Rayshawn Sharodd Jenkins (born January 25, 1994) is an American professional

football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...

safety Safety is the state of being protected from harm or other danger. Safety can also refer to the control of recognized hazards in order to achieve an acceptable level of risk. Meanings The word 'safety' entered the English language in the 1 ...

for the

Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns are a professional American football team based in Cleveland. The Browns compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team is named after ...

of the

National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...

(NFL). He played

college football College football is gridiron football that is played by teams of amateur Student athlete, student-athletes at universities and colleges. It was through collegiate competition that gridiron football American football in the United States, firs ...

at Miami (FL). He was selected by the

Los Angeles Chargers The Los Angeles Chargers are a professional American football team based in the Greater Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles area. The Chargers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC W ...

in the fourth round of the

2017 NFL draft The 2017 NFL draft was the 82nd annual meeting of National Football League (NFL) franchises to select newly eligible American football players. It was held in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art on April 27–29, returning to Philadelphia f ...

Professional career

Pre-draft

On December 5, 2016, it was announced that Jenkins had accepted his invitation to the

2017 Senior Bowl The 2017 Senior Bowl was an all-star college football exhibition game featuring players from the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season, and prospects for the 2017 draft of the professional National Football League (NFL). The game concluded the ...

. During

Senior Bowl The Senior Bowl is a post-season college football all-star game played annually in late January or early February in Mobile, Alabama, which showcases the best NFL Draft prospects of those players who have completed their college eligibility. Pr ...

practices, he got into a physical altercation with Grambling State's wide receiver Chad Williams. After the fight, coach Hue Jackson abruptly ended practice and addressed the South team players, stating that Jenkins and Williams had both possibly hurt their draft stock and made a poor impression. On January 28, 2017, Jenkins made two combined

tackles Tackle may refer to: * In football: ** Tackle (football move), a play in various forms of football ** Tackle (gridiron football position) A tackle is a playing position in American football. Historically, in the one-platoon system prevalent ...

and helped

head coach Hue Jackson's South team that defeated the North 16–15. Jenkins was one of 60

defensive back In gridiron football, defensive backs (DBs), also called the secondary, are the players on the defensive side of the ball who play farthest back from the line of scrimmage. They are distinguished from the other two sets of defensive players, the ...

s that attended the

NFL Scouting Combine The NFL Scouting Combine is a week-long showcase occurring every February at Lucas Oil Stadium (and formerly at the RCA Dome until 2008) in Indianapolis, where college football players perform physical and mental tests in front of National Foot ...

Indianapolis, Indiana Indianapolis ( ), colloquially known as Indy, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Indiana, most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana, Marion ...

. He finished ninth in the

broad jump The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a takeoff point. Along with the triple jump, the two events that measure jumping for distance as a gr ...

and 22nd among all defensive backs in the

40-yard dash The 40-yard dash is a sprint covering . It is primarily run to evaluate the speed and acceleration of American football players by scouts, particularly for the NFL draft but also for collegiate recruiting. A player's recorded time can have a he ...

. On March 29, 2017, Jenkins attended Miami's pro day, but opted to stand on his combine numbers and only performed the short shuttle,

three-cone drill The three-cone drill, 3-cone drill or L-drill is a test performed by American football players. It is primarily run to evaluate the agility, quickness and fluidity of movement of players by scouts. It is most commonly seen at the NFL Combine in p ...

, and positional drills. During the draft process, Jenkins attended private meetings and workouts with the

Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis. The Vikings compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. Founded in 1960 as ...

and

Tampa Bay Buccaneers The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (colloquially known as the Bucs) are a professional American football team based in Tampa, Florida. The Buccaneers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC S ...

. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, he was projected to be a third to fifth round pick by

NFL draft The NFL draft, officially known as the Annual Player Selection Meeting, is an annual event which serves as the most common source of player recruitment in the National Football League. Each team is given a position in the drafting order in reve ...

experts and scouts. Jenkins was ranked the fifth-best free safety by NFLDraftScout.com.

Los Angeles Chargers

The

selected Jenkins in the fourth round (113rd overall) of the

. He was the 14th safety drafted in 2017.

2017

On May 17, 2017, the Los Angeles Chargers signed Jenkins to a four-year, $3.06 million contract that includes an initial

signing bonus A signing bonus or sign-on bonus is a sum of money paid to a new employee (including a professional sports person) by a company as an incentive to join that company. They are often given as a way of making a compensation package more attractive ...

of $662,209. Throughout

training camp A training camp is an organized period in which military personnel or athletes participate in a rigorous and focused schedule of training in order to learn or improve skills. Athletes typically utilise training camps to prepare for upcoming events ...

, he competed against Dwight Lowery, Tre Boston,

Darrell Stuckey Darrell Stuckey, Jr. (born June 16, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a safety for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Kansas Jayhawks. Stuckey was an A ...

, Dexter McCoil, and Adrian Phillips for snaps at safety. Head coach

Anthony Lynn Anthony Ray Lynn (born December 21, 1968) is an American professional football coach and former running back who is the run game coordinator and running backs coach for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played ...

named Jenkins the third strong safety on the depth chart, behind

Jahleel Addae Jahleel Javon Kweku Addae (born January 24, 1990) is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Central Michigan Chippewas, serving as a captain and thri ...

and Adrian Phillips. On September 10, 2017, Jenkins made his professional regular season debut, but was limited to special teams during a 24–21 loss at the

Denver Broncos The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver. The Broncos compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC West, West division. The team is headquartered in E ...

. The following week, he was inactive as a healthy scratch as the Chargers lost 17–10 to the

Miami Dolphins The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Dolphins compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The team ...

. On September 24, 2017, he recorded his first career tackle on

Akeem Hunt Akeem Bernard Hunt (born February 22, 1993) is an American former professional football running back. He was signed by the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He played college football at Purdue University. He was also a member o ...

during a kick return in the second quarter of a 24–10 loss to the

Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) West division. Established in 1959 ...

. On October 15, 2017, Jenkins recorded a season-high two solo tackles in a 21–0 victory over the Denver Broncos. He finished his rookie season with 13 combined tackles (ten solo) and a pass deflection in 15 games and zero starts.

2018

The Los Angeles Chargers drafted

Derwin James Derwin Alonzo James Jr. (born August 3, 1996) is an American professional American football, football Safety (gridiron football position), safety for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football fo ...

17rh overall to be the starting strong safety. Defensive coordinator

Gus Bradley Paul Casey "Gus" Bradley (born July 5, 1966) is an American football coach who is the current assistant head coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Indian ...

held an open competition during training camp to name a new stsrtung free safety after the Chargers chose not to re-sign Tre Boston. Jenkins competed for the role against

, Desmond King, and

Jaylen Watkins Jaylen Watkins (born November 27, 1991) is an American former professional football safety. He played college football for the University of Florida. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. Early li ...

. On October 24, 2018, Jenkins collected a season-high eight combined tackles (four solo) and was credited with half a sack on

Baker Mayfield Baker Reagan Mayfield (born April 14, 1995) is an American professional football quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Oklahoma Sooners ...

during 38–14 victory at the

. He was inactive during the Chargers' Week 9 victory at the

Seattle Seahawks The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle. The Seahawks compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC West, West division. The club entered the NFL a ...

. On December 30, 2018, Jenkins earned his first career start as a nickelback and made seven combined tackles (five solo) during a 23–9 victory at the

. He finished the 2018 NFL season with a total of 23 combined tackles (18 solo) and was credited with half a sack in 15 games and one start. He finished the season with 23 combined tackles (18 solo) and was credited with half a sack in 15 games and one start. The

finished second in the

AFC West The American Football Conference – Western Division or AFC West is one of the four divisions of the American Football Conference (AFC) in the National Football League (NFL). The division comprises the Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, ...

with a 12–4 record, earning a Wildcard position. On January 6, 2019, Jenkins started as a comeback in the first postseason game of his career and made four combined tackles (three solo) in the Chargers' 23–7 victory at the

Baltimore Ravens The Baltimore Ravens are a professional American football team based in Baltimore. The Ravens compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. The team plays its home g ...

in the AFC Wildcard. On January 13, 2019, he made nine combined tackles (five solo) as the Chargers were defeated 28–41 at the

New England Patriots The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston area. The Patriots compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC East, East division. The Pa ...

in the Divisional Round.

2019

Throughout training camp, defensive coordinator

held an open competition between Jenkins,

, and rookie

Nasir Adderley Nasir Allan Adderley (born May 31, 1997) is an American former professional football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. ...

to name the starting free safety after Jahleel Addae was released during the off-season. Head coach Anthony Lynn named Jenkins the starting free safety to begin the season, alongside Adrian Phillips, after Derwin James and Nassir Adderley sustained injuries. In Week 2 against the

Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. The team plays their home game ...

, Jenkins recorded his first career interception off

Matthew Stafford John Matthew Stafford (born February 7, 1988) is an American professional American football, football quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs football, Georg ...

in the 13–10 loss. He finished the season leading the team in defensive snaps, recording 54 tackles, four passes defensed, and a team-leading three interceptions through 16 starts.

2020

In Week 3 of the 2020 season against the

Carolina Panthers The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Panthers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC South, South division. The t ...

, Jenkins recorded his first career full sack on

Teddy Bridgewater Theodore Edmond Bridgewater Jr. (born November 10, 1992) is an American professional football quarterback. He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals, winning the 2013 Sugar Bowl, and was selected as the final first round pick of ...

during the 21–16 loss.

Jacksonville Jaguars

On March 17, 2021, the

Jacksonville Jaguars The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. The team ...

signed Jenkins to a four–year, $35 million

contract A contract is an agreement that specifies certain legally enforceable rights and obligations pertaining to two or more parties. A contract typically involves consent to transfer of goods, services, money, or promise to transfer any of thos ...

that included $16 million guaranteed upon signing and an initial

of $8 million. He entered the 2021 season as the Jaguars starting free safety. He suffered a broken ankle in Week 15 and was placed on injured reserve on December 21, 2021, ending his season. He finished the season with 73 tackles and three passes defensed through 14 starts. In Week 2 of the 2022 season, against the

Indianapolis Colts The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. The Colts compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC South, South division. Since the 2008 India ...

, Jenkins recorded his first interception as a member of the Jaguars off a pass from Matt Ryan in the 24–0 victory. Jenkins made two key plays that helped propel the Jaguars to a division title in the 2022 NFL season. In Week 15 against the

Dallas Cowboys The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team based in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The Cowboys compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. T ...

, Jenkins recorded a team-high 18 combined tackles and had two interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown in overtime to win the game for the Jaguars. In a Week 18 win-and-in game against the Tennessee Titans, with the Titans leading 16–13, Jenkins caused a fumble while as he sacked Titans quarterback

Joshua Dobbs Robert Joshua Dobbs (born January 26, 1995) is an American professional football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers, and was selected by the Pitt ...

. The fumble was recovered by teammate

Josh Allen Joshua Patrick Allen (born May 21, 1996) is an American professional American football, football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Wyoming Cowboys football, Wyoming Cow ...

, who returned it for a touchdown to give the Jaguars a 20–16 lead. The Jaguars held on to win, thus allowing them to clinch the AFC South and a trip to the playoffs. On March 5, 2024, Jenkins was released by the Jaguars.

Seattle Seahawks

On March 13, 2024, the

signed Jenkins to a two–year, $12.00 million contract that includes $6.26 million guaranteed upon signing and an initial

of $5.00 million. In Week 5 against the New York Giants, Jenkins recorded a 102-yard fumble return for a touchdown. On October 16, he was placed on injured reserve. He was activated on November 23. On March 4, 2025, Jenkins was released by the Seahawks.

Cleveland Browns

On May 12, 2025, Jenkins signed with the

NFL career statistics

Regular Season

Postseason

References

External links

*
Cleveland Browns bioMiami Hurricanes bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jenkins, Rashawn 1994 births Living people American football safeties Cleveland Browns players Jacksonville Jaguars players Los Angeles Chargers players Miami Hurricanes football players Players of American football from St. Petersburg, Florida Seattle Seahawks players