Look Out for Eric Kendricks’ Return to Form 

after Week 17
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports.

A second-round draft pick in 2015, Eric Kendricks has risen through the ranks to the very top of the game.

The pinnacle was achieving First-Team All-Pro back in 2019 when he had a wonderful season. Unfortunately, injury troubles in 2020 spilled into the 2021 season, which consequently turned out to be a very disappointing season by the high standard Kendricks had set. He wasn’t helped by injuries across the whole defense and a general drop in standard of the quality of the defense. As they head into their first season, the defensive unit was the key area of focus for Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell.

With the ranks suitably bolstered and hopefully a clean bill of health, look for a Kendricks’ return to form.

The system will be tweaked under new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell. For the first time, there will be no Mike Zimmer calling plays or Anthony Barr around, who Kendricks has played next to going back to college at UCLA. A succession of injuries to Barr often left Kendricks holding the fort with average teammates. Barr is still a free agent, and returning to Minnesota seems unlikely. Add to that Danielle Hunter’s injuries and the problems the Vikings had on the edge accordingly — plus a struggling secondary — and it has been a rough couple of years for the Vikings defense.

The moves the Vikings have made this season cause optimism. On paper at least, the defense looks a lot better. If key players can stay healthy, young players progress, and the rookies work out, the Vikings could be back to having a fearsome defense. The same sentiment can be echoed for the linebackers unit, where PFF sees the Vikings as a top 5 unit.

One of the first moves the new regime in Minnesota made was to sign Jordan Hicks, a veteran of seven seasons in the league. A consistent player at middle linebacker who racks up the tackles, he is the perfect partner for Kendricks to patrol the middle of the field.

Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.

The Vikings also have an exciting prospect in third-round rookie Brian Asamoah. His sideline-to-sideline speed is already generating excitement and bringing national recognition as a rookie standout. With two veterans to learn behind, he is in a great position. Should injuries occur to Kendricks or Hicks, Asamoah should step in seamlessly.

Blake Lynch showed that he could do a job when required last season, so the linebacker unit looks in good shape heading into this season. Because of that, there should be less pressure on Kendricks to carry the Vikings defense this season, and if he can stay fully healthy this year, I would look out for a Kendricks’ return to form.

At 30 years old, can he return to the All-Pro form of 2019 when PFF gave him an elite grade of 90.1?Obviously, that would take some doing and might be slightly optimistic. Returning to one of the best linebackers in the league is certainly possible and something I believe will happen, playing in a much improved Vikings defense.

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