WR Jeff Janis Facing Uncertainty as Offseason Looms
An expiring contract could spell doom for Green Bay Packers wide receiver and special teams maestro, Jeff Janis.
He's one of eight players on the Packers' roster set to become free agents at the start of the new league year in March, and he's the next-youngest of the bunch behind tight end Richard Rodgers who was in that same 2014 draft class along with Janis.
There hasn't been much to write home about with Janis as a receiver. He's tall, strong and has straight-line speed with the ability to get downfield in a hurry, as displayed on his punt coverage. He simply lacks the ability to run precise, sharp routes.
Janis' route-running has been far from savvy and closer to below average for his career, and it's the main reason why he hasn't seen many snaps -- or targets, for that matter -- on offense.
In 2017, Janis played just 50 offensive snaps, registering two catches on five targets for 12 yards. Even undrafted rookie Michael Clark, who has a year of full-fledged college football under his belt since making the switch as a former basketball player in college, saw more work near the end of the season (75).
Somewhat of a folk hero in the 2015 NFL playoffs, Janis caught seven passes for 145 yards and a pair of touchdowns as a reserve for a team that was without Randall Cobb, Davante Adams and James Jones, leaving Janis and Wisconsin native Jared Abbrederis to carry the load as Aaron Rodgers' pair of leading receiving targets.
The Packers may have lost, but Janis showed glimpses of someone who could end up being a vertical threat at his position. Unfortunately, fracturing one of the bones in his right hand during training camp seven months later derailed what could've been a breakout season for Janis. Ever since, he's been mostly implemented as a special teams centerpiece.
That isn't necessarily a bad thing for the Packers. Janis has proven to be one of the top gunners in the NFL, branching out from what his original role was with the Packers when he was first drafted in the seventh round by the team. His uncanny ability to play punt coverage is the sole reason why he's still on the roster.
That could change in 2018, however. Janis won't cost much to retain, but if a dynamic special teams threat like him hits the market, there may be no turning back.
With a renewed offensive coordinator back in town, Joe Philbin may very well find ways to get the balls in Janis' hands -- much like the Packers did during their six-game winning streak to close out the 2016 season. In back-to-back weeks, Janis had a single carry for 19 yards and found the end zone on one of them.
If the Packers choose to let Janis test the waters and end up on another team, the Packers could always hit the free agent market themselves and find someone who doubles as a gunner and receiver. Someone such as Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Kamar Aiken, who not only finished second on the Colts in special teams snaps in 2017, but also saw 44 targets on offense.
Aiken didn't exactly make the most of those targets, as he only assembled 15 catches for 133 yards. However, with a quarterback like Rodgers at the helm, who knows what kind of masked talent could be unveiled from the 28-year-old Aiken. The same could be said for a multitude of receivers set to hit the market.
Alternatively, Janis could be re-signed to the team in a low-cost transaction and provide the same durability and influence on special teams that he's done for the past three seasons. Since 2015, he's played in all 48 games, even battling through the aforementioned and injury at the start of the 2016 campaign by sporting a club.
It's one of the least-important decisions facing the Packers as they enter one of the most important offseasons in recent years under new general manager Brian Gutekunst.
__________________________
Zachary Jacobson is a staff writer/reporter for Cheesehead TV. He's the voice of The Leap on iTunes and can be heard on The Scoop KLGR 1490 AM every Saturday morning. He's also a contributor on the Pack-A-Day Podcast. He can be found on Twitter via @ZachAJacobson or contacted through email at [email protected].
Comments (70)
dobber
January 30, 2018 at 09:23 am
Janis is the perennial tease. He has some things he does well, but being a downfield WR is not one of them. I can think of two instances in 2016 where he did get snaps on offense, but made the wrong read and carried his DB (along with a S) right into the path of a downfield Jordy Nelson. One of those ended in an INT IIRC. More likely that Janis was in the wrong place than Nelson.
If you compare his workout numbers to Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson, Janis beats them both across the board, and looks very similar to *gasp* Julio Jones (I'd originally linked all those numbers, but the website is threatening to delete my account due to 'spam'). In the end, I can't help but wonder if what he does do (underneath routes and sweeps) lends him to potentially being more of a slot type than an outside WR. I don't think he'll get that chance in GB (assuming they bring him back) unless Philbin makes it a point to use him. Still, a 7th round pick who is a ST maven is still a pretty good value...it's just that we keep wanting him to be Julio Jones, not Jarrett Bush.
Yooper
January 30, 2018 at 09:37 am
So are 2017 Green bay Packers roster was filled with players who performed well - Oh our QB is the best ever and half our line played well and maybe two receivers and our running backs and two orso special teamers - Janis being one and two or three of our linebackers and three of our defensive line and our kickers mostly....So I say keep those people and start replacing some others..... maybe that would
be better place to start!!!!
dobber
January 30, 2018 at 09:46 am
If Janis agrees to his role in GB, he should be cheap. I don't see any reason not to bring him back. I also wouldn't blame him for wanting a fresh start somewhere else.
Thegreatreynoldo
January 30, 2018 at 11:12 am
I agree completely, Dobber. Janis will have a job in the NFL. His floor is a qualified contract. He has to make a decision whether GB is a dead end for him. Personally, I'd advise him to leave GB and take the same money from another team. If GB wants him back, Philbin would have to do some fast talking to make Janis believe he has a chance in GB as a WR.
[That's the same advice I gave to Hayward and Hyde, doubt that they heard it or listened!]
tm_inter
January 30, 2018 at 12:04 pm
Being under-appreciated by the Packers for 4 years, Janis will be forgiven for choosing to play for another team that appreciates his talents more. He will most likely get more money from another team. I wish him luck and success and will continue to root for him wherever he ends up.
Hawg Hanner
January 30, 2018 at 01:39 pm
Unappreciated or unable to run routes? If Janis had any real ability as a receiver we'd have seen it. Lets look at some new talent at receiver. After Adams and the promising rookie Clark, and Allison, I'd wipe the slate clean, maybe bring Cobb back at 4 or 5 mil, say bye to Nelson
TheVOR
January 30, 2018 at 01:13 pm
I'll break out my broken record. He's an excellent Special Teams contributor, and every team needs excellent special teams play. I wish he could return puts, because if he could, you resign him, and you chew your leg off of that worthless Trevor Davis. Janis is good enough on special teams to be signed on that merit alone.
Now, after saying all that? I'd love to see GB really flush the toilet at WR and start concentrating on rebuilding that position, and Janis isn't my idea of Ideal Depth at that position. Never has been, and Rodgers is hardly wild about the dude, that much is clear.
DD
January 30, 2018 at 04:20 pm
I say Janis has value and no fear. Gunner? Slot? Use him the right way and he could be very good I feel. Kept Hundley around didn't they? And what did he produce or improve in? Nothing! So I hope Janis stays.
Coldworld
January 30, 2018 at 09:02 pm
Janis represents the most perplexing question with respect to coaching on the offense for me.
He is never really used, except when he has had to be (without Hundley) he has been extremely effective though on routes atypical of the Packers or broken plays.
The fact is we can’t say he can’t been a weapon because he has been in games where we had no option.
So why can’t he be regularly? Or is it that we haven’t been willing to accommodate what he can do?
I think Janis could be a weapon. I just think it will take a Coordinator willing to build around the player not the traditional route tree.
Philbin would, in my view, be much more likely to come up with a way of doing so than his predecessors/successors or MM alone. This is another facet of why our offense was so predictable in recent years.
So keep him as a ST or lose him? If we keep him we need to use his attributes I think. Whether we think we can likely will tip the decision, as I think he will get interest for special teams alone.
jeremyjjbrown
January 30, 2018 at 09:23 am
I have always wondered if this guy could play safety. But if he can't seam to learn his WR route tree, I guess he's not going to learn the Safety position either....
Gianich
January 30, 2018 at 09:33 am
The Great White Dope! Sure he can run and gun but he can't read or write.... Saginaw Valley Tech state southern for a reason.... College Coach: "Hey Jeff, run a go."
SpudRapids
January 30, 2018 at 09:39 am
Haha.... I would compare him most to Forest Gump and his special teams abilities at Alabama. "Hey Janis... Run!"
Captain Body Catch.... only pass he caught with his hands was the hail mary in Arizona. The tape show it's all, his routes are "stiff." He's not fluid in any of his route running.
He is a one trick pony and his position in the league will always be a high end special teams player. He is the perfect gunner because he is big and get off a block and then has the speed to get down there when the punt lands.
lou
January 30, 2018 at 10:36 am
In the world of cyber metrics there are still basic measures on players that can be referenced with one online search such as their "wonderlic scores", those that continue to insult Janis's intelligence and do not do that search can be politically correctly referred to as "educationally challenged" in their expressed opinion without doing any basic research. The best QB in football thinks he is very bright;
The hope is that Janis, whose Wonderlic score (30) indicates he’s very bright, can get to where he needs to be mentally so he can show even more of his physical talent.
“It’s about route-running and taking that jump in a comfort level out there,” Rodgers said. “When he can stop thinking so much and react more, you see the athletic ability. He’s obviously gifted very well with his athleticism, his jumping ability and his speed. He just needs to get to a level where he’s not thinking as much and his instincts take over.”
Slim11
January 30, 2018 at 03:42 pm
Spud Rapids said...
"He is the perfect gunner because he is big and get off a block and then has the speed to get down there when the punt lands."
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The second part of this observation is important. Why? The success P Justin Vogel enjoyed this past season is due, in large part, to Janis' ability to be there when the PR catches Vogel's punt. Should Janis not be re-signed and a capable replacement isn't available, Vogel could have a sophomore slump in '18.
If he has a chance to go elsewhere, Janis should do so IF he's going to get an opportunity to be more than Jarrett Bush was. If he goes to another team for more money doing the same thing as in GB, he should go.
dobber
January 30, 2018 at 09:42 am
Actually a very intelligent, articulate, small-town kid.
The processor rarely has anything to do with the RAM.
Tundraboy
January 30, 2018 at 10:03 am
I think I get it. He can't multi task?
croatpackfan
January 30, 2018 at 11:55 am
No! You can compare this case with the situation when you have a big, fast car with a bunch of useful gadgets, but you do not have a GPS. So you can reach the agreed location only by accident and sometimes ...
It has nothing to do with intelligence, but simply with the ability to act specifically...
SpudRapids
January 30, 2018 at 01:15 pm
Apparently no one can take a joke when it comes to Janis... everyone can rip apart Damarious Randall though...
Handsback
January 30, 2018 at 11:01 am
If I remember correctly, JJ had a pretty good score on the Wonderlic. I don't think his intellect is the reason as much as his lack of game awareness. It's like he's never played football before he became a pro.
CJBauckham
January 30, 2018 at 09:35 am
I think he's a great KR and Gunner. He does well with the ball in his hands and a head of steam. Doesn't track the ball over his shoulder particularly well. Personally I value him more than I do Trevor Davis (not a popular opinion; I am aware) and would be fine with keeping him around; but until the Nelson/Cobb/Adams log jam is cleared up and the rest of the off-season takes shape it's hard to guess at what the wr position group will look like next year
Gianich
January 30, 2018 at 09:43 am
I value my used jock strap more than Trevor Davis... Janis and him are the same guy but at least Janis has the size and strength to match his shitty banana routes and body catches. Something Davis does not have.
SpudRapids
January 30, 2018 at 09:40 am
"Shitty Banana Routes" I like that one
SpudRapids
January 30, 2018 at 01:17 pm
Why is this getting 3 dislikes? Janis has been a no show on offense because of this. Everyone is so quick to tear down Hundley, Randall, why is Janis off limits to criticism?
Coldworld
January 30, 2018 at 06:22 pm
Because you have to play to a players strengths and then throw to him? Of course it could be the derogatory comments about his supposed lack of intelligence or merely your tone based on spewing thought without knowledge? Or merely a sadly off color concept of humor, which I share, hence this post.
Savage57
January 31, 2018 at 08:23 am
The tally as of posting this would be 8, and it's most likely because you come across as kind of a dick.
dobber
January 30, 2018 at 09:45 am
I agree with you on most counts. I still see that play in 2016 where he was running free downfield and the ball hit him on top of his helmet...
KR seems to be a zero position anymore.
Tundraboy
January 30, 2018 at 10:05 am
Agreed on that.
MarkAlan
January 30, 2018 at 10:04 am
I hope Janis gets another chance, he deserves it, maybe sneak some snaps at tight end ( not a safety could keep up with him )
Gianich
January 30, 2018 at 10:22 am
He deserves it???
fastmoving
January 30, 2018 at 11:43 am
He deserves it a lot!!!
SpudRapids
January 30, 2018 at 01:18 pm
Tight end??? he'd get destroyed trying to get off the line and it would be a dead giveaway were not running the ball... no thank you.
dobber
January 31, 2018 at 08:59 am
How different is that from playing RRod for 40 snaps per game at TE?
RCPackerFan
January 30, 2018 at 10:12 am
IMO, Jeff Janis = Jarrett Bush.
Don't really think of Janis as a WR, but more as a Special Teams Ace. Now that being said I still feel that they could find ways to use him in the offense more often then they do. He has proved to being able to make plays. Just isn't consistent enough to do it down in and down out. Think of the 2 catches in the Arizona Playoff game. Think of his reverses he ran. He can be utilized in the offense more then he is IMO. Perhaps getting a guy like Philbin back will help McCarthy find ways to use Janis more.
First and foremost he is a very good special teams player. Honestly there is nothing wrong with that either.
I'd like to see him back.
CJBauckham
January 30, 2018 at 11:34 am
My hope is that with Philbin's return, we'll see Janis (or whomever fits the bill of a gadget player) used more effectively. Mike has never been great about using gadget players and third down backs. Almost as if he forgets about them in the course of the game. Maybe with Joe in his ear we'll see better use or those kinds of guys
Coldworld
January 30, 2018 at 06:26 pm
Please let you be correct in your hope. The same goes for Monty, two back sets and even how we use the slot receiver. Use players’ attributes. Dare to be a little different. Try the new and not just gadget plays.
Finwiz
January 30, 2018 at 09:18 pm
Yes - Jarrett Bush.
My thoughts exactly after reading this article.
Doug Niemczynski
January 30, 2018 at 10:22 am
True Story:
I know this is off the subject but I was watching the Pro Bowl and I saw on the sidelines a Packer guy with the number 7 on the sidelines and he had a jacket on and for a insane second I thought that was Brett Hundley and it was like OMG what the heck ?How did that happen? Am I in a dream?
Then I saw him move his jacket and it was number 17 Davante Adams and then I came back to reality ! Wow, now that truly was a really scary moment. I kid you not. I am not joking. I thought I was in a future time warp more them my usual self.
stockholder
January 30, 2018 at 11:44 am
And How many did Adams Catch? Zero for your hero.
SpudRapids
January 30, 2018 at 01:19 pm
oh look... yet another negative comment on Adams from Stockholder... big surprise
TXCHEESE
January 30, 2018 at 10:36 am
The Packers are likely able to keep Janis without a big cost. The guy does an amazing job as a gunner, and ST needs all the help it can get. I sure wouldn't mind seeing him as a kick returner. He's got the speed and strength to break those arm tackles that seem to get Davis to the ground on kick off returns. He's been very close to breaking one a few times in the past. I wonder if he was ever on the defensive field goal team. With his vertical, he would be an option either in the middle or maybe the edge rusher. You can't coach size and speed and he has that in spades.
Spock
January 31, 2018 at 05:01 am
TXCHEESE, I have wondered why the Packers keep (head scratching decision maker) Trevor Davis on KR. Janis is bigger, just as fast and, as you said, nearly broke several KR when he was used that way.
dobber
January 31, 2018 at 07:15 am
There are so few kicks that are actually returned anymore that I just don't see that as an issue. It's disappointing to me: KRs can be exciting plays. I understand the league's desire to curb injuries there, but they can be fun to watch...and game changing.
Dzehren
January 30, 2018 at 10:44 am
Sign Janis for his ST prowess on a team friendly deal. We need ST players and an emergency WR.
If he hits FA he will be gone.
worztik
January 30, 2018 at 11:18 am
After reading the article and all of your posts.... I refuse to participate in a beatdown as you are all doing and apparently having so much fun at!!! I’d love to read an article about some of you and be able to comment on YOU!!! Just sayin’...
stockholder
January 30, 2018 at 11:41 am
2015 NFL playoffs, Janis caught seven passes for 145 yards and a pair of touchdowns as a reserve for a team that was without Randall Cobb. Nothing was said about his Route running then. A-Rod found a way to get him the Ball. Thats really the bottom line on Janis. The Qb has to want to get him the Ball. A-Rod didn't! And A-Rod won't. (Not with Nelson,Cobb and Adams! ) Janis chance is over for Green Bay. The writing is on the Wall. His mind must be cleared. He needs to get away from the negativity now! There is no need to stay when your not wanted or RESPECTED. The terms and Conditions are too MUCH. I predict Janis will do just as good as Boyd,Trotter, and Hayward. He's got speed, experience, and showed he's a Team Player. He needs a fresh start.
worztik
January 30, 2018 at 12:36 pm
BREAK... just sayin’....
SpudRapids
January 30, 2018 at 01:23 pm
"A-Rod found a way to get him the Ball. Thats really the bottom line on Janis. The Qb has to want to get him the Ball."
So it's Janis' raw ability that got him open not Arodge being the best on the planet? Give me a break you're reaching now. Janis 2 hail mary receptions accounted for 101 yards and touchdown. Take away those two catches because they had nothing to do with route running and he had a pedestrian 5 catches for 44 yards.
RCPackerFan
January 30, 2018 at 02:06 pm
To be fair, 2 of those catches and about 90 of those yards came on back to back Hail Mary plays to end the 4th Quarter.
But those plays showed he can make those plays.
Considering the coaches said they are rebuilding the offense, perhaps they will find different ways to use his skills.
Coldworld
January 30, 2018 at 06:30 pm
Perhaps if we had stopped asking him to be Nelson mk 2 and worked some plays for him ....
Most teams would be ecstatic to have a receiver who could get behind defenses like that and catch those balls.
dobber
January 31, 2018 at 08:57 am
True, but would they be ecstatic to have a WR like that who gets behind defenses in more random places and only sometimes catches the ball?
I've thought for a couple years now that his ticket to getting on the field was as a slot WR. Showing value in those circumstances might make it so that he can act as the guy who can still be a deep threat. A one-trick pony is relatively easy to scheme against.
fastmoving
January 30, 2018 at 11:49 am
the whole post just nailed it! nothing more to say......
but if I had a choice I would like to see him brake out here.......
Doug Niemczynski
January 30, 2018 at 01:01 pm
Why are we talking about Jeff Janis we have 8 holes on this team right tackle wide receiver tight end backup quarterback linebacker defensive end safety as well as another running back at bare minimum!
Coldworld
January 30, 2018 at 06:31 pm
Because it’s a long long way to the draft
Doug Niemczynski
January 30, 2018 at 01:03 pm
GREEN BAY PACKERS
"Facing Uncertainty as Offseason Looms!"
4thand1
January 30, 2018 at 01:15 pm
Janis is like so many before him. Size and speed but just not enough skills to to crack an NFL line up. It goes to show just how good you have to be to make it. He's a great ST's player and may make this team or another again but he can be replaced. If Philbin has any plans for him we'll see in the pre season. He won't cost the team a cap hit, vet minimum, but I'll bet Zook wants him for another year. Is he worth enough to keep on the final 53? Personally I would prefer another o-lineman, CB, or...........................EDGE RUSHER!
John Ramble Kirk
January 30, 2018 at 02:49 pm
There's a couple of things I will never understand when it comes to the People's Champion...
Sure, he's not reliable in 12's eyes and probably the coaches, too. How can you not get the ball in his hands a few times a game? 2 receptions for 12 yards in 2017? That's crazy to me. He has more speed and strength than anyone else yet he rides the pine as we watch our guys year after year fail to separate. I don't understand it.
With as much as this org loves experimenting with switching positions, why haven't they tried to Herb Waters him? Janis has speed, size, strength, all the measurables but can't catch and oddly doesn't do the little things correctly despite his high wonderlic. I wonder if his tight hips are why they've never attempted to put him at CB. It always struck me as odd they would move a failed high pick all over the field to try and get something from him and not do that with the later round guys like Janis who have verifiable abilities.
Janis is important. I love that you brought Philbin up. Maybe, he says they need to get him the ball a few times a game?
Doesn't matter if he catches no passes, he's a guy I want on my team. So hard for me to believe he's worse at being a WR than Jarrett Bush was at being a CB. We hold on to Demetri Goodson for some unknown reason and hear how good he is at ST's.
This offseason is the most interesting one since Ted arrived. None of us know what he prioritizes or what he'll do. Does he value ST's? Ted was a ST stud. Brian wasn't so maybe he doesn't value Janis like Ted would? So much to look forward to...I just hope Janis sticks around. He makes August more fun watching him catch TD's in pre season games only to never get looks in regular season. I think someone is going to pay him to play WR off his successes in pre season. We'll see.
56Packfan
January 30, 2018 at 03:10 pm
GB requires its receivers to look at coverage and alter routes to fit. It's a very complex system, subject to interpretation. AR finds Janis unable to read his mind. McCarthy said recently that he will simplify the playbook. Perhaps he would make it so receivers can just run routes and not have to make adjustments, at least on certain plays. That would simplify the situation for players like Janis, who can't decipher AR's thoughts on the fly. Then they could be valuable to the offense if they have raw talent.
DD
January 30, 2018 at 04:33 pm
Read minds? I disagree. MM schemes are predictable with very little variations so defenses really don't have to think or do to much to cover us. No end arounds, no rubs; short down and out or long. Reason the receivers have to read minds is because the scheme is usually not there to begin with, hence Rodgers sramble, read his mind, and hope for s great school yard play. Also, MM fails to balance run, pass options with very predictable calls on down and distance. No creativity, no surprises. Watch film, you'll see. So it's MM that's the problem on many levels of play and players ability I feel.
Coldworld
January 30, 2018 at 06:38 pm
Precisely. We do the same thing with everyone, albeit a complex thing. I think we have had OCs that can’t improvise for too long. We know Rodgers can. We saw it in the above referenced Janis catches and we see it on numerous occasions extend plays every game.
Chuck Farley
January 30, 2018 at 09:01 pm
No screens, quick slants, dink passes to the tight ends. All plays keenly lived off of. Plays hard to defend. Mm is a lazy prick who hates to practice so he does same thing every year and loves bringing guys back who know his system. The one that ain't working
Chuck Farley
January 30, 2018 at 09:03 pm
No screens, quick slants, dink passes to the tight ends. All plays keenly lived off of. Plays hard to defend. Mm is a lazy prick who hates to practice so he does same thing every year and loves bringing guys back who know his system. The one that ain't working
TXCHEESE
January 30, 2018 at 04:04 pm
56PF you make a good point. Let Janis run the deep patterns on some of the shot plays. There is less of a read when you are only looking at one safety and a corner to beat, plus there is more space for Rodgers to throw to a spot and let Janis run under it.
DD
January 30, 2018 at 04:24 pm
My question with Janis is that if he has all the tools, can't route running be worked on and coached hard? Janis needs a personal coach to work on route running 6 hours everyday during the off season; then decide!
Chuck Farley
January 30, 2018 at 08:58 pm
Janis is dead between the ears thus div ii
dobber
January 31, 2018 at 09:13 am
There are an awul lot of former D-I players who can't play their own position OR ST well enough to make an NFL roster...just sayin'.
kbachler
January 30, 2018 at 05:05 pm
Besides special teams, I think they should be using Janis more situationally. Clearly, the ability to run precise routes and secondary routes isn't everything when Rodgers is out or coverage is strong since our starting receiving has been shown to be the slowest in the league - by a lot. Bill Schroeder took 5 years to break out, and the first couple of years after that was still primarily a straight line guy (and leading the league in TD receptions.) Janis also has shuttle speed, and strength, and simply needs to learn to react, and having confidence in him will help him to do that. Note in the times he's been most successful was when he HAD To get the job done and he could no longer "over think". And I don't mean "only" Arizona. Janis is the kind of guy that when he screws up he'll try harder - and I don't think this continual benching of him has worked in the Packers favor. Show him some confidence. And use his speed to help free up the other receivers.
Packer_Fan
January 30, 2018 at 07:34 pm
I say keep Janis and dump Davis. Davis didn't show much other than the one punt return. Create some special plays for Janis. And either sign a free agent WR or draft a low round. Restructure both Nelson and Cobb
Chuck Farley
January 30, 2018 at 08:56 pm
Janis is a cat whose nine lives have expired. We were all pumped when they drafted him and most of us stuck by but for me that ended last year. He obviously can run routes or learn the play book. You must cut redwood and marginal to be super bowl bound. Start with this guy.
Johnblood27
January 30, 2018 at 10:57 pm
thanks for tossing an "aforementioned".
Arthur.Jackson
January 31, 2018 at 02:03 pm
There are tons of fast guys who can't cut it at receiver. Many who couldn't even make an NFL roster. That playoff game where Janis caught back-to-back passes for 101 yards (on one drive thanks to a penalty) that was his Timmy Smith moment.
Then if we look at special teams Marwin Evans has likely surpassed Janis. Janis had 13, then 8 and last year only 3 ST tackles. Kyler Fackrell had more ST tackles each of the last two seasons with 11 and 4 respectively. That begs the question just how valuable is Jeff Janis?