Analyst: Cowboys Could Make Trade for ‘Relentless Pass Rusher’

The Dallas Cowboys might be a good fit for a “relentless pass rusher.”

The Dallas Cowboys might be a good fit for a “relentless pass rusher.”

The Cowboys could trade down in the 2024 NFL Draft to acquire University of Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins Jr., according to Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski. Sobleski views the redshirt junior as a “potential trade-down target,” estimating that Dallas will look to stockpile draft picks after trading fourth, fifth, and sixth-round picks in trades for quarterback Trey Lance, wide receiver Brandin Cooks, and cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Sobleski suggests that the Cowboys consider trading out of the first round to accumulate more draft picks and players. This allows them to select Jenkins with a lower draft pick.

“The described mentality applies to the NFL draft, where the Cowboys will likely be in somewhat of a financial bind after re-signing some of their free agents, with a need to add a more talent and a couple of selections,” Sobleski writes in his article. “A trade out of the first round entirely would help the Cowboys address some of those areas.”

Dallas currently holds the No. 27 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Between Rounds 4 and 6, they have no draft picks.

Jenkins, 22, is the son of former four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins. Jenkins was also named to three All-Pro teams during his career (2002, 2003, and 2008), and he played for the Carolina Panthers and the New York Jets.

Jenkins Jr. has a first-round draft projection from nearly every major sports media outlet, including CBS Sports, Sporting News, Yahoo Sports, Bleacher Report, Pro Football Focus, NBC Sports, and The Athletic, according to Daniel Kelly of First Round Mock.

Jenkins, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 305 pounds, is described by Kelly as a “relentless pass rusher.” However, he observes that Jenkins frequently fails to finish the deal with sacks.

“In today’s pass-happy NFL, it’s all about getting pressure and sacks for defensive linemen, and those who show they can do a lot of both, end up as first-round prospects,” Kelly said on Nov. 17. “Jenkins is a relentless pass rusher who draws a lot of double-teams because he’s so active, but he’s not always closing the deal.” Jenkins has 3.5 sacks in 23 games played in 2022 and 2023. He had two sacks last season and has 1.5 this year.”

Jenkins Jr. has only seven career sacks in two full seasons as a starter. While the size and talent are undeniably present, the production is lacking. Not only does Kelly point out that those aren’t first-round numbers, but he also mentions that Jenkins lacks the “explosiveness” required to produce a high number of sacks.

While Kelly criticizes Jenkins for his lack of pass-rushing production, he emphasizes how effective he is as a run-stopper.

“Jenkins brings more to the party as a run defender than a pass rusher,” Kelly said. “Some guys are just in it for the thrill of getting to the quarterback, but Jenkins isn’t one of them.” This Michigan defensive tackle is obsessed with stopping the run. In fact, his 31 run stops in 2022 tied for the most among FBS defensive tackles, according to Pro Football Focus.”

The Cowboys have a number of notable free agents on their roster, including defensive tackles Johnathan Hankins and Neville Gallimore. If you’re the Cowboys, trading down to get more draft picks while selecting Jenkins with a lower pick — assuming he’s still available — might not be a bad idea.