Hokies in the 2014 NFL Draft: Where will Kyle Fuller be drafted?

Oct 5, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies cornerback Kyle Fuller (17) celebrates with safety Kyshoen Jarrett (34) after making an interception in the fourth quarter. The Hokies defeated the Tar Heels 27-17 at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The 2014 NFL Draft still is over a month away but many people, including myself, wish the 2014 NFL Draft would be tomorrow though this means that there is still time to analyze every little detail. Virginia Tech cornerback Kyle Fuller has been rising up many draft boards over the last few weeks and in my opinion, Fuller is the fourth best cornerback in this year’s draft behind Oklahoma State’s Justin Gilbert, Michigan State’s Darqueze Dennard, and Ohio State’s Bradley Roby.

One of the main reasons why Fuller has been rising up many draft boards is the fact that he was able to prove that he was healthy at the NFL Combine after a senior season that was filled with injuries. Kyle Fuller also had a strong overall performance at the NFL Combine that saw him start to make his climb up every single person’s draft board unless they didn’t already have him as one of the top 4 or 5 cornerbacks. Then, Kyle Fuller continued to prove that he can definitely be a quality starting cornerback in the NFL with a very solid Pro Day in front of Philadelphia Eagles’ head coach Chip Kelly and San Francisco 49ers’ head coach Jim Harbaugh. Kyle Fuller now projects as a late-first round to early-second round pick so where specifically could Kyle Fuller end up at?

Feb 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Virginia Tech defensive back Kyle Fuller speaks to the media during the 2014 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadum. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

1st Round, 24th Pick, Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals are looking for a quality cornerback to put opposite of Leon Hall and this is the first spot that Kyle Fuller could end up at realistically right now. The Bengals have gone with cornerbacks before in the first round including Dre Kirkpatrick in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. The Bengals have had some solid starting cornerbacks but have been lacking a consistent quality starter opposite of Leon Hall since the departure of Johnathan Joseph to the Houston Texans in the summer of 2011. The Bengals could use a cornerback and this is the first spot where Fuller could end up going.

1st Round, 25th Pick, San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers were quite weak at cornerback this past season and are quite likely to take a cornerback in the first round after not signing a cornerback who will likely  be a starter. Kyle Fuller can be the immediate, quality starter that the Chargers are looking for and Fuller would have a lot of support from a strong group of safeties led by Eric Weddle. However, Fuller might have to take on the role of a #1 cornerback as a rookie and while Fuller is extremely talented, Fuller would be better as a #2 cornerback. Fuller is definitely a guy that could end up going here due to the Chargers’ major need of a cornerback.

Oct 5, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies cornerback Kyle Fuller (17) reacts after an interception as cornerback Kendall Fuller (11) and North Carolina Tar Heels defensive lineman Allen Champagne (91) look on. The Hokies defeated the Tar Heels 27-17 at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

1st Round, 30th Pick, San Francisco 49ers

As mentioned earlier, Jim Harbaugh was at Virginia Tech’s Pro Day and Kyle Fuller seems like a target of Harbaugh’s in the 2014 NFL Draft. The San Francisco 49ers do have Chris Culliver and Tramaine Brock but the departures of Tarell Brown and Carlos Rogers suggest the 49ers may be looking at the former Hokie. Fuller would be able to compete for a starting job but likely would not have the pressure of being a number 1 cornerback as a rookie which would be to his benefit. The 49ers would be a great spot for Fuller though we’ll see if that is the direction the 49ers are looking to go.

1st round, 32nd Pick, Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are not necessarily a spot where Fuller could end up if he is still available at this point but Pete Carroll might just take Kyle Fuller. The Seahawks lost Walter Thurmond and Brandon Browner in free agency, and while Jeremy Lane is a solid cornerback, Carroll might want to look to upgrade over Lane with Fuller. Fuller could come in and fight for a starting job opposite of Richard Sherman and the chance to learn from an elite cornerback like Sherman would be very good. Fuller also would have another former Hokie in the secondary in Kam Chancellor who would be a good mentor. Fuller is a quite aggressive cornerback that should fit well into the system in Seattle if he ends up going to the defending Super Bowl champions.

2nd round, 34th Pick (overall), Washington Redskins

Right now, Kyle Fuller will most likely be off the board by this point but if he is still is, expect him not to drop past the Washington Redskins. Fuller would definitely have the chance to immediately come in and battle for a starting job across from veteran DeAngelo Hall. Fuller would also have the chance to learn from a quality veteran and former Hokie in DeAngelo Hall which would be a quality mentor for Fuller. Fuller could form one of the better tandems of young cornerbacks in the league with David Amerson in a couple of seasons and would be a great pick for Washington. Of course, Fuller is likely to be gone by this point so Washington fans shouldn’t get their hopes up.

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