Latest news with #JadenHicks
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs 2026 scouting report: USC Trojans S Kamari Ramsey
The Kansas City Chiefs enter 2025 with both projected starting safeties on rookie contracts. Staying cheap at a lower value position is a smart way to extend pillars of the franchise on lucrative deals, but not investing significant resources into replacing Justin Reid comes with drawbacks. The Chiefs should evaluate safeties in the 2026 NFL draft. Kansas City needs to invest in a safety, even if two-year starter Bryan Cook and 2024 fourth round pick Jaden Hicks deliver quality play this season. Cook and backups Deon Bush and Mike Edwards all become unrestricted free agents next offseason. That leaves Hicks, who played fewer than 350 defensive snaps as a rookie, and nickel-safety hybrid Chamarri Conner as Kansas City's lone meaningful safeties signed beyond this year. USC's Kamari Ramsey had second round tape in 2024 but elected to return to school rather than enter the draft. He enters the new season only trailing Ohio State's Caleb Downs in the 2026 draft's safety rankings. Ramsey's pre- and post-snap processing put him a level above most safeties in the college ranks. He anticipates and attacks screens or shallow passes, preventing offenses from picking up easy yardage. Ramsey diagnoses route concepts quickly and triggers downhill to limit yards after the catch or deliver fierce hits that force incompletions. Ramsey matched up with Penn State superstar Tyler Warren last year and made a pair of goal line tackles in space to prevent touchdowns deep in the red zone. He matches up with tight ends in space too. Ramsey's fast footwork, natural acceleration and quick transitions make him a sticky coverage option. Ramsey survives in brief stints of man coverage, but he's at his best operating in zone in Cover 2 or Cover 3. His awareness, downhill burst and instincts help him pinch throwing lanes or jump routes for interceptions. Ramsey makes clutch tackles in space, but his down-to-down aggression in run defense is inconsistent. His average, 6'0", 204 lb. build took some damage in 2024 that made him appear a bit hesitant to stick his nose into the low box. However, he runs the alley and puts plays away when his team needs a stop. This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2026 NFL draft scouting report: USC Trojans S Kamari Ramsey
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Experts say Chiefs DB Jaden Hicks could be Kansas City's next breakout star
The Kansas City Chiefs will have to reinvent themselves after their defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, and second-year defensive back Jaden Hicks figures to be a key part of the team's strategy in 2025. Hicks, a former Washington State Cougar, earned significant playing time during his rookie season with the Chiefs and is now primed to compete for a starting role in Kansas City's defense after the departure of veteran safety Justin Reid in free agency. In a recent article about potential breakout candidates for each NFL team, the experts at Pro Football Network tabbed Hicks as Kansas City's most promising prospect. Read PFN had to say about Hicks below: " In coverage, Hicks allowed a passer rating of just 79.5 when targeted (14 targets). His steady improvement and ability to step up in big moments have earned him the trust of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. " While Hicks still has plenty of room to grow in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo's system, his outstanding performance last season has certainly warranted high expectations for the soon-to-be 23-year-old. This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Will Chiefs DB Jaden Hicks be Kansas City's next breakout star?
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kansas City Chiefs 90-man roster by jersey number: No. 21, DB Jaden Hicks
The Kansas City Chiefs selected defensive back Jaden Hicks with the No. 133 pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft. It took some time for Hicks to earn playing time as a rookie last season, he eventually worked himself into a key role in Steve Spagnuolo's defense. Advertisement Though he only started in one game during the 2024 regular season, Hicks managed to intercept three passes and tallied 23 solo tackles. The former Washington State Cougar should be expected to help fill the void in Kansas City's depth chart left by the departure of veteran safety Justin Reid, who signed with the New Orleans Saints in free agency. What jersey number does Jaden Hicks wear? KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - DECEMBER 21: Jaden Hicks #21 of the Kansas City Chiefs reacts after his interception in the first quarter of a game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on December 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by) Jaden Hicks currently wears the No. 21 jersey for the Kansas City Chiefs. How much money will Jaden Hicks make in 2025? Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks (21) intercepts a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images According to Hicks will receive a base salary of $960,000 in addition to a prorated signing bonus of $132,177 in 2025. Top Jaden Hicks highlight This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs 90-man roster by jersey number: No. 21, DB Jaden Hicks
USA Today
25-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Kansas City Chiefs 90-man roster by jersey number: No. 21, DB Jaden Hicks
The Kansas City Chiefs selected defensive back Jaden Hicks with the No. 133 pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL draft. It took some time for Hicks to earn playing time as a rookie last season, he eventually worked himself into a key role in Steve Spagnuolo's defense. Though he only started in one game during the 2024 regular season, Hicks managed to intercept three passes and tallied 23 solo tackles. The former Washington State Cougar should be expected to help fill the void in Kansas City's depth chart left by the departure of veteran safety Justin Reid, who signed with the New Orleans Saints in free agency. What jersey number does Jaden Hicks wear? Jaden Hicks currently wears the No. 21 jersey for the Kansas City Chiefs. How much money will Jaden Hicks make in 2025? According to Hicks will receive a base salary of $960,000 in addition to a prorated signing bonus of $132,177 in 2025. Top Jaden Hicks highlight
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs 4th-Round Pick Jaden Hicks Could Break Out in Season 2
Chiefs 4th-Round Pick Jaden Hicks Could Break Out in Season 2 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Kansas City Chiefs lost veteran safety Justin Reid to the New Orleans Saints in free agency earlier this offseason, so the team would definitely love somebody to step up and take his place. Advertisement In a recent article by PFF's Bradley Locker, he puts together a team full of guys who he thinks could break out in 2025. And one of the players he picks is Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks. "Hicks' advanced PFF metrics are wildly impressive, such as his 91stpercentile run stop rate and 74th percentile forced incompletion rate," Locker wrote. "Steve Spagnuolo has earned a reputation for drafting and developing top defensive backs, from Trent McDuffie to Charvarius Ward to Jaylen Watson and more. Hicks seems to check all the boxes of the next great Chiefs late-round find." The reigning AFC champions selected Hicks with the 133rd pick in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. If he can step up and play a role in 2025, it would be hard to dispute that the Chiefs got one of the steals of that draft. Hicks only started in one game in his rookie season, but he was able to make his impact felt. He tallied 29 total tackles, 23 of them being solo, and three of them being for a loss. But perhaps most impressive was his ball-hawk skills, as he finished with five passes defended and three interceptions. Advertisement Kansas City was in the bottom half of the league this past season in passing yards allowed, so Hicks will be looking to step in and help them with that problem. Related: Andy Reid Offers Positive Update On Chiefs Rookie Related: Chiefs' Andy Reid Reveals Comfort Level In Major Position Switch This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
