2014 NFL Draft Profile: Kyle Fuller, CB Virginia Tech
By Adam Carlson
Oct 5, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies cornerback Kyle Fuller (17) celebrates with safety Kyshoen Jarrett (34) after making an interception in the fourth quarter. The Hokies defeated the Tar Heels 27-17 at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
There are few cornerbacks in this year’s draft as physical as Virginia Tech’s Kyle Fuller. He may lack the build and muscles of other corners, but he more than makes up for it with a fearless attitude and aggressive nature.
Standing 6′ tall and weighing in at 190 pounds, his frame isn’t very intimidating. However, when he puts on a football helmet, he becomes a force to be reckoned with. The team that drafts him may want him to bulk up, and that is something that his frame would easily allow.
His experience on defense is fairly amazing, too. He has played outside corner, nickel corner, safety, linebacker, and special teams. He seems to have the knowledge and preparation to fit nearly any scheme in any position that they want to have him play. Fuller isn’t going to lead the league in interceptions, but he is a physical cornerback who will be a starter at the NFL level.
A sports hernia injury kept him from participating in the Senior Bowl and he had surgery to repair it. This is his only really serious injury as a college player.
Here are his statistics over 4 years at Virginia Tech:
Feb 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Virginia Tech defensive back Kyle Fuller speaks to the media during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
46 games played
129 solo tackles
173 total tackles
4.5 sacks
6 interceptions
32 passes defended
4 forced fumbles
Strengths
- Plays bigger than he is
- Anticipates plays well
- Good at mirroring wideouts
- Effective blitzer
Weaknesses
- Lacks elite speed
- Uses hands too much
- Can be overly aggressive
- Improvises a lot
Fit For The Vikings
Minnesota is looking for a cornerback to start opposite Xavier Rhodes in new head coach Mike Zimmer’s defense.
My Take
Kyle Fuller could be the physical type of cornerback that the Vikings are looking for in this year’s draft. He would add a third super-physical player to the secondary (Rhodes, Smith). If he is available with Minnesota’s second pick, he has to be considered.