Kendricks found calling

by Eaazeho | 1 year ago | 0 Comments

It's been a long way to get to week 4 for Tony Kendricks, being drafted at wide receiver and then transitioning to the bottom of the depth chart.

After week 1, Lions WR Coach Randle El had nothing to work with, while Erick Reddick and Paul Cherry topped the 5 and 6 spots on the roster. Kendricks had been in the practice squad window for most of the time coming up to week 1, with the weeks leading up to week 2 a rush to find value. Kendricks was drafted for his explosive speed and fast release, with a small frame and a signing of MVS in the offseason Tony had little to do but explore options at receiving back.

Last year Jamaal split snaps with Max Borgi and a mixture of FA running backs, all to no avail with little to no success compared to the passing game. So Detroit had a different idea this season with the new rookie QB. 

Why not start giving Kendricks snaps at HB on passing plays? Ben Johnson gave him a shot for his spot in week 2, and it started strong. On his first game he started with a couple catches out of the backfield, with a large 52yd run during the game to catapult him for 70+yds rushing for his first game. A successful experiment has happened and now with week 3 and 4 behind him he's cemented a spot on the roster as #2 over Borghi and Nwangwu, who have been backups in the reserve on set contracts the Lions don't want to get rid of. 

Kendricks is here to stay and with his explosive speed he is bound to keep playing at an elevated level, something the Lions couldn't have given him at WR.