Chiefs 2018 rookie season review: LB Ben Niemann

The Chiefs included several undrafted absolutely free agents next the 2018 NFL draft. Several of individuals rookies contributed throughout the 2018 time, most of which came on the defensive facet of the ball. Let us acquire a search at Ben Niemann’s 2018 time and see what we can challenge for the long term.

Ben Niemann – Undrafted – LB

2018 time assessment:

Few of the Chiefs undrafted rookies came into the 2018 time with better expectations than Ben Niemann. The Chiefs fanbase rallied guiding him and his stellar perform throughout the preseason, and when he designed the roster there was a lot of enjoyment.

For most of the time, Niemann strictly played distinctive groups. He played over 4 moments extra distinctive groups snap to defensive snaps. It was not until finally Week 9 that the Chiefs started out to do the job him into the defensive gameplan. They ended up working with some accidents to their linebacker group which authorized him to get some perform time. In Week 10 versus the Cardinals, Niemann received his very first and only start of the time. He finished the game with 6 total tackles.

Niemann’s common time perform culminated in a number of defensive snaps throughout the 2018 playoffs. He recorded a pass defended in the endzone versus Eric Ebron in the divisional spherical. He also recorded two distinctive groups tackles in the AFC championship game versus the Patriots, but played no defensive snaps.

2019 time outlook:

The shift to Steve Spagnuolo’s 4-3 less than plan could really enable Niemann’s means to get on the area as a defender. Through his times as an Iowa Hawkeye, Niemann played both weak and powerful facet exterior linebacker. The versatility to perform a number of various linebacker places will unquestionably enable the Chiefs when it arrives to depth.

Niemann will certainly have a function as a distinctive groups participant in 2019. I don’t know if Niemann will generate a starting up function on protection proper absent. As of now the Chiefs deficiency a powerful facet linebacker in the new defensive method. If the new time started tomorrow, he’s a participant that I experience would possible be component of the starting up 11 in the Chiefs’ base protection. The crew will possible bring in some competitive depth, but following what we observed from Niemann in 2018, don’t rule him out as a person who could contribute extra in the long term.

Chiefs 2018 rookie time critiques:

OLB Breeland Speaks

DT Derrick Nnadi

LB Dorian O’Daniel

S Armani Watts

CB Tremon Smith

OL Kahlil McKenzie

CB Charvarius Ward

RB Darrel Williams

LB Ben Niemann