2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kris Jenkins (DL – Michigan)

With being more than halfway through the College Football season, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Kris Jenkins.

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2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kris Jenkins

Kris Jenkins (DL – Michigan)

6’3” – 305 lbs.

Background:

His father, who bears the same name, had an excellent career as a pro nose tackle from 2001-2010, primarily with Carolina; uncle Cullen also played in the pros. Rotated into the defense a bit in 2021 (four starts in thirteen appearances, 175 snaps) and made 22 tackles, then started opposite Mazi Smith last year, finishing with 54-3.5-2.0 on 536 snaps.

Positives:

Comes with over two years of starting experience for a program with a good reputation for producing linemen. Very thickly, powerfully-built lineman who has added about fifty pounds of bulk since arriving on campus. Highly regarded as a freak in the weight room. Schematically versatile; lines up on the interior (usually in the B-gap), and also occasionally from a wider alignment. Plays the game with violence and relentlessness. Fires out of his stance with some explosiveness. Shows suddenness to slip by blockers and get penetration. Appears to have solid length, and does a nice job of using it to keep blockers out of his frame. Easily holds the point of attack in the run game. Shows heavy, powerful hands to discard blockers when two-gapping. Able to generate some push with his bull rush and leg drive. Fluid mover with impressive range in pursuit; has the balance and body control of a strongside defensive end despite weighing over 300 pounds. Excellent motor in pursuit out to the sidelines.

Negatives:

Snap counts vary widely and was frequently rotated out during some of the games reviewed. Can occasionally struggle to locate the ball; still honing his recognition skills/anticipation. Could be more active with his hands to disengage. Hasn’t been highly productive as a pass-rusher. Somewhat reliant on his bull rush to generate pressure, and would like to see him develop and integrate more additional moves into his rush repertoire.

Summary:

A fascinating prospect who clearly has elite physical/athletic tools, and has made progress throughout his career with the Wolverines, with a rare combination of bulk, explosiveness, suddenness, balance, and strength. At this point, still needs to continue developing his recognition skills in the run game and diversifying his approach as a pass-rusher, but clearly has scheme-versatile traits and very high upside. Could potentially come off the board in the first round, and has the potential to develop into an every-down lineman in a variety of schemes. Would probably be best controlling blockers in a two-gap scheme.

Projection: Round 1-2