Kansas City Chiefs 2018 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Josey Jewell

The Kansas City Chiefs still have an issue at inside linebacker. Could the Chiefs turn to Iowa’s Josey Jewell to eventually replace Derrick Johnson?

One of the biggest questions facing the Kansas City Chiefs is how they will eventually move on from Derrick Johnson. This isn’t anything new for the Chiefs as we’ve known it was coming for some time. It’s also not a guarantee that it happens this year. However, if KC does make the move, you have to consider Iowa’s Josey Jewell a top option.

Kansas City did answer one problem at inside linebacker this offseason as they brought in Reggie Ragland. That shored up the spot next to Derrick Johnson, which had been a big issue the past couple of years. However, that still leaves Johnson’s future replacement to deal with.

The Chiefs have run through a bunch of options there. The most recent, Kevin Pierre-Louis, is a pending free agent, and I have a hard time arguing he’s worth another investment. Ramik Wilson has flashed, but apparently never stepped up enough. Ukeme Eligwe has potential, but still has question marks.

The Kansas City Chiefs need a sure thing here.

Josey Jewel – ILB – Iowa

NFLDraftScout.com Scouting Report

If the Kansas City Chiefs are looking for an all-around solid football player at inside linebacker, Josey Jewell is the man. The Iowa linebacker plays the game better than nearly anyone else at this stage. Jewell’s playmaking ability and smarts will make him an attractive target for the Chiefs.

Josey Jewell is a heady football player who understands what is happening all around him. Reads the play well from start to finish and gets in position to make the play. Knack for finding the ball carrier and finishing the play. Good awareness in coverage to be in the right spot. Strong upper body and hands to shed blockers and bring down the ball carrier. Very sure tackler.

Stat To Know: Jewell had three straight seasons of 120+ tackles.

The knock on Josey Jewell is the ceiling on his athletic ability. Doesn’t change direction quickly, and can get mismatched in coverage against shifty backs and faster tight ends. His long speed isn’t awful, but he’s not going to catch a lot of people from behind.

A Playmaking Machine

The big takeaway for the Kansas City Chiefs on Josey Jewell is that he is a playmaker. It’s tough for inside linebackers to excel against both the run and the pass, but Jewell does it. He’s also shown some penchant for rushing the passer, and can be an effective blitzer. Coaches absolutely love players like this.

More from Chiefs Draft Analysis

• Will Chiefs Draft Western Kentucky Hilltopper DeAngelo Malone?
• The Kansas City Chiefs Address Defense with This Mock Draft
• Will Chiefs Take Boston College Cornerback?
• The Kansas City Chiefs 2022 Mock Draft Roundup 1.0
• Why The Chiefs Should Draft Wide Receiver Christian Watson

With the Chiefs looking for an eventual replacement for Derrick Johnson, it’s hard to argue there are many better options than Josey Jewell. To this day, I still say that Jewell and Saquon Barkley played the best all-around game of football I’ve ever seen when they matched up last season. If you appreciate just good football, watch those two players in the 2017 Iowa-Penn State game.

Kansas City needs a playmaker who can line up next to Reggie Ragland in the long-term scheme of things. Josey Jewell is definitely a playmaker, and I can see that pairing being a very strong one. The fact that Jewell is also a very sound tackler should be especially appealing to Chiefs fans after what we’ve seen recently.

Even if Derrick Johnson isn’t quite ready to retire, the Kansas City Chiefs have to think about the future. They need a player who is smart on his feet, is a sure tackler, and can go out and make big plays. That’s about a perfect summary of what Josey Jewell does on the football field. This is an excellent match in my book.