Tag: Kris Jenkins

Bengals rookie sounds like he’s about to get massive jump in playing time

A Bengals rookie could be about to have a much bigger impact.

The Cincinnati Bengals have slowly eased rookie defensive lineman Kris Jenkins Jr. back into the sway of things after a minor surgery resulted in him playing with a club on his hand.

But that sounds like it is about to change.

Speaking with reporters after the team’s Week 4 win over the Carolina Panthers, Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo made it clear that Jenkins is a player on the rise, as captured by The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr.: “He’ll get as many as he can handle.”

Jenkins saw action on 22 snaps against the Panthers and looked good in his brief showing.

The Bengals had counted on Jenkins to be immediate, important rotational depth behind Sheldon Rankins and B.J. Hill even before both veterans went down with hamstring injuries.

Now, with Jenkins ascending in play despite an injury setback of his own, it’s clear he’s about to get a bigger chunk of playing time by the week.

Just in time, too, as the Bengals got other good news about the defensive line coming out of the win in Carolina.

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Bengals rookie Kris Jenkins’ hype grows after first NFL sack

The hype train for Bengals rookie Kris Jenkins has arrived.

The Cincinnati Bengals are counting on second-round rookie Kris Jenkins to have a big impact on the front seven’s rotation next year after the loss of DJ Reader in free agency.

Jenkins looked the part during his second preseason game.

Saturday against the Bears, Jenkins got some run early and recorded his first sack — an efficient day, considering he only played 14 snaps.

Not that Jenkins is dwelling on the achievement all that much.

“It was a pretty cool moment, but I feel like I have stuff to work on, and to get happy over one sack, I won’t,” Jenkins said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “I’m not a finished product.”

The Bengals need Jenkins to have that sort of mentality while riding an upward bit of momentum. After losing Reader, the team added Sheldon Rankins, but it will be a committee approach with B.J. Hill, too, while coordinator Lou Anarumo alters what the team does up front.

Jenkins’ mini-breakout generated some big hype on social media:

 

All that aside, there was a really cool personal anecdote from Jenkins about his day in Chicago, courtesy of the Cincinnati Enquirer’s Kelsey Conway:

 

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Bengals rookie Kris Jenkins shows off stunning workout before training camp

Kris Jenkins certainly looks strong enough to help replace DJ Reader.

The Cincinnati Bengals expect big things from rookie Kris Jenkins in 2024.

Before training camp, though, the team and fans will have to simply settle for seeing some of his stunning feats in the weightroom while training for his debut season.

That said, perhaps settle isn’t the right word. More apt might be the term jaw dropping because in the footage, Jenkins puts 100-plus pounds on a barbell and stabilizes it through his arm and shoulder while getting up off the ground, then returning to the floor.

That is the type of stability and strength the Bengals hope to see Jenkins use on the field next season as he plays a key role in replacing DJ Reader.

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Bengals sign Kris Jenkins to rookie deal

The Bengals get the hyped rookie under contract.

Near the finale of mandatory work in June, the Cincinnati Bengals finally got another member of the rookie class under contract.

There, Cincinnati announced the signing of second-rounder Kris Jenkins, adding him to the list of eight rookies who had previously signed deals with the team.

As always, the lack of signing by Jenkins wasn’t a concern given the rookie wage scale and he’s been in town working with the team for most of the spring.

That early work, paired with why the team drafted him in the first place, has coaches thinking that Jenkins can help replace DJ Reader right away.

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Bengals say rookie Kris Jenkins will help replace DJ Reader

The Bengals have big plans for a certain rookie defender.

The Cincinnati Bengals surprised some with the approach to the defensive line this offseason after losing nose tackle DJ Reader.

Losing the heart of the line’s interior to free agency appeared to be a big blow. Then, the team added Sheldon Rankins, who doesn’t typically project as a nose.

That led to the idea the Bengals might switch up, even slightly, how they do things up front to compensate.

But perhaps a rookie might step into Reader’s shoes.

Bengals defensive line coach Marion Hobby recently said that second-rounder Kris Jenkins has the strength necessary to step inside at Reader’s old spot if necessary.

“I’m not going in there. He might have to,” Hobby said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “He’s comfortable in there. I talked to him about it. He says, ‘Coach, no problem. That’s second nature to me.’ I think he can swing anywhere he wants to swing in there. He’s strong enough. Sometimes it’s beating them to the punch. It’s not so much heaviness, it’s getting hands on them before they get their hands on me.”

While Jenkins appears roughly 20 or more pounds lighter than Reader, there’s certainly something to be said for playing strength and leverage, two key things in any scheme.

And speaking of scheme, Lou Anarumo’s is versatile on a weekly basis depending on the opponent. Jenkins stepping into a Reader-style role is perhaps just one of many the coordinator will have him occupy over 17 games next year.

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Bengals rookies try Cincinnati chili for the first time

A welcome-to-Cincinnati moment for Bengals rookies.

The Cincinnati Bengals had 10 picks in the 2024 draft, and each of them are in the city for mini camp that started Friday for their first appearance as Bengals.

But they aren’t able to say they are an official Cincinnatian until they go through a very important rite of passage, which a few of the rookies now have.

The Bengals’ official Twitter account shared a video on May 2 of first-round pick Amarius Mims, second-round pick Kris Jenkins and third-round pick McKinnley Jackson trying Cincinnati chili for the first time.

Each of them seemed to like the new food, so they are fitting into Cincinnati well already. They will each have a lot more chances to get more chili during their time with the Bengals, and Jenkins especially seems like he will take advantage of that, since he ate the entire bowl he got for the video.

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Bengals view Kris Jenkins as B.J. Hill ‘with more upside’

An insider reveals how the Bengals feel about their second-round pick.

The Cincinnati Bengals expect big things from a handful of the 2024 rookie class right out of the gates.

While the attention goes to first-rounder Amarius Mims and even a later-round possible steal such as Josh Newton, there are clearly big expectations for Kris Jenkins, too.

In his latest insider buzz for each team column, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, notes how highly the team views second-round defensive lineman Kris Jenkins:

Cincinnati expects both players to contribute right away. In Jenkins, Cincinnati sees shades of B.J. Hill with more upside. And Jackson is a true run-stopper.

It’s no secret the Bengals were anxiously waiting and hoping Jenkins would fall to them in the second round. Based on the post-selection analysis, it’s not hard to see why.

As a rookie, Jenkins will rotate with B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins as the Bengals seem ready to mix up the approach in the trenches after DJ Reader’s departure.

Over the long term, if the Bengals really see this upside with Jenkins, he projects as an every-down starter, potentially alongside fellow rookie McKinnley Jackson.

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Bengals asked DJ Turner about team’s 2 Michigan draft picks

The Bengals got some insider info on Michigan prospects they picked.

The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t hesitate to ask cornerback DJ Turner about a couple of guys from his Michigan playing days before the 2024 NFL draft.

As it turns out, the Bengals got intel on both second-round pick Kris Jenkins and fourth-round tight end Erick All.

All, a big-upside tight end despite his medical history, was Turner’s teammate with the Wolverines before transferring to Iowa.

According to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com, Turner had high praise for Jenkins’ leadership, but also wasn’t shocked to find out that All was working out when the Bengals called him during the draft itself.

“That’s such an Erick All (thing),” Turner said. “He’s one of the hardest working dudes I ever met … He was a captain of our team and was a first-round tight end. We always said that.”

It isn’t uncommon for the team to ask current players about incoming rookies, so this doesn’t come as a shock. But someone like Turner signing off on both guys, or so to speak, is a notable part of the process again for roster construction during the Zac Taylor era.

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WATCH: Highlights of Bengals’ Kris Jenkins in college

Kris Jenkins put up some monster film before joining the Bengals.

The Cincinnati Bengals took Michigan defensive tackle Kris Jenkins with their second-round choice in the 2024 NFL draft.

Jenkins’ stats during his time with the Wolverines are impressive, and it shows up in the film as well.

Coming off of a college national title, he was one of the top players at the position available and easily improves the outlook of the Bengals’ front seven on the defensive side of the ball. His measurables at the combine and his pro day speak for themselves, but his stats on the field back them up.

Here’s a look at some of Jenkins’ best highlights and film after the team made him the No. 49 overall pick.

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Around the North: Bengals find D.J. Reader replacement in Kris Jenkins

Is this a replacement for Reader?

The Cincinnati Bengals may have found their replacement for defensive tackle DJ Reader, who left in free agency earlier this offseason. With the Browns in-state rivals using their second-round pick on Michigan defensive tackle Kris Jenkins. This continues a crazy run of second-round defensive tackles that I did not see coming.

Jenkins is a solid selection and an above-average athlete who can get after the quarterback. He is one of the more complete players at the position, with good strength and leverage when anchoring the middle of the line against the run. His ability to play both inside and outside will bring a level of versatility that will be difficult to deal with.

Bringing a high football IQ and a great motor, he will fit in perfectly on that Bengals defense. Now, if the team can find a way to patch up the relationship with Trey Hendrickson, they will have an impressive defensive line.