2023 NFL Draft Profile: Cornerback Kyu Blu Kelly

Best Game: USC (2021) 7 Total Tackles, 1 INT, 1 INT for TD, 3 PDs

Worst Game: Oregon (2022 & 2021)

Game films watched: USC (2022, 2021), Oregon (2022, 2021), Arizona State (2021)

Kyu Blu Kelly is a prospect that stood out to me during Senior Bowl week. He was voted the National Team’s CB Practice Player-of-the-Week while in Mobile, Alabama. The kid is explosive on defense. His patience on the ball is something that can be useful for a lot of NFL teams. Not to mention, he will be coming from a good list of cornerbacks produced by Stanford. The Cardinal has a history of producing talent in the secondary, including: Paulson Adebo, Richard Sherman, TJ Rushing, Leigh Torrence, John Lynch, and OJ Atogwe.

Specifically for the Commanders, I see Kelly becoming an excellent slot corner, with his inate ability to play man coverage. Nickel corner is a hole that the Commanders need to fill, and for a late-round prospect like Kelly, he can serve well on the team. Don’t get me wrong, I still want Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr. at 16, but if you want to draft a late-round guy, you draft Kelly in the late 3rd early 4th rounds. Below is a list of pros and cons I have put together based on some films and highlights from the senior bowl and Kelly’s collegiate career.

In 2021, as a junior, Kelly played in 11 games and contributed on 729 snaps. He chalked up 54 tackles and five assists. In 2022 as a senior, Kelly saw action in 10 games while playing 601 snaps. He logged 32 tackles and 5 assists.

PROS:

• The kid has tremendous speed, tapped in at just under 4.50 in the 40-yard dash.
• Upper body strength is a plus in my book.
• The ability to change direction with a solid stop-and-go shows adaptation and adjustments to new threats.
• He has solid hands. Playing and catching with contact is never an issue.
• Has the ability to disrupt WRs  in off-coverage.
• Good reaction time (more proactive than reactive). He does well when his hips play outside, keeping receivers between the sideline and body.
• Versatility is never an issue with his ability to play zone and position himself well. He shows awareness in zone as well as putting himself in position to intercept the pass.

Cons:

• He needs to improve his technique in tackling.
• Has tendencies to allow too much space between receivers.
• The inside game can improve; it could use help adjusting to inside routes.
• He needs to improve with jam battles; he gets dominated easily.
• Backpedaling and footwork need improvement.

Conclusion:

Kyu Blu Kelly will be an excellent asset to the Commanders. Washington has a solid DB Coaching Staff, so they can help improve and groom Kelly and help him become a solid CB2. However, if utilized there, he can start immediately in the slot and do wonders as CB2. It will also help with him being in the company of CBs Benjamin St-Juste, Kendall Fuller, Rookie CB Christian Holmes, Danny Johnson, Tariq Castro-Fields, and Rachad Wildgoose. Developing CBs is not an issue here in Washington under the supervision of HC Ron Rivera and DC Jack Del Rio. Stay tuned to FPC for more Draft Profilers Reports coming soon!

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