Bears CB Kyle Fuller Making His Case for Defensive ROY with Stellar Play

Kyle Fuller is making sure we all know his name.

The Chicago Bears’ 2014 first-round draft pick is taking the league by storm, game by game, interception after interception, forced fumble after forced fumble.

The 14th overall pick out of Virginia Tech is credited with three interceptions and three forced fumbles this season.

Fuller’s success through the first six games of the season is unexpected, though, as it likely wouldn't have happened this quickly if Charles “Peanut” Tillman didn't suffer a season-ending injury in the Bears’ Week 2 win over the San Francisco 49ers.

Fuller started the season as the Bears’ nickel cornerback, entering the game when the opposition went into pass formation. Fuller played the left side; Tim Jennings played the slot; and Tillman played the right side.

But when the Bears lost Tillman, Fuller was thrust into the spotlight, no longer having time to adjust to the speed of an NFL game. That hardly mattered, though, as Fuller dominated the 49ers for two interceptions.

Fuller’s play against San Francisco is what put him on the national radar and into the conversation for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. After he added another interception and two forced fumbles in the Bears’ Week 3 win over the New York Jets, Fuller became the obvious choice for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month award. The fact that both games were on national television probably didn't hurt, either.

“I think we all saw what Kyle did with his opportunity," defensive end Jared Allen said of Fuller's play against the 49ers, via Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago. "We are going to expect him to play at that level going forward, obviously. But you can really say that his first test was a great one. He passed it.”

The Bears are lucky that Fuller is playing at such a high level so early in his rookie season. You can make an argument that Fuller is the most impactful player on the Bears defense. If not for defensive end Willie Young and his league-leading seven sacks, there likely wouldn't even need to be an argument made for Fuller.

“I really think he’s an up-and-coming rising star,” Tillman said Monday, via Fred Mitchell of the Chicago Tribune. “And so far he has been consistent. One of the things I try to do when I play...or when I was playing...was (to) just be consistent. And so far Kyle has been consistent. That’s all you can ask from a player.”

Despite the big numbers that led to his award, Fuller isn't letting it go to his head. He’s done a great job of taking it all in stride. When asked about the award, Fuller said, via Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times, ‘‘That’s a good honor, but still, I’m just trying to get better every week.’’

Getting better every week is something Fuller is getting really good at, too.

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), of the cornerbacks who have played at least 60 percent of their respective team’s snaps, Fuller is rated as the 15th-best in the NFL.

Digging a bit deeper into PFF's rankings, Fuller is the fifth-best corner in the league in QB rating against on throws where he is the primary coverage, ahead of 2014 Pro Bowl players like Joe Haden of the Cleveland Browns, Brent Grimes of the Atlanta Falcons and Alterraun Verner of the Tennessee Titans.

If the Defensive Rookie of the Year award were handed out today, Fuller wins nine times out of 10, with Baltimore Ravens inside linebacker C.J. Mosley getting some love, too. Mosley is Fuller’s primary competition for the award at this stage. The former Alabama star leads the Ravens defense in snaps played and tackles, and he’s tied for fifth in the NFL in tackles, 17 behind league leader Luke Kuechly, according to PFF.

Mosley isn't the type of player who is going to jump off the stat sheet when it comes to sacking the quarterback, but he has shown a knack for forcing a turnover or two. Mosley is credited with an interception and a forced fumble this season, leading the Ravens defense with the versatility he provides against both the pass and run.

Mosley is rated by Pro Football Focus as the third-best inside linebacker who has played at least 60 percent of his team’s snaps. He’s also the top run-stuffing inside ‘backer in the NFL with 28 defensive stops, which is how many times he is responsible when an offensive play fails.

Earlier this month, Bleacher Report NFL Draft Analyst Matt Miller said Fuller is the leader in the clubhouse for the Defensive ROY award, ahead of guys like Mosley, Oakland Raiders linebacker Khalil Mack and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr.

What is going to win this award for Fuller is his ability to be consistent and versatile at the back end of the Bears defense, matching up against and shutting down whichever receiver defensive coordinator Mel Tucker asks the rookie to shut down.

Fuller already has matched up against some of the best the NFL has to offer—Atlanta's Julio Jones, Carolina's Kelvin Benjamin, Green Bay's Jordy Nelson. Fuller has earned the right to be in the conversation of the best corners in the league. The rookie has been targeted 38 times this season, allowing 20 receptions for 262 yards, one touchdown against and two pass breakups, according to PFF.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

For comparison’s sake, let’s look at Seattle Seahawks corner Richard Sherman, who is widely considered the NFL’s best at his position. Sherman played in all six games this season. He’s been targeted 20 times, allowing 10 receptions for 187 yards, one touchdown against and one pass breakup. Opposing quarterbacks have a rating of 99.4 when Sherman is the primary coverage on the play; where Fuller carries a 50.5 rating on almost twice as many opportunities.

Now, Fuller still has a ways to go before he reaches Sherman’s level of NFL cornerback, where teams will go entire games without throwing in his direction. But the Bears rookie is well on his way to making a name for himself that people won’t forget.

“I make it simple," Fuller told ESPN after the Bears beat the Jets in Week 3, via Bleacher Report. "I just try to go out there and do my job. When it comes to technique and fundamentals, I just let it all come to me.”

It’s funny to think back to before the draft, when there was public outcry for general manager Phil Emery to select a safety with the Bears’ first-round selection. Emery and the Bears passed on both Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Calvin Prior, the two safeties who rated highest on most draft boards, and every other safety in favor of Fuller.

Now just a few months later, Fuller is playing like he’s the most polished player who came out of the 2014 draft, despite having been selected behind 13 other players. Review the list of 13 who went ahead of Fuller, and you’ll have a hard time finding anyone better through this stage of the game.

While he hasn't yet won the award, it’s probably safe to start slowly nudging it in his direction. Who would have thought?