Eric Kendricks

The Chargers in recent years have struggled to find a play-making middle linebacker despite investing considerable resources into the position. The former Vikings stalwart might just be the solution. Kendricks wasn't quite the turnover creator that he had been in past Pro Bowl campaigns with the Vikings, but he did tally 137 tackles and one sack across a career-high 1,051 snaps, and he should be an important defensive leader for a team that has struggled with mental gaffes in the past. Expect Kendricks to be among the league leaders in tackles provided he's able to stay healthy.

With the arrival of DC Ed Donatell, the Vikings are expected to use more 3-4 looks, with Kendricks lining up next to Jordan Hicks as the inside linebackers. The scheme change shouldn’t hurt Kendricks, especially not as an IDP. His IDP utility surged the last two years as the Vikings defense declined – drives were extended for reasons outside Kendricks’ control, and he had to make more tackles as a result.

Until last year, Kendricks was always a better real-life LB than an IDP, sending offenses back to the sideline before they could run up his tackle count with extended drives. In 2020, though, the Vikings defense declined, and Kendricks had to clean up the resulting mess. That allowed him to race to 107 tackles in just 11 games — just three tackles less than what he posted in 15 games in 2019. Kendricks probably won't maintain his 160-tackle pace from last year, but the Minnesota defense is still on a general decline, which should leave Kendricks busy.

Kendricks put forth his fourth straight season of 100-plus tackles and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2019. The 28-year-old totaled 110 tackles (70 solo), two forced fumbles, 12 passes defended and a half sack while sitting out one game. The overall quality of Minnesota's defense somewhat limits his ceiling from being a high-level IDP option, but Kendricks is as consistent as they come and more of the same figures to be on tap for 2020.

Kendricks missed the final two games of the 2018 season with a hamstring injury, but the 27-year-old still managed to record his third straight season with 100-plus tackles. Pushed against the cap, the Vikings still were forced to restructure Kendricks contract, backloading the five-year $50 million contract signed last season to provide more space for their rookie contracts. It's quite possible Kendricks still has room to grow in terms of becoming an elite inside linebacker, but the current player is still very good in his own right, capable of playing all three downs due to his above average coverage skills and also able to lay the lumber in the gaps.

The fact that Kendricks plays for a ferocious Minnesota defense that gets off the field quickly and features intense competition for tackles when it's on the field limits his IDP utility, but his top-shelf skills give him a high floor, and you can't rule out the chance of a breakout IDP season. Instinctive and fast, Kendricks previously hinted at pass-rushing upside (four sacks in 763 snaps as a rookie), and his coverage skills are better than his two career interceptions imply. Kendricks is an odd case in that what we've seen so far from him might be the worst-case scenario, yet he's been very good.

Kendricks missed one game with a concussion and was knocked out early in another with a hip injury, which deflated an output that was otherwise subtly impressive. After making 109 stops on just 869 snaps, Kendricks can push for the 130-tackle range if he approaches 1,000 plays. Instinctive and athletic, Kendricks has upside in coverage that he hasn't shown yet, but he's already been a better blitzer than expected, totaling 6.5 sacks in 29 games. Playing on a Minnesota defense with a loaded front seven, Kendricks is in a favorable setting for a breakout.

Kendricks looks like one of the league's top young LBs after a promising rookie year in which he had 92 tackles (72 solo) while playing 763 defensive snaps, pushing aside a pair of veterans in Chad Greenway and Gerald Hodges to earn his three-down role. Now fully locked in as Minnesota's lead 'backer, Kendricks should breeze past triple-digit tackles, and his combination of speed and instincts makes him a candidate to break out as an interception threat. Kendricks already appears adept as a pass rusher, as his four sacks are a great number for his limited play count.

The 45th overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, Kendricks should replace Jasper Brinkley (who departed in free agency) as the starting middle linebacker Minnesota in 2015. Kendricks is an undersized linebacker at 6-foot, 232 pounds, and he's not likely to establish a disruptive presence in the NFL, but Kendricks has the excellent instincts and range necessary to play a sideline-to-sideline role.