Arizona Cardinals Draft Preview: Eric Kendricks
By Scott Allen
A look at Arizona Cardinals draft prospect ILB Eric Kendricks
Linebacker Eric Kendricks from UCLA is one of the top 10 draft prospects that has been linked to the Arizona Cardinals in mock drafts and football experts. Kendricks is the linebacker most associated with the Cardinals going with should they go that route in the first round.
Kendricks was the Butkus Award winner in 2014. He not only led UCLA in tackles but had the most tackles any Bruins player had since 1978 last year. He averaged 10.7 tackles per game. He had two sacks and three interceptions last season.
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Three people who think the Cardinals will take Kendricks:
Newnfldraft.com, Eric Edholm Yahoosports.com, thesportsbank.net
Strengths: Can play sideline to sideline, good tackler, awareness, ability to change directions
Weaknesses: Weight, not as effective in blitzes
What Twitter says:
24th pick of #RattyMock, the Cardinals select Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA. @NFLPanthersSB and Carolina are on the clock.
— Michael Oliver (@moliverNFL) April 18, 2015
UCLA's Eric Kendricks among NFL draft's top linebacker prospects http://t.co/JjnySQ8Ycy
— Morey Schapira (@NFL_FootballFan) April 17, 2015
UCLA's Eric Kendricks should be among #NFLDraft's top inside LBs (via @ByGaryMihoces): http://t.co/j3xaEwY13C pic.twitter.com/n0Rbj5KYSf
— USA TODAY NFL (@usatodaynfl) April 17, 2015
My scouting report on UCLA LB Eric Kendricks. Great LB instincts and quickly processes visual information. pic.twitter.com/6xLEcFx0YJ
— Jordan Plocher (@PFF_Jordan) April 16, 2015
UCLA LB Eric Kendricks keeping busy with pre-draft visits --> http://t.co/I9yETcy8Gs #PathtotheDraft #DraftWinds pic.twitter.com/PuQnXsnxpY
— NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) April 10, 2015
My prediction is Kendricks will end up in the first round but not with the Cardinals. He was my original pick and I’ve seen a couple of local media folks change their picks recently from Eric Kendricks to another player. He has all the upside in the world but it’ll be a matter of who is available still at 24 for the Cardinals. If the running backs they want are gone then Kendricks very well could be the guy.