While it is only June, it is never too early to look ahead to the upcoming NFL season, one that certainly should be good to the Kansas City Chiefs. Even with their uneven offseason of being in the headlines too often, the defending Super Bowl champions are back and looking for more.
Patrick Mahomes already has three Super Bowl rings to his name, with all three having come since 2020 (‘20, ‘22, & ‘24). While there might be a few other teams that people consider to be better top to bottom, it’s tough to see a team other than KC atop that list.
While Kansas City does need to fill a few gaps this offseason, there are a few unheralded options that could do just that. See which two players could actually play important roles on this team for the 2024 season.
Jaden Hicks is a Steve Spagnuolo-guided missile
Taken in the fourth round of April’s NFL Draft, Washington State safety Jaden Hicks is in the thick of things to start opposite Justin Reid at safety. With the defense being a little light on cornerback talent, Hicks is in line to play a big role in his rookie season.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is one of the league’s best coordinators, and his defense consistently shows up at the right times. While this unit’s strongest asset is its front seven, don’t sleep on the secondary this season.
Hicks, who entered the league after spending three years with the Cougars, racked up over 150 tackles across 1,500-plus snaps. Having spent most of his time playing down in the box this past season, Hicks profiles as a typical NFL safety with his athleticism and flexibility.
The Chiefs need an injection of youth into their starting defensive lineup, and Hicks is their best chance at doing just that. Seen as a big-time steal from the draft, look for Hicks to make a name for himself right away in his rookie campaign.
Can a rugby star transition to the NFL?
While the first player on our list was on defense, Louis Rees-Zammit is a flashy rugby player looking to carve out a role on offense for the Chiefs. While players have tried to make the jump from the game of rugby before, Rees-Zammit has a great chance at breaking the mold.
Having looked solid in rookie camp, Rees-Zammit brings 4.4 speed to a running back group in Kansas City that lacks depth. While Isiah Pacheco is entrenched as the team’s starter, the group behind him is quite muddy.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Emani Bailey, Deneric Prince, Keaontay Ingram and Carson Steele are all fighting for what scraps are left, giving Rees-Zammit a good chance at standing out from this mid group. While fighting an uphill battle as he looks to transition sports, don’t be surprised if a few electric preseason plays come because of Rees-Zammit’s speed.
The first hurdle the former Wales rugby star needs to overcome is actually making the roster, and if he is able to do that, then we could see Rees-Zammit make an impact for the Chiefs on offense or even in the return game.
