Chiefs Linebacker Outlook: Could Anthony Hill Jr. Be the Future at the Position?
As the Kansas City Chiefs head into another offseason, few position groups are clouded with more uncertainty than linebacker. Depending on how things shake out, the team could either run it back with the same core or hit the reset button entirely.
Right now, there’s a path where the Chiefs retain both Leo Chenal and Drue Tranquill, keeping the 2025 linebacker unit intact. But there’s also a very real scenario where the team lets both walk. That would leave Nick Bolton, Jeff Bassa, and Cooper McDonald as the primary linebackers heading into 2026-an unproven group with more questions than answers.
The Bolton Dilemma
Nick Bolton remains a polarizing figure in Kansas City. Inside the building, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo sees him as a coach on the field-someone who understands the scheme, communicates well, and brings leadership to the huddle.
But Bolton’s coverage limitations are no secret. Opposing offenses have keyed in on him in passing situations, and it’s taken a toll on his overall value.
The issue isn’t necessarily Bolton’s ability-he’s a smart, physical linebacker who plays with intensity-but the role he’s being asked to fill. When he’s left on the field in dime packages, covering athletic tight ends and running backs in space, his weaknesses get magnified. The Chiefs may need to rethink how they deploy him or find a coverage specialist to complement his skill set.
What About Bassa and McDonald?
Jeff Bassa is still something of a mystery. He’s shown flashes, but projecting him as a long-term starter feels premature.
Is he the next Drue Tranquill, or is he more of a special teams ace with limited upside on defense? The Chiefs have been in this situation before-drafting Nick Bolton while Anthony Hitchens was still under contract.
Don’t be surprised if they take a similar approach this offseason, targeting a linebacker in the draft who can develop behind the veterans.
And that brings us to one of the more intriguing prospects in this year’s class: Anthony Hill Jr.
Anthony Hill Jr. Draft Profile
Position: Linebacker
College: Texas
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 238 lbs
Age: 20 (will be 21 on draft day)
Tape Watched: Ohio State (2025), Georgia (2025), Florida (2024)
NFL Comparison: Shades of Nick Bolton
Background: A Five-Star Pedigree
Hill entered college football with serious hype. A five-star recruit and the top linebacker in the 2022 class, he initially committed to Texas A&M before flipping to Texas.
From the moment he stepped on the field, Hill made his presence felt. As a true freshman, he racked up 67 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and five sacks.
But it was his sophomore campaign that really turned heads-113 tackles, a conference-best 16.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, and even an interception.
That production earned him a spot as a Butkus Award finalist and second-team All-SEC honors in 2025. He declared for the NFL Draft shortly after the season ended.
What Hill Brings to the Table
Instinctive Run Defender
Hill’s ability to diagnose run plays and react quickly is among the best in this class. He’s a true downhill linebacker-one who sees the play develop, shoots the gap, and gets to the ball carrier in a hurry.
While he’s not the most physical block-shedder, his vision and quick trigger allow him to beat offensive linemen to their spots. He’s the type of linebacker who always seems to be around the football.
Blitz Threat
Hill’s blitzing ability is a legitimate weapon. Over three college seasons, he totaled 17 sacks-more than several other top linebacker prospects in this class.
He’s got the lateral agility to chase down scrambling quarterbacks and enough power to disrupt protections when blitzing through the A or B gaps. Whether it’s off the edge or up the middle, Hill knows how to find the quarterback.
Reliable Tackler
Across his freshman and junior seasons, Hill missed just 11 tackles. His sophomore year was a bit of an outlier with 18 misses, but overall, he’s been a dependable tackler. He doesn’t always deliver the bone-rattling hits you’d expect from a linebacker his size, but he rarely lets ball carriers slip away.
Where He Needs to Improve
Coverage Skills
This is where the Bolton comparisons come into play. Hill hasn’t shown much in terms of man coverage ability.
He’s mostly been used in zone, dropping into shallow areas or covering the flats. His hips are a bit stiff, which limits his ability to turn and run with more athletic targets.
That doesn’t mean he can’t improve, but right now, he’s not someone you want isolated against a tight end on third-and-long.
Play Strength
Despite his size, Hill doesn’t always bring the physicality you’d expect. He can get washed out by offensive linemen climbing to the second level, and you’re still waiting for that signature “wow” moment where he blows up a play with brute force. He’s a sure tackler, yes-but not necessarily a tone-setter.
Fit in Kansas City: Tranquill’s Successor?
So where does Hill fit into the Chiefs’ plans?
If Kansas City is looking for a direct replacement for Drue Tranquill-a versatile linebacker who can blitz, tackle, and play in sub-packages-Hill makes a lot of sense. He’s younger, has more physical upside, and already brings a strong foundation as a run defender and blitzer. But if the expectation is for him to step in and replace Nick Bolton right away, that’s a tougher ask.
The Chiefs have to ask themselves: can they afford to invest in another linebacker with coverage concerns? If Hill is available in the same draft range where they landed Bolton in 2021, the value might be too good to pass up.
But they’ll need to be patient. Hill isn’t a plug-and-play linebacker on Day 1.
He’s a developmental player with the tools to eventually become a three-down force-but that’s a year or two down the road.
Final Takeaway
Anthony Hill Jr. is a high-upside linebacker with a nose for the football, a knack for blitzing, and the kind of instincts you can’t teach. He’s not a finished product, especially when it comes to coverage and play strength, but the foundation is there. For a Chiefs team that may be reshaping its linebacker room, Hill could be a smart long-term investment-especially if they’re willing to let him grow behind veterans like Bolton or Tranquill.
He’s not the answer for 2026. But he just might be the future beyond it.