Packers draft OL Elgton Jenkins with 44th overall pick of 2019 NFL Draft

One day after doubling up on defensive players in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers finally added to their offense in round two on Friday. After passing on a number of offensive linemen in round one, the Packers made offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins the 44th overall pick.

Jenkins played multiple positions at Mississippi State, finishing his career with two years at center after starting games at left tackle, right tackle, and left guard. However, former Packers receiver James Lofton, who announced the pick, called him a guard at the podium. He will immediately jump into the competition for the Packers’ starting right guard position, and could contribute elsewhere as well.

This pick marks the highest that the Packers have drafted a college interior lineman in years — at least going back to before Ted Thompson’s tenure as the Packers’ GM. However, Jenkins’ versatility — a hallmark of the early players in this year’s Packers draft class — and his movement skills and size help make the pick make sense.

Jenkins measured in at 6-foot-4 1/2 and 310 pounds at the 2019 NFL Combine in Indy, and has arms that measure 34 inches, a great number for an interior lineman. Although he did not run the 40-yard dash there, he did post good agility numbers, with a 7.77-second time in the 3-cone drill and a very good 4.62-second short shuttle. That combined to give him an RAS over 9 at center, a number that should dip only slightly at guard.

Stay tuned for more reactions to the pick.