NEWSLETTER
Finally! Someone who can rush the passer:
https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/990316954467618819
It’s been a long-time coming for the Chicago Bears, whose needs on the defensive side of the ball – specifically, at edge rusher – could not have been overstated. So to see them take Kylie Fitts from Utah and cross another need off the shopping list is somewhat satisfying.
Fitts checks in at 6-4 and 263 pounds and has somewhat of an impressive prospect pedigree. He originally signed with UCLA as a four-star recruit out of Redlands East Valley High School in California. Fitts was ranked as the 85th best recruit by ESPN, the 12th-rated defensive end by Scout, and the No. 9 strong side defensive end by Rivals. These are high marks that shouldn’t go ignored. Perhaps the Bears have found something here in a post-hype sleeper. Fitts has starting experience at both defensive end spots and a knack for making plays. It appears as if he projects to play as an outside linebacker in the pros.
Check him out putting one of the draft’s more highly regarded offensive line prospects Alex Cappa through the spin cycle:
Kylie Fitts gets Cappa on a spin move. Whew pic.twitter.com/5Lxw2UCREI
— Billy Marshall (@BillyM_91) January 24, 2018
And then here’s Fitts putting in that work against Brandon Parker, a tackle from North Carolina A&T who was taken in the third round:
Here is Kylie Fitts beating Brandon Parker 1-on-1 at this year's @seniorbowl
Fitts won 71% of his pass rushes in 1-on-1 drills down in Mobile pic.twitter.com/WMOUjiihsV
— PFF CHI Bears (@PFF_Bears) April 28, 2018
So how did someone like this fall to the Bears in the sixth round? Injuries, as explained by Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune:
Bears OLB Kylie Fitts on his Lisfranc injury (2016) and ankle & AC shoulder sprains (2017): "There were no serious injuries. They were just lingering injuries that just prevented me from playing to my potential. It was just a run of bad luck, & I got it all out of the way."
— Rich Campbell (@Rich_Campbell) April 28, 2018
Injuries have kept Fitts from reaching his full potential at college, but I feel as if we were writing a similar line a year ago at this time regarding the Bears drafting Alabama safety Eddie Jackson. Fitts has flashed during his healthy spurts and he’ll probably start his career as a rotation player in the mix with players like Aaron Lynch, Isaiah Irving, Sam Acho, and Howard Jones.
Still, the Bears found a pass-rusher with some upside in the sixth round. Here’s hoping lightning strikes twice. But not literally, of course. The last thing the Bears need is a player on an injury report due to lightning strikes.
