Browse the rest of the Zone Coverage Draft Guide.

TOP 40 PLAYERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS NEEDS & TARGETS
POSITIONAL TOP 5 RANKINGS & VIDEO BREAKDOWNS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
INMAN: NFC NORTH WORST CASE DRAFT SCENARIOS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL (PODCASTS, VIDEOS, ARTICLES)
INMAN’S MOCK DRAFT COLLECTION

Elgton “Big E” Jenkins brings a lot to the table as one of the top center prospects in the draft – maybe the best. He allowed just three sacks as a four-year contributor in the SEC, playing virtually every spot on the offensive line along the way. He settled in at center, where he won All-American honors at several publications. Was very solid his senior year as a pass-blocker and run-blocker. Didn’t measure at the Combine as well as other centers like Garrett Bradbury and Erik McCoy but could be a successful NFL starter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAq19JcrvR8

Size

6-4, 310 pounds

Combine notables

Bench: 29 reps (T6th at position)
Vertical: 28 inches
Broad jump: 109 inches
3-cone drill: 7.77 seconds
20-yards shuttle: 4.62 seconds

What the analysts say

“Efficient if unexciting prospect with the size, power and length at center to match with a variety of interior challengers across from him. Jenkins has the core strength to handle down and base blocking duties, but he could leave offensive line coaches wanting more if asked to handle challenging blocks in space. His tape against the best SEC’s best teams over his last two seasons indicates an ability to become an effective, early NFL starter.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com

“Jenkins spent time at both right and left tackle along with guard before finding a home at the center position in 2017 and becoming an effective two-year starter. There’s a lot to like about Jenkins in terms of his functional power, football intelligence and body control. With that said, he has severe inconsistencies with his hand usage that must be cleaned up for him to not be exposed at the next level. While its teachable, Jenkins is almost always late and wide with his hands, exposing his frame and forcing him to work overtime to win reps. Despite that deficiency, Jenkins was able to overcome it in college and still be effective.” – Joe Marino, The Draft Network

What PFF says

-10^th in pass-blocking efficiency
-7^th in snaps per inside pressure allowed
-13^th in run-blocking success

—

CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE
ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE

TOP 40 PLAYERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS NEEDS & TARGETS
POSITIONAL TOP 5 RANKINGS & VIDEO BREAKDOWNS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
INMAN: NFC NORTH WORST CASE DRAFT SCENARIOS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL (PODCASTS, VIDEOS, ARTICLES)
INMAN’S MOCK DRAFT COLLECTION

Sam Ekstrom

Sam Ekstrom is an executive producer and host at Locked On Sports Minnesota. He's previously covered the Vikings for 105 The Ticket, Zone Coverage, Purple Insider, and the Associated Press. He grew up in Vermillion, S.D. rooting for the USD Coyotes (not SDSU) and graduated from Dordt (not "dork") University in Sioux Center, Iowa.

All Articles