Grading Chiefs GM John Dorsey’s First Draft Class

Aug 16, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Scott Tolzien (3) is sacked by Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Nico Johnson (57) during the second half at Arrowhead Stadium. San Francisco won 15-13. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Round 4

Pick No. 99 – Nico Johnson, LB, Alabama

Grade: D

2014 Cap Hit: $624,500

Dead money if cut: $364,500

Nico Johnson was another controversial pick for Dorsey. Heading into the 2013 season the weakest link in the linebacking corps was the middle linebacker playing opposite Derrick Johnson. While Nico Johnson wasn’t supposed to be the guy right off the bat, he didn’t really make any strides to develop either.

Johnson had so little playing time — either due to minor injuries or being a healthy inactive — that PFF was unable to even grade him. In the action Johnson did see, he only managed to reach seven tackles.

I’m not saying that Chiefs fans won’t get the “Johnson and Johnson” moniker they were hoping for when Nico was drafted, but he’s going to need to put in some serious work this off season if he wants to be in a Chiefs uniform after this season. With half his salary guaranteed, and thus dead money if he’s cut, I don’t think the Chiefs would let him go this year, but he doesn’t perform, he could find himself unemployed sooner rather than later.