Vikings’ Eric Kendricks finishes as PFF’s top-graded LB

Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith finished as the second and third-ranked safeties in the league.

The 2019 NFL regular season is over.

According to Pro Football Focus’ grading system, linebacker Eric Kendricks was the best linebacker in the NFL, finishing with a grade of 90.5, 0.4 points ahead of Saints’ Demario Davis.

A few observations on grades involving Minnesota’s defensive players:

  • Anthony Harris and Harrison Smith finished as the second and third-ranked safeties in the league, respectively, with grades of 90.5 and 89.8.
  • No Vikings cornerback graded in the top-50. Outch. Mackensie Alexander had the highest grade of 65.7, good for 51st in the league. Xavier Rhodes had a grade of 46.4, 118th in the league.
  • Nose tackle Linval Joseph finished with a grade of 71.2, his lowest since the 2014 season.
  • Defensive end Danielle Hunter finished with a grade of 89.4. That was a career-high and eighth among edge rushers in the league. Everson Griffen ranked 25th with a grade of 77.6, a 9.6 increase from last season.