and Wilfork, being on the wrong side of 30 and coming off serious injuries, need to be rested and backed up with similarly talented linemen. If anything, it will ensure the run defense doesn't decline much in their absence. Jernigan's has a very balanced skillset--the Patriots would be able to employ him in multiple backup roles while he learns from two grizzled veterans.

Why not the Patriots? Scouts have concerns with his speed off the ball, which led to him being completely taken out of some plays by quicker, stronger linemen. It's easy to see on film, but it's unclear how much of that was because of FSU's scheme. In addition, there are simply better athletes available at the position. The Patriot defense is always changing, and it's interesting to see if they'll feature more of an attack based 4-3 scheme or the classic two-gapping 3-4. If they're emphasizing quickness off the snap, they'll likely go in a different direction.

Verdict: Oliver Thomas of NEPatriotsDraft.com describes him as "unsteady off the snap, but a quick, ripping pass-rusher" as well as an "undersized but energized, block-shedding run-stuffer." Jernigan has versatility and decent production, but this is a draft in which the Patriots will have the flexibility to select a more raw D line prospect. Their situation at defensive line with Wilfork and Kelly now under contract for next season makes me think the Pats would be better off spending a high pick on a defensive end/outside linebacker like Kony Ealy or Dee Ford to take some pressure off of Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones.

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References

1. http://draftbreakdown.com/video/timmy-jernigan-vs-boston-college-2013/

2. http://www.nfl.com/draft/2014/profiles/timmy-jernigan?id=2543461

3. http://www.seminoles.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/timmy_jernigan_763590.html

4. http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20140225/FSU03/302250018/FSU-s-Smith-Jernigan-shine-NFL-Combine?nclick_check=1

5. http://www.nepatriotsdraft.com/2014/03/2014-nfl-draft-close-up-florida-state-defensive-tackle-timmy-jernigan.html

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