How much better is Kuechly than his peers? Here's one illustration: "Madden NFL 17" lists 20 positions other than middle linebacker, and the top-two players at each are separated by the slim average of 2.15 rating points. And then there's Kuechly's position, where he is nine points ahead of the next-closest middle linebackers, Brandon Marshall and Derrick Johnson, who both are rated as 90s. "Madden NFL 17" rated Kuechly as 97 or better in seven categories, ranging from tackling to toughness, but it underrated his man-coverage skills, giving him a 74. I dare you to watch the way Kuechly sticks with Julio Jones down the seam on this play and tell me he deserves a 74.
