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NFL Draft Scouting report: Kyler Fackrell, OLB, Utah State

Former Utah State defensive end and outside linebacker prospect Kyler Fackrell is profiled and evaluated for the 2016 NFL Draft.

Kyler Fackrell – Utah State Aggies

Position: Outside Linebacker

Height: 6’5’’

Weight: 245

Year: Senior

Hometown: Mesa, AZ

Experience: Sr. – 4 year starter

 

Measurables:

40 yard: 4.72

Broad jump: 121 inches

Vertical: 34.5 inches

3-cone: ---

20yd. Shuttle: ---

Bench Press: 15 reps

 

Career Notes:

As an outside linebacker/defensive end hybrid, Fackrell primarily rushed from a two-point stance in Utah State’s rush backer role, but he also spent time with his hand in the dirt in a three-point stance in passing situations—similar to how the Packers have used Julius Peppers or Nick Perry in their defensive front.

In 2012, Fackrell started all 13 games as a redshirt freshman, earning first-team All-WAC honors and finishing second on his team in interceptions with three. The Arizona native then gained national recognition with an impressive sophomore campaign the following year, leading his team in tackles for loss (13) and finishing second in sacks with five. Following his second collegiate year, many believed Fackrell could be a potential first-rounder once he declared for the draft.

However, Fackrell’s draft stock took a major hit in 2014, when his junior season was ended early with a torn ACL in the first game of the season. Fackrell managed to bounce back this past season and put together a solid senior campaign. He finished second on the team in tackles (82) and led the Aggies in tackles for loss (15) and quarterback hurries (13), while also recording four sacks.

 

Injury Report:

Fackrell only played in one game in 2014, losing a majority of his junior season to a season-ending knee injury (ACL). He did fully recover and return in 2015 as a senior, looking like the same player who put together an impressive sophomore campaign.

 

Career Stats:

 

Analysis:

Against the Run: 4.5/5.0

Fackrell sets a hard edge against the run, doing a good job extending his arms into the offensive lineman’s chest and preventing the blocker from controlling him at the point of attack. He plays with good functional strength and leverage, holding his ground while taking on blocks and then disengaging with the offensive lineman to make a play on the ball. Fackrell rarely gets hung up on blocks, using his long arms and 80-inch. wingspan to maintain separation.

Fackrell anticipates the run well, demonstrating an ability to read and diagnose run progressions, while not overcommitting himself upfield and allowing cutback lanes. He also plays hard on every snap and will battle through every block to get to the ball carrier.  He can crash down on the edge and force the run in another direction, or burst off the line and track the back down from behind. Overall, Fackrell is a very stout run defender that can make plays in pursuit or take on backs head-on.

Pass Rush: 4.5/5.0

Fackrell has a nice blend of power and finesse as an edge rusher. He utilizes an array of pass rush moves--whether it’s a bull rush, spin, rip and dip, or swim move—Fackrell finds a way to get after the quarterback. However, when Fackrell is at his best, he uses his quick burst off the line and then dips his shoulder to bend the corner to beat his man with speed. He plays with violent, active hands, which allow him to swat away blockers and keep lineman from stopping him dead in his tracks.

Fackrell’s non-stop motor also really aids him as a pass rusher. He’ll play hard well into the fourth quarter, even if his team is down multiple scores and the game is well out of reach. The former Aggie’s relentless pursuit enables him to generate some second-chance pressures. It also allows him to overpower opponents late in the game after he’s worn them down. He’ll strike off the ball, and with extended arms drive the blocker back on his heels, collapsing the pocket. This is when his bull rush is the most effective.

Coverage: 3.0/5.0

Considering how effective Fackrell was as a pass rusher, it’s a bit surprising just how often Utah State asked him to drop in coverage. This is clearly the weakest aspect to his game. He can be too stiff in space, showing poor change of direction ability. He’s primarily a downhill player. He plays too upright when dropping back in coverage, demonstrating poor technique. He’ll fall for double moves when matched up one-on-one with a tight end or running back, or he’ll be a step slow getting out to the flat to cover his man. Fackrell still tries hard in coverage and will make the stop if he gets his hands on the ball carrier, but he doesn’t possess the elite athleticism and agility to stay step-for-step with his man out in space. This has to be a major concern for teams looking to draft him as a 3-4 outside linebacker.

Agility: 3.5/5.0

As a pass rusher, Fackrell shows good agility and bend off the edge. He’s quick off the snap and demonstrates good footwork to work around blocks. However, out in space Fackrell looks rigid and doesn’t move laterally or backpedal all that well. He has straight-line speed and short-area burst, but he doesn’t possess the stop-and-go acceleration needed to play off-the-ball linebacker effectively.  He can look a little lost out in space. This limits him primarily to an edge rusher role in the NFL. However, he still has plenty of burst and quickness to crash the edge or make plays in pursuit as a weakside rush backer.

Impact Play Ability: 4.0/5.0

Fackrell has the complete skillset as an edge rusher at the next level. However, one area he could improve on is finishing plays. His 13 hurries as a senior were tremendous—he consistently generated pressure and wreaked havoc for opposing quarterbacks—but several of these hurries could have easily been sacks if he did a better job wrapping up the quarterback and bringing him to the turf. Fackrell’s explosive ability and high motor often put him in position to make plenty of plays,  but only four sacks as a senior shows he still has some room to grow before he’s a true impact player at the next level.

Summary: Overall, Fackrell seems like a natural fit as an outside rush backer in a 3-4 defense. He doesn’t quite possess the fluid movement out in space or coverage ability needed to excel as a 4-3 outside linebacker, and he’s also undersized as a defensive end in the NFL. However, Fackrell’s tremendous burst and power off the edge make him an asset to any team looking to add another dynamic pass rusher to their defense. His ability to hold the point of attack against the run should also help him see playing time early on in the NFL. In the right system, Fackrell could make an immediate impact as a rookie.

Overall Grade: 3.9/5.0

 

If drafted by the Packers:

Fackrell is just the kind of player the Green Bay Packers defense needs. He’s a young pass rusher, who possesses the complete skillset to excel as rush backer in their system. His experience lining up in a two-point stance and playing on the edge would make him feel at home as an outside linebacker in Green Bay’s 3-4 front.

With the potential loss of Nick Perry and Mike Neal, the Packers outside linebacker position has suddenly appeared thin. On top of this, Julius Peppers will most likely retire soon, and even if Clay Matthews moves back outside next season, Green Bay will want to have plenty of pass rushers to rotate in and give Peppers and Matthews some rest. Peppers is no longer 25, and Matthews has been overworked and appears worn down late in the season.

As a rookie, Fackrell could be a situational pass rusher for the Packers, occasionally spelling Peppers on the strongside or holding down one of the edge rusher spots in Green Bay’s dime package when they use Peppers as an interior rusher. Fackrell can collapse the pocket and provide some much-needed pressure off the edge. Green Bay can never have enough pass rushers, and with the potential loss of Perry and Neal, they’ll want to re-stock the position this offseason.

Fackrell may not come cheap, however. They’ll most likely need to spend a second or third-round pick on the former Utah State standout. He could be well worth it though. He has all of the potential to be a true impact player in the NFL with some time to develop. He could even be the Packers’ future at the position after Peppers retires. He would definitely be a nice complement to Matthews someday, which would provide the Packers with two relentless pass rushers to bookend their front seven.

 

Video:

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Comments (3)

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TarynsEyes's picture

March 03, 2016 at 04:28 pm

Grab this guy as soon as possible as IMO he will be the steal of the draft for any team in need of an outside linebacker. What he lacks pass cover can be coached up but his other abilities offsets that by a large margin. I have already pounced for this guy weeks before the combine. : )

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Thegreatreynoldo's picture

March 04, 2016 at 09:43 am

I see this name on mocks a lot. He will turn 25 yrs. old during his rookie year. Looked stiffer in coverage in this game than I remember. I like him in the 3rd, but it most likely will take a 2nd rd. pick, which seems a bit rich to me.

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Philip Okkerse's picture

April 29, 2016 at 11:00 pm

I believe he will be great for the Packers. Looking forward to seeing him play

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