By Jeremy Hritz
| Height: 6’3 Weight: 250 40 (est.): 4.6 College: Wisconsin |
| Career Stats – 178 total tackles, 25.5 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks, 1 interception, 3 forced fumbles |
| Strengths – Powerful and strong, able to dispense blockers with ease – Great pop to offset and disengage blockers – Unyielding motor, rarely knocked off balance in pursuit of ball carriers – Is passionate about and loves football–no question about it |
| Areas for Growth – Not a coverage linebacker, and is, in fact, a liability in coverage – While he loves the game, does not have natural instincts for the position – Must grow in his lateral movement to play sideline-to-sideline – Still raw in technique at inside backer |
| Best-Case Scenario Chenal is physical with a capital P, and is in love with the game. What he lacks in technique, he can overcome through coaching and develop into a quality run-stuffing “Buck” linebacker, and be adequate when called upon to defend the pass. While he never will be a force in defending the pass, his never-say-die attitude and physicality will make him a feared defender on the inside of a defense. |
| Likely Reality A slightly above-average insider backer starter who can shut down the run but is a liability in pass coverage. |
| Projected Round 3rd/4th round |
| Potential to Land with the Steelers The Steelers are in need of a “Buck”backer, and Chenal could be the man. The team doesn’t need a “move” linebacker, as the team is going to give Devin Bush every opportunity to show he still has it, while they are in need of a physical player who can make running backs think twice about pounding it inside. A selection of Chenal would make you question the worth of Buddy Johnson, but if Chenal is on the board 3rd or 4th round, the Steelers will think long and hard. |