The Cincinnati Bengals have said much about the defensive tackle depth chart this offseason with how they have navigated free agency and the trade market.
With the blockbuster trade for Dexter Lawrence and signing Jonathan Allen, a few lessons became apparent in a hurry:
- BJ Hill needs help
- Recent draft picks Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson haven’t developed quickly enough
Add everything up, and perhaps someone like Jenkins could be on the trade block over the summer.
It’s an idea raised by Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton recently when suggesting the Bengals trade Jenkins for a late-round 2027 draft pick.
“In his 2024 rookie campaign, Jenkins showed some flashes, recording 31 tackles (three for loss) and three sacks,” Moton wrote. “Still only 24, the third-year pro has room for growth if he sees the field in a decent role.”
The Bengals won’t complain if Jenkins shows flashes this summer and starts to get closer to living up to his second-round draft investment.
But there are only so many roster spots to go around on the interior of the line. Lawrence, Allen, Hill and TJ Slaton are likely locks. They may only keep five, if that, and someone like late-round pick Landon Robinson might be able to push for it. Defensive ends being able to kick inside and help on the interior makes things harder to project, too.
Obviously, the best-case scenario is Jenkins starts to boom and deepens the rotation. But the Bengals have said plenty through their actions about the position this offseason.
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Kris Jenkins trade idea might solve some Bengals problems
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