NFL Draft: Teven Jenkins Getting First-Round Buzz as Draft Night Nears

A couple of weeks ago, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. released his mock draft 1.0, predicting that OSU tackle Teven Jenkins would be taken No. 20 overall in the upcoming NFL Draft.

That would make him the first Cowboys to go in Round 1 since Justin Gilbert back in 2014 and the first OSU offensive lineman to do so since Russell Okung when sixth overall in 2010.

As it turns out, Kiper’s not the only talking head that’s tabbing Jenkins as a first round pick, and he’s not the only one predicting he’ll go No. 20 to Chicago.

I found four other mock drafts that projected Jenkins to land in the Windy City at No. 20. Here’s what they had to say.

CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso:

Jenkins is a mauler with the nuanced game in pass protection because of his balance and powerful upper body. [CBS Sports]

Yahoo Sports’ Eric Edholm:

Jenkins might be best-served as a right tackle, even though he’s played the left side before. The Bears shouldn’t plan on Germain Ifedi or Bobby Massie starting at that spot in 2021. Jenkins’ lumberjack toughness and decent flexibility would be a nice addition up front. [Yahoo Sports]

Pro Football Network’s Matt Williamson:

The Bears are unlikely to find their quarterback of the future with the 20th pick, so let’s assume that they have a veteran in place at this point. Well, whoever is quarterbacking this team will need more help up front. Teven Jenkins fits this team very well. [Pro Football Network]

NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein:

Jenkins is a rock-steady tackle with experience on both sides of the line, though he’ll likely line up at right tackle in the NFL. He plays with a nasty demeanor and has excellent hand and core strength. [NFL.com]

Other OSU Projections

Here are some other mock drafts and where they project Jenkins and a handful of his former teammates going come Draft Night on April 29.

NFL.com

No. 30: Teven Jenkins (Buffalo Bills)
No. 91 Tylan Wallace (Cleveland Browns)

Tough crowd! Zierlien’s colleague, Chad Reuter put out a three-round mock draft and also as has Teven Jenkins going in the first round, but at No. 30 overall to Buffalo Bills.

Tackles Daryl Williams and Ty Nsekhe are free agents, so the Bills might need a new right tackle like Jenkins to improve their ability to rush the ball and protect budding star Josh Allen. [NFL.com]

Reuter also has Tylan Wallace going in the third round to the Cleveland Browns. On the bright side, we get to see plenty of Cleveland games in Oklahoma.

Elite Sports NY

No. 24: Teven Jenkins (Pittsburgh Steelers)
No. 89: Rodarius Williams (Cleveland Browns)
No. 94: Tylan Wallace (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
No. 122: Chuba Hubbard (Tennessee Titans)

Teven Jenkins is the first Cowboy off the board according the Elite Sports NY’s four-round mock. The All-Big 12 tackle going 24th overall and a reunion with Mason Rudolph and James Washington (?)

Has Rodarius Williams reuniting with his brother Greedy Williams in Cleveland’s secondary in the third round and what about Tylan Wallace catching passes from Tom Brady next season (?).

The site has Chuba Hubbard going to Tennessee to join Derrick Henry in the Titans’ backfield. That could be a lethal thunder-and-lightning duo.