This Chiefs Rookie Could Steal Anthony Hitchens' Job During the 2020 Season

Incoming NFL draftees will have the cards stacked against them entering their rookie campaign thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, which has already delayed yearly routines. As we know, no on-field work is permitted until all 32 team facilities can reopen. In the meantime, most teams are conducting virtual offseason programs.

However, some high-profile rookies already figured to enter camp with the chance to nab a starting role. When you consider how weak the Kansas City Chiefs' linebacking corps has been in recent seasons, it's not outlandish to think that 2020 second-round pick Willie Gay could steal Anthony Hitchens' spot in the middle of the defense.

The 27-year-old Hitchens has severely disappointed since signing a bloated five-year, $45 million contract with the Chiefs prior to the 2018 season. While he's posted 223 combined tackles in two seasons with KC, that's literally all he's good for. It doesn't take a football savant to tell you that sound tackling isn't the only skill needed to be a quality LB. Hitchens' abysmal 48.9 seasonal grade from Pro Football Focus perfectly summarizes his woes since his big money move to Arrowhead.

Enter Gay, whose blazing 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the Combine ranked second-best among all linebackers. The 22-year-old has off-the-field demons to overcome, but his sheer athleticism could prove invaluable on a Chiefs side that is desperate for versatility and playmaking at linebacker.

The former Mississippi State star is a bruising tackler, and he's just as comfortable blitzing as he is in coverage. An impressive camp coupled with admirable cameos off the bench early on in the regular season could see Gay force the Chiefs' hand in deploying him as a starter over Hitchens.