Jan 2, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; UCLA Bruins linebacker Eric Kendricks (6) sacks Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Jake Waters (15) during the first half of the 2015 Alamo Bowl at Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
With the draft just roughly a month away Bear Goggles On will be breaking down a wide range of options for the Chicago Bears 2015 draft. We’ll profile different positions and different rounds where players who might fit with the Bears new management regime.
Eric Kendricks, Inside Linebacker, UCLA
Measurables: 6’0″| 232 pounds
40 yard dash: 4.61
Vertical: 38 inches
Broad Jump: 124 inches
College career: Kendricks had a relatively long college career at UCLA. He played from 2010-2014. He was a second team All-American and a Butkus Award recipient. This award is obviously named after the beloved Bear, and is given to the top linebacker in college football. Kendricks was named defensive MVP of the Alamo Bowl in 2015.
Strengths: Kendricks is very good against the run. According to NFL.com, he diagnoses running plays very well. He makes plays on the ball and has solid speed. Another good thing is that he is always around the ball.
Weaknesses: He is not a great blitzer and he drops his head when making tackles.
Bears fit: NFL.com predicts that he is made for a 4-3 defense, so he does not really fit in the Bears 3-4 scheme. However, he does not have a lot of weaknesses as a player, so I think he would be versatile enough to contribute to the team should the Bears draft him. He has a smart kid with a strong character, which would not hurt him. He also foils Jon Bostic quite well. Bostic has tons of talent, but he lacks a high football IQ; Kendricks is the opposite.
Draft Projection: 2nd or 3rd round
Here is his highlight tape.