On paper, the Denver Broncos offensive line looks like could be a top ten unit in the NFL in 2021.

With Garett Bolles coming off a Pro-Bowl season, Dalton Risner and Graham Glasgow holding down the guard positions, and Lloyd Cushenberry III developing at center, the biggest question mark remains at right tackle.

Ja’Wuan James appears to be the leader in the clubhouse to win the job, but having not played in essentially two seasons, due to major injury and COVID-19 respectively, the need to add depth at that position remains present.

One of the young men who could fill this need for the Denver Broncos is Teven Jenkins out of Oklahoma State.

Positives

Jenkins has the ability to play both tackle positions but played the vast majority of his reps in college at right tackle, where he excelled. Playing in the Big 12 conference he matched up with the likes of Joseph Ossai and Ronnie Perkins and performed consistently and at times looked downright dominant.

Standing at 6-foot-6 and weighing in at 320 pounds, Jenkins fits the prototype of a tackle in the NFL and he is a talented athlete who takes advantage of his powerful frame.

Jenkins has fantastic hands which he uses with expertise to win against edge rushers. His hand placement and strength allow him to overcome having, what is considered by talent evaluators, short arms for a pro-level tackle. Even against long-limbed pass rushers, he is able to attack their limbs and reset his blocks with precision.

Momentum is a word that comes to mind when you watch him play because when he gets his hands clamped down on players and his feet are moving, he is the human equivalent of a freight train. More times than not, you can see Jenkins pancake defenders and he can be seen driving them completely out of the play and away from the action.

High in tenacity and work ethic, you hardly see him give up on a play before the whistle blows even if it is not on his area of the field. His game has a level of violence to it that is impressive.

As a run blocker, he shows a willingness and a capability to get his legs churning and get to the next level with speed and relative ease. He is able to gain leverage and seal defenders off, creating lanes and manufacturing space for his offensive playmakers to use to their advantage.

Negatives

The biggest knock on Jenkins will be his arm length, measured at 32 7/8 inches long. This alone has some scouts wondering if he is more suited to be a guard at the next level as opposed to a tackle. Though he didn’t seem to struggle with long-armed edge rushers in the collegiate game, NFL pass rushers are a different breed.

Also, Jenkins’s footwork is a bit choppy at times so if he is beat around the corner there is little chance of him being able to recover.

Lastly, he does not seem to have any elite physical traits. Head-to-head against a number of other offensive linemen in this class, he would fail to “win” any one physical category. He is a nice package of skills overall but he may not blow scouts away with any singlular trait.

Verdict

At pick number nine, Jenkins is not the direction Denver should go. There are some more high-end tackle prospects that may be available that have less uncertainty and more upside that could be available, namely Penei Sewell, Rashawn Slater, and Christian Darrisaw.

In a scenario where the Broncos elect to trade back, selecting Jenkins would be more appropriate. With the question about whether Jenkins is a true offensive tackle present, he may slip down the draft boards making him a premium late Day 1 pick and if Denver was able to nab him in that range, it could be a big win.

Regardless of the outcome, it’s likely Tevin Jenkins will be mauling defenders in the NFL for years to come.

Draft Projection: 1st Round