Rookie Profile: Kris Jenkins, Defensive Lineman, Cincinnati Bengals
Welcome to the Rookie Profile for Kris Jenkins, a cornerback out of Michigan. He is from Olney, MD, and was a 4-star recruit from Olney High School.
Jenkins kicked off his collegiate career in 2020 by redshirting for the University of Michigan. In 202 as a sophomore, he appeared in 8 games where he racked up 8 solo tackles, 14 assists, and 0.5 tackles for loss in a solid debut campaign for the Wolverines.
In 2022, as a junior, he saw his first action as a full-time player where he appeared in 14 games. He totaled 29 solo tackles, 25 assists, 3.5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks on the year as he demonstrated his full potential.
His senior season was a mixed bag that saw up-and-down results. He appeared in 15 games and his solo tackle total fell to 17. His assist total also fell to 20. He managed to increase his tackle-for-loss total to 4.5 and recorded 2.5 sacks while adding in 1 interception and 1 fumble recovery.
Measurables
Draft Capital & Landing Spot
Draft Capital- Round 2 Pick 17
- Kris Jenkins was always viewed as a talent prospect coming out of The University of Michigan, but in a stack D-Line class, many were surprised he went as a top-50 overall draft pick.
- This selection should serve to show you the potential that the Bengals see in him. Consider this an extreme vote of confidence for a defensive player who could have seen his outlook crushed significantly if he hadn’t been selected on day two of the draft. As it stands, Jenkins has excellent potential at a discount cost.
Landing Spot- Cincinnati Bengals
- He is going to be learning behind one of the best defensive linemen of all time. Myles Garrett is a great player for a rookie to land behind and will be a great opportunity for him to round out his game and develop into a full-time stud.
- Jenkins is unlikely to be a full-time player as a rookie, but as I stated above, he is a developmental player who is best suited to learn behind one of the best in the game before ultimately taking over the defensive line for himself, and being a force to be reckoned with for years to come.
Team Depth Chart
Expected Role: Developmental Defensive Lineman
Depth Chart via Fantasy Pros
Fantasy Impact
The son of the former Panther star Kris Jenkins, the younger Jenkins is poised to enter the NFL as a starting defensive tackle, following his father’s legacy. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 299 pounds, he may be considered compact for his position, yet his impressive performance at the NFL Combine speaks volumes.
With 33 starts at Michigan, Jenkins has proven to be a formidable force in the heart of a championship-level defense. His athletic prowess draws parallels to players like Larry Ogunjobi and Levi Onwuzurike. The combination of Sheldon Rankins, B.J. Hill, and Jenkins promises to be a robust lineup for Cincinnati.
Jenkins was elite at The University of Michigan and has the potential to be the same thing in Cincinnati. If Jenkins can earn himself a starter role sooner than later, he will be a worthwhile second-round IDP rookie pick.
Check out our 2024 Rookie Rankings Page for a full breakdown of this rookie class.
