Draft Dreamer: Jack Kelly

With the NFL in playoff mode and a new college champion to be crowned in a few days, it’s now officially draft season. This is the chance for all teams to reset and fans to renew their hopes. If you have followed my work, then you know this is my favorite time of year, and it’s never too early to start breaking down NFL Draft prospects. This class is packed with players who are going to make an impact at the next level. I will cover every one of them, from the big dudes in the trenches to the erasers patrolling the secondary. Let’s get started with a prospect at the linebacker position who will be an interesting watch throughout the draft process: Jack Kelly of the BYU Cougars.

The Background

Jack Kelly was a three-star recruit at linebacker for the Kearns Cougars in Kearns, Utah. As a senior for the Cougars, he was named the team's Defensive Player of the Year after posting 44 total tackles, 32 solo stops, 72.7% solo rate, three TFLs, 3½ sacks, two interceptions, five PBUs, three forced fumbles, and one blocked FG. Kelly finished his high school career with 28 games played, 60 total tackles, 45 solo stops, 75% solo rate, 6½ TFLs, 3½ sacks, two interceptions, six PBUs, five forced fumbles, one blocked punt, and one blocked FG. He also played a significant role on offense (65 receptions, 1247 receiving yards, with nine TDs). 247Sports graded Kelly the 28th best player in the state of Utah and the 216th linebacker.

With only a handful of offers, Kelly committed to the FCS Weber State Wildcats, where he would spend three seasons. He would redshirt his first year with Weber State after appearing in just four games. The next season, he would help lead Weber State to a 10-win season and to the 2nd round of the FCS playoffs. Kelly would play in 13 games, recording 28 total tackles, 16 solo stops, 57.1% solo rate, eight TFLs, six sacks, one forced fumble, and one PBU. Kelly would be one of the Wildcats' top defenders in 2023, playing 11 games, with totals of 56 total tackles, 34 solo stops, 60.7% solo rate, 12 TFLs, 10½ sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, and six PBUs. His 10½ sacks would lead the Big Sky Conference.

When Weber State HC Jay Hill made the move to BYU as a part of their coaching staff, Kelly would follow. In his first season with the Cougars, Kelly would receive Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors after helping lead the team to a College Football Playoff berth. Kelly played and started all 13 games, with 51 total tackles, 33 solo stops, 64.7% solo rate, ten TFLs, five sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception, and two PBUs. He would return for his senior season (RS) and have maybe his best statistical year of production. Kelly played and started 12 games, with 55 total tackles, 42 solo stops, 76.3% solo rate, 13½ TFLs, ten sacks, two forced fumbles, and one PBU. He would rank 3rd in the Big12 Conference in sacks, 4th in TFLs, and forced fumbles.

During his time at BYU, Kelly has graded well on my IDP Rookie Draft Grade spreadsheet with a BCR (Blue Chip Rating) of 12.8 and a BPI (Big Play Impact Score) of 1, and also had a BPI (Big Play Impact Score) of 1.803 at Weber State. So far, his pass-rush abilities have translated well at two levels of college football and will look to continue that at the highest level, which is the NFL.

Player Breakdown

Kelly will be a very interesting prospect to follow through the draft process. We will get all the official measurements soon, but the BYU website has him listed at 6’2”/242 lbs. While he’ll be classified as an EDGE, he has the position to play the middle as well as on the edge. Kelly has a real nice pass rush package (31½ career sacks) that should translate well to the NFL. He earned the name “Sack Kelly” while at Weber State. Kelly was credited with 99 pressures over his past three seasons, so he knows how to get after the QB. Plays with a high motor, as he attacks ball carriers and flies around the field in coverage. His coverage abilities aren’t great, but they are decent enough that he’s not a liability. 

His recognition and diagnosing of plays could be better, especially when playing in the middle of the field, but when he sees it, he goes into full attack mode. Kelly wore the green dot for the Cougars, so I’m not too overly concerned with his processing abilities.  He likes to roam and does a solid job at that. When watching his film, you can see the high-end closing speed he possesses. Kelly is a rangy and athletic linebacker who was a former BMX star. He’s at his best when using his instincts and attacking off the edge. When you can line him up and get after the QB, he is a true game disruptor and that type of plays translates well to the NFL.

NFL & Fantasy Projection

While Kelly can play both outside and inside, he’s at his best off the edge, and I believe that is the position he’ll be categorized in. He’s set to appear in the Senior Bowl, so we’ll get to see him use his length, speed, and instincts to set himself apart from the others in the group. I do believe his versatility will be valuable for both him and his suitors. That flexibility allows them to adjust to the matchups and gain an advantage. How Kelly performs and tests at the Senior Bowl will be closely watched. 3-4 schematic teams should be really interested in Kelly and the value he can bring. That value is a versatile linebacker with starting qualities, whose upside is as a pass rusher.

When it comes to the draft, Kelly will likely be a day 3 selection, somewhere in the 4th or 5th rounds would be my projection. His pass-rush upside and versatility will get him an NFL opportunity. Kelly will get his chance. But it might be a couple of years, depending on the team that drafts him and what their roster looks like. We’ve seen it numerous times where a player sits or is a special teamer for a couple of seasons, then breaks out. However, teams with depth issues could see him have a larger role sooner. For me, Kelly’s IDP draft projection is a late-round flyer. In really deep roster leagues is where his best value will be. He’ll be a solid taxi squad stash, where he can sit until he gets his opportunity.

Stats Provide By: Pro Football Reference

Thanks for reading my article. I am a member of the FSWA (Fantasy Sports Writers of America). Follow me on Twitter at @HollywoodTitan, on Facebook on my IDPNation page, on Reddit in the fantasy football IDP sub — I’m user KingTitan1 — and tune in each week and listen to IDP Nation and Devy IDP Grind, the podcasts that I co-host, on several different platforms. Feel free to email or dm me with any questions that you have, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy