Packers draft prospects to know: Michigan IDL Kris Jenkins

Jan 8, 2024; Houston, TX, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) against the Washington Huskies during the 2024 College Football Playoff national championship game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The interior defensive line position could be a sneaky need for the Packers that GM Brian Gutekunst tries to address in the upcoming draft. On Day 2, when the Packers have four picks, Michigan’s Kris Jenkins is a name to know.

Jenkins, the nephew of former Packer Cullen Jenkins, measures in at nearly 6-3 and weighs 299 pounds. Last draft, we saw the Packers go a bit lighter at the interior defensive line position, with Colby Wooden, who was also 300 pounds. Devonte Wyatt was 304 coming out of Georgia and Karl Brooks 303.

Jenkins would record an overall Relative Athletic Score of 8.92, which included a 4.91-second 40-yard dash, along with an elite broad jump as well.

Over the last two seasons, Jenkins has been a key member of Michigan’s defensive front, with most of his snaps coming from the B-gap, although he does have some experience at defensive end as well.

During that span, Jenkins totaled 40 pressures and two sacks, while grading out as one of PFF’s better interior run defenders. In 2023, he ranked 52nd in pass rush win rate among his position group and eighth in run-stop rate.

For more on Jenkins’ game, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote in his pre-draft report:

Possesses rare pedigree with a college football national title under his belt and a father who was a four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle. 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.

As I mentioned above and wrote about recently, the interior defensive line could be a sneaky need that we see the Packers address.

Overall, the Packers need more consistent play from this unit, which hopefully a scheme shift to a one-gap system under Jeff Hafley, along with a different play-style helps facilitate that.

But on top of that, Kenny Clark is entering the final year of his current deal, as is TJ Slaton. Devonte Wyatt is also in Year 3 of his four-year rookie contract.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers draft prospects to know: Michigan IDL Kris Jenkins