Kansas City Chiefs: What Willie Gay can provide in 2020
The Kansas City Chiefs selected linebacker Willie Gay in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. What can the Mississippi State Bulldog provide for the Chiefs defense during his rookie year?
Ever since Derrick Johnson was released, the Kansas City Chiefs have had a tough time finding a linebacker who can do everything there is to do on the field. Obviously players of Johnson’s caliber don’t grow on trees, but the Chiefs sure are hoping rookie second round pick Willie Gay can become the next big thing at linebacker for this defense.
The defense improved mightily last season, which resulted in a Super Bowl title. The biggest area of weakness on the defensive side of the ball was easily at the linebacker spot and that’s why drafting a linebacker this year was a must for the Chiefs.
They took one early, nabbing Willie Gay with the 63rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. While Gay had some issues in college resulting in multiple suspensions, Andy Reid has a reputation of doing a nice job with players who might have checkered pasts.
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Looking at the linebacker position as of now, it’s likely that Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson are the two starters early on in the season. Gay could find his way into a starting role if one of those guys gets hurt or don’t perform very well. Gay could also become a starter if he starts the season on fire and becomes the kind of player the Chiefs think he could be extremely early on.
The Draft Network mentioned that Gay would probably need a year to find his footing in the NFL, so that’s why Chiefs fans shouldn’t think he’ll get right in on the action from day one. He’ll definitely see his fair share of snaps, but as far as being a starter goes, that’s probably another year away for Gay.
In all likelihood, Gay slides into Wilson’s starting spot once Wilson hits free agency after this season. That means for 2020, Gay will be a rotational player and also see some time on special teams to start his career. He has the potential to become the next big thing at the linebacker position, but he’s not going to be a starter during his rookie year.
No, Gay’s rookie season will require him to learn from Hitchens and Wilson while also rotating in and hopefully showing flashes of why he was a second round pick.
Someday Willie Gay will be a major factor for the Kansas City Chiefs defense, but his rookie year is going to be a developmental year for him.