Kyu Blu Kelly 2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Background: 

• All-Pac-12 second-team defensive back [Coaches, Phil Steele (2021)]

• All-Pac-12 honorable mention (Coaches)
• Gundelach Award (2021)

System: 

• Scheme tendencies: Mixture of man and zone coverage
• 2022 projected role: Starting boundary cornerback

Pros: Kyu Blu Kelly is a uber-competitive cover corner. He has a sturdy and strong frame. He has a smooth and fluid backpedal in off-man coverage. He is very sticky and remains in phase during press-man sequences. He’s able to stop and drive down on routes coming back to the quarterback. One of his best games came against Drake London. Plays big and physical at the catch point. He has high football intelligence in regards to multiple coverage assignments. He’s a technically-sound tackler who does not mind or hesitate driving downhill on the football. He plays the side-saddle bail technique. 

Cons: I have concerns about his level of comfort carrying vertical routes by faster receivers. In off-coverage, he prematurely opens the gate and commits to the turn-and-run phase. This forces a zone turn to get back into phase. There are some questions about transitioning from backpedal to the run phase. Twitchier receivers present concerns for him.

Kyu Blu Kelly NFL Draft Scouting Report by Damian Parson