The Cincinnati Bengals double-dipped at defensive tackle in 2024 with the selection of Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson in rounds two and three respectively. They both saw significant playing time last season after the defense was decimated by injuries. Although Jenkins played sooner, Jackson was the one who came on stronger with some fantastic play as the season came to an end. The front office and coaching staff led by new defensive coordinator Al Golden are expecting big things from this duo. With the orange and black continuing to rebuild their defensive line in free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, both should get increased snaps. Let’s take a closer look at McKinnley Jackson.
Cincinnati Bengals Player Profile: McKinnley Jackson
College Career
The Bengals loved Jackson coming out of Texas A&M and his size, measurables, and Relative Athletic Score (RAS) are eerily similar to DJ Reader. Jackson had a solid career with the Aggies and as a senior, he started all 12 games at defensive tackle and finished the season with 27 tackles, 5.5 for loss, and 3.0 sacks. He was also a team captain and one of the most consistent performers on the defensive side of the ball.
After being drafted by Cincinnati, Jackson was very open about his strengths and what sets him apart and noted, “Being McKinnley Jackson. Being a great team leader, a great person, a great player — just helping everyone get to where we wanted to go — and being accountable, being a leader on and off the field. Whatever I could — do everything right and try to help everyone at the same time.”
2024 Season
The consistency that was evident in college started to shine late in the season for Jackson as he started coming into his own in stripes. He showed impressive power and a quick initial first step that seemed to surprise some offensive guards.
Good play young fella. He routinely beats them guards pulling to make plays. McKinnley Jackson. pic.twitter.com/kMlex5t3mt
— Divine_thoughts (@Devine_thought) January 5, 2025
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Pro Football Focus was also a fan of the late surge from Jackson as he scored an impressive 76.9 in his last three games of 2024. The sophomore season is usually the one where players make the biggest jump as the game begins to slow down. Jackson should only be better in this campaign as his confidence will continue to grow.
New Faces
Golden and new Bengals defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery will certainly bring in fresh faces along the defensive line this offseason. This draft class is deep and loaded with talent all along the DL. The solid play of Jenkins and Jackson will help them sleep better at night but more help is needed if Cincinnati is going to get back to the top of the AFC North. At a minimum, both will be trusted rotational players to help keep the line fresh for the entire game. It’s expected that both will want way more, and that’s music to the ears of all Bengaldom.
Main Photo: Kevin Wexler-NorthJersey.com-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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