Luke Kuechly

Luke Kuechly

33-Year-Old LinebackerLB
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Luke Kuechly in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a five-year, $61.8 million contract with the Panthers in September of 2015.
Announces retirement
LBFree Agent
January 14, 2020
Kuechly announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
The 28-year-old just completed his eighth consecutive season with 100-plus tackles and has been the heart and soul of Carolina's defense, and his retirement certainly comes as a surprise, though his concussion history is well documented. Kuechly received All-Pro honors seven times -- five First Team -- and totaled 1,092 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 18 interceptions and seven forced fumbles in 118 career games, all with the Panthers.
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NFL Stats
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2019
2018
2017
2016
2019 NFL Game Log
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2018 NFL Game Log
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2017 NFL Game Log
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2016 NFL Game Log
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2024 Luke Kuechly Split Stats
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Measurables Review
How do Luke Kuechly's measurables compare to other linebackers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 3"
 
Weight
238 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.58 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.12 sec
 
Cone Drill
6.92 sec
 
Vertical Jump
38.0 in
 
Broad Jump
123 in
 
Bench Press
27 reps
 
Hand Length
9.75 in
 
Arm Length
31.00 in
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Luke Kuechly See More
2021 NFL Team Previews: Carolina Panthers
July 27, 2021
With Christian McCaffrey back in the saddle and improvements across the roster, the Panthers will look to take the next step under coach Matt Rhule.
2020 NFL Team Previews: Carolina Panthers
May 20, 2020
It's a new era in Carolina. Led by Christian McCaffrey, the Panthers will look to forge ahead without Cam Newton and Ron Rivera at the reins.
All-Time NFL Teams
All-Time NFL Teams
March 24, 2020
March 24, 2020
Chris Liss and Jeff Erickson select their all-time, real-life NFL teams. Chris took Aaron Donald as his starting defensive tackle.
IDP Analysis: Week 15 Matchups
IDP Analysis: Week 15 Matchups
December 11, 2019
December 11, 2019
Against an overmatched Atlanta team, the 49ers should be playing with a lead, offering their already great pass rushers, including Nick Bosa, great opportunities for a big day.
IDP Analysis: Week 12 Matchups
IDP Analysis: Week 12 Matchups
November 19, 2019
November 19, 2019
Jim Coventry lists multiple factors that should lead Shaquil Barrett and the Bucs’ pash rush to have a better than usual game against the Falcons.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
If you time traveled to 2015 with Kuechly ranked eighth among linebacker IDPs it would risk a riot. Formerly the unchallenged LB1, Kuechly is still a dominant force when healthy, but his concussion history lurks as a slew of new elite talents arrive to the league. Darius Leonard, Leighton Vander Esch, Roquan Smith and Tremaine Edmunds were all in last year's draft alone, matching Kuechly's elite skill set with none of the injury concerns. Kuechly may well have another LB1 season in him despite his slipping status, as he remains an uncommon playmaking threat in addition to his steady tackle production.
If you make your IDP rankings on per-game projections rather than aggregate numbers, Kuechly arguably is still your LB1. His concussion history is the only concern here, but it's substantial enough that he's not the indisputable top asset at his position. His offseason shoulder surgery doesn't help that anxiety any. But when he's plugged in, Kuechly is almost infallible at middle linebacker – an annual candidate to lead the league in tackles per game while providing an above-average blitz threat and unmatched potential for interceptions. If his health is assured, he will almost certainly dominate.
Despite concussion issues, Kuechly makes a compelling case for the top ranking among linebackers, particularly after Lavonte David's down year last season. When healthy, Kuechly is in his own class --- 694 tackles in 71 games means he can be an IDP game-changer any given week, and that's without factoring in his strong production as a blitzer (nine career sacks) and in coverage (12 career interceptions). Nine missed games due to concussions the last two years is, of course, a concern, but if he stays healthy, Kuechly likely won't have competition for the top LB spot.
Kuechly has safely established legendary status and will be the consensus top-ranked linebacker for the foreseeable future. This is for good reason, as Kuechly has 592 career tackles (371 solo), seven sacks and 11 interceptions in 61 regular-season games (four seasons), with another 57 tackles (24 solo), two sacks, three interceptions and two touchdowns in six playoff games – numbers that combine to project to 155 tackles, two sacks and three picks over a 16-game schedule. With the league's best DT rotation giving him space to roam, Kuechly will continue to dominate.
Kuechly might have NFL peers, but only a few, and he probably has no superiors. Since 2012, when the Panthers selected him ninth overall, Kuechly is the only player with 150-plus tackles each year. Only four others in that span have done it even once, none twice. His seven interceptions since 2012 are second among linebackers, as he earns elite marks in all IDP dimensions. He's proven durable, too, never missing a game. And it doesn't hurt that he has a fine duo of defensive tackles in Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short to keep blockers off him.
Kuechly's 2013 season was a slight disappointment in IDP terms, as he was expected to lead the league in tackles, but he finished fourth with 156. Vontaze Burfict, Paul Posluszny and Kiko Alonso all finished with higher totals, but what's amazing is that each of them played anywhere from 100 to 200 more snaps than Kuechly. In other words, Kuechly would project to an easy lead-league in tackles if he hadn't played for a defense that saw just 975 snaps – the fourth-lowest total in the league. His floor couldn't be much higher, and there's reason to think his ceiling will rise in 2014. The Panthers offense lost two of its three best players in tackle Jordan Gross and receiver Steve Smith, so Carolina might not be able to extend offensive drives as reliably in 2014. That means more punts, which equates to more plays for the defense and more tackles for Kuechly. Thanks to his unparalleled tackle rate and his ability to consistently make plays in coverage (six interceptions in two years), Kuechly should probably be the first LB selected in most IDP formats.
Selected with the ninth overall pick out of Boston College – after he posted an absurd 532 tackles in 38 games – Kuechly lived up to every bit of the hype during his rookie season. Despite seeing fewer than 50 snaps in four games, Kuechly finished with double-digit tackles in 10 games and at least eight in three more. The result was 165 tackles (103 solo), one sack, two interceptions and three fumble recoveries, making Kuechly the choice for top overall IDP as no one at any other position separates himself from the pack by the same margin, and high-volume tacklers are always the most consistent point producers on the defensive side of the ball.
It’s extremely rare for a rookie to warrant a lofty ranking as an IDP, but Kuechly is more than a slight exception to the rule. Everything about his game is blue chip – he’s extremely instinctive, possesses rare athleticism (4.58-second 40-yard dash at 242 pounds) and, more than anything else, is exceptionally productive. Kuechly was a three-year starter at Boston College and totaled 532 tackles (299 solo) in 38 games, which projects to 224 tackles (126 solo) over 16 games. Kuechly won't carry that hysterical production to the NFL level, of course, but it’s reasonable to expect 120-plus tackles from him as a rookie. His IDP upside is further aided by his rare coverage abilities – Kuechly also finished his college career with seven interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. As a top prospect with a three-down skill set in an annually bad defense, Kuechly should see a big snap volume as a rookie, and it’s likely he’ll capitalize in a big way.
More Fantasy News
Places fifth in tackles
LBCarolina Panthers
December 31, 2019
Kuechly, who made six tackles in Sunday's 42-10 loss to the Saints, finishes up the 2019 campaign with 144 stops (81 solo) and two interceptions in 16 games played.
ANALYSIS
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Makes six stops
LBCarolina Panthers
December 23, 2019
Kuechly made six tackles (five solo) in Sunday's 38-6 loss to the Colts.
ANALYSIS
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Big day versus Seahawks
LBCarolina Panthers
December 16, 2019
Kuechly made 17 tackles (eight solo) in Sunday's 30-24 loss to the Seahawks.
ANALYSIS
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Piles up tackles
LBCarolina Panthers
December 8, 2019
Kuechly posted 11 tackles (eight solo) and a pass breakup in Sunday's 40-20 loss to the Falcons.
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Posts seven stops
LBCarolina Panthers
December 2, 2019
Kuechly made seven tackles (three solo) in Sunday's 29-21 loss to the Redskins.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Could receive offers in retirement
LBFree Agent
September 13, 2020
Dan Fetes of 13WHAM thinks that the Bills could attempt to coax Keuchly out of retirement.
ANALYSIS
Buffalo had two key linebackers go down to injury Week 1, and if either Tremaine Edmunds (shoulder) or Matt Milano (hamstring) are forced to miss significant time, the team could be desperate to find competent replacements. Coach Sean McDermott spent five years working with Kuechly while he was the Panthers' defensive coordinator, but it remains to be seen whether the former star would even consider a return to the field. The 29-year-old cited the physical demands of playing at the pro level when he announced his retirement back in January.
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