After losing Damien Wilson in free agency, the Kansas City Chiefs‘ issues at the linebacker position have only worsened. Anthony Hitchens and Willie Gay Jr. are the only two linebackers who have a certified role for next season, and their play has potential question marks itself.
Hitchens has put up statistics the past three years, but the advanced metrics by PFF show his value has been low ever since he signed with the Chiefs, earning a 50.5 grade for the 2020 season—and that being his highest with the team. Gay showed flashes throughout his time on the field, but he only played 267 snaps last year and still has more to prove on the field. No one else, including Ben Niemann and Dorian O’Daniel, has shown the ability to be consistent players at linebacker.
The upcoming NFL Draft provides multiple options near the end of the first round, including Kentucky’s Jamin Davis, Missouri’s Nick Bolton, and Raytown, Missouri native Jabril Cox from LSU. However, other needs such as offensive line and edge rusher, could make linebacker an afterthought at No. 31 overall, and could push a selection of a linebacker down farther in the draft order.
Looking at the bare bones left in free agency, former Pro Bowler Kwon Alexander could be a cheap option for general manager Brett Veach to look at as a potential steal.
Kwon Alexander is a forgotten linebacker who could help the KC Chiefs.
Through Alexander’s first three seasons in the NFL, he was one of the more productive linebackers in all of football. Since then, his overall production has fallen off. From 2015-2017, Alexander collected over 90 tackles in all three seasons, and led the league in solo tackles in 2016 at 108. Since those three years, Alexander has suffered through injuries, the most recent being an Achilles tear with the Saints late last season against the Vikings. In his recovery, Alexander has started to train with Alvin Kamara’s trainer, who recently posted a video of Alexander working on strengthening his calf and Achilles.
https://twitter.com/doctor_reef/status/1380478124845056001
Alexander’s recovery process will be a big key to see if he can return to his earlier career form. Looking at the past three seasons, Alexander has only been able to play in 26 games with the Tampa Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, and New Orleans Saints. In his appearances, Alexander has collected 136 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 10 pass deflections.
While dealing with injuries and switching teams, Alexander earned a 61.3 PFF grade in 2019 and a 58.6 grade in 2020. He has continued to show consistency when he is on the field as a linebacker able to play and provide production on all downs. Alexander even played the most snaps at linebacker for the 49ers in his five games with the team last year, including more than All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner. He was second in snaps at linebacker in his seven games with the Saints, only behind Demario Davis, one of the best linebackers in the NFL. Alexander’s ability to play consistently on the Chiefs would be dictated by his recovery from his Achilles tear and then his ability to stay healthy once the season begins.
Alexander provides an opportunity to bring in an established veteran with previous high level of play on a cheap deal. Teams are clearly waiting on Alexander to prove he’s recovered, and he may have to wait until after the draft to find a home. Being only 26 years old (he turns 27 in August), Alexander still would provide the Chiefs with a player still on the younger side of his career, barring further injury setbacks, one who can become an option for the team beyond this next season. His younger age, with six seasons under his belt, would provide Hitchens with a productive teammate and give Gay another experienced veteran from whom he could learn.
The Chiefs have had success already in the front seven by signing a forgotten talent like Emmanuel Ogbah. Brett Veach could look for another steal in Kwon Alexander. He was once viewed as one of the NFL’s top young linebackers and earned himself a 4 year, $54 million contract only two offseasons ago from the 49ers. If healthy, Alexander could provide a low-risk, high-reward budget signing to help bolster the Chiefs run defense and provide better coverage at the linebacker position for the 2021 season—and possibly beyond.