Anfernee

Jennings

Fellow Patriots WR K.J. Osborn (shoulder) is also questionable this week. Injuries on the defensive side of the ball piled up last week. Starting safeties Kyle Dugger (ankle) and Jabrill Peppers (shoulder) are likewise questionable, as are LB Anfernee Jennings (shoulder) and CB Jonathan Jones (shoulder).

The Patriots’ front-seven is down three starters at this point. It’s an unideal situation facing the 49ers’ vaunted rushing attack. The 49ers’ pass rush should also effectively generate pressure against the Patriots’ problematic offensive line.

The Patriots’ defense has struggled to stay healthy and Jennings now adds his player to this list. He ranks or ties for first on the team in both total run-defense tackles (eight) and tackles for loss or no gain (three). The Patriots would miss him against the 49ers, if he’s inactive.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport was first on the scoop. KRPC2’s Aaron Wilson later noted Jennings, who had 66 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2023 with New England, has a “good chance” of reaching the contract’s max value of $24 million. A former starter for Alabama drafted by the Patriots in 2020, Jennings has been a rotational player over his three seasons with the team (he missed 2021 due to injury).

Ja’Whaun Bentley is surprisingly active, providing some stability for New England’s beat-up front-seven. Ty Johnson should have no issues shining opposite this group.

Jennings started 38-of-54 games at Alabama, projecting as a stand-up EDGE in the NFL due to his seeming lack of burst when attacking the outside shoulders of opposing tackles. With 20 pass breakups and double-digit tackles for loss in each of the past two seasons, his production does speak for itself. Jennings may struggle if asked to drop into coverage too often in the big leagues, but his pure football intelligence and discipline in sniffing out and stuffing the run should win him a rotational role in his rookie season.

Jennings (6'2"/256) started in 38 of his 54 career games with the Crimson Tide, projecting as a stand-up EDGE at the next level due to his perceived lack of burst when attacking the outside shoulders of opposing tackles. His production speaks for itself as he recorded 20 pass breakups and double-digit tackles for loss in each of the last two seasons. Jennings may struggle if asked to drop into coverage too often at the next level, but his pure football intelligence and discipline in sniffing out and stuffing the run will win him a rotational role in his rookie season. He also proved he could make a living on special teams blocking units in all four years under coach Nick Saban. It’s the second versatile defensive player coach Bill Belichick has added among this class, joining Swiss-army knife DB Kyle Dugger this upcoming season.

Jennings (6'2/256) started in 38 of his 54 career games with the Crimson Tide, projecting as a stand up EDGE at the next level due to his perceived lack of burst when attacking the outside shoulders of opposing tackles. His production speaks for itself as he recorded 20 pass breakups and double-digit tackles for loss in each of the last two seasons. Jennings may struggle if asked to drop into coverage too often at the next level, but his pure football intelligence and discipline in sniffing out and stuffing the run will win him a rotational role in his rookie season. He also proved he could make a living on special teams blocking units in all four years under coach Nick Saban.

“Stand-up 3-4 outside linebacker with an average rush, but good strength and technique at the point of attack,” Zierlein writes of the 6-foot-2, 256-pounder, adding that “Jennings knows what it takes to win and plays assignment-oriented football using length and physicality to set hard edges.” Jennings had to work his way through a knee injury in 2017 and results from his medical checks could very well end up playing a part in his ultimate draft slot.

Jennings (6'3/259) dealt with multiple injuries last season which depressed his value in the eyes of NFL scouts. He was playing well in 2017 before a knee injury ended his season in Alabama’s semi-final victory over Clemson. The knee injury contributed to a slow start in 2018, but he was playing noticeably better towards the end of the year. Jennings made the wise decision to return for his senior year as he accrued 73 tackles, 42 solo, 7.5 sacks, five passes defended and one interception. Jennings is ranked as a top-ten pass rusher in the 2020 NFL Draft class and will likely be a Day 1 or Day 2 selection.