In Tip of the Arrowhead's 2012 Mock Draft, I had Luke Kuechly going to the Kansas City Chiefs with the 11th overall pick. While I think Scott Pioli and the Chiefs organization are looking for trade partners to move down in the draft, I didn't want to mess with it and had KC staying there and selecting Kuechly. Now I will go into a little more detail about why I selected Kuechly, and what kind of player he was and projects to be.
Kuechly is not a new name in the possible Chiefs draft pick conversation. And honestly, I'm not even sure about the pick myself. But my lack of conviction about Kuechly as a future Chief in no way reflects the sort of player Kuechly is and was at Boston College.
Kuechly, the 6-3 and 237 lbs middle linebacker, got his path to a 1st round pick underway as a freshman. In 2009 as an outside linebacker, he was named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year and selected to the CFN All-Freshman Defensive Team, as well as being named the Emerald Bowl's Defensive MVP. In 2010, Kuechly made the transition to middle linebacker and went on to lead the country with 183 tackles. Additionally, he was a finalist for both the Butkus and Nagurski Awards, broke Boston College's single season tackle mark, won Defensive MVP in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, and was named a consensus All -American.
In Kuechly's 2011, and what ended up being last, season at Boston College, Kuechly once again lead the nation in tackles with 191, broke the FBS record for season tackles-per-game average, personally received the Butkus Award, as well as the Lombardi Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy, and Bronko Nagurski Award. It was clear that Kuechly was the best linebacker in the nation, and declared for the draft after three outstanding seasons leading Boston College's defense.
Lack of experience or only a one season sample size is not the problem in Kuechly's case. He's going to be a very good addition to any defense that drafts him. The reason I am uncertain that Kuechly fits with the Chiefs is because of where he would fit.
He's not going to replace Derrick Johnson, so Kuechly would have to play beside Johnson. Right now, that's Jovan Belcher's position, with expected competition coming from Brandon Silar this training camp. While Kuechly would be an upgrade, Belcher is a solid player and plays his role within the defense. Johnson has repeatedly praised Belcher's ability to take on blockers as the reason why he has been so dominate in tackles over the last two seasons.
Nevertheless, if a better opportunity presents itself, you have to go for it, and Kuechly might represent just that. Todd McShay of ESPN said that Kuechly could make a good weakside middle linebacker and is an "instinctive tackling machine who could flourish under [Head Coach Romeo] Crennel."
I don't disagree with this statement at all, but am just not convinced that adding a middle linebacker is the Chiefs biggest need entering 2012. And while I would love to have Kuechly as a Chief, there might be bigger fish to fry, especially looking at the lack of a nose tackle on the Chiefs roster right now. So while Kuechly is my Mock Draft pick, I wouldn't be surprised if the Chiefs went in another direction come the end of April.
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