Let's put today's 2012 NFL Draft Prospect Profile in the 'pipe dream' category. That's because I much prefer the 'pipe dream' scenario to the 'hey, Ed, have you suddenly taken up smoking crack?' scenario.
The subject of today's 2012 NFL Draft Prospect Profile is Boston College middle linebacker Luke Keuchly. I know how incredibly unlikely it is that Kuechly would fall to the New York Giants at No. 32 this April. I am, however, applying the 'Prince Amukamara' rule to this profile. We established previously that the Amukamara rule means we are able to discuss prospects who should not fall to the Giants, but might because crazy things happen in the draft. I am also applying the 'Boston College' rule. This one is simple -- if the player is from Boston College the Giants will most definitely be interested. Because, well, if the player is from Boston College the Giants always ARE interested.
So, now that I have spewed enough of that nonsense let's actually talk about Kuechly. There seems to be a feeling that Kuechly won't get past the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 15. The Eagles, though, did recently trade for middle linebacker Demeco Ryans, so using a No. 1 pick on another middle linebacker might be overkill.
Draft Tek offers a glowing assessment of Kuechly:
"Luke Kuechly is one of the most instinctive linebackers I've ever seen. Everytime you turned on Boston College the last three years it seemed like he was making every tackle. A safety in high school, Kuechly immediately bulked up and moved to MLB for Boston College. Kuechly is a perfect fit as a MLB in any 4-3 scheme but he also has the frame to bulk up and play either spot inside in a 3-4. His instincts also allow him to succeed in coverage which makes him a fit on the weakside in a 4-3 as well. He has athletic limitations and there are questions whether he would be able to keep his marginal speed if he did add weight so I feel his best fit would be inside in a 4-3. A team like the Eagles would be the perfect fit for him as they had very poor linebacker play last year and he's a great fit for their defense. The Giants and Lions are two other teams with linebacker needs that would be great fits."
Dan Kadar of SB Nation's Mocking The Draft sees "elite level instincts" when he watches Kuechly, but seems to wonder if he has the athleticism to star in the NFL. Kadar writes:
At the college level, Kuechly is arguably the most accomplished player in this year's draft. An All-American each of his three seasons at Boston College, Kuechly led the nation in tackles as a sophomore and junior. He's instinctual and will be able to contribute immediately as a rookie. His upside, though, is limited because he's not the strongest or a natural athlete.
Wes Bunting of the National Football Post had this to say about Kuechly:
He's not the biggest, strongest or fastest of athletes. But he's instinctive, plays faster than he times, finds the football in all areas of the game and can really tackle. He's going to be a bit limited in coverage, but he's instinctive enough to play on third down in zone and should end up being one of the NFL's top tackling linebackers for years to come.
Luke Kuechly College Butkus Award Winner 2011 (via tpmediaservices)
Luke Kuechly Profile
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 242
School: Boston College
40 time: 4.58
2011 Stats: 191 tackles (No. 1 in the nation), 12 tackles for loss, zero sacks, 3 interceptions, 3 passes defensed