2012 NFL Draft - Pick 9: Luke Kuechly, LB, Carolina Panthers

by Cory J. Bonini on April 26, 2012 @ 18:08:49 PDT

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The Carolina Panthers selected Boston College middle linebacker Luke Kuechly with the ninth overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.

Fantasy analysis: Carolina has a mess of concerns at linebacker, but the middle spot is no longer one to worry about with the addition of Kuechly. He is a possible 10-time Pro Bowler due to his superior tackling ability and impressive coverage skills.

Jon Beason is recovering from an Achilles' tendon injury, and Thomas Davis has three torn anterior cruciate ligament injuries under his belt. The need for a tackle machine was high, especially with a young, learning pair of interior tackles.

Kuechly is a great No. 2 fantasy linebacker in IDP leagues and helps upgrade the Panthers' fantasy defense to the low-end No. 1 territory. They are more safely chosen as a backup unit, though.

About Cory J. Bonini

Cory is KFFL's General Manager. In late 2002, he joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association, as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, Bonini has been featured in print, on radio and on scores of websites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors. Follow @CoryKFFL