GREEN BAY – It's easy to see just two starts in to his NFL career why the Packers spent a second-round draft pick on offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins.
The rookie from Mississippi State has taken over at left guard and is showing no signs the Packers have to worry about him adjusting to the NFL.
More than a handful of plays from the game against Philadelphia illustrate what the Packers have found, and developed, in Jenkins. Here's a sampling.
Play No. 1: First-and-10 from the Green Bay 11, first quarter, 12:49 left
Result: Completion to RB Jamaal Williams for no gain
Jenkins lets DT Hassan Ridgeway (98) know right from the Packers' opening snap that he came to play. Unfortunately, this is when Williams gets hurt and leaves the game (we stop the clip before the illegal hit), but Jenkins is setting a legal tone of his own early.
Play No. 2: Second-and-8 from the Green Bay 12, first quarter, 6:07 left
Result: 12-yard completion to WR Davante Adams
This is straightforward one-on-one pass protection at its most basic, and Jenkins shows both his balance and strength against DT Akeem Spence (66). Initially, Jenkins' feet slip, but he very quickly stops Spence's bull rush in its tracks and his man never gets close to QB Aaron Rodgers.
Play No. 3: First-and-10 from the Green Bay 33, first quarter, 4:55 left
Result: 11-yard completion to Adams
Here's a run-pass option, and even though Rodgers decides not to hand the ball off to RB Aaron Jones (33) moving to his left, Jenkins gets plenty of movement on Spence with a slight assist from C Corey Linsley (63). The Packers pick up another first down through the air to Adams, but had Jones run it, there was a good chance of a successful play, too.
Play No. 4: Second-and-7 from the Philadelphia 12, second quarter, 14:15 left
Result: Incomplete pass
Once again, Jenkins' pass protection vs. Spence is exemplary, and he maintains the block long enough for Rodgers to slip out of the pocket. Unfortunately, the throw for Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the end zone is just a tad high.
Play No. 5: First-and-10 from the Philadelphia 21, second quarter, 9:56 left
Result: 4-yard run by Jones
Check out this for movement in the run game, and watch Jenkins all the way through the end of the play on Spence. That's called finishing a block.
Play No. 6: Second-and-10 from the Green Bay 28, third quarter, 6:44 left
Result: 14-yard scramble by Rodgers
Jenkins is beat initially on this play by Ridgeway, but his recovery is quick and efficient. While Rodgers' fancy footwork turns this into a big gain, Jenkins' presence to stick with the play aids Rodgers' escape, and LT David Bakhtiari's pancake block on DE Derek Barnett (96) helps as well.
Play No. 7: First-and-10 from the Green Bay 44, fourth quarter, 12:48 left
Result: 14-yard completion to Jones
Jenkins shows his abilities in space as well, getting out into the flat to throw the first block on the screen pass. He takes out LB Zach Brown (52) to give Jones room to turn it upfield.
