An Inside Linebacker Prospect: 4th Rd.

In my opinion, going to an attacking 3-4 defense requires ultra-athletic linebackers, all 4 of them. Orakpo is solid for years to come, but Fletcher is almost done, McIntosh doesn't appear to fit, and LOLB is wide open, but with plenty of bodies. The team needs to address the inside linebacker spot in this draft. A potential 4th round prospect is Jamar Chaney of Mississippi State.

YouTube - Jamar Chaney - Blitz

Jamar Chaney is 6'1", 242 lbs, ran a blistering 4.48 at his pro-day, and was the fastest linebacker at the combine with 4.54. He missed the entire 2008 season with a broken leg, but was very productive inside in 2007 and 2009.
He is versatile as he played outside as a freshman.

YouTube - Jamar Chaney - vs Run

He is in the mix to be drafted anywhere from mid-3rd to early-5th. The Skins would need to jump on him in the 4th to secure a 3 down inside backer who has excellent cover skills, decent against the run, and someone who can blitz effectively from the inside.

YouTube - Jamar Chaney - vs Pass

His main weaknesses seems to be his lack of strength at the Point Of Attack, and he is a drag-down tackler. His strengthes, other than speed, is his motor and ability to get to the ball. He is also a vocal and emotional leader and he was an excellent special teams player.

Chaney also played a tough schedule against NFL caliber competition such as : Alabama, Auburn, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia Tech, Houston, LSU, and Ole Miss.

I apologize for the long videos, but at least you can get a decent perspective. I don't see his weaknesses as strong negatives; he is all over the place, and with better coaching and strength conditioning; he could be a solid starter or better.

Sideline Scouting - Inside Linebackers (http://www.sidelinescouting.net/rankings/ilb.shtml)

Jamar Chaney, Mississippi State, NFL Draft - CBSSports.com - NFLDraftScout.com (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1116461?tag=pageRow;pageContainer)

National Football League: NFL Draft 2010 - Jamar Chaney (http://www.nfl.com/draft/2010/profiles/jamar-chaney?id=496907#tab-analysis)

Donald Butler Washington.....reminds me of Bart Scott

Chaney's good, but I feel like he's not that good of a fit for a 3-4 ILB, too small for the run I think. Spikes, Butler, and Micah Johnson would fit though on the other hand.

YouTube - Micah Johnson Highlights 2008 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dc7RoALOZfM)

I like Butler a lot, and would gladly take him. Chaney has the size, just not the strength. Possibly he could get more lower body power with a solid work-out regimen and better technique.

Johnson and Spikes are good run stuffers, but are too slow to be in on passing downs. In most 2nd and long situations, they have to come out, and basically we have a 1 down player.

Today's pass happy NFL is about speed first and foremost. A guy can get stronger or football-smarter, but he can't get faster. Draft a 3 down player like Butler or Chaney, in my opinion.

Good peice of research, worth a look in the 4th rd if we have picked up our two OT's by then.

Shanahan has used faster LBs but, always with a 4-man front.