Mike

Jenkins

Jenkins has drawn zero known interest since free agency opened, but he’s one of the better young corners with starting experience left on the market. Oakland has one of the worst cornerback situations in the league. Jenkins, who turned 28 on Friday, would easily be the Raiders’ top cover man if signed.

It’s unclear if Tracy Porter’s signing has ruled Jenkins out for the Raiders, but the presence of Phillip Adams should hardly be considered a roadblock. It’s unclear if/when Jenkins will make his Bills visit.

Jenkins visited the Jaguars Thursday and Friday, but left without a contract despite receiving an offer from the team. He’s reportedly seeking a multi-year deal, which could prove to be an extremely difficult task in this year’s ice-cold cornerback market.

Another $500,000 is available through incentives. Coming off a mediocre year for the Raiders, Jenkins will be the Bucs’ No. 3 corner behind Alterraun Verner and Johnthan Banks, likely manning the slot. Two days shy of his 29th birthday, Jenkins hasn’t been an effective player for a while now, but his talent is still worth gambling on. He could have a bounce-back year in what is shaping up as a mighty fine defense on paper.

That scenario assumes first-round rookie D.J. Hayden is healthy enough to start opposite former Cowboys first-rounder Mike Jenkins. Charles Woodson will be the free safety. It’s actually not a bad secondary on paper, but they’re going to be asked to cover for way too long. The Raiders’ pass rush is abysmal.

Jenkins played his college ball for the South Florida Bulls, and the Bucs are thin behind Alterraun Verner and Johnthan Banks. Jenkins, just 29 years old (on Saturday), would bring first-round talent and 63 NFL starts to the table.

At the onset of free agency, the Cardinals were the first team linked to Jenkins. After visiting Tampa Bay on Monday, he’s making his way to the desert. Jenkins has plenty of starting experience and would be a solid No. 3 corner.

Jenkins, 28, was the 25th pick in the 2008 draft. He made the Pro Bowl in 2009 and his career has been spiraling downward ever since. Beset by shoulder injuries in 2011, Jenkins was demoted to dime back in Dallas last year, behind Mo Claiborne, Brandon Carr, and Orlando Scandrick. Pro Football Focus graded Jenkins as the 94th “best” cornerback out of 113 qualifiers. He’s now projected to start opposite fellow frequent burn victim Tracy Porter in Oakland.

He has only two picks since 2009. Unlike other frequent burn victims in the secondary, Jenkins isn’t even smoothing things over with the occasional big play. Jenkins is penciled in as a starter in Oakland. For his part, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones insists Jenkins’ Dallas tenure wasn’t a failure. “We got starting time out of (him),” Jones bargained. “That’s not enough, but (he’s not a bust).”

Jenkins has been an every-down player at left corner for the Raiders all season. Although he’s struggled mightily in pass coverage, his likely absence on Thanksgiving is still good news for Tony Romo and company.