Part of having success in the NFL draft is being able to secure good players at an optimal value. In other words, drafting them at a pick position that is actually far later than they should’ve gone. Long-term evaluations later call these players “steals.” The Chicago Bears draft history is filled with a number of such types, and it appears the team feels they got another one.
Most would assume it’s one of the first three picks. Getting Roquan Smith at #8 or James Daniels at #39 have been called great value picks by several experts. Smith is considered the best linebacker in the 2018 class. Many felt Daniels was the best center. Not bad work. Then there was the trade up for Anthony Miller whom some saw as the best wide receiver.
Any of them could be the choice for the biggest steal. However, one Bears coach believes the team got a huge scoop later in the draft. One people might not expect.
Chicago Bears draft grade was high on sixth rounder Kylie Fitts
Probably the man who has the toughest job in 2018 for the Bears is outside linebackers coach Brandon Staley. Not only is he entering the NFL for the first time as a coach, he’s inherited what might be the weakest position on the entire roster. Former mainstays Pernell McPhee, Willie Young and Lamarr Houston were gone before he could even settle in. Leonard Floyd still isn’t back from his knee injury as well.
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There is a ton of unproven names on the depth chart, and the team didn’t make a strong push in free agency to provide help. The only notable addition was former 49ers edge rusher Aaron Lynch. That meant they needed to find help in the draft, but even there it seemed the investment was lacking.
Only sixth round pick Kylie Fitts out of Utah was added. Bitterly disappointing to many fans, one man who was happy about it? Staley. He explained why.
“We had a lot higher grade on him than where he was drafted. He does a little bit of everything well. He’s a shade under 6-4, but he’s 263 [pounds]. So he’s a big guy. He can run. And then he did 31 reps on the bench press. So this guy’s got a lot of the tools that you’re looking for.”
The lack of excitement over Fitts was understandable
He spent a huge chunk of his college career on the sidelines with various injuries. After enduring such an avalanche of injuries over the past few years, Bears fans wouldn’t be interested in hearing about another player who can’t stay healthy. That said there were glimpses of serious talent. Talent which he flashed a ton at the Senior Bowl prior to the draft.
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
Kylie Fitts gets Cappa on a spin move. Whew pic.twitter.com/5Lxw2UCREI
— Billy Marshall (@BillyM_91) January 24, 2018
He’s got the mix of size, quickness, and athleticism that can make him an effective outside linebacker. Staley feels Fitts would’ve gone much higher in the draft if not for the injury concerns. How high? Judging by his good tape it’s likely he could’ve cracked Day 2 in the third or even second round had he put together a more complete college run.
Of course, that’s mere speculation. Staley feels Fitts can plug the hole in the roster at outside linebacker for the Bears. Let’s find out if he’s right or just blowing smoke.
