Here’s why Jonas Cobb – AKA the port-to-port killer – is one of the most underrated villains the NCIS team has faced off against. Fans of TV show JAG will remember NCIS’ humble beginnings as a backdoor pilot on that show, where Agent Gibbs (Mark Harmon) and DiNozzo made guest appearances investigating a case. While it was a little slow to build an audience, within a few seasons NCIS had become one of the most popular shows on television and has run for seventeen series thus far.
It’s success eventually led to spinoff NCIS: Los Angeles, starring Chris O’Donnell and LL Cool J. Like its parent series, it also proved to be instantly popular and its eleventh season started airing in 2019. The franchise’s continued popularity spawned yet another series with NCIS: New Orleans, starring Scott Bakula. The franchise also crossed over with several other shows over the years, like Hawaii Five-O, Scorpion, and MacGyver. The NCIS team has faced some memorable villains throughout the show’s history, including Harper Dearing, Saleem Ulman, and Ali Haswari, who famously killed Agent Caitlin Todd in season 2 and was Ziva’s half-brother. One villain who doesn’t get much recognition is Jonas Cobb, who was dubbed the port-to-port killer.
Jonas Cobb appeared during NCIS season 8 played by Kerr Smith (Final Destination), and his backstory is that he was a sailor recruited by the CIA to be part of an operation dubbed “Frankenstein.” As the ominous name suggests, this operation wasn’t very ethical and the intention was to create assassins using behavioral modification that would allow them to remain composed and calm no matter how stressful the situation. Naturally, this backfired and instead turned Cobb into a serial killer who targets enlisted men all around the world, including Spain and Japan.
What made NCIS’ Jonas Cobb a unique villain was his ability to think a few steps ahead of Gibbs and the team, and he always managed to slip through their fingers. He also had a flair for the dramatic, such as delivering an eyeball to DiNozzo via an ice cube in his drink. Cobbs was also an expert at infiltration and was responsible for the death of Gibbs’ friend and mentor Mike Franks. He killed, wounded and kidnapped several other agents throughout his arc – including Ziva – before he was finally shot and killed in season 8 finale “Pyramid.” Kerr Smith’s Jonas Cobb only appeared onscreen for two episodes of NCIS, but he was a cunning foe and remains somewhat unique in the pantheon of the show’s villains, being a sociopathic serial killer.
The Forgotten Terror of NCIS
Every long-running show has that one villain who didn’t get the spotlight they deserved. For NCIS, that villain is Jonas Cobb, aka the Port-to-Port Killer. While Gibbs and his team have faced off against some intense adversaries, few have been as mysterious, methodical, and mentally tormenting as Cobb. Yet, he rarely makes the list of top NCIS antagonists.
So, why does Cobb fly under the radar—and should he? Let’s dive deep into why Jonas Cobb might just be the most underrated foe in NCIS history.
Who Is Jonas Cobb?
The Origin Story of the Port-to-Port Killer
Jonas Cobb was a highly trained former Navy SEAL who later became part of the CIA’s Project Frankenstein—a black-ops experiment designed to build the perfect operative. Instead, they created a monster.
A Man Made for War… and Something Darker
Cobb wasn’t just physically dangerous—he was psychologically broken. Trained to kill without emotion, he turned rogue, leaving a trail of meticulously placed bodies across Navy ports—hence the nickname Port-to-Port Killer.
Why Jonas Cobb Was a Psychological Threat
Cobb Didn’t Just Kill—He Made It Personal
What made Cobb terrifying wasn’t just the body count. It was how he manipulated, taunted, and emotionally broke his targets—especially the NCIS team. Every murder was a message, every move strategic.
He Played Mind Games Like No Other NCIS Villain
Cobb knew how to get inside your head. He wasn’t just executing missions—he was waging a psychological war. Think Hannibal Lecter meets Jason Bourne.
Jonas Cobb vs. Leroy Jethro Gibbs: A Duel of Minds
The Ultimate Cat-and-Mouse Game
Gibbs is rarely outsmarted. But Jonas Cobb pushed even him to the edge. Their interactions weren’t just tense—they were layered with mutual respect, dread, and unpredictability.
Not Just a Case—It Was Personal for Gibbs
Cobb’s actions challenged Gibbs’ principles. He wasn’t just another suspect—he represented a failure of military and intelligence oversight, something Gibbs took personally.
How the Port-to-Port Killer Storyline Changed NCIS
A Turning Point for the Series
The Port-to-Port Killer arc was one of the darkest storylines in NCIS. It shattered the team’s sense of safety and changed their dynamics permanently.
Major Character Deaths Left Lasting Scars
Cobb’s rampage resulted in the death of Mike Franks—a fan-favorite and Gibbs’ mentor. That alone cemented Cobb as a game-changing threat.
The Tragic Genius of Jonas Cobb’s Character Design
Project Frankenstein: The Real Monster Was the System
Cobb was a byproduct of unethical experimentation. He’s not evil for evil’s sake—he’s what happens when humanity is stripped away in the name of control.
Villain or Victim? The Gray Area Nobody Talks About
Unlike many NCIS bad guys, Cobb had depth. Was he a monster—or a man shaped by monsters? That complexity made him uniquely compelling.
Why Jonas Cobb Gets Overlooked
Too Brief, Too Brutal
Cobb’s reign was intense but short-lived. He didn’t stick around for multiple seasons like Ari Haswari or Harper Dearing, which sadly cost him long-term fan recognition.
Overshadowed by Flashier Villains
NCIS has had some loud, headline-grabbing villains. Cobb? He was quiet, calculated, and chilling. Not as flashy—but far more disturbing.
Jonas Cobb’s Legacy Lives On
He Left Psychological Scars
Even after his death, the aftermath of Cobb’s actions continued to affect the team—especially Gibbs and Tony. It wasn’t a clean emotional break.
He Set a New Standard for NCIS Villains
Cobb wasn’t just a murderer. He was a blueprint for how dangerous a villain could be if they’re both physically and psychologically formidable.
Behind the Scenes: Casting the Port-to-Port Killer
Kerr Smith’s Chilling Performance
Kerr Smith’s portrayal of Cobb was masterful. Cold, intense, and unpredictable—he made Cobb feel like a real, breathing threat rather than just another plot device.
Fan Reactions to Cobb’s Character
When Cobb was introduced, fan forums exploded. Some feared him, others sympathized with him—but no one could ignore him.
Why Fans Still Talk About Jonas Cobb
The Reddit Resurrection
Years later, NCIS Reddit threads still light up with fans praising the Port-to-Port Killer storyline as one of the show’s most underrated arcs.
The YouTube Theory Culture
Fan-made videos break down Cobb’s psychological profile, link his tactics to real-world cases, and speculate on what could’ve happened if he survived.
Could Cobb Return in a Flashback or Prequel?
Unfinished Business?
Though Cobb is dead, flashbacks or deeper dives into Project Frankenstein could bring him back. Imagine a prequel spinoff exploring his transformation.
What If He Had Survived?
A rogue Jonas Cobb on the run could’ve launched a thrilling season-long manhunt. Sadly, the writers wrapped his arc too soon.
Comparing Jonas Cobb to Other NCIS Villains
Ari Haswari vs. Jonas Cobb
Ari was personal for Gibbs. Cobb? He was personal for the whole team. Both left scars, but Cobb’s methodical madness made him more unpredictable.
Harper Dearing vs. Cobb: Emotional vs. Tactical
Dearing was driven by grief. Cobb was driven by design. One was a man broken by loss; the other, a product of weaponized control.
Jonas Cobb Deserves a Second Look
If you’ve only watched Cobb’s arc once, go back and rewatch it. You’ll catch subtle clues, psychological layers, and strategic brilliance you probably missed.
Conclusion: The Villain Who Still Haunts NCIS
Jonas Cobb wasn’t just another bad guy. He was a symbol of lost humanity, the dark side of military experimentation, and a masterclass in psychological warfare. Even with limited screen time, he carved a space in NCIS history that still chills fans to this day.
While others make the “Top 10 NCIS Villains” list, Cobb lurks just beneath the surface, much like the killer he was—unseen, unforgettable, and underrated.
