by J.T. Toth
Photo courtesy of Michigan Athletics.
At Draft 412, the NFL draft talk never ends. We will keep you ready for the next set of gridiron stars—from today and all the way until draft night 2024. We will bring you mock drafts, player profiles, individual team needs, and everything else you may need related to the 2024 NFL Draft.
Today’s Spotlight - Michigan, Defensive Tackle, Kris Jenkins
Name- Kris Jenkins
Pos- Defensive Tackle
Team- Michigan
HT/WT- 6’3” 305 lbs.
Born- 10/10/2001
Home – Olney, MD
Kris Jenkins played prep football at Our Lady Good Counsel High School in Maryland. He was a three-star recruit and the 18th rated defensive lineman in the country. He was named Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. His father, Kris Jenkins was a second round draft pick and played 10 years in the NFL, earning 4 All-Pro selections.
As a freshman in 2020 Jenkins only appeared in one game on the defensive line to earn his first varsity letter. He played a lot more in the 2021 season, appearing in all 14 games and starting four of them at defensive tackle, collecting 22 tackles. Last season Jenkins became a huge part of the Wolverines defensive line. He started all 14 games at defensive tackle and led all defensive lineman in tackles with 54 and added 2 sacks.
Through his first three games of 2023, Jenkins has 8 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 1 interception.
Jenkins plays with high effort and through the echo of the whistle. He is strong and does a good job of holding up offensive lineman looking to get to the second level. He explodes off the ball and is an excellent pass rusher who has a good combination of leg drive and upper body strength. He has powerful hands and excels at shedding blockers after initiating a powerful punch to the chest of offensive lineman.
Though Jenkins is quick off the snap, he lacks lateral speed and is more of a straight line player. He lacks closing speed when chasing quarterbacks during a pass rush and can get off balance at times when he is pass rushing, trying to play too upright and losing his power. At times when he disengages with a blocker he takes bad angles to the ball.
Veteran Kenny Clark was a first round draft pick in 2016 and is a good comparison of the player Kris Jenkins could become. Clark was known as a full throttle defensive lineman who has good straight line speed but struggled laterally. Jenkins has a chance to sneak into the latter part of the first round, like Clark did in 2016.
Strengths
Strength
Non stop motor
Use of hands
Bloodlines
Weaknesses
Lateral movement
Angles
Speed
Balance
Final Analysis
Kris Jenkins is a 1st-2nd round pick who could possibly move into the top 15 with a dominating season for the Wolverines.
Draft 412 Draft Prediction - Round 1 or 2