Kyler Fackrell NFL Draft 2016: Scouting Report, Grade for Packers Rookie

POSITIVES

A height/weight/length prospect with instant-impact traits, Kyler Fackrell has the skill set to play stand-up linebacker, rush defensive end or a hybrid between the two. Mentally, there is nothing Fackrell can’t handle on the field. Coaches at Utah State raved to us at the Senior Bowl about his preparation habits and leadership on and off the field.

He’s all about football.

A former high school quarterback, Fackrell has quickness and speed for his frame. He’s a long strider with tree-trunk legs and uses hard-charging upfield burst to get into the backfield and make plays. Underused in college, Fackrell was often asked to drop into coverage instead of using his length and athleticism to force quarterbacks into mistakes.

As a run defender, Fackrell is long and brings a big tackle radius, and he uses his length well to stack and shed at the point of attack. He’s a work in progress, but he has enough three-down tools as a run defender, pass-rusher and coverage backer to see the field early as a 4-3 outside linebacker.

NEGATIVES

Watching Fackrell in person during the week of Senior Bowl practices, the product didn’t match the hype. He’s a tall, stiff player with no core or hip flexibility. When asked to chase running backs or cover tight ends, he lacks twitch and is a labored, heavy mover. Fackrell’s film is better, but it’s tough to ignore how below-average he looked in Mobile.

A 25-year-old rookie after serving an LDS mission and missing the 2014 season with an ACL injury, Fackrell was a man among boys on Saturdays. His big, long frame limits him athletically, and when coupled with poor reaction time, Fackrell struggles to be on time to the ball.

The final question with Fackrell will be about his impact against the level of competition at Utah State. He disappeared at times and did the same during Senior Bowl practices when he was overshadowed by the top-tier competition. Fackrell flashed for the Aggies, but he wasn’t a consistent playmaker in a role that should have had him around the ball nonstop.

COMBINE RESULTS

Height: 6'3"

Weight: 235 lbs.

40 Time: 4.75s

3-Cone: 7.14s

Short Shuttle: 4.89s

PRO COMPARISON: Trent Murphy, Washington
FINAL GRADE: 5.75/9.00 (Round 3-4—Backup Caliber)