The Minnesota Vikings signed linebacker Chad Greenway to a five-year deal on Thursday. Greenway will be competing with Dontarrious Thomas for the starting job at the weakside linebacker position. At 6-foot-2, 242 pounds, Greenway has recorded 156 tackles and two sacks during his senior season at Iowa.

Greenway is a linebacker from Iowa who has developed into one of the best linebackers in the nation. He wasn't noted as a highly-talented player coming out of high school, but has continued to make an impact at his position as the years move on. He could have entered the draft last year, but he helped his credability by staying for his senior season.

Greenway has the necessary size and speed for an NFL linebacker. He plays hard on every play and often seems to be involved in taking down a running back. He knows how to tackle properly and rarely lets someone slip away from him. Similar to A.J. Hawk of Ohio State though, he will sometimes be overaggressive and overpursue a running back. He reads pass coverage fairly well and recorded several interceptions in college. He is fast enough to keep up with most of the tight ends that are in the NFL. His only issue is that he is not that good of a pass rusher and will often be overpowered by offensive linemen. Greenway did have a serious knee injury in 2002, which will concern some teams. However, he has remained healthy the past few seasons.