VT’s Rookie of the Year: Eric Kendricks
Vikings Territory asked, and the readers spoke; in this series of articles, the team will announce the winners of our fan-voted awards, from the Minnesota Vikings’ MVP of 2015 to the Special Teams Player of the Year. Today, a look at the Rookie of the Year, as voted by you, the fans.
Eric Kendricks, LB — Minnesota Vikings
For players in the NFL, success requires exceptional talent, smart coaching, and a little bit of luck. In linebacker Eric Kendricks, the Minnesota Vikings got all three.
The talent was evident this season, as Kendricks started 11 of 14 games for the Vikings and was the first rookie to lead the team in tackles (105) since 1961. The fact that he was coached by Mike Zimmer is an added bonus; the 37-year coaching veteran is renowned as one of the league’s best defensive minds. And the Vikings were lucky to land Kendricks in the second round (45th-overall) of the 2015 NFL Draft.
The elder of the linebacker corps, Chad Greenway, exuded praise for Kendricks early in the season, complimenting the rookie’s talent, development, and potential, per Lindsey Young:
[quote_box_center]“He’s done a really good job of pushing his ego aside and wanting to learn new things, and he’s continued to take strides week in and week out,” Greenway said. “He’s a great kid, he wants to be good, and he’s a great teammate. He fits into the group, and we’re all about trying to be as good of a linebacker group as we can be, making as many plays as we can. He’s done a good job of stepping up and making good plays.”[/quote_box_center]
After recovering fully from a nagging rib injury, Kendricks played some of his best football late in the year. From Week 14 to Week 17, he finished with at least six tackles per game. And against the Seattle Seahawks, he played a key role in coverage, defending two passes down the field. Sports Illustrated analyst Andy Benoit reviewed that game film and came away impressed:
https://twitter.com/Andy_Benoit/status/687028977102229504
Kendricks finished with 57.43 percent of the vote (174 votes), handily beating runner-up Stefon Diggs by 75 votes. Defensive end Danielle Hunter and right tackle T.J. Clemmings finished third and fourth respectively, while cornerback Trae Waynes and tight end MyCole Pruitt finished with zero votes.
In addition to leading the team in tackles, Kendricks also had four sacks, with two of those coming against the Lions in Week 7. He’s a balanced player with a bright future in the NFL, whether he plays in the middle or eventually replaces Greenway on the outside.
Congratulations, Eric!