You might not have noticed, but the Minnesota Vikings are getting huge contributions from their deep pool of talented rookies this season. Nowhere was that more evident than this past Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The game saw second-round pick Eric Kendricks make his first career start at middle linebacker, as well as third-rounder Danielle Hunter who was filling in for injured right defensive end Everson Griffen. Fourth-round pick T.J. Clemmings put together a solid day of pass-protection at right tackle, holding his own against pass-rusher Justin Houston who led the league in sacks last year with 22.0. Fifth-round receiver Stefon Diggs has come on strong over the last two weeks and caught seven passes for 129 yards against KC. First-rounder Trae Waynes also looked good trading snaps at left cornerback with 37-year-old Terence Newman.
"All told, the Vikings' rookies played a combined 250 snaps on Sunday against Kansas City - an average of 35.7 per player, or eight more snaps than the league average last week, according to ESPN Stats and Information," Vikings reporter Ben Goessling wrote. "For the season, the Vikings have played their rookies a total of 753 snaps in five games. That's only the 14th-most of any team in the league, but the Vikings also had an early bye, and their rookie snap counts figure to go up as players like Diggs and possibly Waynes take on bigger roles."
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has had to deal with an inconsistent offensive line this season so he hasn't broken out in the way that many predicted. Yet the Vikings are still 3-2 and in solid position in the NFC North. Sophomore linebacker Anthony Barr realizes how important the team's rookies have been.
"It's big for us," Barr said. "You see Stef playing this well on offense, Eric playing well on defense and Trae getting snaps. It's good to get the young guys experience; put them out there, they have some success, build some confidence and just build a swagger about them."
