Though the fan base wanted another running back, the Chiefs moved up in the fifth round to grab Oregon Linebacker Jeffrey Bassa.
As a converted safety, the Chiefs’ new linebacker, Jeffrey Bassa from Oregon, was a defensive machine at Oregon. He’s a side-to-side defender, can cover tight ends, and instantly becomes part of the Chiefs’ defensive rotation.
To finalize this deal, the Chiefs traded a fifth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and in return, the Chiefs sent the first of three picks they owned in the seventh round.
The Chiefs struggled covering Tight Ends last season, and this pick validated the Chiefs’ willingness to get a highly rated player who fell to the fifth round. For comparison, think of Willie Gay with better instincts and coverage skills.
Bassa brings high energy and was the signal caller on defense for the Ducks. That suggests he can play all three downs, and he could be the eventual replacement for Leo Chenal or Drue Tranquill.
The Chiefs have placed a significant emphasis on drafting defensive players. Bassa was their fourth out of six picks for Spags, and each has a skillset the team covets. Oregon had a terrific defense, and Bassa was their quarterback.
In his college career at Oregon, he had over 2,300 snaps, and despite dealing with an ankle injury early in 2024, he was rated among the top ten linebackers eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft.
