EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. – Rookie linebacker Eric Kendricks said he never ran into the "rookie wall" and ended the season with a lot of unfinished business.

"I still have a lot left in the tank right now," Kendricks said after Minnesota's Wild Card loss to the Seahawks. "I'll just use that as motivation."

The Vikings selected Kendricks 45th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft, and the UCLA alum immediately got to work, playing 14 games during his debut year that included 11 starts. Kendricks made his first career sack on Oct. 4 against Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and set a team rookie record for most consecutive games with a sack (three). Kendricks led Vikings linebackers with 4.0 sacks on the season.

Kendricks recorded 105 tackles (80 solo) on the season, making him the first rookie to lead the team in tackles since the late Rip Hawkins accomplished it in 1961. Kendricks' 105 tackles was also the fourth-most by a rookie in Vikings history.

While Kendricks' stats were certainly impressive, the rookie plans to continue building and improving.

"I thought I did some good things, and I got better as the year went on, but there's a lot we left out there on the field," Kendricks said. "I want to come back next year and complete it."

Kendricks' former UCLA teammate, Anthony Barr, returned for a second successful season with Minnesota. Barr recorded a career-high 12 tackles against San Francisco in Week 1, and he also had a career first against Denver when he intercepted a Manning pass that set up a touchdown for wide receiver Mike Wallace. On Sept. 27, Barr filled the stat sheet against San Diego with six tackles, one sack, one tackle for a loss, one forced fumble and three quarterback pressures. Barr finished the regular season with 80 tackles and was the only linebacker to record forced fumbles (three).

Chad Greenway played a 10th season with the Vikings, and although his role was reduced a bit, the veteran still played a significant factor in Minnesota's defense. Greenway's top play occurred on Sept. 27 against San Diego, when he intercepted a pass and ran it back 91 yards for a touchdown.

Greenway recorded 86 tackles (61 solo), for the fourth-most total stops on the team, and he also made his first-ever start at middle linebacker on Nov. 15.

Vikings Head Coach Mike Zimmer spoke highly of Greenway throughout the season, and he said Greenway's impact especially off the field was undeniable in 2015.

"I love Chad," Zimmer said in his year-end press conference. "I think his leadership is immense in the locker room, especially with a young football team. I think he took active ownership in the role that he had this year, so I hope it works out. He's always going to be one of my kind of guys."

The Vikings retained a healthy trio of starting linebackers for most of the season, leading to fewer snaps by the second- and third-string options.

Audie Cole recovered a muffed punt at San Francisco Week 1, notching his first fumble recovery, and played a combination of defensive and special teams snaps throughout the beginning of the season. He suffered a season-ending ankle injury against St. Louis on Nov. 8.

Brandon Watts stepped in when Cole left with an injury and played 23 defensive snaps the following week as well. Watts finished the regular season with four tackles. The Vikings signed free agent Jason Trusnik on Nov. 10 after placing Cole on IR. Trusnik recorded three tackles on defense against Seattle on Dec. 6.

Rookie Edmond Robinson, selected 232nd overall, was on the active roster for nine games and stepped in when Barr missed two games due to injury. Robinson finished the regular season with nine tackles and a pass defensed.

Robinson, Trusnik and Watts all played mainly on special teams throughout the season.

The chart below includes statistics of the linebackers (tackles and quarterback hurries are coaches' tally):