Minnesota Vikings: Rookies come up big in win over Chiefs

Thus far, Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman has to feel great about his 2015 NFL Draft class. Through five games, a number of his draftees from the past draft have made significant impacts for the team.

Three specific standouts played key roles in the win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. In fact, two of them have been nominated for the Pepsi Rookie of the Week award.

I’ll start with Danielle Hunter, the Vikings’ third round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft out of LSU. After learning Sunday morning that Everson Griffen would be unable to play due to an illness, Hunter was thrust into a starting role for the first time in his career.

Hunter wasn’t anything spectacular filling in for Griffen, but he was pretty darn good. Both against the run and rushing the passer, Hunter held his own against Chiefs left tackle. Also, Hunter forced what proved to be the game-clinching fumble late in the fourth quarter as he knocked the ball out of Charcandrick West’s hands to preserve the Vikings’ 16-10 lead for good. For the afternoon, Hunter registered four total tackles (three solo) and a half sack (his first career half sack). Additionally, Hunter earned a +1.2 grade from PFF in his first career start. Not too shabby.

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Eric Kendricks is another rookie who made some big plays in his first career start for the Vikings. Collin Kottke has already wrote about the great play from Kendricks on Sunday, so I’ll keep this brief. We saw some great things from Kendricks in preseason and in the first four games in a rotational-type role, so his play isn’t terribly surprising to me. However, that doesn’t make it less impressive. I mean, the guy is up for Pepsi Rookie of the Week.

He racked up 10 total tackles, which led the team, and a sack. He showed tremendous instincts and play recognition all game, and it’s a big reason the Chiefs could only muster 57 yards rushing for the day. Lastly, since I mentioned this for Hunter, I’ll throw in Kendricks’ PFF grade. He earned a grade of +2.6 from PFF, which was third on the team behind Sharrif Floyd and Captain Munnerlyn. It’s been said a lot, but it’s just shocking that Kendricks fell to the Vikings to the second round. I definitely won’t complain about it, though.

Lastly, the man who has quickly stolen the show on the offensive side of the ball for the Vikings. Fifth round draft pick and Mr. Mankato award winner Stefon Diggs got his first career start on Sunday as well. Diggs joins Kendricks as the other Vikings nominee for Pepsi Rookie of the Week.

The Teddy Bridgewater to Diggs connection looked as smooth as any quarterback-to-receiver tandem in the NFL, as Bridgewater and Diggs hooked up on seven of nine targets for 129 yards. Diggs’ route-running was the most impressive attribute he displayed, leaving cornerbacks guessing on many occasions. Or, like the video below, leaving cornerbacks without healthy ankles.

Overall, it’s easy for fans (and Rick Spielman) to get excited about this draft class, and especially these three players in particular after Sunday’s game. I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to see what’s in store for these guys the rest of the season and beyond.

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NOTE: You can vote for Kendricks or Diggs for Pepsi Rookie of the Week HERE.

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