3. Eric Kendricks, Minnesota Vikings
Run defense might be a dying art in the modern NFL, but it is hard to find a better linebacker at stopping the run in today’s game than Eric Kendricks. Last season was another stellar campaign for the Minnesota Vikings’ LB, as he tallied a career-high 93 tackles, and 42 “stops.” He also contributed as a pass rusher, adding 17 total quarterback pressures and a career-high mark of 15 quarterback hurries.
Where he took a big step forward, however, is in coverage. Kendricks was targeted 73 times in coverage last season, and allowed just 39 receptions, a reception rate of just 53.4%. While he allowed a pair of touchdowns, he also notched an interception and a career-high 13 pass breakups. Opposing passers had an NFL passer rating of just 74.8 when targeting Kendricks last season, which was his best mark since entering the NFL.
Watch what he does here on this interception of Jimmy Garoppolo from the Divisional Round:
Eric Kendricks has been incredible in coverage this season, reads Jimmy G. like a Dr. Seuss book on the INT. pic.twitter.com/5WddMkbvJb
— Austin Gayle (@PFF_AustinGayle) January 11, 2020
This is textbook underneath defense from the linebacker.
The Vikings’ defense was very solid in 2019, and as we have seen they have a talented pair of safeties behind him in Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith. But Kendricks is a standout defender in his own right, and should be a huge part of Minnesota’s defense in the season ahead.