Saints Draft Prospects: National Champion DT With Great NFL Bloodline Could Anchor The New Orleans Defensive Line

This national champion defender with NFL bloodline should be a disruptive addition to a defensive front.

Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) makes a tackle against the Ohio State Buckeyes / Credit:© Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Bryan Bresee, a defensive tackle out of Clemson, was a first round choice by the New Orleans Saints in last year's draft. Bresee had a strong rookie year, recording 4.5 sacks, nine QB hits, 13 pressures, seven tackles for loss, and tipping six passes. He was the key piece in a vastly improved defensive interior over the previous season.

Bresee was joined by fellow newcomers Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders in the middle, both free-agent additions. Shepherd was a solid contributor with 3.5 sacks, eight QB hits, 11 pressures, and four tackles for loss, but Saunders did little on the defensive side.

With DT Malcolm Roach departing in free agency, the Saints will need to fortify depth at the position before training camp. Additionally, another dynamic interior presence would help a New Orleans defensive end spot that struggled greatly last season. Perhaps the Saints add exactly that somewhat early in the draft.

Kris Jenkins, DT - Michigan; 6'3" & 299-Lbs.

Michigan Wolverines defensive tackle Kris Jenkins (94) pressures TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan / Credit:© Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Son of four-time Pro Bowl DT Kris Jenkins (Panthers/Jets), Kris Jr. ended up at Michigan after attending Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Maryland. He'd redshirt his first year (2020) and saw action as a reserve the following year, but would show vast improvement in each of his collegiate seasons.

By 2022, Jenkins was a key starter on a strong Wolverines defense. After two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss for a playoff Michigan team in 2022, he'd play an even bigger role for the 2023-24 National Champions. During the Wolverine title run, Jenkins contributed 2.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and 15 pressures while earning 2nd Team All-Big Ten recognition.

A bit undersized for a tackle, Jenkins makes up for it with good strength, quickness, and outstanding technique. He'll get his hands into blockers quickly to gain an early advantage and plays with adequate leverage against the run.

Jenkins will recognize plays and open lanes instantaneously. He has good upper body power and lateral agility for gap control or to make plays down the line of scrimmage. His relentless motor creates a lot of plays on second effort, both against the run and when pressuring the passer.

Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Kris Jenkins (94) is in on a run stop against the Connecticut Huskies / Credit:© Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

A skilled interior pass rusher, Jenkins created havoc with pressures and hurries more than his collegiate sack numbers would indicate. His initial swim move is decisive with both power and quickness. He also has an outstanding spin move as a counter rush technique.

Jenkins is not a ''space-eater'' in the middle or a prototype gap stuffer. He may even need to come off the field in short yardage situations and doesn't have the size to be a nose tackle in odd-man fronts.

Jenkins has a hard time holding his ground against double team blocking. Developing even better leverage will help, but he definitely needs to add more mass onto his lean frame. Not particularly effective as a bull rusher consistently, Jenkins must add more variety in his early pass rush repertoire to remain effective at the next level.

Kris Jenkins is expected to be a Day 2 pick, but could possibly slip into early Day 3 because of some scheme limitations. Jenkins may not be a factor in short yardage situations, but offers immediate value as an interior pass rusher. His technique, motor, and ability to add more bulk also gives him the upside of an every down interior defender in a 4-3 front or even an end in a base 3-4 scheme.