KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Last month, in the opening minutes of the Chiefs’ victory over the Houston Texans, rookie safety Jaden Hicks trotted onto the field as part of the defense’s dime personnel group.
The Texans faced a third-and-12 snap near midfield. Steve Spagnuolo, the Chiefs’ longtime defensive coordinator, wanted Hicks on the field to be one of the two deep safeties. Justin Reid, the seven-year safety, gave instructions to Hicks, too, telling him that cornerback Joshua Williams would undercut the throw, so just stay over the top of the receiver.
Hicks did as he was told. Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud overthrew his intermediate pass and Hicks leaped to catch his interception over Houston receiver Nico Collins, setting up the Chiefs’ first touchdown.
“This group (of defensive backs) helps me get ready each week and for the biggest moments of the games,” Hicks said.
The highlight was an example of how Hicks’ coverage skills have continued to ascend through his rookie season. The play was also Hicks’ team-leading third interception despite starting in only one game. In the second half of the regular season, Hicks’ play has improved as much as his snap count has increased.
“He’s a total DB,” Reid said of Hicks.
ANOTHER WEEK, ANOTHER PICK FOR HICKS 😤 pic.twitter.com/qLGF1S7RSw
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 21, 2024
Last spring, in the weeks before the NFL Draft, many analysts didn’t describe Hicks’ play style as that of a ballhawk. But most expected Hicks, who played at Washington State, to be selected late in the second or third round. Instead, Hicks woke up on the third morning of the draft still available. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach didn’t even have to trade up in the fourth round to select Hicks, whom The Athletic’s Dane Brugler graded as the 39th overall prospect and the best safety in the 2024 class.
In college, Hicks was known for being an above-average hitter and tackler. In his last season at Washington State, Hicks recorded six tackles from behind the line of scrimmage, two interceptions and six pass breakups.
“I know what I’m capable of,” Hicks said of exceeding his initial scouting report. “When they labeled me as just a run-stopping safety, that fuels the fire even more. I’m glad I got to show it.”
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The Chiefs entered the draft with four viable safeties — Reid, Bryan Cook, Chamarri Conner and Deon Bush.
“We’re blessed to have him,” Williams said of Hicks. “He has some amazing vets around him — Cook, D-Bush and J-Reid — giving him tips. He’s soaking it all up and making plays.”
Hicks is just the latest rookie the Chiefs have developed into a capable contributor. Before Hicks, Spagnuolo had similar success with defensive backs in their rookie seasons, including Conner, Cook, Williams and cornerbacks Trent McDuffie, Jaylen Watson and L’Jarius Sneed.
“His growth process has been really what we expected and really what we hoped for,” Spagnuolo said of Hicks. “He’s just gotten better and better. He gets more confident every week.”
The @Chiefs have four INTs on the day
📺: #KCvsCLE on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/2n4OVwAkkh— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024
The best illustration of Hicks’ swagger came late in the Chiefs’ last relevant game.
On Christmas Day against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game the Chiefs dominated, Hicks was one of the two deep safeties, alongside Cook, for a fourth-and-20 snap. The Steelers tried one of their most successful plays: throw the ball deep and near the sideline to receiver George Pickens. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw a precise pass that allowed Pickens the opportunity to outjump Hicks. But Hicks elevated with Wilson and prevented the completion. While Pickens was lying on the turf, Hicks celebrated over him, putting his thumbs down, leading to a 15-yard taunting penalty.
In training camp, Spagnuolo spent a considerable amount of time during most practices next to Hicks, talking him through certain techniques — how to blitz from the nickel position, how to better disguise his coverage with pre-snap movement and how to be in the proper place in zone coverage.
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Even last month, Spagnuolo noticed that Hicks, whether the Chiefs were in a walkthrough or a practice, was paying attention to every pre-snap detail he had based on his various assignments.
“He’s got a great attitude,” safeties coach Donald D’Alesio said of Hicks. “He’s always smiling, happy to be in the building and loves football. When those rookies get here, we throw a lot (of plays) at them early, just to see what they can handle, how they can process things. We know it’s going to shrink and slow down as the year goes on.
“That’s what people are seeing now. He’s got the confidence, the (snaps) are starting to come and he’s able to go out there and play fast.”
Hicks’ first interception came in October in the Chiefs’ win over the San Francisco 49ers.
With 11 minutes left in the game, Reid, the Chiefs’ most experienced safety, made a touchdown-saving tackle. Reid used all of his strength to shed the blocking attempt of receiver Chris Conley, then wrapped his arms around the hips of running back Jordan Mason to stop him just 3 yards from the end zone. After his tackle, though, Reid felt pain in his left hand. He signaled to Hicks to take the field in his place.
Hicks was on the field for just his second snap of the game when the 49ers faced a critical third-and-goal play from the Chiefs’ 5-yard line. Hicks’ assignment was a simple one: help cornerback Trent McDuffie bracket Conley. When Hicks turned his eyes back toward quarterback Brock Purdy, he was in the proper spot in the end zone to make a diving interception, ending the 49ers’ comeback attempt.
Jaden Hicks’ first INT is a big one for the @Chiefs!
📺: #KCvsSF on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/V2XOeW1F5P— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024
“Each day, he’s over here critiquing me, making sure I’m doing the right things,” Hicks said of Reid, the veteran who has become his biggest mentor. “I appreciate him so much.”
In the postseason, the Chiefs hope Hicks can get his hands on the ball in the middle of the field with space to run. The last time that happened, in a win over the Cleveland Browns, Hicks returned the interception 47 yards.
“I was joking around with the guys,” Hicks said, laughing. “The next day, I’m like, ‘Just to let y’all know, I’ve got the best return skills out of everyone.’”
One truth everyone in the secondary can agree with is this: Hicks is no longer playing like a rookie, which should help the Chiefs defense be at its strongest for the postseason.
“I will say it’s getting easier,” Hicks said of adjusting to the NFL. “Rookie mode is not really there anymore. I’m becoming older, you know.”
(Photo: Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
