Kansas City Chiefs Draft Countdown: Making a Case for ILB Ben Heeney

The Kansas City Chiefs finished 28th against the run and desperately need help stopping opposing running backs. Kansas City’s defense finished second against the pass and tied for second in points allowed per game. The most impressive statistic is that Kansas City’s defense has not allowed more than 29 points in the last 18 regular-season games.

The only thing this defense needs is better support against running backs. Former Kansas Jayhawk Ben Heeney could help the Chiefs improve in that category.

While inside linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive end Mike DeVito, both reliable run-stopping defenders, will return after suffering Achilles injuries in Week 1 against Tennessee, Kansas City will need more help.

This is where the Chiefs can benefit from having Heeney on the team. General manager John Dorsey and head coach Andy Reid surely have an eye on him.

If you are a Kansas Jayhawks fan and endure the long, grueling football seasons, you are probably familiar with what Heeney is capable of. If you are a Kansas State Wildcats or Missouri Tigers fan, odds are you may be against this pick because of KU’s overall record of 9-39 during Heeney’s time as a Jayhawk, which has overshadowed his excellence on the field. But you may think differently after reading this.

Heeney’s tackling and closing speed will translate into success as an NFL linebacker. While Kansas struggled defensively, Heeney, individually, was always there to limit running backs and pass-catchers.

Any time a running back got a carry or a receiver caught a pass, Heeney would quickly move closer and stop the play.

Heeney recorded double-digit tackles in seven games this past college football season during his senior year at Kansas. He went three consecutive games with double-digit tackles, including a game against Texas Tech where he logged 21.

Heeney tied for second in the nation last year in tackles per game with 7.3 behind UCLA’s Eric Kendricks.

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

During the combine, Heeney outperformed every linebacker in the three-cone drill, 20-yard shuttle and 60-yard shuttle. He was also one of the top performers in the broad jump and 40-yard dash.

Heeney's arm size is a flaw but a very unnoticeable one, as he is able to mask it with his tenacious tackling and speed. Though he is projected to be a third-day draft pick, he will surprise plenty of fans and will adapt quickly in an NFL defense.

Heeney played well on special teams his freshman season and took the starting linebacker role in his sophomore year. Whether he is asked to play on defense or special teams—or split time doing both—he will excel in both areas.

His draft stock is uncertain, as it has changed throughout the offseason.

Ben Heeney's position ranking and draft projection 

Bleacher Report — ILB position rank: seventh; round projection: fourth

CBS Sports — ILB position rank: sixth; round projection: fourth

FOX Sports — ILB position rank: sixth; round projection: fourth

NFL.com —ILB position rank: eighth; round projection: fifth or sixth 

Draft Tek — ILB position rank: ninth; round projection: fourth

Walter Football — ILB Position rank: not listed; round projection: undrafted 

As you can notice, Heeney has been projected to go anywhere from the fourth round to being undrafted. 

Due to the Jayhawks' few wins, it is hard for their players to get noticed until they meet with scouts at the combine or in private workouts. 

Since Heeney's impressive combine showing, many mock drafts now have him going as high as early in the fourth round. 

Kansas City has a pair of third-round draft picks, one of them coming late in the round as a compensatory pick at 98th overall. Dorsey won’t have a draft pick, barring a trade, until the 118th overall pick in the fourth round. By then, Heeney is likely off the board.

The Chiefs should use the 98th pick to snag Heeney, as he can quickly develop into a starter. By the end of his rookie year, he will prove to be better than a lot of interior linebackers drafted before him. 

For Kansas City’s benefit, Heeney, along with the return of Johnson and DeVito, will help improve the run defense.

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