When examining players that the Kansas City Chiefs could be interested in during the NFL draft, we usually have a few qualities in mind: High character guy. High floor. Safe. Fundamentally strong. That's now always how GM Scott Pioli drafts (see the 2011 NFL draft) but those are the types of players that the Chiefs like to bring in, and have consistently brought in over three years.
When applying those qualities to the 2012 NFL draft, I keep coming back to Boston College LB Luke Kuechly. He just seems like a Pioli type of pick. Via CBS Sports:
"He might be the safest player in the draft, to be honest with you," one high-level scout said. "You look at his stats and you think there is no way that he can be in on that many tackles but when you watch the tape, he is. Just an incredibly instinctive player who is always around the action. I'm not so sure he's going to test well or fits in every scheme, but he's a hell of a player who can be the quarterback of your defense for the next 10 years because of his leadership and preparation."
The Chiefs are drafting 11th or 12th so Kuechly will probably be there (nothing's guaranteed, though). Mel Kiper and Todd McShay have both mocked Kuechly to KC.
I'd throw Kuechly into the pile of players the Chiefs could be considering in April.
0 recs | 78 comments
I know it's always nice to go BPA over need, but I just feel like ILB isn't even close to our biggest need heading into the draft.
MtHammer - February 20, 2012
Still a long time before then, too.
Who knows what gets done before that day.
KaloPhoenix - February 20, 2012
Unless we address RT, LG, NT, WR, CB, and, most importantly, QB in free agency before the draft, ILB will not be our biggest need.
And, honestly, even if we sign Manning and especially if we sign someone like Orton or Campbell, I’d still rather see that 1st round pick used to help acquire a QBOTF.
I don’t think that’s likely to happen, but nonetheless.
MtHammer - February 20, 2012
I definitely agree that RT, QB, and NT have to be addressed first
And there aren’t enough (any?) good RTs available in free agency, so RT will be the pick, even if we move down.
The Gentry - February 20, 2012
I didn't like this pick at first...
but I’ve been warming up to it. If we can upgrade the both lines in FA, I would be willing to spend a 1st at LB. I’m a little higher on Dont’a though.
EricBerryYoYouScary - February 20, 2012
Calling Bullshit
http://www.newerascouting.com/2012/01/19/luke-kuechly-2012-nfl-draft-scouting-report/
Everyone was saying the same thing about Bryan Bulaga couple years back. Consistent, solid, nothing flashy, lunch pail type of player. Barf. Give me an athletic freak who’s ceiling is thru the roof
KansasCityShuffle - February 20, 2012
I know quite a few smart, hard-working, high character people.
I wouldn’t draft any of them 12th overall to back up DJ for six years.
Brsrkr - February 20, 2012
It's called a 3-4
He wouldn’t back up DJ
GracieKal - February 20, 2012
It's called being a WILB in our system so yeah he is a back up
BAMFSpecialOps - February 20, 2012
Are you arguing that he wouldn't be an upgrade over Belcher?
Because that is who he would be replacing, if we were to draft him.
PVChiefsfan - February 20, 2012
No he wouldn't
He is in no way shape or form a SILB in our system, he would be on the bench not on the field.
BAMFSpecialOps - February 21, 2012
Re: High floor?
Um, what?
KansasCityShuffle - February 20, 2012
Meaning very low risk.
Tarkus - February 20, 2012
Passing up all the 1st round talent
for this 2nd round scrub sounds hella risky to me
KansasCityShuffle - February 20, 2012
Seriously LOL'd.
Gonna get in trouble at work.
Falcon58 - February 20, 2012
Scrub???
Tell me why you think he is a scrub, give me an intelligent answer please?
GracieKal - February 20, 2012
Because he's a guy who can't get no love from me
Not 1st round talent. How many MLB’s have gone 1st round over the past couple years? He’s no better than Laurinaitis, which, remind me again what round he was drafted in?
KansasCityShuffle - February 20, 2012
How many Butkus Award winners go round 1?
2011 – Luke Kuechly, Boston College
2010 – Von Miller, Texas A&M
2009 – Rolando McClain, Alabama
2008 – Aaron Curry, Wake Forest
2007 – James Laurinaitis, Ohio State University
2006 – Patrick Willis, Mississippi
2005 – Paul Posluszny, Penn State
2004 – Derrick Johnson, Texas
SwimCoach - February 20, 2012
1988 - Derrick Thomas, Alabama
SwimCoach - February 20, 2012
Your talent evaluation is based on Skin Color
Which shows your ignorance… Bulaga, Laurinaitis…
Also, I guarantee you that if teams knew the kind of player Laurinaitis would translate to, they would’ve taken him in the first round, he is one of the top LBs in the entire NFL.
If Luke can play like Laurinaitis, I’ll take him all day.
BTW, your response wasn’t intelligent, didn’t show me you have watched any tape on the guy
GracieKal - February 20, 2012
Posluz & Laurinatis
are the comparisons, throw in Sean Lee whom IMO is even better than Posluz. All 3 MLB’s – all 3 second round picks. Why does Kuechly deviate from this group?
Why do I need to make an “intelligent” defense after I already posted a link highlighting his flaws? You want me to recycle someone else’s opinions as my own informed, independent analysis?
The race card? Classy.
KansasCityShuffle - February 20, 2012
Compare him to someone black then
simple solution.
SwimCoach - February 20, 2012
Race is irrelevant
Rey Maualuga is an example. Yet another MLB prospect more gifted than Kuechly, who came from a better program, and was drafted 2nd round. Kuechly isn’t a Top 12 talent, come off it
KansasCityShuffle - February 20, 2012
No, Rey wasn't more talented
Rey dropped to the second cause he had a terrible 40 time and lots of other question marks that arose during Pro Days and the evaluation period.
Also, in the NFL thus far James >> Rey
GracieKal - February 20, 2012
Rey's big issue was also
he couldn’t stay on the field for more then 2 plays in college.
SwimCoach - February 20, 2012
Also, Side note
He compares in no way shape or form to Rey, skill sets are very different… not helping out your case of being able to evaluate talent
GracieKal - February 20, 2012
You're right
we’re comparing apples to orange’s here. A 4-3 Mike vs. a projected 4-3 Mike. My bad
KansasCityShuffle - February 20, 2012
Just cause someone plays the same position
doesn’t mean they are comparable
GracieKal - February 20, 2012
You're right
We have to caution ourselves when analyzing Cassel that just because he’s a QB doesn’t mean he should be compared to others. Oh wait.
KansasCityShuffle - February 20, 2012
This will be settled come draft day
Clearly Kuechly is such a can’t miss prospect we’ll be hearing his name Called Day 1. Bookmarked.
KansasCityShuffle - February 20, 2012
I think it will be
or should be.
SwimCoach - February 20, 2012
You just solidified your race card even moreso
By bringing Sean Lee and Puz into the conversation.
Also, I stand by my comment that if people knew James was going to translate so well into the NFL they would’ve taken him in round 1, which is why their is an increased chance that Luke will go in round 1… based on your comparisons.
I’m not even saying that Luke is my top choice at 11/12, cause he is not, but we could do a lot worse, and he would provide us with a solid player, and a sure tackler for years.
GracieKal - February 20, 2012
Because I used
2 of the more prominent MLB prospect’s as means of comparison’s? For the sake of argument – how many black MLB’s have been drafted in the Top 2 rounds in years past?
KansasCityShuffle - February 20, 2012
Prominent because they are good
GracieKal - February 20, 2012
Get back to me on that answer
KansasCityShuffle - February 20, 2012
He seems like a legit player
but OT would be a better fill IMO
GaryfromIA - February 20, 2012
Its logical if we ran a 4-3
Since we don’t it would make no sense.
Granted I wouldn’t mind Kuechly since I think he’s got the upside and intangibles to fit eventually, but he’s rather low end on people I’d want.
I’d rather draft Ryan Tannehil or even Dont’a Hightower.
ChiefWarPaint - February 20, 2012
Actually, he makes more sense in a 3-4
GracieKal - February 20, 2012
No he doesn't
At all, how does he make sense in a 3-4?
ChiefWarPaint - February 20, 2012
Chiefs sign Stanford Routt
3 yr 20 million
SB IV Champs - February 20, 2012
Get that O/T shit out of here!
KansasCityShuffle - February 20, 2012
source?
mushin - February 20, 2012
Schefter
upamtn - February 20, 2012
Damn!
F250 - February 20, 2012
If you aint got a three-lettered acronym for a name
dont want you
ArrowDread - February 20, 2012
or two letters and one digit
ArrowDread - February 20, 2012
If Pioli actually pulled the trigger on this
I think I would never ever question anything he did ever again. He would instantly be the best thing that’s happened to the Chiefs in 40 years.
Face Painter - February 20, 2012
#RG3+LMJ2KC
ArrowDread - February 20, 2012
Unstoppable.
Face Painter - February 20, 2012
This is just 'news' for news' sake.
There’s no way in hell we pick this guy. But, it would be boring if all the draft outlets kept saying we’re picking a RT. So, they look at what we need and slot in some guys who fit the bill. That’s fine. But, like a few people have said, we have other GLARING holes that need to be addressed.
Face Painter - February 20, 2012
If by logical you mean completely illogical because he's not a SILB by any stretch then I completely agree.
GenericBrand - February 20, 2012
Joel's still feelin the Mclain pain.
Brsrkr - February 20, 2012
If we're gonna ignore big needs
I want DeCastro if he is there
worc - February 20, 2012
Because guard is a big need?
GenericBrand - February 20, 2012
He did say if we're gonna ignore big needs
I think ignore was the operative word
Everest - February 20, 2012
i figured RT is a bigger need than a guard
worc - February 20, 2012
Misread, my bad.
GenericBrand - February 20, 2012
Doesn't fit
That would be our scheme they are talking about, not a SILB, last I checked DJ56 was doing “all right” at WILB.
Everest - February 20, 2012
He can play SILB
nothing about his game says he can’t, I’d actually argue he is better suited for SILB than WILB
GracieKal - February 20, 2012
Nothing about his game says he can't?
Watch the kid play! He doesn’t take and shed blocks, hardly crashes the line. Usually flows down the line so he stays clean and can make a play.
BAMFSpecialOps - February 20, 2012
Fixed
GenericBrand - February 20, 2012
He makes plays around the LOS and can make them behind when he meets the RB in the hole
A ton of his tackles are way beyond the LOS however
BAMFSpecialOps - February 20, 2012
He does an awful lot of running around blockers.
That doesn’t bode well for a SILB.
GenericBrand - February 20, 2012
So true
then again a lot of people don’t care for technique or anything.. see big stats and ‘’omg I WANTZ’
BAMFSpecialOps - February 20, 2012
OMG he had 17 tackles and 10 assists in one game!!
Trade up to take him!
GenericBrand - February 20, 2012
He has got to be a man beast, and a perfect fit for us at SILB if he can do that!
BAMFSpecialOps - February 20, 2012
Good player
But its just not worth it. Trade up for RG3 or get Oline
MaTTDoGG12 - February 20, 2012
My man
I hope Mel and McShay are correct.
SwimCoach - February 20, 2012
I had your back with Berry.
But not this time, coach.
Brsrkr - February 20, 2012
I would rather trade down several times and draft Hightower or Burfict.
Then come back with OT, TE, G in rds 2-3.
Mustang fever - February 20, 2012
I would too
GracieKal - February 20, 2012
to be happy with this signing
i’d have to see Pioli sign Nicks and Bell, and then still draft another lineman or two.
chief Stevie_k - February 20, 2012
There would be nothing logical about the drafting of Kuechly
An SILB that comes off whenever the team plays nickel or dime defenses? The SILB is the least important position in a 3-4, especially in a pass-happy league.
Dagda - February 20, 2012
agree
I would hate having two Butkus Award winners in the middle of my 3-4 Defense. I mean, why would you spend a top pick to help lock up the front 7 w/ a tackling machine who has a high football IQ and great character.
SwimCoach - February 20, 2012
Because he doesn't fit our scheme
ChiefWarPaint - February 20, 2012
Really?
You’re argument is based on an award where 2 of the 3 most recent winners have been complete busts?
GenericBrand - February 20, 2012
Well like.. yeah!
He got a trophy.. that has to mean he will be a beast at the next level!
BAMFSpecialOps - February 20, 2012
A good rule of thumb
If you are on the same page as Todd McShay then you’re probably reading the wrong book.
GenericBrand - February 20, 2012
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