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Predicting the short-term and long-term impact of Chiefs rookie class

By Sterling Holmes

STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 21: Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. #6 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs tackles running back Kavosiey Smoke #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 21: Linebacker Willie Gay Jr. #6 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs tackles running back Kavosiey Smoke #20 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Starkville, Mississippi. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images) /
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Kansas City Chiefs
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 30: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Louisville Cardinals looks to pass while under pressure from Willie Gay Jr. #6 of the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the TaxSlayer Bowl at EverBank Field on December 30, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Bulldogs won 31-27. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Willie Gay Jr. 

Another player in my breakout list, Willie Gay Jr. is someone who could easily be a day 1 starter. The talent he possesses is tantalizing. With linebacker being the position group with the most question marks, I expect Gay to rise to the top quickly.

While being one of the most athletic players in the NFL Draft, the fact he slipped to the end of the second round was a little surprising. He had some off-the-field questions, but the Chiefs seem pleased enough with the answers they found to select him on the draft’s second day.

Whatever the reason, linebacker Dorian O’Daniel was seemingly never able to get on the field for the Chiefs since he was drafted in ’18, and the drafting of Gay may spell the end of his roster chances. Gay is not only strong and physical but he graded out at 93.9 according to PFF in coverage, which was first among draft eligible linebackers in 2020. Having that ability allows him to go up against tight ends and running backs better than most. The Chiefs have gotten eaten up against dump-offs to running backs in the past—Austin Ekeler—comes to mind, but this should help shore up that problem.

This is my favorite pick in the 2020 draft for Kansas City and I believe it comes at the biggest position of need. If you aren’t on the Willie Gay Jr. train, I hope you hop on soon. The versatility between him, Tyrann Mathieu, Chris Jones, Juan Thornhill, and even Tanoh Kpassagnon to an extent makes me extremely excited to see what Spags will be drawing up.

This Season’s Impact – Week 1 starter with the Chiefs being much improved against dump-offs to running backs.

Future Impact – Long-term starting linebacker with high potential of multiple Pro Bowls

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