Derion Kendrick

Career StatsC

Year	Team	GP	INT	PD	Tkl
Career		47	3	19	102
2025		15	2	5	10
2023		17	1	10	49
2022		15

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Derion Kendrick's Contract Value Index lands at C+, putting the deal in a defined slice of comparable signings. At $1.315M on a one-year rookie scale contract, Kendrick is being compensated as a depth cornerback—which aligns cleanly with his production and career arc as a third-year player out of the 2022 sixth-round class. His 2025 season saw him log 10 tackles and 2 interceptions across 15 games, modest counting stats that underscore a rotational role rather than a featured starter. The C performance grade reflects that middling production, though the B- sentiment grade indicates the market still values his 18 games of starting experience and two national championships from Georgia as legitimate depth insurance. At cornerback, a $1.315M AAV is appropriate for a reliable rotational piece who can compete for nickel snaps without demanding premium dollars—he's neither overpaid nor a bargain, but fairly slotted given his modest film and modest role. The one-year structure carries zero long-term cap risk and allows both player and team maximum flexibility heading into a crowded secondary market. Kendrick represents smart incremental depth-building with no dead-cap anchor.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Derion's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Derion Kendrick is a four-year veteran cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams navigating a critical juncture in his NFL career. Once a consistent contributor across 47 games, Kendrick has settled into a reserve role with inconsistent production and declining trajectory. His current season grade of D represents a sharp downturn from prior seasons, signaling concerns about his long-term viability at the position. Kendrick's interception rate stands above league average at 0.13 per game versus the NFL mean of 0.10, suggesting he remains opportunistic in coverage. However, his pass deflection rate of 0.33 per game matches the league average without reaching elite thresholds, while his tackle production at 0.67 per game falls well below the NFL standard of 2.31. This discrepancy suggests Kendrick is often in position but failing to complete plays, a red flag for a defensive back in today's assignment-heavy schemes. The downward trend from a C-range grade two seasons ago to his current D marking indicates deteriorating performance rather than a single bad week. Whether age-related decline, scheme fit, or competition for snaps has contributed remains unclear, but the pattern demands attention. For Kendrick to reverse course, he'll need to demonstrate improved tackle efficiency and consistency in coverage during the offseason and preseason evaluations.

How Derion Compares at the Position

Derion Kendrick ranks 114th of 272 graded cornerbacks by performance. That slots Derion between C.j. Henderson (C) just ahead and Maxwell Hairston (C) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

Dallas adds proven cornerback depth with Kendrick's signing, addressing secondary concerns credibly. Five headlines emphasize his rare youth-experience blend and 18-game starting pedigree positively. The starter-level experience distinguishes this from typical depth signings, signaling genuine upgrade intent. Fans view this as solid cornerback reinforcement without major financial commitment or risk. Cowboys gain reliable veteran competition while maintaining cap flexibility for 2026 roster building.