(Continuing a month-long series analyzing players who are on the roster bubble and where they may potentially fit in 2013.)
NAME: Michael Jenkins
POSITION: Wide receiver
AGE: 31
2012 STATS: 16 games (8 starts), 40 receptions (449 yards, 2 touchdowns)
INJURY STATUS: No known injuries.
CHANCE OF MAKING 53-MAN ROSTER: 75%
WHY HE SHOULD MAKE IT: He's not quite the same player he was during his best seasons in Atlanta, but Jenkins has the makings of a consistent, reliable veteran presence in a passing game that will be in need of one. It may not mean much come training camp, but Jenkins and Danny Amendola were almost exclusively part of the top group at wide receiver during OTAs and minicamp. While he doesn't offer much as a vertical receiver, Jenkins can easily earn a role as a big target who can work outside the numbers and in the red zone.
WHY HE SHOULD NOT MAKE IT: The biggest factor working against Jenkins will be his age, as he will have two draft picks (Aaron Dobson and Josh Boyce) and an undrafted rookie (Kenbrell Thompkins) who stood out this spring competing against him. If Dobson is able to recover from an undisclosed injury that sidelined him during minicamp, and if he can push for significant playing time this season -- and that's a major "if" -- then Jenkins could slide down the depth chart, where his lack of special teams impact could work against him.
CLOSEST COMPETITION: WR Donald Jones, WR Lavelle Hawkins, WR Kenbrell Thompkins
