Linebacker Eric Kendricks is an interesting player to analyze.
His basic stats don’t pop out, but the analytics show he’s a key player on the defense. Pro Football Focus said he was the Vikings’ most-improved player this year.
PFF gave Kendricks a 90 rating when it came to pass coverage as a linebacker, in addition to awarding him most-improved Minnesota player for the 2019-20 season.
Kendricks had more pass deflections this year (12) than last year (7) and, according to PFF. He forced a total of 14 incompletions, which was first among linebackers.
The Scouting Academy recently broke down Kendricks’ level of play.
Dan Hatman, the director of The Scouting Academy, alongside Damian Mincey, a coach at the University of Albany, broke down Kendricks here:
Here are just some of the points from the video:
- Kendrick’s ability to get leverage with his body
- His ability to shoot gaps and get in the backfield
- Staying with the ball
- Recognizing that it’s a pass on play-action
- His ability to get down hill
- His smarts
- His ability to understand his position on the defense
