Three members of the Vikings stellar rookie class were honored by the Pro Football Writers of America for their performance during their debut seasons. WR Stefon Diggs, DE Danielle Hunter and LB Eric Kendricks were named to the All-Rookie team earlier today. The three different Vikings players to be honored were second in the NFL in 2015 (Tampa Bay, four players).
Diggs, a fifth-round pick (146th overall), finished second among rookies with 720 yards despite being inactive the first three games. He led the Vikings in both yards and receptions (52) in his first year.
Although he served as a rotational player along the Vikings defensive line, Hunter's 6.0 sacks were the second-highest total among NFL rookies in 2015. The youngest player in the NFL in 2015, Hunter was selected in the third round (88th overall). Hunter appeared in 14 games in his inaugural campaign and finished with 34 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass defensed.
Kendricks started 11 of 14 games played for the Vikings in 2015, leading the team with 105 tackles (80 solo). In his first three starts, Kendricks recorded at least 1.0 sack, setting the Vikings rookie record for most consecutive games with a sack (three). A second-round selection (45th overall), he finished with 105 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and two passes defensed according to coach's stats.
Since General Manager Rick Spielman took total control of Minnesota's draft in 2012, the Vikings have had eight different players named to the All-Rookie team by the PFWA.
ALL-ROOKIE PLAYERS DRAFTED BY VIKINGS SINCE 2012
Matt Kalil, T … 2012
Harrison Smith, S … 2012
Blair Walsh, K … 2012
Cordarrelle Patterson, KR … 2013
Teddy Bridgewater, QB … 2014
Stefon Diggs, WR … 2015
Danielle Hunter, DE … 2015
Eric Kendricks, LB … 2015
