How Jaden Hicks fits into the Chiefs’ plans in 2024

Darren Yamashita-




How will the Chiefs new safety fit in with an established secondary?

The Kansas City Chiefs selected safety Jaden Hicks in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Hicks will join the Chiefs from Washington State, where he was a two-year starter and earned numerous accolades in his short stint in Pullman.


Hicks will join a Chiefs secondary that was regarded as one of the best in the NFL during the 2023 season and played a major role in the Chiefs winning the Super Bowl. The Chiefs traded away star cornerback L’Jarius Sneed and also saw the departure of Mike Edwards in the offseason, so there will be chances for Hicks to find the field in 2024.


Justin Reid and Bryan Cook will both be the starting safeties in 2024, but Hicks will have a chance to learn from both players and carve out a role on the team.


Evaluating Hicks




In Kansas City, Hicks will likely line up as the team's free safety, and due to his skill set, he also can be the team's third safety in Nickel and Dime looks.


Hicks was a solid athletic performer at the NFL Combine and his pro day, testing well in nearly every category except for the shuttle run.




Jaden Hicks was drafted in round 4 pick 133 in the 2024 draft class. He scored a 8.97 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 114 out of 1093 FS from 1987 to 2024.
https://t.co/W16kljd6gm pic.twitter.com/yJuTeUEAJe— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 27, 2024






At 6’0” and 211 lbs., Hicks has great size and weight for the position, as well as the ability to run a legitimate 4.5-second 40-yard dash. This more than fits the criteria needed to play safety in the NFL, but one area of Hick's testing that does show up on his film is the lack of ability to smoothly change directions in space.


Against smaller, quicker slot players, Hicks struggled at times to keep up or re-direct himself after defending against a quick cut or break. What Hicks does bring to the table is strong tackling and a versatile skill set that will allow him to line up in multiple spots across Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.

A look at the film


Hicks lined up inside the tackle box quite a bit during his time at Washington State, and this gave him the ability to roam the line of scrimmage and find ways to make plays.




Good eyes by Hicks to see the reverse. Smooth change of direction and a good open field tackle. pic.twitter.com/FhS2Xo99Z9— Taylor Bell (@CJScoobs) May 24, 2024






His biggest strength is his ability to attack downhill, and his size and strength to finish tackles to the ground should translate well to his game in the NFL.




Hicks attacking downhill in the run game. The RB has a chance to break free, but Hicks is all over him. pic.twitter.com/TPmZVOXhgn— Taylor Bell (@CJScoobs) May 24, 2024






Hicks was also used in multiple different blitz looks, and with good closing speed as well as decent pass rush moves against blocking running backs, he was able to find ways to stop quarterbacks.




Hicks on the blitz. Great job to get past the RB, and good closing speed to force a bad throw from the QB. pic.twitter.com/zc7r26dJfg— Taylor Bell (@CJScoobs) May 24, 2024






The trend of putting taller or stronger players in the slot has become rapidly popular across the game of football due to the mismatches it can create for a defense. Hicks may not be the best suited to take on a more traditional speed slot, but with his physicality and size, he is great for taking on the “power” or “tall” slot players.




Hicks does a great job of tracking this ball in the air and fighting to take it away for the interception. Great physicality to get the ball and finish the play. pic.twitter.com/xSRcBqp7AO— Taylor Bell (@CJScoobs) May 24, 2024






Ja’Lynn Polk lines up in the slot for Washington — drafted by the New England Patriots with the 37th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft— and runs a fade to the sideline with Hicks lined up across from him.


Hicks is giving cushion on the snap, but as Polk starts to head to the sideline and look for the ball, Hicks does a great job of closing down space and beginning to track the ball himself. Polk is going to be looking for an acrobatic grab around the sideline, but Hicks gets his head around and goes for the ball.


Showing off his physical nature, Hicks wrestles the ball away from Polk and pulls it into his body, securing the interception.


Polk was one of the best receivers in college football in 2023, and he did use his size and length to win jump balls against smaller slot defenders, but Hicks blanketed him and showed excellent competitive toughness to come away with the football.


How Hicks will fit in with the Chiefs




Reid and Cook will be the Chiefs two starting safeties in 2024, but Hicks will likely get a chance to take the role that was played by Edwards last season.


Edwards was critical to the Chiefs' defensive success, not only as a ballhawk who forced three turnovers but also as a key depth piece and eventual starter once Cook went down with an injury.


While Hicks will have a chance to compete for this role, he will also have to contend with up-and-coming second-year defensive back Chamarri Conner. More of a hybrid type between a safety and corner, Conner is a player who could have a breakout season in his own right and will be there to provide quality competition for Hicks during organized team activities (OTAs) and training camp.


Hicks will find the field eventually in 2024, but early on, he will likely be a key special teams contributor and reserve defender while learning Spagnolo’s system.


2024 is the final year of Reid’s contract with the Chiefs, and if the team chooses not to re-sign him, this will open up a chance for Hicks to compete for a starting job during the 2025 season.


During Brett Veach’s tenure as the general manager of the Chiefs, he has used drafting in quantity to build his secondary, and the selection of Hicks matches this philosophy.


In 2020 the Chiefs selected Snead with the 138th overall pick, and in 2024 they selected Hicks with the 133rd overall pick.


There is talent across all rounds of the NFL Draft, but it is more about what teams do with the talent after the draft that is most important. Hicks fits the criteria that the Chiefs are looking for in a defensive back, and now it is up to them to find the best way to utilize him.


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