Three Questions: Kansas City Chiefs Linebackers

Aug 24, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Derek Moye (14) runs after a pass reception as Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Nico Johnson (right) defends during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Kansas City Chiefs won 26-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Remember Nico Johnson?

Nico Johnson, the Chiefs fourth round pick from a year ago, didn’t see much of the field last season and is considered to be more of a run-stopping linebacker than a three down player. Confidence in him seems to be low as the Chiefs signed Joe Mays to a multi-year deal and is projected to be the second linebacker next to Derrick Johnson. So where does that put Nico Johnson?

We’ve only had a few selections in the John Dorsey era, but Nico so far is starting to look like a wasted pick. Johnson didn’t play most of last season because of injury and only saw 17 snaps on defense. In the week 17 when the Chiefs played only backups, Johnson played only 15 snaps of the possible 73. Week 17 was also the only week Johnson played on special teams.

This is something of a pivotal year for Johnson. He was a high fourth round pick, a guy who is at the very least is expected to be a contributor on defense and specials teams. To date he has been neither. Should he show up well at training camp the Chiefs defense looks a lithe bit deeper than it did a season ago. But how much can the Chiefs count on that actually being the case when they had next to nothing at linebacker last season after Tamba Hali, Derrick Johnson, and Justin Houston?