Prospect Profile: Kris Jenkins, DL, Michigan

Context

Plays 3 technique most of the time but also moves further outside in heavier fronts, sometimes playing at 7 technique in a four-man front.

Pass Rush

He has a solid get-off, and his athleticism helps him to gain ground quicky to the Offensive Lineman. He has outstanding hand usage, specifically in the timing of his strike. He has demonstrated that he can put together a rush plan as a pass rusher but it needs to be more consistent and more refined. He has a club rip that he tries to work the majority of the time and he likes to use his hand usage to get to the back shoulder of the Offensive Lineman, but for it being his go-to move, it isn’t successful enough. In terms of a plan you can see him work moves off this, with an excellent spin move which, when well timed as part of the gameplan, can allow him to come free inside quickly.

He also has impressive lateral explosion which he can use to his advantage on inside moves and is often too quick for interior linemen. However, most savvy linemen aren’t threatened enough by his outside moves to open a gate for him on the inside. He does have the ability to push the pocket, especially given his hand usage and the play strength he plays with; however those OL with a good anchor, can reset and re-anchor against him and keep him from getting pressure on the QB. He is dangerous on stunts and games as he’s able to use his good speed for his size and his lateral quickness, as well as the solid bend he has for his size to get pressure on the QB. He doesn’t often finish on the QB and will rarely get hands on any level or type of competition; he will normally only get pressure that forces the QB to make an adjustment. You can see him trying other moves like a cross chop but they aren’t consistently effective yet. He is relentless and his motor is always running. He has active hands and actively tries to counter when his first move is defeated.

Vs Run

He is an excellent run defender. It starts with his ability to diagnose different types of run, as well as his superior hand usage. You can see him diagnose Zone blocking quickly. If he’s on the back-side as a 3 technique which he is most often, you can see him stay tight to the Guard as he penetrates and holds off the Tackle trying to reach him before flattening into the backfield and pursuing the back from behind, making tackles in the backfield. When front-side against Zone, he refuses to be reached and will string out the run to the sideline before making the play himself. He’s remarkably consistent in shedding blockers and tackling the ball. He can get moved off the ball when facing double teams; he is a handful and can often find himself shedding one of the blockers and being in position to make a play but he won’t hold his ground and the play he makes will normally be a number of yards back from the line of scrimmage. You can see him flash the ability to penetrate against double teams and reset the Offense’s levels. He’s equally good diagnosing Gap blocking, as he sees smoke and mirrors blocks like traps and pullers coming and takes them on with aggression. He meets down blocks with impact and leverage and constricts the running lane.

SUMMARY
Excellent processing, hand usage and play strength against the run. Athletic for his size but does not turn that into pass rush production. Needs to add more moves and a better rush plan.

PRODUCTION
SR: 2 Sacks, 36 Total Tackles, 1 INT
JR: 2 Sacks, 2 QB hits, 56 total tackles
INJURY: High ankle sprain, missed no games (SR)

RAVENS FIT
Athleticism 4
Intelligence 4
Versatility 4
Grit 4
Scheme 3