PRO 2020 Rookie Spotlight: Jauan Jennings, WR Tennessee

Photo By Caleb Jones/Tennessee Athletics
Rookie Spotlight: Jauan Jennings, Tennessee
Height: 6’ 3”
Weight: 206 lbs
Hands: 9”
Arm: 32 ⅞”
40 yard dash: 4.72
NFL Comparison: Donte Moncrief

Pros
– elite RAC
– brings down contested catches
– aggressive blocker
– sticky hands

Cons
– obstinate off the field
– more quick than fast
– sometimes rounds routes off
– was not impressive outside of brief flashes at the Senior Bowl

2019 Team Market Share Numbers

30% team receptions
34% team receiving yards
42% team receiving TDs

Scouting Notes: Jauan Jennings doesn’t do anything halfway. This can be both a blessing and a curse, so let’s start with the pros. No receiver in college football broke more tackles in 2019 than Jennings. Of his 59 receptions, 30 of them led to broken tackles, and only 6 of them were screens.

Jennings is beastly with the ball in his hands, and that begins at the catch point where he’s more than willing to go up and get the ball or wrestle it from his defender. This was the part of Jennings’ skill set that was most prominently on display at the Senior Bowl. Of course, I’d love it if he didn’t have to do with so many contested catches, but Jennings isn’t a speed demon, and his routes aren’t the most crisp, so he doesn’t separate at an elite level. If he wasn’t so tenacious otherwise, his inability to create separation would be a major liability, but Jennings’ aggression is rare at the position. Jennings has really long arms for his height as well (32 ⅞”), so his catch radius is wide and allows much room for error from his QBs – Which was a boon for him during his time at Tennessee, where QB play was pretty suspect. Just as beastly without the ball in his hands, Jennings is a vicious blocker who won’t hesitate to floor his assigned defender(s).

Jennings’ biggest weakness is his volatile behavior. He’s stubborn and vocal, traits that got him booted from the team in 2017, after he complained publicly about the coaching staff’s decision to shut him down after sustaining a wrist injury. He was allowed back on the team eventually, but it wasn’t a good look. Neither was the time he was suspended half a bowl game for allegedly definitely stomping on a Vanderbilt player’s face.

Fantasy Outlook: Jennings’ volatile behavior will definitely turn off some teams, but someone is going to take a chance on him, and he’ll likely turn out to be a steal for them. Jennings is more of a possession player than a big play guy, but he’ll be a valued third down and red zone option with his tenacious effort and ability to bring in contested catches. Jennings isn’t going to run by many NFL defenders, but he may not have to with the dynamic physical prowess he possesses. That same aggression could be the one thing that keeps him off the field though, as he’s bound to get frustrated by the stymying play of pro corners. If he can keep a cool head though, Jennings could turn into a PPR monster before our very eyes. He’s a high value target of mine in dynasty formats and potentially redrafts, depending on where he lands.

From the Tennessee Athletic Department

Capped his career as one of the top receivers in program history, finishing fifth all-time at UT in receptions (146), fourth in receiving yards (2,153) and tied-for-fifth in touchdown receptions (18) … The 6-3, 208-pounder from Murfreesboro, Tenn., played in 50 career games and made 30 starts … He also tossed two career touchdown passes and made an interception on defense in his career to go along with his receiving accolades … He led all wide receivers in the nation in broken tackles with 30 in 2019 according to PFF College … Will be remembered for his competitiveness, his comeback and for the 43-yard Hail Mary touchdown catch from Joshua Dobbs to beat Georgia in Athens in 2016.

CAREER HONORS
2020 Senior Bowl Selection
2019 Biletnikoff Award Watch List
2019 PFF College All-SEC (Second Team)
PFF College SEC Offensive Team of the Week (11/4/19)
SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week (10/28/19)
PFF College National Team of the Week (10/27/19)
PFF College SEC Offensive Team of the Week (10/28/18)
PFF College SEC Offensive Team of the Week (10/7/19)
PFF College SEC Offensive Team of the Week (9/5/19)
PFF College SEC Offensive Team of the Week (10/23/18)
PFF College SEC Offensive Team of the Week (10/16/18)
2017 Preseason All-SEC Third Team (Coaches & Media)
2017 Athlon Preseason All-SEC Third Team

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