ROUND 6: Tennessee WR Jauan Jennings
6-3, 206 – Senior

PREVIOUS PICK: SMU WR James Proche II
The Bucs finish the 2020 NFL Draft by selecting Jennings, a big, physical wide receiver that can help on special teams, in addition to competing with Justin Watson and Scotty Miller for a reserve role behind Pro Bowlers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Even if Tampa Bay can bring back Breshad Perriman to be the No. 3 receiver, the Bucs could still use depth and competition at wide receiver.

Jennings had two knee surgeries that stymied his production at Tennessee, and he was kicked off the team following the 2018 season for stating on social media that the former coaching staff of Butch Jones and Brady Hoke were the reason for the Volunteers under-performing – not the players. When new athletic director Phillip Fulmer and new head coach Jeremy Pruitt took over they reinstated Jennings and he turned in a tremendous senior season with 59 catches for 969 yards and eight touchdowns – all career highs.

A vocal leader for the Volunteers, Jennings became a focal point on offense, keying a five-game winning streak that helped Tennessee get to a bowl game. Jennings accounted for 18 career receiving touchdowns, including a 43-yard Hail Mary score that beat Georgia in 2017. Jennings had six 100-yard games at Tennessee, including four as a senior. His seven-catch, 174-yard, two-touchdown performance at South Carolina started the Vols’ five-game winning streak.

Although he is a long strider with good, sneaky speed, Jennings is not a blazer. His running style is similar to Evans, although Evans is a tick faster. Still, Jennings did have 10 catches of 40 yards or more in college, including four that went beyond 50 yards.

JENNINGS’ TENNESSEE CAREER RECEIVING STATS
2015: 14 catches for 149 yards (10.6 avg.)
2016: 40 catches for 580 yards (14.5 avg.), 7 TDs
2017: 3 catches for 17 yards (5.7 avg.)
2018: 30 catches for 438 yards (14.6 avg.), 3 TDs
2019: 59 catches for 969 yards (16.4 avg.), 8 TDs

Jennings thrived as a big slot receiver, but showed he can play outside receiver as well. He’s at his best in the red zone where he uses his 33-inch arms and nine-inch hands to high point passes and haul them in for touchdowns. Jennings had a good showing during the Senior Bowl week and had an 18-yard touchdown catch out of the slot in the game.

Jauan Jennings 😳 pic.twitter.com/hsiUyvpUU2

— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) January 24, 2020

Best throw of the Senior Bowl from Jalen Hurts. Finds Jauan Jennings for six. pic.twitter.com/gRrwvjSEFW

— Rob Paul (@RobPaulNFL) January 25, 2020

Jennings is a high-energy, team-oriented player with a flamboyant personality reminiscent of Keyshawn Johnson. Like Johnson, Jennings is also a devastating crackback blocker in the running game, and has thrown two touchdown passes and rushed for another when he lined up as a Wildcat quarterback. He’s a really physical competitor that is tough to bring down in the open field. Jennings would be a great addition to Tampa Bay late on Day 3.