It's been 12 years since the Cincinnati selected a defensive tackle in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. The streak finally ended Friday night with a player nicknamed "The Mutant."
Former Michigan defensive tackle Kris Jenkins is more than just the son of the former four-time Pro Bowl DT of the same name. Jenkins' physical and mental abilities command your attention like they would for a Professor Charles Xavier.
Yeah, I've never heard of a Turkish Get Up either. I'm sure mortals can't physically do them. Jenkins doesn't appear to fit that descriptor.
“He’s the mutant of all mutants,” Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh told The Athletic last Summer. “He just keeps going and going. He’s No. 1 in our KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). He’s over 300 [pounds]. He’s the poster child for enthusiasm unknown to mankind. Watch him become a top-10 pick.”
Jenkins ended up being the 49th pick instead, and head coach Zac Taylor and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo had to watch him fall all the way to their second round pick. Anarumo himself sounded like he needed eyedrops.
"I was squinting for an hour." Anarumo said of watching Jenkins' name stay alive on the board.
Five defensive tackles were drafted in the first 16 picks of the second round, including four the Bengals had reported contact with during the pre-draft process. Ruke Orhorhoro, Johnny Newton, T'Vondre Sweat, and Maason Smith flying off the board helped keep Jenkins in the conversation as they had a clear focus on the defensive interior.
"It was a priority position," Taylor said. "We weren't just gonna take anybody, and we were very fortunate the way it fell. We had high marks on Kris, so thank goodness he was there.
"He was one we had specifically targeted."
Go through the checklist to see what the Bengals needed at defensive tackle. In March, everything was on there. Pass-rushing ability, run-defending ability, any ounce of athleticism.
They acquired pass-rushing ability with veteran free agent Sheldon Rankins. Jenkins definitely checks the other two boxes.
Jenkins uses his NFL bloodlines and mutant-like physicality to disrupt the run like no other defensive tackle in this draft class. He sported the best run-stop % among this draft class over the last two seasons according to Pro Football Focus. His 23 run stops from 2023 alone tied for ninth among Power 5 defensive tackles. He did this while consistently facing double teams as well.
It's not a flashy role, but it is an easier one when you're an elite athlete. Jenkins' 4.91 40-yard dash, 30" vertical jump, and 117" broad jump at 6-3, 300 pounds make him as fast as he is explosive. 29 reps on the bench press with 34" arms, on the other hand, is even greater evidence for his mutant powers.
"The Mutant" moniker was given to Jenkins as a sophomore by Michigan's former strength coach for embodying a mutant mentality in the weight room.
"I just went above and beyond in the weight room and did some things people around me didn’t expect me to do," Jenkins said after being picked by the Bengals.
While he may have the resume for attending Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, Jenkins is coming to Cincinnati to be the difference maker they need at defensive tackle. The Professor will have to keep recruiting elsewhere.
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