Should Dolphins Make a Play for Jenkins?

Regardless of offseason upgrades to the offensive line, the Miami Dolphins’ group of protectors nonetheless may use enhancements, and there’s reportedly a younger prospect in the marketplace.

The Chicago Bears have obtained calls about Teven Jenkins, a 2021 second-round decide at offensive deal with, in accordance with NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport.

Jenkins hasn’t participated in Bears camp but this yr and has a historical past of accidents. He missed 12 video games final season because of a again damage that required surgical procedure. First-year Bears head coach Matt Eberflus has maintained Jenkins is “day-to-day.”

Assuming Jenkins’ well being is just not problematic long run, the Dolphins ought to completely decide up the cellphone and see how a lot it might price to accumulate Jenkins.

How Jenkins Would Match within the Lineup

Jenkins performed all 5 of his video games final season at left deal with, however whereas enjoying with the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Jenkins was primarily a proper deal with — a place the place Miami has some uncertainty.

Austin Jackson has been getting work at proper deal with for the Dolphins, however he has by no means performed on the appropriate aspect within the NFL or in faculty at USC, so Jenkins has a leg up there.

Moreover, though Jenkins performed in solely 5 video games final season, he allowed 11 solely complete pressures, in accordance with PFF. For those who take away his first profession begin towards the Packers, Jenkins solely allowed 4 pressures in his remaining 4 video games.

In three video games at deal with, Jackson allowed 20 complete pressures final season. Nonetheless, in his remaining 5 video games at guard (the identical stretch when Jenkins performed) Jackson allowed simply seven pressures.

Jenkins performed nicely on the finish of final season, and his expertise at proper deal with may permit the Dolphins to place Jackson again at left guard, a place the place he improved all through 2021.

The one drawback with this plan is that Jackson spent a lot of the offseason working at proper deal with, and it seems like Jenkins isn’t fairly able to take the sector.

How Jenkins Suits the Scheme

There’s a spot on Miami’s line for Jenkins, however a spot on the road is simply half the equation. The opposite half is how Jenkins would match into new head coach Mike McDaniel’s scheme.

McDaniel’s scheme is an outside-zone-heavy scheme that emphasizes the athletic traits of its offensive linemen. Jenkins proved he was a powerful athlete on the 2021 NFL mix.

He ran a 5.01 40-yard sprint (91st percentile), jumped 32½ inches (91st percentile), jumped 106 inches (69th percentile) and his 20-yard cut up was 2.88 seconds (84th percentile).

Jenkins is quick within the open subject, and he’s explosive in tight areas, two issues important for fulfillment in a heavy outside-zone scheme and for an offensive lineman normally.

Testing numbers are one factor however movie is one other.

Jenkins’ faculty movie backs up his testing numbers. There are many reps of him sliding his ft nicely in move safety and run blocking in area successfully.

His movie additionally reveals one other energy of his sport: energy. Jenkins is a bodily, sturdy presence in all sides of the sport, particularly when run blocking.

His skill to maneuver defenders off their spots in faculty was borderline elite for a draft prospect. Jenkins’ draft profile was fairly just like that of Robert Hunt’s.

Each had been considered as highly effective run blockers and had been even measured on the similar measurement (6-5) in the course of the NFL mix. Hunt got here in 323 kilos in comparison with Jenkins’ 317, however that’s not too far off.

All to say, Hunt succeeded within the outdoors zone whereas in faculty along with his profile, so it’s not a stretch to see Jenkins doing the identical in Miami.

Jenkins’ NFL movie isn’t fairly as dominant however the pattern measurement is small, and he has missed time with damage.

There’s cause to imagine he’ll get higher with extra possibilities, which he may get in Miami in the event that they purchase him.

Backside Line with Jenkins

Miami can be sensible to kick the tires on a Jenkins commerce. There’s a spot for him on its beginning offensive line and including him may ship Jackson again to left guard the place he confirmed improved play down the stretch.

He’s additionally a scheme match because of his pure athletic skill and energy within the operating sport. Even when Jenkins isn’t able to play, he may present depth for a crew that’s leaning on unproven gamers like Robert Jones, Larnel Coleman and Kion Smith as their backup tackles.

None of these gamers have Jenkins’ upside both. Miami shouldn’t surrender a premium asset for Jenkins however buying and selling a day-three decide for a participant along with his potential can be nicely warranted.

The secret’s Jenkins’ well being. If the Dolphins determines his again or one other damage shall be problematic long run, they’ll should look in one other path.

Nonetheless, there is no such thing as a on-field cause to not at the very least name the Bears about Jenkins.