Kris Jenkins, IDL, Michigan
Size:
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 299 pounds
Arm Length: 34”
Hand Size: 9 3/8"
Accomplishments:
Second Team All-American (2023) • Team Captain (2023) • Two-Time All-Big-Ten
“Kris Jenkins has a good combination of size, strength, and athleticism which helps him consistently make impactful plays in both the run game and rushing the passer along the defensive front.”
Strengths:
Alignment-versatile
Functional strength and athleticism
High Motor/IQ
Concerns:
Intentional pass-rush plan
Hold the point of attack against double teams
Scheme-specific production
Film Analysis:
The son of former NFL all-pro, Kris Jenkins has not only NFL measurables and bloodlines but also has the skill that he displayed during his career at Michigan. Jenkins was a four-year contributor at Michigan, capping off his career as an All-American and team captain in 2023. Jenkins has an ideal blend of size, athleticism, and functional athleticism that he utilizes to win as both a pass rusher and against the run.
Against the run, Jenkins wins in two different ways depending on the assignment. When assigned with gap control, Jenkins will collision with the offensive lineman and then lock and shed the offensive lineman to hold the line of scrimmage and make a play on the ball-carrier. Jenkins' other method of winning is to get gap penetration and disrupt the play. Jenkins has a quick first step which allows him to quickly get in gaps, and disrupt the play.
As a pass rusher, Jenkins wins using his athleticism. Jenkins can win on twists and stunts by being able to loop around and using his functional athleticism to get to the quarterback. Jenkins can also use his first-step quickness to get past offensive linemen and pairs that with a combination of hand maneuvers to win.
Jenkins' improvements as a player come with him developing a detailed pass-rush plan. As of now, Jenkins tries to win with an initial move but needs to develop counters to defeat more athletic and skilled offensive linemen. He also may need to improve his strength to be able to win against double teams. When Jenkins is double teamed, he will be moved off the line scrimmage, which may make him a usage/scheme-specific player in the NFL
Prospect Projection: Day 2 — Adequate Starter
Written By: Keith Sanchez
Exposures: Penn State (2023), Alabama (2023), Washington (2023)
