2018 NFL Draft: 5 sleepers in the class
By Joe Romano
Kylie Fitts, EDGE, Utah
After Bradley Chubb, Harold Landry and Marcus Davenport the edge position takes a bit of a drop. For teams looking for pass rushers in the later rounds, however, there will be talent on the board. Most of the remaining prospects have some sort of issue that is preventing them from elevating their stock into the earlier rounds. One of the best of the bunch of that group is Kylie Fitts of Utah.
Fitts was a productive player any time he was on the field. The problem was he often was not on the field. Injury concerns are the biggest thing push him down draft boards. For a player that relies heavily on athleticism, he will need to check out medically. If that happens, a team will get a steal as a situational pass rusher.
The 6-foot-4, 263 pound edge showcased the ability to play with his hand down or standing up. His best fit initially is a rotational player who comes in on passing downs. That will allow Fitts to use his excellent bend and agility to attack tackles. He is more than just a finesse rusher though. His 33-inch arms allow him to convert that speed into power and attack tackles chests with strong hands. There will need to be some added strength to his game before he ever becomes a full-time starter.
This is the type of prospect that can be worth a gamble. There is a chance that his injury history is “fluky” or it can be a serious concern. If he stays healthy, he will be a steal who can rack up sacks and pressures.