With a new round of mock drafts, Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly remains the popular projection for the Eagles' 15th pick. An early entrant, Kuechly, 6-3, 240, projects as a middle linebacker in the NFL. Of 14 mock drafts surveyed, eight project Kuechly to the Eagles with the 15th overall selection. In all, five other prospects were linked to the Eagles, with Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still the only prospect other than Kuechly to be named more than once. Let's find out what makes Kuechly so popular ...
As always, click on the name of the mock drafter to read the entire projection.
| Mock Draft Tracker | ||
| Site | Selection | Last Updated |
| NFL.com (Charley Casserly) | Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College | February 15 |
| Comment: "The instinctive Kuechly fills the biggest need on Philadelphia's defense. | ||
| NFL.com (Chad Reuter) | Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College | February 8 |
| Comment: "Head coach/GM Andy Reid typically does not address the linebacker position this early in the draft, but the team's problems in the middle of the defense -- and Kuechly's production and instincts -- may be too much to ignore." | ||
| NFL.com (Bucky Brooks) | Devon Still, DT, Penn St. | January 27 |
| Comment: "The Eagles typically use high picks on offensive or defensive linemen, and their struggles against the run could prompt them to take this hulking defensive tackle. Still will command double-teams in the middle and allow the Eagles' young linebackers to run and chase freely to the ball." | ||
| ESPN (Mel Kiper Jr.) | Fletcher Cox, DT, Mississippi St. | February 15 |
| Comment: "While linebacker is a bigger need, it wouldn't be a very good value here if the board lines up like this. In Cox, you get a player who should be great in the 3-4, a powerful bull-rusher who can collapse the pocket, but also a guy who does a good job against the run and plays with a really high motor." | ||
| ESPN (Todd McShay) | Devon Still, DT, Penn St. | February 2 |
| Comment: "There is a lot to like about his upside, given his size and ability to penetrate and disrupt. He is inconsistent on tape, but it's hard to find guys with his combination of skills. " | ||
| CBS Sports (Rob Rang) | Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College | February 14 |
| Comment: "Philadelphia may be perfectly positioned to nab the most productive linebacker in recent college football history. More decorated than a wedding cake, Kuechly is the reigning Butkus, Nagurski, Lombardi and Lott Impact Trophy Award winner and has more career tackles (532) than any other linebacker in the country." | ||
| CBS Sports (Dane Brugler) | Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College | February 14 |
| "If there is a sure thing in this draft, it's Kuechly. He isn't overly flashy or speedy, but his instincts are off the charts and he plays with a nonstop motor on every play, reminiscent of a Zach Thomas-type linebacker. Kuechly will start in the NFL for the next decade and teams know what he brings to the table." | ||
| NFL.com (Elliot Harrison) | Vontaze Burfict, LB, Arizona St. | January 17 |
| Comment: "The Eagles were eyeing Kuechly because they need a linebacker like a math major needs "Star Trek." But with Jerry Jones not exactly being a wingman, Andy Reid has to take Burfict instead." | ||
| FoxSports.com (Peter Schrager) | Zach Brown, LB, North Carolina | January 30 |
| Comment: "In Brown ... the Eagles would get the type of player that's in on every play with a ton of potential to get better. A 6-foot-2, 240-pound tackling machine, Brown's a guy who changes games. Watching a UNC game is like watching a Zach Brown highlight reel. The Eagles could use some of that resourcefulness roaming the middle." | ||
| National Football Post (Wes Bunting) | Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College | February 15 |
| Comment: "A tackling machine with good size, natural instincts and knowledge to fend off blocks and find the football. Is the kind of talent the Eagles need inside to improve their struggling linebacking corps." | ||
| SportsIllustrated.com (Don Banks) | Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College | January 27 |
| Comment: "When you say the words "linebacker" and "Boston College" in the same sentence, Eagles fans still instantly think of Mike Mamula, the team's over-hyped first-rounder in 1995. But Kuechly is this year's finest inside linebacker prospect, and that's where the crying need lies on Philly's defense." | ||
| WalterFootball.com | Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College | February 15 |
| Comment: "Luke Kuechly is the best player available. He would provide an enormous instant upgrade in the linebacking corps." | ||
| The Sideline View (Lance Zierlein) | Kendall Wright, WR, Baylor | February 7 |
| Comment: "The Eagles could look to fill their need at the LB position with this spot, but chances are that there will be LBs available in the 2nd round while the ability to draft one of the top 3 WRs at this spot. " | ||
| Sporting News (Russ Lande) | Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College | February 9 |
| Comment: "With Andy Reid at the helm, the Eagles have never taken a linebacker in the first round. But Kuechly is a special athlete who draws comparisons to Brian Urlacher and would solve their biggest weakness." | ||
