7. Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU
Height: 6’0″ Weight: 197
40-Yard Dash: 4.46 seconds
Bench Press: N/A
Vertical Jump: 35.5 inches
Broad Jump: 123.0 inches
3-Cone Drill: 6.94 seconds
20-Yard Shuttle: 4.36 seconds
60-Yard Shuttle: N/A
Bio: Fulton was the top-ranked high-school player in the state of Louisiana as a senior, and the third-ranked cornerback in the entire country. Alabama was his ideal landing spot, but Nick Saban didn’t present an offer until two weeks before his signing day, and by that time, Fulton had already narrowed his choices, and decided to stay in-state. He was suspended for the entire 2017 season after he was caught using somebody else’s urine in a drug test, but still managed to carve out a starting role in 2018 and 2019 after backing up Tre’Davious White and Donte Jackson in 2016. In his collegiate career, Fulton amassed 65 tackles, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, 25 passes defensed, and two interceptions. Not only did he go up against the best the SEC had to offer, he also had nightmare fuel every day in practice from LSU’s impossible cadre of receivers.
“You can look and tell me who’s put up numbers on me,” Fulton said at the scouting combine. “I feel like that’s what really separates me. I mean, like you said, it’s a great cornerback class, but I don’t feel like nobody’s technique is as sound as mine. And I just get the job done every Saturday I feel like.”
Fulton also attributed his calm in coverage to the guys he has to deal with on his own team.
“I say practice. With the guys we go up against everyday, Ja’Marr (Chase), you got Justin (Jefferson), you got Terrace (Marshall), Racey (McMath), those guys, they put you in a tough situation every day. You got to come to work every day, so I feel like that I take everything I learned during the week and just bring it to Saturdays.”
Stat to Know: Against passes of 20 or more air yards in which he was the primary target last season, Fulton allowed just five receptions and one touchdown on 18 targets.
Strengths: Fulton is patient when in press alignment with both his hands and his feet. He waits for the receiver to declare and then works his hands into their frame with his jam. When he misses, Fulton has the presence of mind not to panic, but to recover and fight to the catch point. This play against Alabama is a perfect example of that trait:
The receiver gets inside of Fulton’s initial jam attempt, and appears to get separation on this route. (Alabama is running a run/pass option here, and the route being run is technically as a “break to daylight” route. For more on Alabama’s RPO schemes you can watch this great breakdown of them from their offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian). But Fulton does not panic. He recovers well, breaks up the throw and prevents the completion.
Oh, and the route was being run by Henry Ruggs III, the fastest receiver in the draft and a surefire first-round selection.
Fulton also shows on film the ability to win at the catch point, as we saw on this play. Over his past two seasons he broke up 20 passes, a very impressive number. He is a sticky man coverage cornerback, and that ability translates easily to the NFL. His press coverage skills are more technically sound than others in this class. Where Jaylon Johnson might rely on brute force at the line, Fulton relies on his technique.
Weaknesses: Fulton’s suspension is not a recent red flag, but something to keep in mind. Fulton changes directions well on film and his 6.94 three-cone time is a decent mark, but there were moments on film when he got tripped up on breaks and needed to recover in a hurry. On the first play against Alabama, for example, he got crossed up with his feet and fell to the turf. Twice. Fulton also is fast, as the 4.46 40-yard dash illustrates, but some receivers are going to be faster than him. There are times when you can see receivers extending their separation from him as routes get into the deeper areas of the field. Quarterbacks with time, vision and arm strength (think Patrick Mahomes) will have opportunities against him downfield.
Conclusion: Here’s the thing: You do not become a top-flight cornerback in the SEC, going up against the kind of talent Fulton saw week in and week out, without having skills that translate to the next level. Fulton’s press technique, recovery skills and ability at the catch point are must-haves for the position. He might give up a big play here and there, but all cornerbacks do. For the vast majority of plays, Fulton is everything you want in your CB.
Comparison: New Denver Bronco A.J. Bouye is a valid comparison. When he was coming out of UCF, Bouye ran a 4.55 at his Pro Day, so the long-speed was a concern. But he made up for that with technique and his press coverage abilities, traits that he carries to the field now in the NFL.