KC Chiefs: Linebacker depth chart after 2020 NFL Draft

If there was one area of weakness on the KC Chiefs’ roster last year, linebacker was probably the biggest. How does the depth chart look now that the 2020 NFL Draft is over?

With the 2020 NFL Draft officially wrapped up, it’s time now to continue our series of looking at every position on the Kansas City Chiefs‘ roster and checking out what the depth chart might look like. Next up is at linebacker, which was most definitely a position of weakness last season.

Ever since the Chiefs parted ways with Derrick Johnson, the team has had a tough time finding that sideline to sideline linebacker that Johnson was. Players like Johnson don’t grow on trees, but the hope is that the team found the new DJ in second round pick Willie Gay out of Mississippi State.

So, what could the linebacker depth chart look like come opening week?

Anthony Hitchens
Damien Wilson
Willie Gay (Backup)
Ben Niemann (Backup)

With Reggie Ragland off to Detroit, the Chiefs were wise to draft a linebacker this year, but it’s very possible that Gay doesn’t immediately start in Kansas City. No, more than likely, Hitchens and Wilson are the two starters with Gay getting more and more playing time as the season progresses.

Niemann is someone who has fought his way up the ladder in KC and here he is now, one of the premiere backup options for this team. That being said, let’s look at the other depth pieces currently on the roster:

O’Daniel is the only recognizable name out of this bunch and this summer is the last chance for the former third round pick to prove himself to the KC Chiefs. He’s been given opportunities, but has failed to shine much since joining this team in 2018.