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- Mar 19, 2019
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Kendricks, Harris earn praise from PFF
A pair of key players on the 2019 Vikings defense recently earned some praise from the analytics website Pro Football Focus.
Eric Kendricks was named as PFF's top overall linebacker, while Harris was listed as the biggest surprise at his position.
PFF wrote that Kendricks should be in the running for the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year after a stellar season that landed him First-Team All-Pro honors.
Kendricks quite literally did it all for Minnesota in 2019. He led all linebackers in overall grade thanks to his efforts in coverage, run defense and sure tackling. He missed nine of 121 total tackle attempts, while allowing no catch longer than 32 yards and making 36 total stops this year. He recorded 12 pass breakups and added 17 total pressures when he blitzed. It was an all-around dominant year.
Kendricks recorded 130 tackles in 2019 (according to coaches' stats), marking the fifth straight season he has led the team in tackles. Kendricks also recorded 12 passes defensed, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 0.5 sacks.
PFF also liked what it saw from Harris, who turned in his second strong season in a row.
Harris' performance this year didn't come as too much of a surprise after he earned an excellent 89.0 overall grade on limited snaps last year. However, over the offseason, the NFL was less enthused, as Harris signed a one-year deal to stay with Minnesota. All he's done for an encore is not allow a single touchdown in his coverage. He picked off seven passes and recorded five pass breakups on 18 targets.
Harris tied for the league-lead with six interceptions in 2019 and has nine picks in the past two seasons. He also had a forced fumble and 11 passes defensed in 2019.
He joined the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2015 and has blossomed. Harris has started 31 games for the Vikings, including 23 in the past two seasons.