This draft class offers multiple early answers at linebacker
So if the Chiefs could use a day-one contributor at linebacker, does this draft class have players that line up with those needs in the top 40 picks? Fortunately for KC, it absolutely does. First, there is a small chance that arguably the best pure linebacker in this class, Sonny Styles, could slide to the Chiefs at pick No. 9. That may not be highly likely, but if he did make it to KC, it would be hard to imagine he wouldn’t be the top player on KC’s board. If that doesn’t happen, then there are still really good options for the Chiefs to consider at picks 29 and 40.
The following four linebacker prospects are all listed between 32 and 52 on consensus big boards. They are listed below with their college, height, weight, age when drafted, and average consensus big board ranking.
C.J. Allen – Georgia – 6’1” – 230 lbs – 21 years old – 33.7 avg. consensus ranking
Jacob Rodriguez – Texas Tech – 6’1” – 231 lbs – 23 years old – 45.7 avg. consensus ranking
Anthony Hill Jr. – Texas – 6’2” – 238 lbs – 21 years old – 46 avg. consensus ranking
Jake Golday – Cincinnati – 6’4” – 239 lbs – 22 years old – 50.7 avg. consensus ranking
It is not unusual for C.J. Allen, Jacob Rodriguez, and occasionally even Anthony Hill Jr. to show up in the first round of mock drafts, sometimes as early as pick No. 20 to the Dallas Cowboys. Allen, Rodriguez, and Hill would not be seen as a reach if the Chiefs took one of them with pick No. 29, and all four of these linebackers would be seen as quality picks at 40 overall.