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Kansas City Chiefs: What Jalen Julius can provide in 2020

By Leigh Oleszczak

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - SEPTEMBER 07: Jalen Julius #26 of the Mississippi Rebels reacts during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - SEPTEMBER 07: Jalen Julius #26 of the Mississippi Rebels reacts during a game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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What should Kansas City Chiefs fans expect from Mississippi safety Jalen Julius in 2020?

Continuing on with our series of what each of the undrafted free agents can provide for the Kansas City Chiefs in their rookie season, next we’ll discuss Jalen Julius, who played defensive back at Ole Miss.

Julius finished his college career with 138 tackles, 13 passes defensed, and two forced fumbles throughout 45 games. He joins fellow Ole Miss alums Jordan Ta’amu and Breeland Speaks in Kansas City, both of whom have joined the Chiefs in the past few years.

What can Jalen Julius provide the Kansas City Chiefs?

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The Chiefs secondary could use some help, but more so at cornerback than at safety, which is the position Julius is listed at on the Chiefs’ official website. Safety is pretty well covered between Tyrann Mathieu, Juan Thornhill, Daniel Sorensen, and Armani Watts. L’Jarius Sneed played safety last year in college, but is probably going to be used as a cornerback.

Truthfully, the only way Julius will probably be able to find his way onto the field is if he can show potential as a cornerback. Otherwise, he’s likely destined as a practice squad player and even that could be a stretch for him.

Grayson Weir of Red Cup Rebellion discussed Julius landing with the Chiefs after the 2020 NFL Draft concluded and also felt like his best chance at contributing for this team was if he could make the move over to cornerback.

"However, the secondary is spread thin at corner back and in need of athletes to rotate in and out against spread or five-receiver offensive formations. Julius undeniably needs work and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has to be willing to show patience in his transition to the NFL."

With how stacked the safety position is, either an injury or someone’s inconsistent play would be the only way Julius could land on the roster, but that’s going to be tough for him to do. He’s definitely a project player, so while he might not have much to offer the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020, perhaps with a year or two on the practice squad, he could eventually become a nice depth piece for the Super Bowl champs.

What expectations do you have Jalen Julius during the course of his rookie year? Do you think he’ll be able to make the 55-man roster or is he destined to land on the practice squad?

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