Kansas City looked to add some experience and depth in their linebacker room. They acquired that in Darron Lee.
The Chiefs were clearly not comfortable in their linebacker rotation this offseason. After signing undrafted free agents Gary Johnson and Darius Harris, they weren’t done acquiring depth to the position.
On Wednesday night, the Chiefs acquired Darron Lee, a linebacker from the Jets, for a 2020 sixth-round pick. Lee was a former first-round pick in 2016 but hadn’t been as good as expected. Lee has had trouble staying in the linebacker rotation for the Jets over the past few years but has shown good coverage abilities in the past. Last year, Pro Football Focus rated Lee as the fourth-best coverage linebacker in the NFL, and 24th overall.
Kansas City had a weak linebacker room coming into today. The position only had Anthony Hitchens, Dorian O’Daniel, Ben Niemann, and Reggie Ragland returning. Ragland wasn’t even guaranteed a roster spot. Kansas City did bring in Damien Wilson and Jeremiah Attaochu, but they play SAM linebacker. The Chiefs desperately needed speed at linebacker, and Lee brings speed.
Coming out of college, Lee ran a 4.47 40-yard dash. For linebackers, that is ridiculous. Most linebackers don’t run that fast, and Lee brings elite speed. Lee had trouble playing for his first two years since he was smaller and didn’t understand the position yet. At the end of last year though, he came on strong and showed potential. If Lee can continue developing, he could turn into a serious asset on the field, who has the speed to cover everyone.
Overall, this is a good move for the Chiefs. Brett Veach clearly identified a major hole on the roster, which was the speed at the linebacker position. When passing downs come, he needed a guy alongside Dorian O’Daniel who could play fast and cover. Lee does exactly that.
If Lee doesn’t pan out, this doesn’t come at a huge cost for Kansas City. Lee already had his fifth year option declined, so this is the last year for his rookie deal. Lee only costs $1.8 million against the cap this year, and then Kansas City can be off the hook for Lee. If Lee pans out, Kansas City can extend him long term, most likely for less than 9.5 million. This makes perfect sense from a financial standpoint. Kansas City could have got someone more expensive, but that would create long term implications for the cap. In this scenario, Kansas City can be off the books next year, and not be tied forever.
A 2020 sixth-round pick is a decent amount, given Kansas City now has only five picks. But since they are projected to get an extra fourth-round compensatory pick for Steven Nelson, they had the flexibility to make this trade. At the end of next year, they will still have six picks.
This also signals that Reggie Ragland probably isn’t making the roster. Ragland had a good first year but fell off hard last year. Injuries hampered Ragland, and he looked slow. Ragland is due to make $1.2 million this year as well. He was already going to have a hard time making the roster before this trade. This just reinforces that suspicion. Lee is way faster than Ragland and helps Kansas City out way more this year.
Ragland will still be around for training camp, which makes sense. Injuries happen, and some team made need Ragland. Kansas City could get a draft pick in return for Ragland. It won’t be a good pick, but it is something. If someone doesn’t get Ragland though, the Chiefs still save over a million dollars next season if he doesn’t make the roster. There isn’t a losing path for Kansas City though.
Overall, Lee is a major upgrade over what Kansas City had. Lee turns a weak position of strength into a decent room. The speed he provides will help the Chiefs out. New defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo craves speed, and Lee will have enough for days. He provides really good short term upside, with the potential to be a key cog in the future of this team.
