29 Days to the Draft: Mississippi State ILB, Jamar Chaney

With the Draft fast approaching, it's time to start looking at some potential players for the Patriots. I'm going to put profiles of 2 players a day- one offense, one defensive- and gain a better understanding of the players in the draft.

Jamar Chaney is a versatile LB from Mississippi State, one who has played both ILB and OLB during his time in college. Our Linebacking core needs a lot of help and Chaney's versatility should provide all around depth. At ILB he should be an immediate contributor on special teams. His speed and strength together make him a formidable and promising prospect. With Tyrone McKenzie as a question mark and Gary Guyton as an okay starter, Jerod Mayo is the only great linebacker on the team- and with a 3-4 defense, great inside linebackers are necessary. Chaney would provide depth and could be that player that stands next to Mayo for years to come.

Measurements and Quotes after the jump.

WalterFootball.com Scouting

Height: 6-1. Weight: 242.
Projected 40 Time: 4.64.
Combine 40 Time: 4.51.
Benchx225: 26. Vertical: 39.
Projected Round (2010): 2-3.

3/2/10: Jamar Chaney quietly pieced together a great Combine, notching a 4.51 40 (fastest for any linebacker), a 39-inch vertical and 26 reps of 225.

1/8/10: Capable of playing most linebacker spots, Jamar Chaney recorded 90 tackles, 4.5 TFL and two sacks as a senior.

2/19/09: Missed almost all of the 2008 season with a leg injury. Started 27 of the previous 29 games before he got hurt.

NFLDraftScouts.com Scouting

40 Yrd Dash: 4.54
20 Yrd Dash: 2.54
10 Yrd Dash: 1.54

225 Lb. Bench Reps: 26
Vertical Jump: 39
Broad Jump: 10'04"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.29
3-Cone Drill: 6.90
40 Time Range: 4.54-4.5

Some Quotes about Chaney:

03/14/2010 - TOP RATED NFL DRAFT SCOUT INSIDE LINEBACKERS: Jamar Chaney, Mississippi State, 6-1, 242, 4: He started at inside and outside linebacker in college and was just beginning to show outstanding pro potential when his progress was interrupted in 2008 by a broken leg. He returned in 2009 to lead the team with 90 tackles, including 4?? for a loss, two sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles. After making the Senior Bowl with a late invitation, Chaney impressed scouts in practice and was named defensive MVP in the game after collecting eight tackles and a fumble recovery. - Frank Cooney, The Sports Xchange, NFLDraftScout.com/CBS Sports/USA TODAY

Chaney put up great combine numbers and supported his off the field work with a great season on the field. While he had a leg injury in 2008, he appears to be back in peak form. He could provide immediate depth on our team and, as shown by his stellar Senior Day performance, he gets the job done on the field against elite competition. Chaney may be the mid-round steal of the draft.

Verdict: Absolutely worth a 4th round pick. If that pick is made by the Patriots, who knows, but he will be a quality contributor in the NFL.