Saints Most Indispensible Players, 1-5
3/ Malcolm Jenkins (free agent in 2015)
Jenkins’ value shot up in one game – the way the secondary fell apart in the playoffs really showed just what Jenkins meant to the defense. His ability to cover for mistakes that not only he makes but that others on the unit was unmatched this season.
Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams’ eyes always seem to get bigger and his smile gets wider when talking about Jenkins. In just two seasons, it has become obvious that the youngster from Ohio State was a steal in the 2009 draft even at No. 14.
Jenkins plays almost every position in the secondary, starting games at free safety, moving to nickel and occasionally he be called into action at cornerback if the situation calls for it. He’s one of the few safeties in the league who can cover as well as most cornerbacks.
And yes, there’s the playoff game. Strong safety Roman Harper is fantastic against the run – and there’s an undercurrent amongst myself and, well, myself to see him move to outside linebacker – but his deficiencies in pass coverage were completely and utterly exposed against Seattle. Jenkins can cover for some of these mistakes.
