Eric Kendricks Continues to Receive High Praise
By Dan Zinski
The Eric Kendricks bandwagon is getting very crowded very fast.
Kendricks’ coaches have been quick to praise the rookie 2nd rounder, but you would sort of expect that. It means a little bit more that media people are also singling out Kendricks for early recognition.
Today the Star-Trib‘s Master Tesfatsion added his voice to the rising pro-Kendricks chorus.
I'd hate to overreact to dudes in shirts & shorts, but it's hard to deny that Eric Kendricks looks like a Week 1 starter. #Vikings
— Master (@MasterTes) June 17, 2015
It's impressive how quickly his instincts have translated when many struggle adjusting to NFL speed from college. https://t.co/NfyyJSHcEd
— Master (@MasterTes) June 17, 2015
I'm not trying to get carried away w/analysis during OTAs/minicamp, but again, hard to deny how good Kendricks looks https://t.co/pWgvt4lanR
— Master (@MasterTes) June 17, 2015
The Vikings have been mixing things up at linebacker so far in OTAs and the first couple days of minicamp, giving Audie Cole some looks at MLB in the base defense, but one thing that’s been consistent? Eric Kendricks lining up at nickel linebacker.
More from Minnesota Vikings News
- Former Vikings first-round pick could reportedly return to NFC North
- Bears analyst has extremely embarrassing Kirk Cousins take
- 6 Vikings who (maybe) won’t make the 53-man roster in 2023
- Predicting what the Vikings will do in the 2023 NFL Draft based on 2022
- Vikings have reportedly begun extension talks with T.J. Hockenson
Kendricks’ speed, instincts and cover skills virtually guarantee that he’ll be one of the two nickel linebackers when the season opens. Anthony Barr, the team’s top pass rushing linebacker, is certain to be the other man in the nickel. And that will leave Chad Greenway on the bench in passing situations.
Though Kendricks certainly has a long way to go in his development as a player, it seems he’s off to a very fast start and will be able to contribute in a big way right away.
If Kendricks’ old UCLA teammate Anthony Barr continues his development, the Vikings will soon have one of the best young linebacker tandems in the NFL. Those guys won’t just be out there holding down spots like the Greenways, Jasper Brinkleys and Erin Hendersons of the world. They’ll be genuine impact players.
Playmaking, athletic linebackers on the Vikings? It could actually happen at last.
Next: Will Vikings make run at Evan Mathis?
More from The Viking Age
- 6 biggest draft steals in Minnesota Vikings history
- Former Vikings first-round pick could reportedly return to NFC North
- Bears analyst has extremely embarrassing Kirk Cousins take
- 6 Vikings who (maybe) won’t make the 53-man roster in 2023
- Predicting what the Vikings will do in the 2023 NFL Draft based on 2022