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NFL Top 100: Kuechly Underrated on the Top Players List

By Joseph Ochoa

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 10: Luke Kuechly #59 and teammate Thomas Davis #58 of the Carolina Panthers react after a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 3rd quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 10, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 10: Luke Kuechly #59 and teammate Thomas Davis #58 of the Carolina Panthers react after a play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 3rd quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on October 10, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Kuechly Rating Revealed for NFL Top 100

The National Football League is continuing its countdown to the top player in the league for the 2019 season, and the final Carolina Panther that made the list was revealed to be Luke Kuechly at24. Other Panthers who made the list were Cam Newton at 88, Gerald McCoy at 75 and Christian McCaffrey at 42.

The star linebacker finished just inside the top quarter of players in the league, falling behind Odell Beckham Jr., Stephon Gilmore and Travis Kelce on the reveal episode.

Kuechly did, however, finished just ahead of Russell Wilson, who ranked 25 on the list., Unfortunately though, it was the first time in the last five seasons of the list where Kuechly was ranked outside of the Top-20 NFL players.

Kuechly’s Ranking Is Far Too Low

Kuechly is a top 10 NFL talent and quite frankly should be considered the best linebacker in the NFL ahead of Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner, who has yet to be revealed on the list.

One of the most iconic moments for the linebacker has come against Wagner’s team in the 2015 NFL Divisional Playoffs when he picked off Wilson and returned the interception all the way for a touchdown.

Beyond that, ever since Kuechly’s first season with the Panthers, he’s been a monster on defense. The Boston College star registered more than 100 tackles in every season within the league and even won Defensive Player of the Year in just his second season with the team.

Kuechly has also lead the NFL in tackles since his debut with 948 tackles and leads all linebackers with 16 interceptions in that same time span.

Kuechly Could Win a Second Defensive Player of the Year

This year is set up for the seven-year pro to win his second DPOY award. The Panthers have built some depth on the defensive side of the ball for the first time since Kuechly won the award six years ago.

They added an all-pro caliber defensive tackle in McCoy late in the offseason and added some outside rushing in Bruce Irvin and Brian Burns, and the secondary looks like it could be a top-10 secondary if both Donte Jackson and James Bradberry stay healthy.

While it will be tough in the second level without Thomas Davis providing defensive help from the outside linebacker position, The perennial all-pro linebacker has a situation for the first time in a while to become a two time DPOY.

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