Derion Kendrick

[Angry Ram]

He's getting pushed into whipping boy territory and I'm not a fan of that. Let's look at what's actually going on.

Derion Kendrick is 23 years old. And he just turned 23 back in August.

He was a 2022 6th round pick. A late one, pick 212 (a comp pick). Dude started some games last year and played well.

This year as full time starter, he's gonna up against opponents #1 (yes I know he's not shadowing all the time)...

DK Metcalf. 47 yards allowed.

Dweebo. 63 yards allowed

JaMarr Chase. 141 yards allowed. On 12 catches.

Michael Pittman. 15 yards allowed.

AJ Brown. 127 yards allowed. His worst game.

Just look at those WRs. These guys are elite physical freak WRs and he's contained them for the most part. Elite WRs are gonna get their yards.

And he's not allowed a passing tud since week 1.

Having said all that, and putting it all together in perspective as a 2nd year late 6th round pick he's not doing all that bad.

Can we let the kid develop before ripping him? Just a thought.

 

[RamFanWA]

Might as well let him develop this year.
We'll wait. We ain't going anywhere.

 

[simonblaze]

I agree, Derion has had his rough moments, especially with penalties but in terms catches and yards allowed, he's been solid.

 

[Corbin]

This has always been a developmental year. The complaints are from those who expected us to be a legit playoff team.

Kendrick has performed well for his draft position for the position he’s been thrust into yes, but I’m sure even he’ll tell you he can and needs to improve.

This is a toss year anyway. Looking forward to next year.

 

[Jacobarch]

The way I look at it is, he's a young player who's trying to find his way in the NFL. He's going to have his bumps and bruises along the way. I look at it more of a scheme deficiency rather than a talent deficiency. Why they would put a small corner on AJ Brown in the redzone singled up on Julio Jones 2.0 (AJ Brown) is beyond my understanding. Also putting Michael H. on a TE is laughable. Again scheme issues.

 

[Kupped]

Solid post.
Reading his description of the plays after the game show he's self-aware... and that means he can keep growing.

He's a competitor and throws his body into run support and is significantly better there than Durant, for sure.

 

[den-the-coach]

I agree, Derion has had his rough moments, especially with penalties but in terms catches and yards allowed, he's been solid.

I echo this sentiment and was very anti Derion prior to the season. Still would like him as a backup not a starter, but to this point the coaching staff trusts him.

 

[OnceARam]

It's the Front Office and Coaching Staff that have turned him into a "whipping boy", not the fans. We, the fans, just react to what we're seeing. The beef should be with the decision makers.

 

[Kupped]

It's the Front Office and Coaching Staff that have turned him into a "whipping boy", not the fans. We, the fans, just react to what we're seeing. The beef should be with the decision makers.

The reaction of fans is to turn him into a whipping boy.

The coaching staff has been nothing but supportive of him.

 

[Ellard80]

he doesn't give up TDS because he tackles the receivers so they cant catch it.

He is a decent player.. but not sure starting material.

 

[ReekofRams]

All he really needs to do is cut down on the penalties and he’ll be fine.

 

[gabriel18]

You can’t play CB with your back to the ball. Good WR will take advantage of it , and any contact with them will draw a flag. Maybe us fans would be more forgiving if he wouldn’t over celebrate a mediocre play , then turn around and give up a big one.

 

[Angry Ram]

The way I look at it is, he's a young player who's trying to find his way in the NFL. He's going to have his bumps and bruises along the way. I look at it more of a scheme deficiency rather than a talent deficiency. Why they would put a small corner on AJ Brown in the redzone singled up on Julio Jones 2.0 (AJ Brown) is beyond my understanding. Also putting Michael H. on a TE is laughable. Again scheme issues.

Derion is listed at 6' and AJ Brown at 6'1"

 

[Angry Ram]

he doesn't give up TDS because he tackles the receivers so they cant catch it.

He is a decent player.. but not sure starting material.

He isn't getting burnt either. That's partially scheme bc they play so far off but still.

I remember Jalen Ramsey getting cooked often and seeing all those pictures of overdone bread.

 

[Angry Ram]

You can’t play CB with your back to the ball. Good WR will take advantage of it , and any contact with them will draw a flag. Maybe us fans would be more forgiving if he wouldn’t over celebrate a mediocre play , then turn around and give up a big one.

He hasn't given up many big ones tho.

 

[Kupped]

With the absolute absence of a pass rush.. we're turning our focus and anger on a DB who's doing a decent job?

Okay.

 

[Jacobarch]

Derion is listed at 6' and AJ Brown at 6'1"

Haha, did they use Derion's Tinder account info? No way that dude is 6'. 5-10 maybe.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

He's a backup playing a starting role. He's slow, makes a lot of bone headed mistakes and doesn't look back for the ball. He's done admirable, I'll give him that. Unfortunately not going to see an upgrade there until next year if we replace him with better talent. I'll leave in a slight hope that he'll develop and get much better since that's always a possibility.

 

[El Chapo Jr]

With the absolute absence of a pass rush.. we're turning our focus and anger on a DB who's doing a decent job?

Okay.

A pass rush would make a lot of secondaries look good. I'd say we need that more than secondary help for sure.

 

[OldSchool]

He's a young CB that was a little bit of a project. Let him grow, let him make his mistakes and let him make his plays. We and he will be better for it in the future. In normal fashion though a lot on this site have given up on him so it's going g to be a long year.