NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said that Notre Dame LB Manti Te’o does not have the same abilites that Carolina Panthers LB Luke Kuechly had a year ago. ‘Kuechly was a tackling machine. Kuechly was set for today’s NFL,’ said Mayock. ‘If you could match up a prototype inside linebacker with today’s NFL, it is Luke Kuechly. With his speed he’s a pass first linebacker. He can play three downs. You don’t have to take him off the field in nickel; in fact, he’s going to be better in nickel, so to me Kuechly is made for today’s NFL. Te’o struggles a little bit more because he isn’t naturally built that way. He isn’t as naturally quick or the natural explosion or the change of direction like Luke. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t tough, instinctive and smart.’
NFL | Manti Te’o does not have Luke Kuechly’s abilities