Saturday, April 30, 2016

Vikings Select Linebacker Kentrell Brothers in Fifth Round

Photo Courtesy of Missourian
The Minnesota Vikings stayed busy on day three of the NFL Draft, selecting linebacker Kentrell Brothers out of Missouri in the fifth round. 


Updated: April 30th, 2016 2:50pm

By: Daniel House


The Minnesota Vikings stayed busy on day three of the NFL Draft, selecting linebacker Kentrell Brothers out of Missouri in the fifth round. 

Brothers, an All-SEC First Team honoree, put together one of the best seasons by a Missouri linebacker in program history as he finished the regular season leading the nation in tackling (152) and became the first Tiger under Gary Pinkel to post seven consecutive games with 10+ tackles, doing so in the final seven games of the season.

Brothers has started 40 straight games over the last three seasons and is a very durable player. He is extremely instinctive and tallied back-to-back 120+ tackle seasons in the SEC. 

Brothers attributes his tackling ability and on-field awareness to the amount of film he watched during his time at Missouri.

"Film I think is one of the most underrated tools being used in football. I think film is what set me apart from a lot of players," said Brothers.

He primarily played weakside linebacker at Missouri, but kicked to the middle in nickel situations. He could be moved around in the Vikings' defensive scheme. It is possible Eric Kendricks could shift to the weakside and Brothers could move inside too. Brothers himself isn't concerned where he plays.

"Wherever they put me, I'm excited to go out and compete for a spot," explained Brothers.  

Vikings Director of College Scouting Jamaal Stephenson talked with the media after the selection and stressed that Brothers could be a very solid asset on special teams as well.

"He's a very good special teamer, he had three blocked kicks this year. We're very excited about adding him," Stephenson said.

When asked about his three career blocked kicks, Kentrell Brothers says it's all about determination.

"Blocking field goals and punts is really all determination," stated Brothers.

Stephenson also indicated that the team likes his nose for the football and playmaking ability. 

"It's not hard to like him when you turn on the tape. He makes a lot of plays, he had over 150 tackles this year," explained Stephenson.

Adding another linebacker gives the Vikings move flexibility in that position group. Not to mention, Brothers is another playmaker on the defensive side of the ball that can contribute on special teams. He adds more depth to another key position group the Vikings are trying to develop for the 2016 season. 

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