Kyu Blu

Kelly

According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, Blu Kelly did not suffer any ligament damage, which is a good sign. The former fifth-round pick from the 2023 draft class played his way into a starting role for the Raiders this season and has totaled 40 tackles, three interceptions, and six pass breakups while making eight starts.

Kelly was injured on the Broncos’ second drive and remained down after the play with what the broadcast described as a “serious” leg injury. Trainers applied an air cast while teammates offered consolation before Kelly was taken to the locker room on the cart. Kelly leads the Raiders with three interceptions this season. His loss is consequential.

Kyu Blu Kelly was claimed off waivers from the Packers in a corresponding move. Johnson signed a two-year, $7 million contract with the Commanders this offseason. Johnson had 17 tackles and one pass breakup while also contributing on special teams. He will likely clear waivers and become a free agent.

Kelly was a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft, but he was released at the end of training camp and spent the last two-and-a-half months with the Seattle Seahawks. In five games, he played 38 snaps on special teams but didn’t see any action on defense. Kelly was named Second Team All-Pac-12 the last two seasons, leading the P12 in pass break-ups in 2021 while recording 58 tackles and 16 stops with a 72.2 PFF cover grade. With 32” arms, he has the length to probe receivers and make plays on the ball to go with advanced route recognition. Kelly should provide immediate depth for the Packers, following the trade of Rasul Douglas to the Buffalo Bills and with Jaire Alexander battling an injury.

The son of a five-year NFL cornerback, Kelly (6’0/191) grew up playing the position which helped him become a true freshman starter after just three games. Kelly was named Second Team All-Pac-12 the last two seasons, leading the P12 in PBU in 2021 while recording 58 tackles and 16 stops with a 72.2 PFF cover grade. With 32” arms, he has the length to probe receivers and make plays on the ball to go with advanced route recognition. Kelly had gained notice at the Senior Bowl for his play, but his top-end speed could be a fatal flaw as 4.52 40-yard dash burst is going to put him at a major disadvantage at the next level. To put things in perspective, that number was the 21st slowest time in just the 2023 CB draft group. Kelly’s 4.35 shuttle was a 33rd percentile mark and Kelly didn’t do the bench, adding to some concerns about his ability to be physical and challenge at the catch point with bigger receivers. Despite some athletic limitations, Kelly has the overall know-how to carve out an NFL role.

While Kelly is listed on both the 247Sports composite board and ESPN 300 as a cornerback, Rivals views the 6-foot-1, 160-pounder as a wide receiver in waiting. Setting aside what position the Las Vegas native ultimately plays at the collegiate level, he slides into the aforementioned composite board as the No. 4 prospect in the state of Nevada for the 2019 cycle.