When you think of dominant players for the Carolina Panthers, Kris Jenkins is one of the first that comes to mind. Jenkins, a defensive tackle was selected in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He played with the Panthers through the 2007 season. Jenkins appeared in 85 games during his tenure in Carolina. Jenkins measured in at 6-foot-4 and 360 pounds, and oh by the way, he had athleticism. Jenkins played the defensive tackle position as well as anyone who has played it for the Panthers.
Jenkins played in all 16 games his rookie season, starting in 11 of those games. He finished that season with 34 combined tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 2.0 sacks. It was 2002 that saw him truly become a beast for Carolina’s defense. Jenkins earned AP All-Pro honors as well as making his first Pro Bowl. He finished that season with 44 combined tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 7.0 sacks.
2003 was his best season in a Panthers uniform. He was part of the glue that held that team together. One of his most memorable moments came against Tampa Bay when he blocked two kicks to help Carolina win the game. Jenkins blocked a field goal by Martin Gramatica and with the game tied he was able to block an extra point. This was the first time an extra point was blocked to send a game into overtime. The Panthers later won in the extra session. All of this was just the appetizer to what would end in a Super Bowl birth for Jenkins and Carolina. Although the Panthers would not hoist the Lombardi Trophy, Jenkins had an amazing season. Earning a second AP All-Pro honor as well as his second Pro Bowl nod and first as a starter, Jenkins finished the season with 46 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 5.0 sacks.
2004 and 2005 would both end prematurely due to injuries. In the second game of 2004 Jenkins suffered a shoulder injury that cost him all but four games that season. 2005 was worse as he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in the opening game. Jenkins ended both seasons on injured reserve.
2006 saw the return of a healthy Kris Jenkins, as well as a return to form. He was back to his old self, racking up 41 tackles, 4 tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks. This earned Jenkins his third Pro-Bowl nomination, and last as a Panther. During 2007, Jenkins continued to make plays as he had a steady season with 38 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, to go with 2.5 sacks. This would be his last in Carolina blue.
The Panthers would trade Jenkins before the 2008 season to the New York Jets for a third-round and a fifth-round pick. He was a total mismatch for most offensive lines. He combined with Mike Rucker and Julius Peppers to give offenses headaches every Sunday. There is a chance that Derrick Brown moves past Jenkins on this list in the next couple of years, but number 77 will always be remembered for his strength, athleticism, and motor that never stopped.
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