Redskins take Jenkins, trade down again

In another move aimed at upgrading their 31st-ranked defense, the Washington Redskins used the 41st pick of the NFL draft Friday to select Clemson lineman Jarvis Jenkins.

The Redskins also had entered the draft’s second round with the 49th overall pick, but traded back three times to stockpile mid- to late-round draft picks. First they swapped that 49th pick with Indianapolis for the 53rd and 152nd (fifth round) selections, and then sent the 53rd pick to Chicago in exchange for the 62nd and 127th (fourth round) selections.

The Redskins then sent the 62nd pick to Miami and received the Dolphins’ 79th overall pick (a third-rounder), the 146th (a fifth-rounder) and the 217th (a seventh-rounder).

After entering the draft Thursday with a first and second round pick but none in the third and fourth rounds, Washington by virtue of four trades over two nights wound up with picks in every round.

The team was scheduled to use it’s third-rounder later Friday night, and will have ten selections--a fourth-round pick, four fifth-rounders, a sixth-rounder and four seventh-rounders--on the final day of the draft Saturday.

Coach Mike Shanahan said Thursday night that the two second-round picks would give the Redskins flexibility if they wanted to move up in the second round or farther down in the draft to acquire additional picks and increase overall depth. Washington opted for the latter approach; if the team holds on to all those selections, it will have picks in every round for the first time since 1995.

The Redskins’ selection of Jenkins was their second move to bolster their defensive front in as many days. On Friday, they selected Purdue’s Ryan Kerrigan 16th overall to play outside linebacker opposite Brian Orakpo in their 3-4 defense.

The 6-foot-3, 309-pound Jenkins played defensive tackle for the Tigers, but also has the ability to play end in the 3-4 defense, which is where the Redskins plan on using him.

“They told me they run a 3-4 defense under Mike Shanahan, and they told me I’m going to be a two-gap guy, and I can do that: two-gap or three,” Jenkins said. “I can get in and do whatever anybody asks me...I’m all about winning. I’ll sit there on two knees if that’s what they want me to do.”

Describing his strengths, Jenkins said: “I’m more of a run-stopper. I’m physical at the point of attack. I can take double-teams, and I can beat double-teams. I’ve been seeing them all through Clemson. I’ve got to work more on the pass-rush part. ... I’m the kind of guy that does the dirty work.”

A three-year starter for the Tigers, Jenkins recorded 158 tackles (31 for losses, the most in Clemson history). He earned first-team All-ACC honors and was rated by ESPN as one of the top five defensive tackles in the draft. He has been praised for his leadership skills and possesses good quickness and nimble footwork.

Jenkins said he was expecting to be taken behind fellow Clemson lineman Da’Quan Bowers, but the phone rang with Bowers, who has dropped in the draft because of knee problems, still on the board.