STRENGTHS - Innately strong/powerful, Jenkins can be outstanding anchoring versus one on one OL run blocks and against double teams when he maintains leverage and gets hands on blocker first. Against head up run blocker he flashes ability to jolt OL blocker upright and backwards, can disengage and makes tackle at or behind the LOS. On running plays away, he has the lower body strength and balance to keep his feet vs low/cut blocks and surprising speed chasing down the play along the LOS in pursuit. When he bull rushes aggressively, he makes it look easy jolting and driving OL backwards into the pocket, can shed and pressures passer. For a near 350 pound man, he has impressive hand and foot quickness and can defeat pass block with aggressive punch and arm-over move. His combination of size, strength and athleticism give him the versatility to start at NT or DE in a 34 scheme or DT in a 43 defense.
WEAKNESSES - Although immensely gifted, Jenkins does not produce consistently and way too often is a non-factor. While he can be a force at the POA when he plays with leverage, good hand use and aggressiveness, more often than not he pops upright at the snap, allows OL to get their hands on him first and can be tied up and eliminated from the play. He is primarily a bull rush only pass rusher and if his initial charge is stopped he not only does not pressure the QB, but he rarely gets off the LOS. He lacks explosiveness off the ball to threaten gaps and disrupt plays behind the LOS consistently. He does a bad job of using his hands to protect his legs from low/cut blocks and can be cut to the ground way too easily. More than anything, Jenkins does not play with great effort, intensity or technique on every snap and this leads to him not making an impact way too often - Long stretches go by where he made no impact in the games evaluated.
SUMMARY - For a player who was hyped up to be a likely first round pick when the 2012 season began, it is clear to me that he does not warrant being selected that highly. Regardless of his natural talent level, Jenkins tendency to pop upright and play high so often greatly hinders his ability to consistently play strong at the POA; especially as a run defender. What is so frustrating is that for a player of his size, his ability top pop right up off the ground when he gets cut blocked shows how naturally athletic he is, but he does not produce like an elite talent. Not only was he frustrating when evaluating him at Georgia, but his performance at the Senior Bowl was indicative of his college career as he was pushed around and controlled the first two days of practice and then dominated whomever ever blocked him on the third day of practice. Overall, I am confident that Jenkins will be selected higher than I have him rated (Similar to when Terrance Cody was drafted in the 2nd round), but that within a few seasons it will become clear that Jenkins does not have what it takes to be a consistently productive starter in the NFL. .