Luke Kuechly (LB), Boston College
6-3237 lbs.
2011 Stats:
191 tackles, 12 TFL, 3 INT, 2 QBH
Projection:
Early-to-mid first round
Strengths:
Kuechly is one of the best pure tacklers in the country and does a good job lowering his pad level into contact and wrapping up on a consistent basis. He takes excellent angles in pursuit and showcases plus instincts inside vs. the running game. He uses his inside hand well to keep blockers at bay once he side steps contact. (National Football Post)
Weaknesses:
He isn't overly long and opposing lineman will wrap him up and engulf on contact. Kuechly isn't the most powerful athlete on contact and isn't going to force a ton of fumbles at the next level. He's just an above-average open field tackler. (National Football Post)
Fit for the Bears:
It would be a shock if Kuechly fell to the Bears at No. 19 since he's considered the top linebacker in the draft. With Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs getting up there in age, the linebacker position is one Chicago must address in the near future. Kuechly could start on the outside and once Urlacher retires, he would take over at MLB. Those three would arguably give the Bears the best linebacking corps in the NFL, but it's a pipe dream that Kuechly will still be on the board at 19.