Eric Kendricks named First-Team All-Pro at linebacker

For the second time in three years, a member of the Minnesota Vikings that was deemed unworthy of a spot on the Pro Bowl roster has been named a First-Team All-Pro by the Associated Press.

Linebacker Eric Kendricks, who has had a pretty damn incredible season for the Vikings in 2019, was selected as one of the three linebackers on this year’s All-Pro Team. He was joined by Bobby Wagner of the Seahawks and Luke Kuechly of the Panthers.

Kendricks was the Vikings’ second round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft out of UCLA, and in his fifth year in the league has put together his best season. Though he missed the final game and a half of the season, he still managed to tie for the lead among NFL linebackers in passes defended and was outstanding in coverage and run support for Minnesota this year. You could make a pretty convincing argument that he was the best defender on the Vikings’ roster this season, which is no small feat given that he’s teammates with guys like Danielle Hunter and Harrison Smith.

Speaking of Hunter and Smith, neither of them were named to the All-Pro Team. Not the first team, not the second team, not at all. Those two, along with running back Dalvin Cook, were named to the Pro Bowl for the Vikings a couple of weeks ago.

Congratulations to Eric Kendricks on finally getting his due, being named a First-Team NFL All-Pro!