Minnesota Vikings: Week 7 stock risers
By Luke Sims
Oct 18, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks (54) celebrates after a sack against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first quarter at TCF Bank Stadium. The Vikings won 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
3) Eric Kendricks, linebacker, Minnesota Vikings
Eric Kendricks is coming on strong for the Minnesota Vikings and Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions game was another continuation of that.
Week 7 saw Kendricks put together six tackles (three for a loss) and two sacks. He’s the team’s leading tackler and while he didn’t top the stat sheet for the Vikings against the Lions, he was still particularly impressive.
The defense has never been a major liability for the Vikings and rookies like Kendricks show that the defense won’t let up in the foreseeable future.
With some strong plays against the run, Kendricks once again showed that he can stuff plays and limit the ability of the opposition to make plays. He had some excellent penetration and managed to flash in coverage despite an underwhelming coverage performance overall. Kendricks seems to really have the run game down, and that is important, but his coverage must improve.
Pro Football Focus had Kendricks targeted four times against the Lions. The receivers caught the ball every time, resulting in 67 yards and the fifth-highest yards per reception for inside linebackers at 16.8.
The coverage concerns are a continuation of his season performance. PFF has Kendricks allowing 88 percent of passes thrown his way to be completed (ninth highest in the NFL among inside linebackers) so far this season and 11.1 yards per reception (16th).
Despite coverage remaining a concern, Kendricks has looked good for the Vikings. His Week 7 performance was a continuation of that. Overall, it was impressive to see him fly to the ball and stop the offense. He’s a rookie and he can grow and so far the signs point upward, including being up for another rookie of the week award.
Next: A do-it all veteran keeps the top plays coming