Christian Wilkins

[XsandOs]

(Yesterday, 03:06 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Cool thanks J24, if for some reason our young DT's don't work out I would be for Drafting Don Corleone. Good DT for the Bearcats.


As usual, thanks for the common sense post Sunset. Kris Jenkins was thrust around from Linebacker to End to DT at Michigan 
and kicked ass in doing so, but we all know the transfer to the pros is hard for any rookie. Let alone one that was forced into 
action with a broken thumb wearing a club. Jenkins has long arms for a DT and has all the athleticism and strength to be a force 
as a 3-tech.

I think Kris Jenkins is a solid breakout candidate, almost as much as Ossai this year to me who is my #1 vote. I just expect Ossai
to have double digit sacks and maybe even more than Trey this year in Golden's system. We will see.

Nate, everyone is forgetting about Murphy. He was the Shemar of 2023 - athletic freak of an edge. Virtually identical height/weight/wingspan.

He had that preseason MCL injury last year, and started the year on IR. Took him half the season to get healthy. 

I would add him on the list of breakouts this year. With Hubbard gone, I feel Murphy will get some true edge snaps and deliver on the promise. 

Both Jenkins and Murphy have Hill and Ossai in front of them, but I think they both will shine this year. 

I wouldn't be surprised to see Murphy starting by mid-year. 

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(Yesterday, 10:35 PM)XsandOs Wrote: Nate, everyone is forgetting about Murphy. He was the Shemar of 2023 - athletic freak of an edge. Virtually identical height/weight/wingspan.

He had that preseason MCL injury last year, and started the year on IR. Took him half the season to get healthy. 

I would add him on the list of breakouts this year. With Hubbard gone, I feel Murphy will get some true edge snaps and deliver on the promise. 

Both Jenkins and Murphy have Hill and Ossai in front of them, but I think they both will shine this year. 

I wouldn't be surprised to see Murphy starting by mid-year. 

True, I am forgetting about him till he shows me something. I saw some good things from Murphy as a rookie late in his first season but last
year he was slow, bad at stopping the run and pretty much invisible out there. Ossai on the other hand was our second best pass rusher by far
last season and should of started over hobbled Sam. Another reason why I am glad we moved on from most of our Defensive coaches.

[*Synric*]

Ok more context on the Christian Wilkins saga. Apparently Wilkins playfully tried to kiss a teammate on top of his head lol. I guess the other player didn't like that.

Regarding the “incident” involving Christian Wilkins: Per @AdamSchefter, he playfully went to kiss a teammate on the top of his head, and some people have said that player took offense to it.pic.twitter.com/Ed4GdxCpTn

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 28, 2025

[*ochocincos*]

(Yesterday, 01:22 PM)XsandOs Wrote: Murphy was on IR when the season started due to his MCL injury in preseason. Affected his get off even after returning. Ossai and Hubbard got most of the edge snaps and Murphy was also moved inside on obvious passing downs. 

Also, the sophomore slump usually occurs with skill positions (QB, WR, CB, etc) - not D-line. D-line and O-line generally improve, as they adjust to physicality of the game. 

I agree that Hill and Slaton are the starters and will get most of the snaps. Both Jackson and Jenkins will take the next step, and I feel Jenkins will take the bigger leap for the reasons I stated in my first response to you. 

It may be that Jackson outshines Jenkins due to his pass rush repertoire, and I hope Bengals give him that opportunity, instead of just two-gap, zero tech responsibility.

But I am high on Jenkins.  

 

The biggest concern for me with Jenkins was lack of proven pass rush coming out of college.
Many scouting reports mentioned it could limit his role in the NFL.
From the snaps I watched (which may have been less than you), I saw a guy with power and motor, but not overly lateral and getting into the backfield too often when rushing the passer without a straight line to the QB.

I didn't see enough pass rush pressure from him last year to make me think he'll be around 4 sacks, 30+ total pressures, which is about my mark for a solid pass rushing IDL.
He did have 3 sacks but only 11 total pressures.
While I think there will be an improvement on the total pressures, I am not willing to bet we're going to >4 sacks or >25 total pressures.
I predict 3-4 sacks, ~20 total pressures in a year where he will grow some, but not explode onto the scene.
Depending on how he develops this year, I may be willing to project him >4 sacks and >25 total pressures in his 3rd season.

Maybe you have paid closer attention to him than I have though and you'll end up being right.