Much of our discussion about Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly has centered around whether the Eagles would actually value the LB position enough to take him. Kuechly played all over the place at BC, so even though the Eagles traded for DeMeco Ryans to man the middle, there's still a place and a need for him on this team.
But would he even be there at 15? That's the question that ESPN's Kevin Weidl asked in his latest Insider column. He says that scouts see Kuechly as one of the best pure football players in this class, so even though he doesn't play a premium position, he could still potentially be a top 10 pick.
The interest in Kuechly begins as early as No. 7 overall, with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are perhaps looking to upgrade with the kind of safe, proven prospect that general manager Gene Smith is known to covet. The Carolina Panthers are also a possibility at No. 9, with LBs Thomas Davis and Jon Beason coming off injuries and depth being a concern.
And don't count out the Buffalo Bills, who pick 10th overall. The Bills finished 28th in the NFL in rushing defense last season (139 ypg), and Kuechly would be a welcome addition in the middle as Buffalo transitions to a 4-3 defense.
Even if LK gets out of the top 10, it's not likely he'd get much further. The Chiefs at #11 and the Seahawks at #12 would both have need of his services and probably would be happy to see him fall into their lap. Weidl says the Eagles "would be thrilled in the unlikely event Kuechly somehow falls to them at No. 15."