Attacking the trenches.
Night 2 of the NFL Draft is off and running, where the Cincinnati Bengals have selected defensive tackle Kris Jenkins from the University of Michigan Wolverines with the 49th overall pick.
Jenkins comes off a National Championship season with the Wolverines and helps the Bengals fill the void left by the departed D.J. Reader. The Bengals take a Michigan defender in the second round for the second straight season, this time addressing the trenches.
Here’s how Twitter reacted.
WITH THE 49TH PICK ➡️ DT @KrisJenkinsJr1 @IEL_LLC | : NFL Draft on ESPN/ABC/NFLN pic.twitter.com/95h5qAWwuv
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) April 27, 2024
Welcome to Cincinnati Big Dawg! Kris Jenkins is a Bengal! #Bengals #RuleItAll pic.twitter.com/VtVrBf46NU
— GameOn513 (@gameonjmoney) April 27, 2024
Kris Jenkins is a fairly raw defensive tackle when it comes to rushing the passer but the flashes are there for high potential. He’s an ox against the run who can also get off of the ball.pic.twitter.com/osTny8lREk
— mike (@bengals_sans) April 27, 2024
I think this signals a bit of change in the Bengals scheme. I think Kris Jenkins can thrive in a one-gap defense. He mainly lined up in 3 & 4I. Hes not a Zero & I thought the only thing I didn’t like was his inability to take on double teams. As long as they don’t put him in…
— ZIM (@zimwhodey) April 27, 2024
A little taste of Kris Jenkins’ energy.
(language warning) #Bengals @fox19 pic.twitter.com/eJDyJ3vZCC
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) April 27, 2024
Kris Jenkins was drafted in round 2 pick 49 in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 8.99 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 183 out of 1808 DT from 1987 to 2024. https://t.co/lAsdiJX7NX pic.twitter.com/1sMw0GqTzE
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 27, 2024
Jenkins is ready to go!
Who Dey #Bengals pic.twitter.com/bTzAeHUH9X
— Kris Jenkins (@KrisJenkinsJr1) April 27, 2024
The #Bengals take Michigan DT Kris Jenkins with the 49th pick.
‣Jenkins ran a 4.91 40-yd dash at the combine.
‣His father, Kris Jenkins, is a two time All-Pro/ earned four Pro Bowl berths as one of the best nose tackles of the early 2000s. | @WLWT pic.twitter.com/7Wv4sUlILo— Olivia Ray (@OliviaRayTV) April 27, 2024
(This is where I put in my own tweet as an admitted Michigan homer)
MICHIGAN MAN KRIS JENKINS.
6”3’, 305.
He can play the run, he can get after the passer. As long as he handles the pro strength like I think he will, the Bengals just got a DAWG
— Drew Garrison (@DrewGarrison) April 27, 2024
It appears the Bengal stayed patient and had another player they coveted fall to them.
Zac Taylor said defensive tackle was a priority position, “but we weren’t just going to take anyone. Thank goodness Kris was there. He was one we specifically have targeted. You’re staring at his name for a really long time.”
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) April 27, 2024
Kris Jenkins aka “The Mutant” #Bengals pic.twitter.com/7cAOPRu572
— Faux Joey Brrr (@FauxJeaux) April 27, 2024
The numbers look good for Jenkins addressing one of the Bengals’ biggest needs.
Kris Jenkins had the #1 run production score out of the 59 iDL we graded in this class.
He was the #43 prospect on this years board with a high 2nd round grade.
22 years and a 90th percentile athlete.
This is another good pick. Love this start to the draft for the Bengals.
— Gridiron Grading (@GridironGrading) April 27, 2024
Bengals attacking the weakest part of the roster so far in the draft:
Trenches. Trenches. Trenches.
1st RD – Amarius Mims
2nd RD – Kris Jenkins pic.twitter.com/feNvaZicaN— Patrick Carey (@PatCareySports) April 27, 2024
For the PFF crowd, here is how Jenkins measured:
Kris Jenkins stable metrics percentiles via PFF:
Pass rush grade on true pass rushes: 73rd pctl
Pass rush grade w/out play action: 79th pctl
Run defense grade: 86th pctl
Run stop rate: 98th pctl— Andrew Russell (@Andrew_Russell7) April 27, 2024
Some insight from Dane Brugler, via Jake Liscow:
Kris Jenkins was Dane Brugler’s 36th ranked player overall. He thinks he’ll be a better pro. Flashes pass rush upside when he has the opportunity.
PFF’s draft guide ranked him 50th, and wrote that he’s one of the strongest players in the class.
Both wrote that the biggest…
— Jake Liscow (@JakeLiscow) April 27, 2024
All in all, it seems like a mostly positive reaction to Jenkins being selected as the Bengals have drafted two positions of need to kick off the draft.
Welcome to Cincinnati, Kris!
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