How does the Kansas City Chiefs roster compare to 2018?
By Drew Brooks
2018 linebackers (9): Justin Houston, Dee Ford, Breeland Speaks, Reggie Ragland, Dorian O’Daniel, Ben Niemann, Anthony Hitchens, Tanoh Kpassagnon, Terrance Smith
2019 linebackers (6): Anthony Hitchens, Darron Lee, Reggie Ragland, Damien Wilson, Ben Niemann, Dorian O’Daniel
Contrary to the defensive line, the Chiefs’ linebackers have a lot less depth than they did a year ago. The two biggest changes at linebacker this year are the lack of Justin Houston and Dee Ford.
After last season, the Chiefs released veteran linebacker Justin Houston as his $15.25 million salary was just too much for the team to pay. Houston has been playing for the Chiefs since they drafted him in 2011. His presence and leadership will be missed, but his production ultimately was not enough for the Chiefs to pay his massive salary. Houston will now play the upcoming season for the Indianapolis Colts, who picked him up on a two-year deal worth up to $24 million.
Another face that is no longer with the Chiefs is Dee Ford. Ford was the Chiefs first-round pick in 2014 and has battled through injuries throughout his career, but finally was able to play all 16 games last season. Coming off the best season of his career where he notched 13 sacks and 55 tackles, the Chiefs placed their franchise tag on Ford earlier this year. However, they didn’t tag him to keep him longterm as they traded him to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2020 second-round pick.
But the Chiefs didn’t just get rid of players: they added a new linebacker in Darron Lee. They traded a 2019 sixth-round pick to the New York Jets in exchange for Lee, who will certainly contribute to the defense this year. A season ago, Lee started 12 games and recorded 3 interceptions for 82 yards and a touchdown as well as 74 tackles. Lee will be an excellent edition for the Chiefs in coverage.
Another new linebacker the Chiefs acquired is Damien Wilson, former Dallas Cowboys linebacker, who the Chiefs signed in free agency. Wilson has been in the NFL since 2015, and is coming off a season where he played in all 16 games including 7 starts and amassed 37 tackles. Wilson provides some depth to the Chiefs linebacker corps, but he’s unlikely to start. The rest of the Chiefs linebackers are returning from last season: Anthony Hitchens, Reggie Ragland, Ben Niemann, and Dorian O’Daniel.
Next, let’s look at the rest of the defense: the secondary.