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Eight KC Chiefs players poised to improve in 2021

By Farzin Vousoughian

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 25: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown with teammates Byron Pringle #13, Daniel Kilgore #67, and Demarcus Robinson #11 during a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on October 25, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 25: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates a fourth quarter touchdown with teammates Byron Pringle #13, Daniel Kilgore #67, and Demarcus Robinson #11 during a game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on October 25, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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ORCHARD PARK, NY – OCTOBER 19: Willie Gay Jr. #50 of the Kansas City Chiefs blocks Darryl Johnson #92 of the Buffalo Bills on a kickoff during the second half at Bills Stadium on October 19, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. Kansas City beats Buffalo 26-17. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

Willie Gay Jr., LB

Willie Gay Jr. was Kansas City’s second-round pick in last year’s draft coming out of Mississippi State. He had to show some patience before seeing significant playing time on defense while being behind Anthony Hitchens and Damien Wilson on the depth chart.

Gay got the nod to start in Week 4 against the New England Patriots, playing one-third of the team’s defensive snaps. There were five games where Gay saw 25 or more snaps on defense.

Gay finished his rookie campaign with three tackles for a loss, one sack, one forced fumble and three pass deflections. The most impressive part about Gay’s rookie season was closing in on ball carriers and quickly putting an end to a play. He finished with 29 solo tackles and 10 assists and did not miss a tackle all season.

Gay played in 49 defensive snaps in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons, playing almost three-fourths of the team’s defensive snaps. Perhaps it was a sign that Gay would see more playing time in the playoffs. Unfortunately, Gay’s rookie campaign did not include a postseason appearance. Gay suffered an ankle injury in Week 17 against the Los Angeles Chargers. He sustained a knee injury in practice late in January and had to undergo surgery, forcing him to miss the Super Bowl.

With Wilson no longer on the team, Gay is likely to see plenty of playing time on defense alongside rookie linebacker Nick Bolton, Kansas City’s first draft selection taken during the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

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