The Kansas City Chiefs have a rich history of drafting and developing elite defensive players, and the early returns on second-year safety Jaden Hicks suggest he could be the next in line. With the departure of a key veteran and an impressive rookie campaign behind him, Hicks is poised to become a foundational piece of the Chiefs’ defense.
The Washington State Standout
Jaden Hicks arrived in Kansas City as a fourth-round pick out of Washington State, a value selection that quickly turned into a steal. During his college career with the Cougars, Hicks was a versatile and intimidating presence on the back end of the defense. He filled up the stat sheet with tackles, tackles-for-loss, sacks, and interceptions, earning Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 honors in his final season. His reputation as a rangy, high-IQ player who was always around the football made him a highly-regarded prospect.
A Rookie Season to Remember
Hicks’ first year with the Chiefs showed flashes of star potential. Despite limited defensive snaps early on, he was a key contributor on special teams and made the most of his opportunities. He quickly earned the trust of the coaching staff, and his playing time increased as the season progressed. Hicks’ knack for making impact plays was highlighted by his ability to force turnovers, a skill that the defense had been seeking. His strong finish to the season, including multiple interceptions, gave fans a glimpse of what he could become.
Stepping into the Void Left by Justin Reid
With veteran safety Justin Reid’s departure to the New Orleans Saints in free agency, Jaden Hicks is set to take on a much larger role in 2025. The Chiefs will need Hicks to not only handle a full-time starting role but also to become a vocal leader in the secondary. The defense is built on communication and versatility, and the absence of a long-time anchor like Reid opens the door for a player of Hicks’ caliber to step in and fill that role.
The Bottom Line: The Final 53-Man Roster
Hicks’s ascent has had a ripple effect on the Chiefs’ defense as they finalized their 53-man roster. The safety room was a key area of focus, with Hicks, along with Bryan Cook and Chamarri Conner, earning spots as the future of the position. The coaching staff has shown confidence in their young core, even parting ways with some veteran depth to give them more opportunities. This indicates that Hicks, as well as his fellow young safeties, has made an undeniable case for a significant role in the defense.
The Next Eric Berry? An Endorsement from the Honey Badger
The comparison to Chiefs legend Eric Berry is a heavy one, but it’s a conversation that has already begun among fans and analysts. Hicks is one of my “Golden Jacket” kids, meaning he has the potential to be a top player and one day be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, much like the “All Juice team” from the late Terez Paylor. Like Berry, Hicks possesses the physicality to play near the line of scrimmage while also showcasing the instincts and ball-hawking skills to be a force in coverage. Berry was a player who could do it all, from blitzing to covering tight ends to making game-changing plays from the back of the defense.
Perhaps the strongest endorsement of Hicks’s potential comes from a man who knows a thing or two about being a defensive star in Kansas City: Tyrann “the Honey Badger” Mathieu. In a text to Chiefs GM Brett Veach during Hicks’s rookie preseason, Mathieu wrote: “And 21’s a stud.” He later went on to praise Hicks publicly, saying, “The kid can play! He will be around a while.” While he has a long way to go to reach Berry’s Hall of Fame-caliber play, the raw talent and football intelligence are there.
The Chiefs are known for developing their own talent, and with this kind of support from a former legend, Hicks’s ascension could mark the beginning of the next significant era in Chiefs’ safety play.
