Last season, rookie Jaden Hicks took a big step forward on defense. Although his snaps were limited, he made the most of his opportunities. Now that Justin Reid is signing with the New Orleans Saints in the offseason, can Hicks make a bigger impact for the Chiefs this season?
The 2024 draft class was not short on achievements. Offensively, wide receiver Xavier Worthy performed at an elite level. On defense, safety Jaden Hicks got his first NFL experience. After making a big goal-line interception against the San Francisco 49ers mid-season, he was rewarded with more playing time.
Hicks has exceptional talents. Not only can he tackle as if he’s been in the NFL for ten seasons, but he also demonstrates the ability to locate, track, and reach the ball in the deep secondary. His on-field performance was the main reason the Chiefs allowed Justin Reid to leave in free agency.
Fortunately for Hicks, he was the top secondary coach in the NFL. Dave Merritt is a creative genius when it comes to developing young defensive backs. Hicks is his latest project, and it’s clear that not only will he start in 2025, but they are also relying on him to keep up the success he had last season.
In my view, Hicks should have been used more early in the season, but Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo tends to be patient with his young defenders until he deems them ready for more action.
Still, even though he wasn’t playing much until the 49ers game, Spags was praising him highly to the media, highlighting his talent and intelligence, and showing that he needed more time.
Hicks showcased his skills in the preseason on defense and special teams; he wasn’t shy about taking advantage of his opportunities, and he consistently demonstrated that he understood his time would eventually come on the field.
Last year, he recorded three interceptions, 29 tackles (including 23 solo), and 13 tackles in the postseason.
That performance set the stage for Hicks to demonstrate what he can do this season, with NFL experience under his belt, postseason success, and knowing he enters the year as the team’s starting safety.
He and Bryan Cook, who will become a free agent at the end of the season, both have speed and the ability to cover a lot of ground. Additionally, Hicks is more than just a center fielder for the Chiefs’ defense; he’s willing to get involved in coverage.
His progression will also enable Chamarri Connor to go back to his more natural role, playing the roving safety.
Connor will benefit from a strong season by Hicks. That’s what I like about the Chiefs’ secondary. They have several players who can freelance and chase the ball while others hold down the back end.
Hicks will get his chance early in the season to face some of the best quarterbacks in the game. So far in his career, there’s nothing to suggest he’s not ready for the challenge.
If you watched him at any point a year ago when he was on the field, you noticed that he had big-play abilities. For a rookie, that’s impressive, and as he gained confidence in his skills, so did the coaches.
Now, he knows he’s the starter, and expectations are high that he’ll become even better in 2025.
