A Kris Jenkins Rumor

[sportscurmudgeon]

When Kris Jenkins is healthy, he's one of the top 5 DTs in the NFL. He is so significantly better than any of the DTs on the current roster that it's not funny. In fact, I think he may be better than any DT the Skins have had for this entire milennium. Maybe the last DT the Skins had who was equal to Jenkins was Dave Butz?

The problem is that he has spent a lot of time on the sidelines with injuries. So, if the Skins were to sign him - and he will cost way more than a league minimum with incentives to get him signed - the whole thing could go south with another injury. Or, the Skins interior defensive line could get significantly better overnight if he stays in the lineup...

Alan Branch might become a premier DT in the NFL. Or he could become "Dan Wilkinson" who was also projected to be a monster on the DL for whomever was lucky enough to get him. That never quite materialized, did it?

Someone said the defensive line's major problem was age. I don't agree. I admit the defensive line is old, but more importantly, the defensive line is lacking in physical talent. That's harsh, I know. But what team in the league would trade their four defensive line starters for Carter, Griffen, Daniels and Salavea even up? Surely none of the teams in the playoffs... Yeah, I know these are great guys who fight their guts out every week, but the fact is that they don't get the job done most of the time.

Would I sign Kris Jenkins? Probably not at the price he would cost if he were out there on the free agent market. And to inherit his current contract, you'd have to trade for him and the price to acquire an All-Pro DT would not be cheap. He'd be a significant upgrade, but I think I'd have to pass on the opportunity.