Will head of security Rayshawn Jenkins live up to expectations?

The Seattle Seahawks will open training camp at the VMAC in less than a month, officially kicking off the first season under new coach Mike Macdonald.

In anticipation of the new season ahead, we’ll be breaking down each member of the Seahawks’ 90-man roster over the coming weeks, diving into roster schemes, exploring best- and worst-case scenarios, and predicting at what to expect from each player entering the 2024 campaign.

Considered one of the centerpieces of Seattle’s renovated safety room, will Rayshawn Jenkins be a positive starter in the Seahawks defense?

Considered a three-star prospect by 247 Sports after coming out of Admiral Farragut Academy in Saint Petersburg, Florida, Jenkins stayed close to home with his commitment to Miami as part of the 2012 recruiting class. Jenkins has started 33 games during his five-year career with the Hurricanes, accumulating 201 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and nine interceptions. After being selected by the Chargers in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Jenkins saw limited playing time in his first two seasons – appearing in 30 games and compiling 36 tackles and one tackle for loss. He became a full-time starter with Los Angeles in 2019, playing in all 16 games and enjoying a breakout season with 54 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, four pass deflections and three interceptions. Jenkins had another successful season with the Chargers in 2020 before signing with the Jaguars as a free agent. In 2022, Jenkins recorded a career-high 116 tackles with three tackles for loss, one sack, three interceptions, 12 passes defended and three forced fumbles. He was a full-time starter when healthy in each of the last five seasons, but was released by Jacksonville in March and signed with Seattle as a free agent.

Jenkins fits the mold of a prototypical strong safety with his 6-1, 220-pound build. However, he has bounced around between safety positions, playing primarily free safety with the Chargers in 2019 and continuing in a hybrid role with the Jaguars from 2021-23. That versatility fits perfectly with Mike Macdonald’s defensive scheme, as the first-time head coach will move his defensive backs into different formations and disguised coverages. Jenkins has a career-high 46 tackles in 2023, according to Pro Football Focus, and has seven tackles for loss and a sack. Expect similar usage from Jenkins in Macdonald’s scheme.

With a combination of skills in run defense, coverage and running against the passer, Jenkins is exactly the kind of starting safety Macdonald was looking for opposite Julian Love. Jenkins often drops down to play in the backfield while executing his coverage assignments well and he’s having a career year under one of the best defensive minds in the league. As a result, Jenkins earned a Pro Bowl nomination for the first time in his career.

At 30, Jenkins’ best athletic years are behind him, and that highlights the shortcomings in his game. Jenkins has been good but not great at most of the tasks he’s performed over his career, and the lack of specialty causes him to decline across the board. He becomes a liability in coverage and, while still a starter, must share snaps even in base defensive sets with K’Von Wallace, who Seattle also signed as a free agent.

Jenkins was a good signing for Seattle. He fits the versatility Macdonald will employ and costs the Seahawks just $12 million over two years (26th-highest paid safety by annual value, according to Over the Cap). Statistically, Jenkins has only gotten better over his seven full NFL seasons, at least in terms of volume. While he hasn’t always been a game-wrecker, Jenkins has shown the ability to take over the safety position. In a Week 15 game against the Dallas Cowboys in 2022, Jenkins recorded 18 tackles, two pass deflections and two interceptions — including one he returned for a touchdown in overtime. He can be a weapon if used correctly.

That said, simply showing that ability won’t be enough to secure a long-term starting role with the Seahawks. Jenkins’ biggest weakness is that he hasn’t excelled in any one area. Macdonald may be able to work around that and deploy Jenkins only in advantageous situations, but football often doesn’t work that way. Quality offenses can still exploit his weaknesses. Realistically, Jenkins should be a useful starter for Seattle and maintain that role throughout the season, especially with his scheme.