NFL Draft 2018: Chiefs could replace Derrick Johnson with Darius Leonard
The Kansas City Chiefs could be looking for another member to the inside linebacker group after releasing Derrick Johnson.
The Kansas City Chiefs decided not to retain inside linebacker Derrick Johnson for the 2018 season, leaving questions on who will take over his role. General manager Brett Veach made moves last preseason to the bring help to the position, including Kevin Pierre-Louis who is the most likely candidate at this point to replace DJ. However, with pending drug charges and a contract extension needed to retain Pierre-Louis, the Chiefs could also look to the upcoming NFL Draft to replace Johnson, who was a 13-year veteran with the Chiefs.
South Carolina State linebacker Darius Leonard could be a candidate for the position. His versatility in the Bulldog defense reminds me of Johnson’s role in Kansas City over the years. He can make plays against the run inside, rush around the edge, and even make plays in coverage. His sideline-to-sideline speed and closing burst make him great for what the Chiefs are needing to take over for Johnson.
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DJ was a three-down linebacker for Kansas City for much of the last 13 years. They need another linebacker that can play in any package. Reggie Ragland, another linebacker Veach traded for last preseason, is not the three-down player that the Chiefs need but instead the thumper on first and second.
Leonard had 2 interceptions, another one broken up, and 8.5 sacks last year. He can make plays in coverage but can also bring pressure around the sides or up the middle which is something the Chiefs desperately need more of. Leonard was also a huge part of the run defense ending the year with a total of 114 tackles, 12 tackles for a loss, and leading the South Team in the Senior Bowl with 14 tackles.
Unlike many linebackers and often linemen coming out of college, his awareness when engaged with a blocker is rated much higher than most. While most college players tend to lower their head and lose track of the ball carrier, Leonard does a great job of keeping his head up and making a play on the carrier.
WalterFootball.com ranked Leonard as the third best linebacker in the draft and projected him to go between rounds 2-3. Although he was turned down by Clemson and left for South Carolina State, a smaller school, he dominated the competition leaving no question whether he belonged at the next level.