Mychal Kendricks comes in on the list at number 12. He had a tremendous rookie season last year for the Philadelphia Eagles, and has given fans hope. The linebacker core has struggled over the last few years, but the pick of Kendricks has really paid off. A second round choice out of Cal, Kendricks has the potential to be a major difference maker on this Eagles team next season and beyond.
In his first season in the NFL he showed why the Eagles drafted him, and had to make them feel good about getting him in the second round. Kendricks went on to record 75 total tackles which was third on the team. If he can post those numbers as a rookie, then he clearly has sky high potential. In Kendricks benefit, he got to learn from one of the best Demeco Ryans. Ryans, who is the “quarterback” of the defense took Kendricks under his wing and showed him how to play in the league. Eagles fans should look for him to continue to grow as long as he is playing along side the wise Ryans.
When asked about how he felt during his first season, he said this.
“I felt I did better towards the end as far as comfortability. I learned it’s about what you’re doing on Sundays. It’s all about schemes and knowing your job and making sure you do the best job you can and being able to play fast in those schemes and being able to adjust week to week. Being able to forget from the week before and install a whole new scheme the next week and to get ready for the next game, that’s basically the big learning tool as a rookie.”
Kendricks has confidence and that is key. He knows that this team can be better than last year, and the way he has been speaking lately shows that he has the ability to take over as the leader of the defense at some point. Kendricks ability to read defenses and pick them apart is what sets him apart from his fellow rookies last season, and is also why he will be a star. Fans should expect even better numbers next season, and I would not be surprised if he was in the top two for total tackles. Mychal Kendricks is one of the best defensive players on the birds, and he will be a major contributor this season. He will be a household name for years to come, and will obviously impact the Eagles greatly next year as they look to bounce back.
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