Cincinnati Bengals select Michigan DL Kris Jenkins in 2nd round of 2024 NFL Draft

Former Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins Jr. — son of two-time All-Pro defensive tackle Kris Jenkins Sr. — is now following in his dad’s footsteps into the NFL. And Jenkins Jr. will begin his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, which selected him No. 49 overall in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

After playing in one game and redshirting during the Covid-shortened 2020 season, Jenkins played in all 43 possible games the next three years of his Michigan career, starting 33. He started all 29 possible games his junior and senior seasons the past two years.

Jenkins earned second team All-American honors and second team All-Big Ten accolades while captaining the national champion Wolverines.

At 6-foot-3 and 299 pounds at the NFL Combine — likely near his max weight for his frame — Jenkins doesn’t have the prototypical size to play as a true nose tackle in the NFL. He projects more as a three technique or 3-4 defensive end at the NFL level, and has potential to be a movable piece that can provide an NFL team the coveted inside pass rush.

And with NFL bloodlines as good as any, Jenkins comes to the NFL with an understanding of what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

Jenkins played high school football at Our Lady Good Counsel (Md.) High School, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 487 overall recruit in the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Jenkins

NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein sees a lot to like with Jenkins, from his pedigree to his strong hand technique and overall power and agility.

There are some ultimate issues with his ability to hang on against double teams in the NFL, issues that might always exist because of his slightly smaller frame, but the overall picture is strong. Jenkins has all the tools and more than enough talent to put together a strong NFL career.

“Possesses rare pedigree with a college football national title under his belt and a father who was a four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle,” Zierlein said. “Jenkins has a smaller frame for his position, but he plays with good strength in one-on-one power swaps. He can neutralize single blocks but has trouble fighting back to muddy his gap against double-teams. His motor stays engaged. He’s frequently running down ball-carriers and chasing quarterbacks by the end of the play. Jenkins flashes more rush talent than his sack production would indicate, but he still needs to work on developing more go-to moves to pair with his spin counter. Jenkins isn’t a natural two-gapper, but he can play upfield or read-and-react football on the next level as an eventual starter capable of creating disruptions.”