Dallas Takes Jenkins at 25, Makes USF History

With the 25th pick in the 2008 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys struck gold and made Mike Jenkins the highest Bull ever to be drafted. Read about it on USFNation.com

On Saturday afternoon the Bulls made history with out even playing a game.

When the Dallas Cowboys moved up at the bottom of the first round to select USF cornerback Mike Jenkins, they made him the highest Bull ever drafted into the NFL.

Jenkins was rated as one of the top 5 cornerbacks in the draft and ranked No. 1 by Tom Marino of Scout.com, but was still available late into the first round when Dallas moved up from the No. 28 spot to No. 25 in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks to select him, the fourth corner back taken in the draft.

To move up three spots and secure Jenkins, Dallas gave up their fifth- and seventh-round picks.

In 11 years of playing football the Bulls now have nine players drafted, but Jenkins is the first USF player to be taken in the first round. Kawika Mitchell had the previous high when he was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round in 2003.

Jenkins will join former Bull Anthony Henry who also plays for the 2007 NFC East Division Champions.

Flash Analysis

The Cowboys get a potential top 15 pick at the bottom of the first round in Mike Jenkins after trading up with the Seahawks. Jenkins should contribute immediately in a Dallas in secondary in need of backup corners after the departures of Nate Jones and Jacques Reeves. Longterm, he'll be a starter for many years. The Cowboys were hoping to strike gold in this year's draft after the first round, that's exactly what they've done. - Roy Philpott, Ranch Report

Adam Caplan's Take

Dallas might have selected Antoine Cason or Brandon Flowers here had Jenkins not slipped this far. Dallas gets one of the better values of the first round. The feeling is veteran CB Anthony Henry could be moved to safety down the line and Jenkins could at least compete for the nickel job this season.

SCOUT.COM’S TOM MARINO’S ANALYSIS: A shutdown corner with adequate size and outstanding quickness. Has racehorse speed, explosive hips and the ability to stick his foot in the ground and close to the ball. No wasted movement or extra steps. Underneath close was rare. Impressive play instincts and anticipation. Has the speed to easily stay on top of receivers on deep routes. Inconsistent hands. Special player.

CFN.COM Draft Breakdown and Analysis
25 Dallas (from Seattle) Mike Jenkins, CB South Florida
A tremendous three-year starter on a good USF defense, Jenkins is a true shut-down corner who isn't afraid to get physical and can all but erase the top receivers when he has his game on. The question is his motor. If it's going full-tilt and he wants it, he looks like an all-star. When he suffers lapses or doesn't get up for the competition, he can be beaten by average receivers. He needs to bring it game in and game out. It would be nice if he picked off more passes, taking away just six despite being a four-year regular, but that's a bit misleading.
CFN Projection: First Round CFN Position Rank: 2

BULLS in the NFL Draft
Bill Gramatica	2001	Arizona Cardinals	4th Round
Anthony Henry	2001	Cleveland Browns	4th Round
Kenyatta Jones	2001	New England Patriots	4th Round
Kawika Mitchell	2003	Kansas City Chiefs	2nd Round
DeAndre Rubin	2003	Green Bay Packers	7th Round
Shurron Pierson	2003	Oakland Raiders	4th Round
J.R. Reed	2004	Dallas Cowboys	4th Round
Stephen Nicholas	2007	Atlanta Falcons	4th Round
Mike Jenkins	2008	Dallas Cowboys	1st Round  25th pick

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