 Fuller with the Chicago Bears in 2019 | |||||||||||
| No. 23, 18 | |||||||||||
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| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | (1992-02-16)February 16, 1992 (age 33) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 190 lb (86 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Mount Saint Joseph (Baltimore) | ||||||||||
| College: | Virginia Tech (2010–2013) | ||||||||||
| NFL draft: | 2014: 1st round, 14th pick | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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Kyle Brandon Fuller (born February 16, 1992) is an American former professionalfootball player who was acornerback in theNational Football League (NFL). He was selected by theChicago Bears in the first round of the2014 NFL draft and playedcollege football for theVirginia Tech Hokies.
A native ofBaltimore, Maryland, Fuller attendedMount Saint Joseph High School, where he playedhigh school football. He recorded oneinterception his senior year, and played in theMaryland Crab Bowl,[1] an all-star game, despite missing most of his season with a finger injury. He had four interceptions as a junior, returning two of those fortouchdowns. He also had a punt return touchdown andkick return score that season.
Fuller was also on the school'strack & field team, where he competed as a sprinter and jumper. He won thelong jump at the 2010 Woodlawn Warrior Invitational, with a personal-best mark of 6.41 meters.[2] At the 2010 IAAM-MIAA Champs, he took fifth in the300-meter dash, clocking at 37.98 seconds.[3]
Considered a three-star recruit byESPN.com, Fuller was listed as the No. 43cornerback in the nation in 2010.[4]
Fuller started seven games in 2010 as atrue freshman, primarily in the Hokies’nickel defense. He recorded 32tackles, four for a loss, broke up six passes and forced afumble. In 2011, as a second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) selection at corner, he started all 14 games at two different positions. He started atnickelback/whip linebacker for seven games and corner for the other seven games. He played over 1,000 snaps on defense and 100 onspecial teams. He recorded 65 tackles, a team-high 14.5tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks on the season. He also added sevenpass breakups, two interceptions, fivequarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. In 2012, as honorable mention All-ACC at corner, he started all 13 games and recorded 52 tackles, including three for loss, two interceptions and five pass breakups. In 2013, he was one of the Hokies’ four permanent captains. He was named a third-team All-ACC selection,[5] and played in nine games, making eight starts and missing the team's final four games due to injury.[6] He recorded 24 tackles, two interceptions and 10 pass breakups in his final season.
Fuller attended theNFL Scouting Combine and performed all of the combine drills. On March 19, 2014, Fuller participated at Virginia Tech'spro day, but opted to stand on his combine numbers and only performed positional drills. He was projected to be a first round pick byNFL draft experts and scouts. Fuller was ranked as the top cornerback prospect in the draft by NFL draft analystMike Mayock, was ranked the third best cornerback by DraftScout.com, and was ranked the sixth best cornerback bySports Illustrated.[7][8][9]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
 Kyle Fuller's NFL Combine Workout |
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 ft11+3⁄4 in (1.82 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 32+7⁄8 in (0.84 m) | 9+3⁄8 in (0.24 m) | 4.49 s | 1.50 s | 2.61 s | 4.19 s | 6.90 s | 38.5 in (0.98 m) | 10 ft 8 in (3.25 m) | 12 reps | |
| All values fromNFL Combine[10] | ||||||||||||
TheChicago Bears selected Fuller in the first round (14th overall) of the2014 NFL draft.[11] He was the second cornerback selected in the draft, behindJustin Gilbert (eighth overall,Cleveland Browns).[12] On May 14, 2014, the Bears signed him to a four-year, $9.68 million contract with asigning bonus of $5.36 million.[13][14]
| External videos | |
|---|---|
| Bears draft Kyle Fuller 14th overall |
Head coachMarc Trestman named Fuller the third cornerback on the Bears' depth chart to start the regular season, behindTim Jennings andCharles Tillman.[15]
He made his professional regular season debut in the Bears' season-opener against theBuffalo Bills and recorded five combined tackles in their 23–20 loss. On September 14, 2014, Fuller made a season-high seven combined tackles, two pass deflections, and two interceptions during a 28–20 victory at theSan Francisco 49ers onSunday Night Football. He made his first career interception off a pass by quarterbackColin Kaepernick, that was intended for wide receiverMichael Crabtree, and returned it for a 20-yard gain in the fourth quarter. He became the first Bears' rookie to record two picks in a game sinceChris Harris in2005.[16] He was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week and became the first Bears' rookie defensive back to receive the award sinceMark Carrier in1990.[17] In Week 3, Fuller earned his first career start after Charles Tillman sustained a triceps injury and was placed oninjured reserve.[18] He recorded seven combined tackles, two pass deflections, forced two fumbles, and made an interception as the Bears defeated theNew York Jets 27–19 onMonday Night Football.[19] He became the first NFL player in 20 years to record three interceptions and two forced fumbles in their first three games.[20] In Week 13, he collected a season-high seven solo tackles and broke up a pass during a 34–17 loss at theDetroit Lions.[21] On December 29, 2014, the Bears fired Trestman after they finished with a 5–11 record in 2014.[22] He finished his rookie season in 2014 with 64 combined tackles (51 solo), ten pass deflections, four interceptions, and three forced fumbles in 16 games and 14 starts.[23] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[24]
Fuller enteredtraining camp slated as a starting cornerback.[25] Head coachJohn Fox officially named Fuller a starting cornerback to start the regular season, oppositeTracy Porter.[26] On October 18, 2015, Fuller collected a season-high eight combined tackles during a 37–34 loss at the Lions. In Week 8, he made two combined tackles, a season-high two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by quarterbackTeddy Bridgewater in the Bears' 23–20 loss to theMinnesota Vikings.[27] He started all 16 games and recorded 55 combined tackles (47 solo), nine pass deflections, and two interceptions.[23] Fuller struggled through the early portion of the season, which included being responsible for two major defensive pass interference penalties, raising the possibility of being moved to safety. He eventually improved as the year progressed.[28]
Throughout training camp, Fuller dealt with a knee injury. On August 18, 2016, he underwentarthroscopic knee surgery to repair his knee injury.[29] On September 28, 2016, the Bears placed Fuller on injured reserve after being inactive for the first three games while recovering from knee surgery. On November 30, 2016, Fuller returned to practice, but was not added to the active roster and remained on injured reserve for the entire 2016 season.[30]
On April 29, 2017, Chicago Bears' general manager Ryan Pace announced that the team would not pick up the fifth-year option on Fuller's rookie contract.[31]
Throughout training camp, he competed to be a starting cornerback againstMarcus Cooper andPrince Amukamara. Head coach John Fox named Fuller the third cornerback on the depth chart to start the regular season, behind Cooper and Amukamara.[32][33]
Fuller started in the Bears' season-opener against theAtlanta Falcons after Prince Amukamara injured his ankle during the preseason and was inactive for the first two regular-season games.[34] Fuller recorded six combined tackles and broke up a pass in their 23–17 loss. In Week 5, he earned the start after Marcus Cooper was unable to play due to a back injury.[35] Defensive coordinatorVic Fangio chose to retain Fuller as a starting cornerback for the rest of the season. On December 3, 2017, Fuller collected a season-high seven combined tackles, two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by quarterbackJimmy Garoppolo during a 15–14 loss to the 49ers in Week 13.[36]He had a career year in 2017, starting all 16 games recording 69 combined tackles (61 solo), a career-high 22 pass deflections, and two interceptions.[23] He earned an overall grade of 84.3 fromPro Football Focus (PFF), which ranked 21st among all qualifying cornerbacks in 2017.[37]
On March 6, 2018, the Bears placed the transition tag on Fuller worth $12.971 million.[38] On March 16, 2018, theGreen Bay Packers extended a four-year, $56 million contract with $18 million guaranteed offer to Fuller, which the Bears then matched later that day, keeping Fuller under contract with the Bears through 2021.[39]
Fuller's 2018 season opened on a disappointing note when he dropped a potential game-sealing interception against the Packers, who eventually scored on the drive to win 24–23; after the game, he commented, "All I got to say is I got to catch it."[40] In Weeks 6 and 7 against theMiami Dolphins andNew England Patriots, he recorded three total interceptions, two offBrock Osweiler and once offTom Brady.[41] The two picks in Miami marked the first time that a Bear recorded two interceptions in a game since Fuller's performance against the 49ers in 2014.[42]
During the remainder of the regular season, he recorded four more interceptions againstNathan Peterman of the Bills,[43]Matthew Stafford of the Lions,[44]Eli Manning of theNew York Giants,[45] andJared Goff of theLos Angeles Rams.[46] Fuller finished the season with 55 tackles, 21 passes defended, and shared a league-leading seven interceptions withXavien Howard andDamontae Kazee.[47] He received an overall grade of 81.4 from PFF in 2018, which ranked as the 7th highest grade among all qualifying cornerbacks in 2018.[48]
On December 18, Fuller was selected to his firstPro Bowl. He was later also named to first-teamAll-Pro along with teammatesKhalil Mack,Eddie Jackson, andTarik Cohen.[49]
In Week 2 against theDenver Broncos, Fuller made his first interception of the season off a pass fromJoe Flacco that was intended forEmmanuel Sanders in the 16–14 win.[50]In Week 3 against theWashington Redskins, Fuller intercepted a pass fromCase Keenum in the 31–15 win.[51] In Week 8 against theLos Angeles Chargers, Fuller recorded a team high 7 tackles and made an interception offPhilip Rivers in the 17–16 loss.[52]
Fuller ended the 2019 season with three interceptions and 12 pass breakups. His 82 combined tackles were a career best. On January 9, 2020, he was named to the2020 Pro Bowl roster in place of an injuredJalen Ramsey after being voted as an alternate.[53][54]
In Week 1 against the Lions, Fuller recorded his first interception of the season off a pass thrown byMatthew Stafford during the 27–23 comeback victory.[55]In Week 5 against theTampa Bay Buccaneers onThursday Night Football, Fuller forced a fumble on running backKe'Shawn Vaughn which was recovered by teammateRobert Quinn during the 20–19 win.[56]
On March 20, 2021, Fuller was released by the Bears.[57]
Fuller signed a one-year, $9.5 million contract with theDenver Broncos on March 23, 2021.[58][59][60]
Due to poor play, Fuller did not appear in the Broncos’ Week 8 matchup against Washington, after losing possible playing time in previous weeks toNate Hairston andPatrick Surtain II.[61]
Leading up to the 2021 trade deadline, it was widely speculated that the Broncos would trade away Fuller.[62][63] However, he ultimately was not traded. He finished the season with 51 tackles, four pass deflections and no interceptions through 16 games and 10 starts.[64]
On May 24, 2022, Fuller signed with theBaltimore Ravens.[65] On September 14, the Ravens placed Fuller oninjured reserve after suffering atorn ACL in the Week 1 game against the Jets.[66][67]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Led the league | |
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 2014 | CHI | 16 | 14 | 64 | 51 | 13 | 0.0 | 10 | 4 | 81 | 20.2 | 31 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | CHI | 16 | 16 | 55 | 47 | 8 | 0.0 | 9 | 2 | 24 | 12.0 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016 | CHI | 0 | 0 | did not play due to injury | |||||||||||||
| 2017 | CHI | 16 | 16 | 69 | 61 | 8 | 0.0 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | CHI | 16 | 16 | 55 | 45 | 10 | 0.0 | 21 | 7 | 52 | 7.4 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | CHI | 16 | 16 | 82 | 72 | 10 | 0.0 | 12 | 3 | 37 | 12.3 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | CHI | 16 | 16 | 65 | 52 | 13 | 0.0 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 5.0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | DEN | 16 | 10 | 51 | 40 | 11 | 0.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | BAL | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 113 | 105 | 444 | 371 | 73 | 0.0 | 86 | 19 | 199 | 10.5 | 35 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | PD | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 2018 | CHI | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | CHI | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career | 2 | 2 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Kyle's older brothers are former Virginia Tech Hokies football players, as well.[68] His eldest brother,Vincent, is a retiredNFLsafety who spent the majority of his career with theTennessee Titans. His older brother,Corey, is a retiredwide receiver, who previously played for theDetroit Lions andNew Orleans Saints. Their younger brother,Kendall, is a cornerback for theMiami Dolphins. Kendall wonSuper Bowl LIV with theKansas City Chiefs.
Missing the final games prevented Howard from pushing for the NFL's lead in interceptions. He finished the year tied for the lead with Chicago's Kyle Fuller and Atlanta's Damontae Kazee.
