Kansas City Chiefs 2020 NFL Draft grades: Mahomes gets a weapon

This is an interesting pick on a few levels for the Chiefs.

Kansas City needed a linebacker who can cover in space and play alongside Anthony Hitchens on first and second down as an adequate run defender. The Chiefs got said player in Willie Gay Jr., who comes out of the SEC as a Mississippi State Bulldog.

While in Starkville, Gay had some off-field problems worth mentioning. He was suspended eight games for academic issues, while also punching out his own quarterback during a practice prior to  Mississippi State playing its bowl game.

So does this pick make sense? Yes, if only because Gay has tremendous traits. He has blazing speed on tape, running down ballcarriers sideline-to-sideline. He also has smooth hips and can drop in coverage, helping to take away running backs and tight ends in the passing game. If the Chiefs had one glaring issue last year, it was linebackers in coverage.

Coming into a locker room with Tyrann Mathieu and former Mississippi State star Chris Jones, perhaps this is a good chance for Gay to shake his past and allow his talents to speak loudly.