The Chiefs need their 2024 NFL Draft class to pan out if they want their bid for a third consecutive Super Bowl to be easier than 2023.
Kansas City drafted seven players in the draft, mostly on offense. But there's a chance the Chiefs found another diamond in the rough in fourth-round safety Jaden Hicks. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote that Hicks could be the next sleeper for the team following the trade of cornerback L'Jarius Sneed.
A low-key crucial catalyst for the Chiefs' championship run is the ability to identify impact defensive backs in Day 3 of the draft. It started with L'Jarius Sneed, a fourth-round pick in 2020 whose play scored him a $76 million deal with the Tennessee Titans.
A pair of 2022 picks, Joshua Williams (fourth round) and Jaylen Watson (seventh), will play prominent roles at cornerback. And 2023 picks Chamarri Conner and Nic Jones should, too.
Jaden Hicks could prove to be next. The fourth-round safety out of Washington State entered the draft with Day 2 buzz.
"Wired right, works hard, very good communicator on the field, confident and assertive for a rookie with a nice physical skill set," an AFC defensive coach said.
Hicks could quickly overtake starting safety Bryan Cook if he breaks out in training camp and/or in the preseason. He's a rangy defensive back at 6-foot-2 and 211 pounds pounds and finished the past two seasons with three interceptions and 10 defended passes for Washington State. Hicks also scored 25 games since 2022.
CHIEFS 2024 NFL DRAFT: Expert grades | Superlatives
The rookie is fueled by his draft position as well. Hicks told reporters over the weekend he's "gotta make everybody pay" for passing on him for almost three rounds. He also said he wanted to become a more versatile player in Steve Spagnuolo's defense.
"I want to be [known as] someone that can do other things — and do everything," Hicks added. "So being, I guess, known as a 'hitter' — and stuff like that — it’s alright. But I want to be known as more than that."
