Kris Jenkins Jr.

Career StatsC+

Year	Team	GP	Sacks	Tkl	TFL
Career		29	4.5	67	8.5
2025		14	1.5	36	2.5
2024		15	3.0	31	6

Updated Jun 6, 2026

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Kris Jenkins Jr. delivered the kind of production that earns a C+ Contract Value Index relative to the DT pay band. At $1.96M AAV on a rookie scale contract, Jenkins carries minimal financial risk for Cincinnati, but the production so far doesn't justify optimism—his 2025 season totals of 36 tackles and 1.5 sacks across 14 games reflect a second-year player who has yet to generate the disruptive interior presence the Bengals hoped for when they selected him in the second round of 2024. Defensive tackles at the NFL level are increasingly valued for their ability to create pressure and collapse pockets consistently, and Jenkins' output suggests he's still searching for that impact level. The sentiment around Jenkins has cooled significantly—he's facing sharp criticism from fans and media about whether his athleticism can translate into sustained NFL production, a narrative that puts real pressure on his third-year trajectory. Cincinnati's recent additions along the defensive line, including signing DT Landon Robinson, signal that the front office isn't waiting passively for Jenkins to develop; they're actively exploring alternatives. As long as Jenkins remains on an affordable rookie deal with minimal guaranteed dollars, the contract itself remains a low-stakes bet, but the clock is ticking for him to demonstrate improvement before he becomes a sunk asset rather than a foundation piece.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Kris's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

How Kris Jenkins Jr. plays at DT earns him a C+ performance grade. The 24-year-old second-year defensive tackle posted 36 tackles and 1.5 sacks across 14 games in the 2025 season, a modest output that reflects inconsistent production along Cincinnati's interior defensive line during a disappointing 6-11 campaign. His tackle total represents his primary statistical strength—adequate volume for a rotational piece—but the sack production underscores a central weakness: an inability to consistently generate pressure up the middle, which media and fan commentary has identified as the core concern limiting his impact. Jenkins appeared in the majority of games despite an ankle injury that landed him on injured reserve, showing durability but not the kind of game-changing snaps that move the needle for a struggling defense. As a second-round pick from 2024 still operating on his rookie scale contract, he remains in the critical developmental window where trajectory matters enormously; the recent headlines framing him as needing "the biggest second year leap" suggest the Bengals organization views 2026 as a prove-it moment, and Cincinnati's recent additions along the defensive line (DT Landon Robinson and DE Cashius Howell among them) signal that the front office is not waiting passively for Jenkins to break out.

How Kris Compares at the Position

Kris Jenkins Jr. ranks 82nd of 216 graded defensive tackles by performance. That slots Kris between Tim Settle Jr. (C+) just ahead and Kyler Baugh (C+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Kris Jenkins Jr. is facing significant scrutiny from fans and media, earning a troubling D- sentiment grade that reflects serious concerns about his early NFL performance with the Cincinnati Bengals. The defensive tackle, who entered the league with modest expectations, has struggled to meet even those lowered benchmarks through his initial professional appearances. Much of the criticism centers around his inability to generate consistent pressure in the interior and questions about whether he possesses the athleticism needed to succeed at the NFL level. Bengals supporters have grown increasingly frustrated with Jenkins' limited impact on a defense that desperately needs playmakers along the defensive line. The harsh sentiment suggests that unless Jenkins shows dramatic improvement quickly, he risks being labeled as a developmental project who may never reach his potential, putting additional pressure on Cincinnati's front office to address their interior defensive line needs through other means.