Luke Kuechly

[Tribal Warfare]

Originally Posted by Saccopoo

"Could be" is the operative phrase. Hightower is a two-down guy in this system who doesn't bring anything more to the table than Belcher other than less experience.

He's a nice player, but he will struggle to operate out in space at the next level. Hightower only has 4 sacks for his entire career at Alabama and two interceptions. He's a pure two-down thumper at this point.

If he's there in the second, I wouldn't have a problem with the Chiefs picking him, but, again, I think it's a bit of a redundant selection as he is essentially the same player as Belcher minus the NFL level on-field experience that Jovan has.

People might not know it, but Belcher is high level athlete. He was a three time All-American wrestler in high school and played OLB and defensive end for Maine. (He had 17.5 TFL and 7.5 sacks as a senior.) He was a two-time first team FCS All-American and Colonial league Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. (The Chiefs absolutely stole him as a UDFA in 2009.)

He weighed in a 243 on his Pro Day and was 255 to start the season last year. (Still can't figure out why the Chiefs keep listing him at 228 on the team site.) Belcher's pro day numbers are nearly identical to Hightowers:

Belcher:
6' 1 3/8"
243 lbs.
40: 4.8
Vert: 30"
Broad: 9'0"
20 ss: 4.25
3 Cone: 7.07
Bench: 19

Hightower:
6' 2 1/4"
265 lbs.
40: 4.68
Vert: 32"
Broad: 9'9"
20 ss: 4.64
3 Cone: 7.55
Bench: DNP

Most people recognize Belcher as very good Mike backer and he's gotten substantially better each of the past two seasons as he's adjusted to the NFL level. He's still ascending and only should get better this next season.

Of course Hightower ceiling isn't of a solid roleplayer if he maxes out his potential he would be Kirkland, Belcher had problems shedding blocks and maintaining his gap, Hightower on the other hand is a hoss.