A review of what NFL draft experts were saying about Darron Lee only three years ago makes you wonder how much potential is left.
On Wednesday, the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Jets pulled off a trade that the two sides had reportedly been discussing at length when linebacker Darron Lee was dealt to K.C. for a 2020 sixth round draft choice.
New York’s decision to trade Lee away for a pittance was not only a sign of how much he’s disappointed since arriving with the Jets as their first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, it was also the nail in the coffin of any hopes of further dividends on their investment. Despite having another year on his rookie contract, the Jets decided that enough was enough. They’d rather have the sixth round pick.
For that reason, it’s important that most Chiefs fans keep this in mind despite the “1st round” label from only three years ago. Brett Veach seems to favor these buy-low opportunities on players once given the high-ceiling tag and so far the results have been mixed. Cam Erving has stepped into a starting spot at left guard with the Chiefs and gives them positional versatility across the offensive front. Reggie Ragland, on the other hand, has been the same disappointment he was with the Buffalo Bills.
At this point, it’s clear that Darron Lee was unable to live up to being a three-down do-it-all linebacker—at least with the Jets. It’s often the team who is to blame for a player’s lack of projected impact and that’s entirely possible here. The Jets aren’t exactly a model franchise in any way, and they’ve even shown themselves to be somewhat of a train wreck over the last few days by firing Mike Maccagnan weeks after letting him, as general manager, run the draft and spend tens of millions in free agency.
If Lee was never going to bloom in Todd Bowles‘ defense, then maybe the Chiefs have a real shot at a hidden gem here. A sixth round pick is a worthy investment toward a potential find like this, but again, nothing is guaranteed. At the very least, the Chiefs have added competition and athleticism at linebacker and could have a part-time coverage linebacker on obvious passing downs.
If Lee is able to blossom in Kansas City, however, it’d be interesting to know what that could resemble. To that end, let’s take a look back at what draft analysts were saying back in 2016 when Lee was a fresh-and-ready prospect entering the draft out of Ohio State:
"“He’s today’s NFL outside linebacker. He ran a 4.47 40 at 232 pounds. He’s a sideline-to-sideline, three-down linebacker. His weakness is if you cover him up against a big body, he will struggle.”"
"“Don’t get overly excited about Ragland making a lot of plays behind those tackles at Alabama. It won’t be that way in the pros. Lee had talent on his defense too, but he’s a natural three-down player who can cover and blitz. He’s a much better playmaker than Ragland.”"
"“Lee’s level of NFL success might very well be tied to scheme fit and his ability to add more muscle to his frame. His athletic traits and ability to make plays should make him a starter, but he won’t unlock his full potential unless he gets strong enough to handle the rigors of an NFL linebacker.”"
"A true sideline-to-sideline player, Lee has the skill set to play in the slot covering up receivers or tight ends, and from that same alignment he can be a deadly blitzer. NFL teams will also experiment with him as an inside linebacker in 3-4 schemes, at any of the three linebacker spots in a 4-3 and even as a situational pass-rusher."
"What Lee lacks in size he works hard to make up for with aggressiveness and a physical mindset, arriving at the point of attack with violence and tenacity. One of the hardest working Buckeyes, Lee developed into a leader in just a short time at Ohio State, never missing a start and playing his best football on the biggest stages. There is still some rawness to the young playmaker, but if an NFL team doesn’t get cute with him and allows him to work in space as a 4-3 weakside ‘backer while Lee bulks up, the result could be one of the more exciting three-down linebackers in the game."
"Where He Wins: A true run and chase linebacker. Lee missed a few tackles this season, but he also puts himself in position to make plays other linebackers cannot. Played a hybrid safety/linebacker role in 2015. Lee is also an adequate blitzer."