Washington Redskins 2012 Draft: 4 Linebackers to Succeed London Fletcher

London Fletcher still remains unsigned, and while there are alternative options in free agency, the Redskins may opt to find his possible replacement in the draft.

The team holds the sixth pick in the third round, which could yield an immediate starter from a rather thin inside linebacker class. However, there are also one or two nice scheme fits in the later rounds.

Here is a list of the four best draft options to either replace or eventually succeed Fletcher. The selections have targeted players who seem best suited to play inside in a 3-4.

1. Mychal Kendricks, California

Kendricks is an outstanding downhill linebacker who would certainly justify a third-round pick from the Redskins. The Cal standout has the playmaking skills, instincts and versatility to quickly force himself into a starting role.

Kendricks is a strong tackler with excellent pursuit speed. He can occasionally be engulfed by interior blockers, but the front can easily be tweaked to make sure he is better protected at the line of scrimmage.

As a downhill attacker, there are few better inside linebackers in this draft. Kendricks has good system knowledge, having played in a hybrid 3-4 for Cal defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast. 

He has seen time at inside and outside linebacker and possesses good blitz skills. These would be invaluable assets in Jim Haslett's zone blitz schemes.

If Kendricks is available when the Redskins are scheduled to pick in the third round, it would be a brave decision to pass him up.

2. James-Michael Johnson, Nevada

A popular pick for the Redskins, Johnson is an aggressive inside linebacker capable of being a force against the run. He is willing to come down and take on blockers and has good recognition skills to locate the ball carrier.

Johnson is a classic interior thumper who will deliver big and sure tackles. He is very effective on the blitz, attacking gaps in protection with excellent initial quickness and timing.

Johnson can occasionally get lost in coverage and is quite limited in this area as a whole. He can also be guilty of over pursuit and does not possess fluid movement skills.

However, if used as the plugger in the Redskins' 3-4 base, Johnson has the skills to be a useful member of the front seven. He should be available in the third round and may even slip to the fourth.

3. Audie Cole, North Carolina State

Cole offers top-level size and athleticism for the position. The North Carolina State product is raw, but has some attributes that could see him develop well with the right coaching.

Cole has good speed and agility, but can sometimes take himself out of a play by being too aggressive and over-pursuing to the ball. He is often guilty of zeroing in on the ball and ignoring everything else around him.

This is particularly evident in coverage in intermediate and deep areas, where Cole frequently lets receivers get by him. He is useful in short coverage, where his large frame enables him to rough receivers up at the line.

Having spent some time at outside linebacker, Cole is a good pass rusher and can attack effectively from a variety of positions. This skill would enable him to be a dangerous zone blitz weapon for the Redskins.

Cole needs to improve his play recognition, but he has the physical skill set that makes him worth a fifth-round pick.

4. Jerry Franklin, Arkansas

For the Redskins' schemes, Arkansas bruiser Jerry Franklin could be a real sleeper pick. The 245-pounder has a knack for the big play, something Washington's defense often lacks, and is the kind of stout and active linebacker that makes a 3-4 front work.

Franklin eagerly attacks the line of scrimmage and plays with deceptive straight line quickness and outstanding natural leverage. He is a fierce hitter and a true force against the run.

What Franklin lacks is elite agility and sideline-to-sideline skills. However, his ability to make plays at and behind the line of scrimmage shouldn't be easily dismissed. Franklin could be a steal in the sixth round for the Redskins defense. 

The Advantages of Targeting a Rookie Are Clear

By selecting a rookie, the Redskins can add another young starter to their youthful core at linebacker. This player can then develop alongside Perry Riley, Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan.

The Redskins can mould a first-year player into the specific requirements of their scheme. This would ensure the team has a long-term solution to Fletcher, rather than a stopgap.

If Fletcher does return, the addition of a promising rookie would boost depth at a position where Keyaron Fox and Rocky McIntosh are also pending free agents. There would be few better players than Fletcher for a draftee to learn alongside.