NFL Mock Draft 2012: Mel Kiper Has Luke Kuechly Going To Kansas City Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs have one of the best linebacking corps in the NFL, with the only hole coming at inside linebacker next to Derrick Johnson in the team's 3-4 scheme. Jovan Belcher has held down the spot the last two seasons and Brandon Siler was signed to bring competition last offseason only to be out for the season due to injury. Despite Siler's re-signing for next season, Mel Kiper believes the Chiefs will fill that slot with their first round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

In his second mock draft, Kiper has Luke Kuechly headed from Boston College to the Chiefs to become the weapon there -- joining Justin Houston, Johnson and Tamba Hali.

Kiper writes, "In Romeo Crennel's system, you have to find linebackers with great instincts who can be physical in the run game, make stops through the hole and get into the backfield. Kuechly is simply a machine, a prototype for what you want in an interior linebacker. He has exceptional instincts, and masks any questions of his speed by diagnosing the play faster than anybody out there. Can play a little high, but that's just quibbling, as he takes few false steps. I can see the Chiefs looking for a nose tackle, but this slot might be a little high for great value there."

Kuechly has been considered a longshot for us for the Chiefs at that slot simply due to the overwhelming need for a right tackle and the presence of options at that draft slot. Perhaps Crennel at the helm could shift the focus to the defense for such an impact player.