With the Super Bowl over, attention turns toward the NFL draft in late April.
Clearly, the Eagles must upgrade their linebacker corps, and while its fashionable to point to the draft as the answer, Im not so sure thats the proper way to go this year to fix whats lacking in with that unit.
It is widely viewed that the top two inside linebacker prospects are Arizona States Vontaze Burfict and Boston Colleges Luke Kuechly (see our mock draft). Both are universally regarded as being worthy of being taken with a Top-15 pick. With the Eagles slotted in the 15th spot, one of these players or the other is being attached to them. I say drafting either player there would be a mistake.
Of the two prospects, Kuechly, is the most athletic, the better player. But he loses a lot of physical battles. If thats the case against ACC competition, whats going to happen when he tries to fight through traffic to tackle NFL backs? On just about every play I reviewed, Kuechly was neutralized whenever a blocker got at least one hand on him. Thats not good enough for an NFL middle man, and its certainly not worth a high draft pick.
On plays where he ran free and untouched, Kuechly was faster, more certain and effective. The reality is he wont roam free in the NFL. I see Kuechly as a strongside linebacker, where his athleticism is an asset in coverage, but he is not the 15th pick in this years draft. If viewed as a middle man, hes a project, and thats too risky with such a valuable selection.
As for Burfict, not only would I not select him at No. 15, I would not use a first round pick on him. Listed at 6-3250, he has the size to play the middle, but he plays smaller than that. Not an imposing force in the middle, Burfict lacks instincts and footspeed, and is slow to identify passing routes. Hes sluggish in his movements, plays too upright and doesnt lower his shoulders and drive into the ball carrier. In short, I would not use anything higher than a fourth-round pick on Burfict. I dont see why hes being touted as a Top 15 talent.
To address their deficiencies with immediate impact, the Eagles would be better off targeting ILBs in free agency, if the top players get to the market. Curtis Lofton, Stephen Tulloch and DQwell Jackson are a few possible candidates.
E-mail Ron Burke at rburke@comcastsportsnet.com