New York Giants: Devon Kennard primed for big year

By Ryan Disdier | Apr 7, 2015

The New York Giants 2014 rookie class was talked about frequently, thanks largely in part to rookie sensation Odell Beckham Jr. However, there were other talented rookies who were a part of that class. Andre Williams, Weston Richburg and Devon Kennard all enjoyed successful, albeit, quiet rookie seasons. Out of the three aforementioned players, Kennard is the most likely to see a big 2015.

Kennard, 23, was drafted in the fifth round by the Giants out of USC. He was a captain in his final year with the Trojans, which is a quality the Giants look for in rookies.

More from New York Giants

The hard-hitting Kennard made an impact right from the get-go, as he impressed coaches and veterans in training camp and offseason workouts. Kennard was able to see a lot of action during the preseason because of injuries to linebackers Jon Beason and Jameel McClain.

Kennard would eventually sustain a hamstring injury, which forced him to miss three out of the first four games of 2014. One he came back, it took a few games for him to get settled. But once he got comfortable in his outside linebacker role in the defense, Kennard started contributing. Kennard started six straight games before another injury forced him to miss the season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The talented rookie finished the season with 43 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two forced fumbles. Kennard also became the first Giants player to be awarded NFC Defensive Player of the Week Award after recording six tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble in a week 14 victory against the Tennessee Titans.

What makes Kennard so gifted is his high motor and his tenacity. In his first games of the year, Kennard got sucked up field too often and made too many mental errors. By the second Dallas game, though, Kennard was doing a much better job of reading the offensive line and flowing to the ball carrier.

Dec 7, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin leaves the field after his team defeated the Tennessee Titans 36-7 during the second half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Then-defensive coordinator Perry Fewell had Kennard line up as a pass-rushing outside linebacker, and that’s something Kennard could be doing a lot more of in 2015. When head coach Tom Coughlin was asked how he thinks Kennard will be utilized by Steve Spagnuolo, Coughlin gave a swift, efficient, Coughlin-like response.

“A lot,” Coughlin said, according to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com. “If Jon comes back and Jon is healthy and can play, then you have Kennard maybe in a stronger position and rushing the passer more, the whole deal that way. That is going to make you better.”

Ideally, the Giants would like to have Beason back in the middle with J.T. Thomas – Thomas is probably the front-runner to win the starting weak-side linebacker spot, simply due to the fact that he has more experience as a starter than Jonathan Casillas – and Kennard as the outside linebackers.

Spags likely won’t be having Kennard put his hand in the dirt, but it’s very probable Kennard is used frequently on blitz packages. He’s arguably the Giants best pass-rushing linebacker, and making him a usual part of the blitz packages would be invaluable to the Giants defense.

Obviously, Kennard’s role will depend on health. He struggled with injuries in college, and he suffered some minor ones last year, so it remains to be seen whether the former Trojan can stay healthy or not.

The 6-3, 251-pound linebacker isn’t a household name yet, but he has all the talent to because a very good player in the NFL.

Next: New York Giants: Analyzing post-2007 drafts

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/New York Giants