UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks is set to join the Minnesota Vikings after being taken with the No. 45 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Kendricks' selection makes it two years in a row that a Bruins linebacker was taken by the Vikings (Anthony Barr was drafted ninth overall by Minnesota in 2014).
NFL Draft results 2015: Eric Kendricks goes to Vikings at No. 45
The Vikings took Eric Kendricks in the second round of the NFL Draft.
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An undersized prospect, Kendricks nevertheless developed into a playmaker for the UCLA defense. As a senior, he earned second-team AP All-American honors along with the Butkus Award as the top linebacker in the nation. The three previous winners of the award -- Alabama's C.J. Mosley, Notre Dame's Manti Te'o and Boston College's Luke Kuechly -- all became starters in the NFL.
A smooth athlete, Kendricks can cover a wide range of space in the middle of the field. He can effectively cover receivers when asked to, though he’s better when attacking the line of scrimmage. Kendricks possesses keen instincts and can quickly diagnose plays and react.
At the same time, his size does present some concerns. At 6’0, 232 pounds, Kendricks could prove a liability against the run. Teams with power runners could target Kendricks and attempt to run through him for bigger gains. It’s unclear how much weight Kendricks can add to his frame without sacrificing speed and performance.
Kendricks’ combine scores suggest that he can transition to the NFL. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.61 seconds, had a 38” vertical leap and registered 124” in the broad jump. He added a 4.17 second 20-yard short shuttle and 7.16 3-cone drill at his pro day.
Kendricks was a three-year starter at UCLA. He racked up 480 total tackles for his career, 26 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. He intercepted five passes, returning one for a touchdown as a senior. Kendricks also forced three fumbles and recovered three. Two were returned for touchdowns his sophomore year.
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