This offseason, one crucial choice for the Kansas City Chiefs revolves around the future of linebacker Nick Bolton. Until that decision is made, several linebacker prospects are likely to capture the team's interest as they eye the upcoming NFL Draft in 2025.
The pursuit of new talent commenced at the NFL Scouting Combine, with Shemar James, a former linebacker from Florida, noting that he had a discussion with the Chiefs.
Let’s delve into some details about James:
Background
Hailing from Mobile, Alabama, James first made waves as a standout linebacker at Faith Academy. He achieved five-star recruit status from Rivals, recognized as the top linebacker in the 2022 class. Ultimately, he chose Florida over other marquee programs such as Georgia and Alabama.
James was an immediate contributor for the Gators, amassing 47 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble in his freshman year. His impactful play persisted into his sophomore season, but a knee injury cut that short after just eight games. However, he rebounded with a full season in 2024, bringing in 64 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, one interception, three passes defended, and another forced fumble across 13 games.
After his junior year, James opted to enter the NFL Draft and was invited to participate in the NFL Scouting Combine.
At the combine, James measured over 6 feet 1 inch and weighed 222 pounds. His arm length was registered at 31 1/2 inches, while his hand size clocked in at 8 1/2 inches.
James ran the 40-yard dash in 4.69 seconds, which may not be eye-popping for a linebacker of his stature. Nonetheless, his 10-yard split time of 1.56 seconds was notable — ranking as the sixth-fastest time among linebackers at the combine.
On-field Evaluation
During his tenure with the Gators, James displayed well-rounded skills as a linebacker, excelling in stopping the run, defending in coverage, and rushing the quarterback. He primarily played off the ball but occasionally shifted into the slot for pass defense.
James demonstrates agility in coverage, adeptly following vertical routes and tightening the throwing windows down the seam. In a notable play, he initially covered the seam before tracking the quarterback's eyes to snatch an interception after the original target was taken away.
This one-on-one matchup observed during the Senior Bowl also showcases James' spatial awareness. Although he may lack explosive power, his quickness and fluidity in the open field can be likened to former Chiefs’ linebacker Willie Gay Jr.
In 2024, James blitzed around 60 times, successfully recording two sacks along with 14 quarterback pressures. His speed allows him to penetrate backfields efficiently, though he occasionally struggles with shedding blocks due to a lack of upper body strength.
However, it’s worth noting that James missed 13 tackles in 2024, leading to a concerning missed-tackle rate of 17.3%. In comparison, no full-time defender from the Chiefs had such a high rate last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Potential Fit with the Chiefs
Projected to go in the latter rounds, possibly outside the first two rounds, James could be a valuable addition to the Chiefs.
Should the team opt for James, he would likely slot in as a WILL linebacker, complementing the MIKE linebacker and functioning as a significant playmaker in open spaces. His intuition for zone coverage suggests he would be a primary contributor on passing downs right from the start.
In the event that Bolton is not re-signed, veteran linebacker Drue Tranquill would probably transition to the MIKE position, resulting in a vacancy at the WILL linebacker slot. This could potentially open the door for James to compete with third-year linebacker Cam Jones, a consistent presence on special teams during his first two seasons.
Considering James' youth, there’s abundant room for growth as he matures into his rookie contract. He is an instinctual playmaker, and while his Combine results might not reflect his actual game speed, his future in the NFL could be quite bright. 🌟