1. Kyler Fackrell, Utah State
Experience: Senior
Height/Weight: 6-5/245
Projected Round: 3rd-4th
2015 Stats: 82 tackles; 15 tackles for loss; 5 sacks; 2 forced fumbles; 5 fumble recoveries (lead nation); 12 quarterback hurries (school-record)
An All-Mountain West player, Kyler Fackrell’s name may be too familiar for Colorado State Ram’s fans. Playing against CSU in 2015, Fackrell had a career-high three tackles for loss and a school record six quarterback hurries. Fackrell not only brings this high ability and production into the NFL, but a fairly high ceiling as well.
CSU wasn’t the only team that Fackrell had success against. In fact, Fackrell won all-conference honors his first two years at Utah State before becoming an All-Mountain West player his senior season.
In his junior year, he tore his ACL in the season opener and missed the rest of the season. This injury has some scouts worried, but after having an extremely successful senior season, this is not much of a concern.
Fackrell has many favorable assets including his size, length, athleticism, up-field burst and ball skills. In coverage, Fackrell uses his footwork and awareness to cover a lot of ground in a short period of time, all while keeping an eye on the quarterback.
Playing quarterback, wide receiver, basketball and volleyball in high school, Fackrell is extremely athletic and he uses this ability well in getting to the quarterback. Even though he is 6-5, Fackrell can slide by offensive lineman by dipping under them. While only having five sacks his senior year, he can get after the quarterback, but the defensive play calling had him dropping into coverage a high percentage of the time.
Just as with every player in the draft, Fackrell can improve on a few traits before having an impact in the NFL. While his height is not an issue most of the time, occasionally lineman will get under him and be able to control him. He can work on his strength right off the line and his initial hand play.
With the ability and potential that Fackrell possess, he could certainly develop into an impact player in this league sitting behind, and learning from Miller, Ray, Barrett and Ware. The third round may be too early to get another outside linebacker for the Broncos, but if he falls, he could be a great pick up for years to come.
