In the run-up to the draft, we’ll be breaking down all of the players added by the Jets during free agency and in the legal tampering window. We continue today with edge defender Kingsley Enagbare.
The 26-year old Enagbare is listed at 6’4” and 258 pounds and was a fifth round pick out of South Carolina in 2022. Enagbare has started 21 regular season games and two playoff games in his four seasons at the NFL level, and has registered 11.5 sacks.
Background
Enagbare, who is of Nigerian descent, was a four-star
high school recruit, who headed to South Carolina and was a rotational defensive tackle during his freshman season. He ended up with 20 tackles and a sack in 12 games.
Having moved to defensive end, Enagbare’s role increased in his second season. He had 27 tackles, seven tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
In 2020, Enagbare was an all-SEC first team selection after registering 30 tackles and six sacks in just eight games.
He had a career-high 44 tackles in his senior year and added another 4.5 sacks to end his career with 15 sacks and 21 games started.
Having opted to forego his fifth season, Enagbare was viewed by some experts as a potential first round pick in the 2022 draft but he lasted until the fifth round before being selected by the Packers.
He started seven games as a rookie, ending up with 31 tackles and three sacks, then started four more in his second season and had another 37 tackles and two more sacks.
His third season saw him record 39 tackles and a career-best 4.5 sacks as he made another seven starts.
However, last year, he made just two sacks and started just four times, although he did have a career-high nine quarterback hits.
Enagbare was signed by the Jets in free agency on a one-year deal with a reported maximum value of $10 million.
Let’s move onto some more in-depth analysis of what Enagbare brings to the table, based on in-depth research and film study.
Measurables/Athleticism
Enagbare has a decent frame with excellent length and has been developing in terms of his on-field play strength.
His workout numbers were unremarkable as he ran a 4.87 in the 40-yard dash at the combine and failed to improve on that at his pro day. His agility numbers were also below average. His explosiveness numbers were good, though, including a 36.5-inch vertical.
Usage
Enagbare played his first season as a defensive tackle in college but has been an edge defender since then. However, he did line up across from a tackle or in the B-gap sometimes with the Packers.
Motor
Enagbare has been a rotational player throughout his NFL career so far, typically playing between 40-50 percent of the snaps. He did play 60 snaps in one game last year, though, so he could handle a starter’s workload if called upon.
In the trenches, he displays good hustle and effort, along with a relentlessness and desire to get to the quarterback.
Pass rush
Enagbare’s pressure percentages were solid in college but have been less impressive at the NFL level where he has yet to post double-digits in terms of quarterback hits in a season.
He hasn’t been someone who has posted big sack numbers either, with many of the ones he has had coming in clean-up. Nevertheless, he displays a quick get-off coming off the edge.
He also brings good power when rushing, with a lot of his pressure coming from getting upfield on a speed-to-power move and then separating from the blocker to get to the quarterback.
Run defense
Enagbare has been a consistent run defender over the course of his career, with his run defense grades on analytical sites such as Pro Football Focus typically above average. He has typically played more in passing situations, though.
He has shown an ability to set the edge and has some good quickness to beat blockers.
However, he can sometimes be guilty of crashing downhill too aggressively and can also be overpowered at the point of attack at times.
Technique
Enagbare has a variety of pass rush moves that he uses, showcasing good footwork, balance, hand work and an ability to transition from one move to another. He also uses his length well.
One thing he displays is a rare ability to avoid contact both in the running game and pass rush, with quick upper body movements.
His footwork in terms of disguising his rush or getting his man off balance is effective and he changes direction well.
When being blocked he has a good understanding of leverage and an ability to get his man off balance.
Special teams
Enagbare has contributed on special teams at the pro level, rushing kicks, covering kicks and blocking on returns and in punt protection. He has five special teams tackles in his NFL career so far.
However, he has 10 special teams penalties in his career, including five for holding. Perhaps as a result of this, he hasn’t blocked much on the return units over the past few years.
In college, Enagbare didn’t have much of a special teams role, other than rushing kicks, but he did block an extra point in his freshman year.
Tackling
Enagbare hasn’t been a particularly productive tackler and his tackle efficiency could be better as he tends to miss several tackles each year on average.
He had four forced fumbles in his college career and has three at the NFL level.
Coverage
Enagbare is a player who has dropped into coverage a few times per game during his career, albeit typically just into shallow zone assignments. He’s only really been targeted on dump-offs or when he is the nearest defender on screen passes.
He had four passes defensed in college and three in his rookie season, all on passes batted down at the line.
Instincts/Intelligence
Enagbare seems to have good play recognition, as he has blown up a few screen passes during his career.
He can be fooled by misdirection, though, enabling opposing teams to take advantage of his aggressiveness coming downhill.
He has jumped offside eight times at the NFL level.
Attitude/Demeanor
Enagbare is considered to be a mature, no-nonsense competitor, who was voted as a permanent captain by his South Carolina teammates ahead of his final season. He is dedicated in terms of his game preparation and displays good leadership by example.
His on-field discipline hasn’t been too bad with just 19 accepted penalties in his career, several of which were on special teams. He has had five personal fouls, though.
Injuries
Enagbare has been durable with the Packers, as he has played in all 17 games in each of his four pro seasons. At the end of his second season, he actually tore his ACL but was able to rehab it without surgery and was declared a full-go again by May.
In college, he missed two games at the end of the 2020 season and had to get hip surgery at the conclusion of the season. He also dealt with back pain during his college career.
Scheme Fit
Enagbare should fit into the Jets’ rotation on the edge and has the flexibility to be effective in both three and four-man fronts with the Jets expected to use both.
He was a teammate of current Jets Josh Myers, Andrew Beck, Jack Heflin and Marquis Hayes in Green Bay.
Conclusions
Enagbare is viewed around the league as a solid rotational contributor and someone who can be relied upon to fill in as a starter, but is not necessarily considered to be someone with a lot of untapped potential despite showcasing some good technical ability.
The Jets may feel otherwise, and could be hoping for Enagbare to break out with them. However, he was only signed to a one-year deal, so it’s a low-risk move for them, especially since he has been durable and consistent in the past.
