ILB Eric Kendricks

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I'm just starting to browse prospects. The draft is later in the year and with FA in full swing my attention has been elsewhere.

Anyway I have come to respect NFLDraftscout's rankings ability to point out where to start looking. They have this guy at 35 overall. Walter football had him being picked at 24 though so who knows if he will be available.

I don't see last years top LB, Moseley, as being much better than this guy. Moseley has better size and is better taking on guards. Kendricks is limited by short arms. Kendricks has better speed and agility than Moseley and out in space where money is made in the NFL Kendricks is one of the better prospects that I have seen.

He ran a 4.6 on a bad hamstring and declined agility tests but watching him on the field. He sees routes very well and his ability to swing his hips allows him to come back on hi-lo and side to side combinations. Very high football IQ that watches multiple routes and anticipates the angles QBs want to throw through. Does need to anticipate the receiver turning upfield when he turns to look for the ball better.

He is only 6' but wide and plays with a natural squat. Does not look or play small. Does a good job playing with leverage. Will engulf and overturn ball carriers. Good decision making wading through traffic, uses his speed to flank plays outside and avoid OG trying to cut or hook him. Will not shy from contact when committed. Base gives him a low strike. Good balance through contact.

I need to see more but I would much rather have this guy over his teammate.

 

[AsthmaField]

Like you said, I'd rather have him that his team mate.... by far. I really like Kendricks a lot.

 

[RS12]

Would love to have him on the team, and he is a three down player. Can defend the pass which is a huge plus. Add that you cant count on Sean Lee.

 

[theogt]

The fact that he had a pretty darn good line in front of him (good talent and well coached), that kept him clean and able to run to the ball carrier, makes me hesitant about him in the late first, particularly if we plan on bringing back McClain.

 

[BAT]

The fact that he had a pretty darn good line in front of him (good talent and well coached), that kept him clean and able to run to the ball carrier, makes me hesitant about him in the late first, particularly if we plan on bringing back McClain.

I agree about UCLA DL keeping him clean, but Kendricks has fantastic instincts and arrives to the ball with hostile intentions so I believe he will be a very good pro, especially for a coach like Marinelli. However, he may still have to transition to OLB at next level. Love his suddenness and physicality. Plays much faster than his timed speed because he rarely hesitates once he's diagnosed the play. Great value in the 2nd.

But if you are advocating for Kendrick's over OO in the first, then I disagree. OO should be taken before Kendricks.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

The fact that he had a pretty darn good line in front of him (good talent and well coached), that kept him clean and able to run to the ball carrier, makes me hesitant about him in the late first, particularly if we plan on bringing back McClain.

I can respect that but those coverage skills aren't necessarily dependent on that. Some of the stupid throws he cashed in on certainly but still. He plays in space like Sean Lee but is more athletic and rangy.

 

[theogt]

I agree about UCLA DL keeping him clean, but Kendricks has fantastic instincts and arrives to the ball with hostile intentions so I believe he will be a very good pro, especially for a coach like Marinelli. However, he may still have to transition to OLB at next level. Love his suddenness and physicality. Plays much faster than his timed speed because he rarely hesitates once he's diagnosed the play. Great value in the 2nd.

I can respect that but those coverage skills aren't necessarily dependent on that. Some of the stupid throws he cashed in on certainly but still. He plays in space like Sean Lee but is more athletic and rangy.

I don't disagree at all.

In the end, there is a ton of good talent in the late first/early second. It'll be hard for us to screw this one up, I think. We could go LB, DE, DT, or even RB (if one of the two elite backs are there). I haven't even started focusing on corners/safeties yet, but apparently there are some worthy of pick 27 as well. That said, we'll probably draft a TE.

 

[CATCH17]

He looks like a player to me but I'd rather sign back McClain then use a first on a ILB.

 

[Sasquatch]

But if you are advocating for Kendrick's over OO in the first, then I disagree. OO should be taken before Kendricks.

Kenricks is a nice prospect, and I would love to add some speed to the D, but between the two OO would be my pick as well.

 

[CATCH17]

Kenricks is a nice prospect, and I would love to add some speed to the D, but between the two OO would be my pick as well.

OO is going to be sick.

 

[AzorAhai]

I've been seeing him steadily rise up mock drafts. Lately most of them have him in the late teens.

 

[btcutter]

OO is going to be sick.

He maybe (OO) but he's a project where as Kendrick is plug and play.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

I've been seeing him steadily rise up mock drafts. Lately most of them have him in the late teens.

It will be interesting to see where he settles in at. He didn't run at his pro day and never did agility drills at all. He's had a hamstring problem for awhile. Is UCLA juicing or something?

 

[AzorAhai]

It will be interesting to see where he settles in at. He didn't run at his pro day and never did agility drills at all. He's had a hamstring problem for awhile. Is UCLA juicing or something?

Thats actually pretty funny that you say that. I was reading an old article a few days about steroids in college and UCLA was mentioned about how a player needed 3 positive tests before a suspension. Heres a piece of the article.

"When faced with such immense emphasis on outcome and performance, many NFL players use PEDs and, according to Allen Barra of The Atlantic, the league has never really cared. For student athletes, especially football players, this sets future expectations inhumanly high, and they react. An investigation by the Associated Press found rampant steroid use among NCAA athletes, and minimal enforcement. What’s more, drug policies differ by school, with Duke being on the strict end, suspending players for one year after a positive test. Compare this to UCLA, where athletes can fail three tests before facing suspension. This means players must decide between uncertain futures: one without PEDs, in which they may be outcompeted by artificially enhanced opponents, or one with PEDs, in which they may lose their ability to play because of their home school’s sanctions."

I wouldn't assume they are juicing, but with the leniency they show, they aren't deterring it either.

Heres the rest of the article if interested.
http://www.dukechronicle.com/articles/2013/03/05/steroids-ncaa-and-human-expectations#.VQ-uSGJOnFp

 

[Nirvana]

2nd round grade. The film on him does not blow me away. He was out of position on some plays, unable to shed blocks on others, and his pass coverage was sub-par on others including giving up a TD. I like his fire and tenacity though and see the talent. Bit undersized. Don't think it would be wise to reach for him in the 1st. We've got Hitchens, Lee, Brinkley and hopefully Ro for MLB.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I wouldn't mind Kendricks. Good 3 down prospect and MLB is a prime position in thus defense

 

[Gaede]

Big fan. Would be good with him at 27

 

[ghst187]

Like you said, I'd rather have him that his team mate.... by far. I really like Kendricks a lot.

Agree totally I just don't want to spend 27 on a LB unless it's Beasley

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

This is a guy that would really make me happy in the draft. Dallas has battled injury and inconsistency these last few years with the linebackers. Their interest in Shazier last season shows they have no issues in pulling the trigger on a first round pick at the position. Getting out of the "plug and pray" linebacking roulette wheel we have been in and having a few solid young players like this guy and Hitchens would really make this team better all around.

 

[Macnalty]

IMO I think Eddie Goldman/ OO/ or Gurley if available makes for a better team at 27. I would be looking to trade down if these guys are gone not much just enough to ensure Preston Smith. Now in the second rd he would be at the top of my list.