Everything you need to know about TT's Third Round Pick... OLB Kyler Fackrell.

[George Cumby]

Brady Poppinga?

That was my thought too.

And I really hope not.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I don't get the lack of athleticism argument against Fackrell. He looks athletic enough on tape (fluid and natural), and the measurables validate this. There are only three guys on my OLBs list who tested as appreciably better overall athletes than Fackrell. Leonard Floyd (who is even more thin than Fackrell), Jatavis Brown (the midget), and Travis Feeney (who is a bit light at 230 pounds). Mind you, Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith would have blown all of these guys out of the water. However, when you stack Fackrell against Lawson, Correa, Spence, Calhoun, Jenkins, Schobert, Nicolas, etc. the measurables overall are almost identical. Fackrell generally ranks slightly lower in 3 cone but slightly higher in broad jump. No doubt he will need to get stronger, and he's far from a perfect prospect, but I wouldn't nail him for a lack of athleticism.

Fackrell = 6'5" 245, 4.72 40, (4.31 shuttle), (7.24 3 cone), 34.5" vertical, 121" broad
Lawson = 6'3" 269, 4.70 40, 4.21 shuttle, 7.16 3 cone, 33" vertical, 120" broad
Correa = 6'3" 243, 4.69 40, (4.18 shuttle), (6.96 3 cone), 33" vertical, 108" broad
Spence = 6'2" 251, 4.80 40, 4.35 shuttle, 7.21 3 cone, 35" vertical, 121" broad
Calhoun = 6'4" 251, 4.82 40, 4.25 shuttle, 6.97 3 cone, 35" vertical, 115" broad
Cravens = 6'1" 226, (4.71 40), 4.41 shuttle, 6.92 3 cone, 27" vertical, 114" broad
Jenkins = 6'3" 259, 4.80 40, (4.32 shuttle), (7.41 3 cone), 36.5" vertical, 123" broad
Ngakoue = 6'2" 252, 4.75 40, 4.50 shuttle, 7.35 3 cone, 34.5" vertical, 118" broad
Schobert = 6'1" 244, 4.76 40, 4.30 shuttle, 7.11 3 cone, 33.5" vertical, 111" broad

Of the four OLBs that I had ranked just ahead and the five OLBs ranked just behind him, he's tested as slightly above average overall as an athlete. He's in the top half amongst these 10 in four of the five athletic measurables (3 cone being the outlier)

[HarveyWallbangers]

BTW, Eric Striker (at 6 inches shorter and 20 pounds lighter) did worse than Fackrell in every measurable, and when whoever this dude says he got out-athleted by some guy. The guy he's covering is Rashard Higgins (a WR Wist really likes). Of course, an OLB is going to struggle to cover a draftable WR. Even Clay Matthews would have problems matched up against a WR.

Striker = 5'11" 227, 4.80 40, 4.46 shuttle, 7.30 3 cone, 30" vertical, 116" broad

The guy on this video is terrible. I try to watch videos without bad commentary on it because it sometimes erroneously shades your perspective.

[woodbuck27]

I like what TT is doing in this draft. Strengthening the lines and his third round pick at OLB may be a beauty.

Is he content at WR? (Available):

Peake, Charone WR 6'2" 209 Clemson 5.8

Cooper, Pharoh WR 5'11" 203 South Carolina 5.6

Mitchell, Malcolm WR 6'0" 198 Georgia 5.5

Higgins, Rashard WR 6'1" 196 Colorado St. 5.4

Louis, Ricardo WR 6'2" 215 Auburn 5.4

Burbridge, Aaron WR 6'0" 206 Michigan St. 5.4

Robinson, Demarcus WR 6'1" 203 Florida 5.4

Listenbee, Kolby WR 6'0" 197 TCU 5.4

Lawler, Kenny WR 6'2" 203 California 5.4

Cajuste, Devon WR 6'4" 234 Stanford 5.4

Lee, Jay WR 6'1" 214 Baylor 5.4

Sharpe, Tajae WR 6'2" 194 Massachusetts 5.4

Boehringer, Moritz WR 6'4" 227 5.4

Garrett, Keyarris WR 6'3" 220 Tulsa 5.3

Spruce, Nelson WR 6'1" 206 Colorado 5.3

Core, Cody WR 6'3" 205 Mississippi 5.3


and RB (Available):

Howard, Jordan RB 6'0" 230 Indiana 6.1

Booker, Devontae RB 5'11" 219 Utah 5.7

Dixon, Kenneth RB 5'10" 215 Louisiana Tech 5.7

Perkins, Paul RB 5'10" 208 UCLA 5.6

Collins, Alex RB 5'10" 217 Arkansas 5.5

Williams, Jonathan RB 5'11" 220 Arkansas 5.4

Pressley, Jhurell RB 5'10" 206 New Mexico 5.4

Ferguson, Josh RB 5'9" 198 Illinois 5.3

Ervin, Tyler RB 5'10" 192 San Jose St. 5.3

Taylor, Kelvin RB 5'10" 207 Florida 5.3

Johnson, Devon RB 6'0" 238 Marshall 5.3


Available at TE:

Saxton, Wes TE 6'3" 248 South Alabama 5.2

LaCosse, Matt TE 6'6" 250 Illinois 5.1

Mahina, Devin TE 6'6" 251 BYU 5.1

Holmes, Gabe TE 6'5" 258 Purdue 5.0

Pierce, Casey TE 6'4" 242 Kent St. 5.0

Lee, Khari TE 6'4" 235 Bowie St. 5.0

Bibbs, E.J. TE 6'2" 258 Iowa St. 5.0

McFarland, Mike TE 6'5" 252 South Florida 5.0


Available on the OL:

Westerman, Christian OG 6'3" 298 Arizona State 5.8

Alexander, Vadal OG 6'5" 326 LSU 5.5

Dahl, Joe OG 6'4" 304 Washington St. 5.5

McGovern, Connor OG 6'4" 306 Missouri 5.5

Allen, Jack C 6'1" 294 Michigan St. 5.5

Hawkins, Jerald OT 6'6" 305 LSU 5.5

Greene, Darrell OG 6'3" 321 San Diego St. 5.5

Turner, Landon OG 6'4" 330 North Carolina 5.4

Tretola, Sebastian OG 6'4" 314 Arkansas 5.4

Beavers, Willie OT 6'4" 324 Western Michigan 5.4

Boehm, Evan C 6'2" 309 Missouri 5.4

Jackson, Dominick OG 6'5" 313 Alabama 5.3

Benenoch, Caleb OT 6'5" 305 UCLA 5.3

Haeg, Joe OT 6'6" 304 North Dakota St. 5.2

Murphy, Kyle OT 6'6" 305 Stanford 5.2

Friend, Kyle C 6'2" 305 Temple 5.2

Blythe, Austin C 6'2" 291 Iowa 5.2

Young, Avery OT 6'5" 328 Auburn 5.2

Lewis, Alex OT 6'6" 312 Nebraska 5.2

Shell, Brandon OT 6'5" 324 South Carolina 5.2

Drango, Spencer OG 6'6" 315 Baylor 5.2


Available on the DL:

Ridgeway, Hassan DT 6'3" 303 Texas 6.0

Billings, Andrew NT 6'1" 311 Baylor 6.0

Henry, Willie DT 6'3" 303 Michigan 5.9

Day, Sheldon DT 6'1" 293 Notre Dame 5.6

Ioannidis, Matthew DT 6'3" 299 Temple 5.5

Robertson-Harris, Roy DE 6'7" 255 Texas-El Paso 5.5

Onyemata, David DT 6'4" 300 Manitoba (Canada) 5.4

Vaeao, Destiny DT 6'4" 298 Washington St. 5.4

Blair, Ronald DE 6'2" 284 Appalachian St. 5.4

Tapper, Charles DE 6'3" 271 Oklahoma 5.4

Cowser, James DE 6'3" 248 Southern Utah 5.4

Latham, Darius DT 6'4" 311 Indiana 5.4

Oakman, Shawn DE 6'8" 287 Baylor 5.3

Ochi, Victor DE 6'1" 246 Stony Brook 5.3

McCalister, Alex DE 6'6" 239 Florida 5.3

Milhouse, Greg DL 6'1" 295 Campbell 5.3


and at CB:

White, D.J. CB 5'11" 193 Georgia Tech 5.5

Miller, Harlan CB 6'0" 182 Southeastern Louisiana 5.5

Sims, LeShaun CB 6'0" 203 Southern Utah 5.5

Sanchez, Zack CB 5'11" 185 Oklahoma 5.5

Young, Tavon CB 5'9" 183 Temple 5.4

Robinson, Rashard CB 6'1" 171 LSU 5.4

Burris, Juston CB 6'0" 212 N.C. State 5.4

Hall, Deiondre' CB 6'2" 199 Northern Iowa 5.4

Murray, Eric CB 5'11" 199 Minnesota 5.4

and at Safety:

Harris, Anthony SS 6'1" 183 Virginia 5.5

Drummond, Kurtis FS 6'1" 208 Michigan St. 5.4

Claiborne, Imoan S 5'11" 187 Northwestern St. (LA) 5.4

Celiscar, Donald S 5'11" 194 Western Michigan 5.3

Prewitt, Cody FS 6'2" 208 Mississippi 5.2

Gunter, Ladarius S 6'1" 202 Miami 5.2

Bonner, Detrick FS 6'0" 207 Virginia Tech 5.2

[Joemailman]

I don't get the lack of athleticism argument against Fackrell. He looks athletic enough on tape (fluid and natural), and the measurables validate this. There are only three guys on my OLBs list who tested as appreciably better overall athletes than Fackrell. Leonard Floyd (who is even more thin than Fackrell), Jatavis Brown (the midget), and Travis Feeney (who is a bit light at 230 pounds). Mind you, Myles Jack and Jaylon Smith would have blown all of these guys out of the water. However, when you stack Fackrell against Lawson, Correa, Spence, Calhoun, Jenkins, Schobert, Nicolas, etc. the measurables overall are almost identical. Fackrell generally ranks slightly lower in 3 cone but slightly higher in broad jump. No doubt he will need to get stronger, and he's far from a perfect prospect, but I wouldn't nail him for a lack of athleticism.

McGinn mentioned that some scouts felt Fackrell hasn't been as athletic since his knee injury. TT didn't see a discernible difference.

[RashanGary]

McGinn mentioned that some scouts felt Fackrell hasn't been as athletic since his knee injury. TT didn't see a discernible difference.

He did say that, but listening to it, I felt like he was more question dodging than he was being forthright. He also said that the normal trajectory for a 25 year old coming off of that type of knee surgery was to be stronger in year 2 than in year 1, so it sounded to me like they were expecting some improvement.

[SkinBasket]

McGinn mentioned that some scouts felt Fackrell hasn't been as athletic since his knee injury. TT didn't see a discernible difference.

Some scouts, as well as some people here, felt he was just as white, or maybe even a little whiter since his knee injury. Because they're racists.

[Bretsky]

I TORE MY ACL; based on when the tear occurred he was probably not 100% last year; 2 years later it is. That is this year

[Patler]

I like what TT is doing in this draft. Strengthening the lines and his third round pick at OLB may be a beauty.

Is he content at WR? (Available):

....

and at Safety:

Gunter, Ladarius S 6'1" 202 Miami 5.2

I like that Gunter kid, and think he would (DOES) look good in a Packer uniform :

[Fritz]

He did say that, but listening to it, I felt like he was more question dodging than he was being forthright. He also said that the normal trajectory for a 25 year old coming off of that type of knee surgery was to be stronger in year 2 than in year 1, so it sounded to me like they were expecting some improvement.

Reading the JSO this morning, the writer was VERY "meh" about this guy. Described him like he's the classic "just a guy." Didn't get me very excited.

Maybe they'll move him inside and try to develop him there? Sounds like he can cover a little bit.

[RashanGary]

I have hope for Fackrell. As an internet scout, I like to look at three main qualities in the reports....

1. Is he a good athlete?
He is a very good athlete for the position. And if you consider he's coming off a knee injury and seems to have a lot of room to advance with an NFL caliber workout program, this guy might even be a top tier athlete by the time he takes the field in Green and Gold. I like how athletic he is at that height. It's unique. In my super crude ranking system, where I project into the future a little bit, I'm going to give him an 8 out of 10 for athletic ability.

2. Does he play good football?
My most trusted source for this is Ted Thompson after the draft. I really listen to what he says. TT likes this guy's ability to play in space and rush the passer. I don't know if that means he'll be a 3 down linebacker, but I could see a nickle/dime player and unique special team player with potential to be more. Looking at his stats, I like how he made such a variety of big plays. 36TFL, 12Sacks, 4INT, 4PBU, 5FF, 7FR... It's cool to see a guy do so many different things. Reading the reports on him, it sounds like he was a playmaker in college. So weighing my information, I give him a 6.5 out of 10 in playing grade, leaning mostly towards Ted's positive, but not glowing endorsement. And this is reading Ted Speak after a decade of listening to him, so I feel somewhat confident in my ability to do that

3. Character, work ethic and trust
This guy seems like a great guy, a hard worker and a guy who loves football. Listening to TT and reading some articles, he rates high here. I'm going to give him a 9 out of 10 in character.


Summary
Fackrell looks like a player who has enough skills and talents to contribute for his whole rookie contract and maybe a little more. He has high upside, but initially looks like a rotation player who would come in on passing downs. I could see him being a nickle/dime inside linebacker who brings up the overall speed and athleticism of the defense when he's on the field. The new base in the NFL is nickle defense, so I see him playing well for about 70% of the snaps and maybe rotating out for a thumper when teams bring in a FB and a TE or two TE's. I also imagine he'll be a unique ST's player. That will be fun to watch. My overall impression is that he can play and contribute to passing downs and ST's. I sense low bust potential, but some limits as far as being an every down player but he could easily prove me wrong there, being such a good athlete and hard worker. Maybe he'll will himself into an every down player. I like him and envision him playing and contributing for 5-7 years. A good player with some unique skills.

[Fritz]

If he were a woman, he'd be the kind of girl you want to bring home to mom and dad, somebody named Jean. I wanted Veronica, the one who wears tight clothes and low-cut tops, the one you never want your mom to know about.

[Maxie the Taxi]

Jean Harlow

[Patler]

Reading the JSO this morning, the writer was VERY "meh" about this guy. Described him like he's the classic "just a guy." Didn't get me very excited.

Maybe they'll move him inside and try to develop him there? Sounds like he can cover a little bit.

He was #5 on McGinn's list of outside linebackers. By the time you get around to late 3rd round picks, there will be seemingly strong negatives or at least a lack of superlatives for every player. If there weren't, they would be first or high second round picks. You just hope that added maturity, coaching and development wins out.

GB needs more depth at LB, both inside and outside. This guy seems to be one of the better prospects at those positions in this draft. TT can pick only from the players available. For those reasons, I don't mind the pick. He might be another Abdul Hodge, Aaron Rouse or Alex Green. On the other hand, he could turn out to be a James Jones, Jermichael Finley or Morgan Burnette. He's a third round pick. He might be a contributor, or he might not.

[Maxie the Taxi]

He was #5 on McGinn's list of outside linebackers. By the time you get around to late 3rd round picks, there will be seemingly strong negatives or at least a lack of superlatives for every player. If there weren't, they would be first or high second round picks. You just hope that added maturity, coaching and development wins out.

GB needs more depth at LB, both inside and outside. This guy seems to be one of the better prospects at those positions in this draft. TT can pick only from the players available. For those reasons, I don't mind the pick. He might be another Abdul Hodge, Aaron Rouse or Alex Green. On the other hand, he could turn out to be a James Jones, Jermichael Finley or Morgan Burnette. He's a third round pick. He might be a contributor, or he might not.

+1

Fackrell was not a first tier edge rusher, but they were all gone. He was the last of the 2nd tier.

TT could have selected a better edge rusher like Noah Spence or Kamalei Correa with his first pick and then "settled" for Javon Hargrave, Hassan Ridgeway, Willie Henry, Matt Ioannidis or even Billings in the 3rd.

It's pure judgement based on his internal scouting. I think the trade up to get Spriggs was brilliant, so IMO Ted's doing just fine.