JH #21

Jaden Hicks

Safety · Washington State

A Bishop Gorman product who turned a rookie-year interception binge into a growing role as one of Kansas City's safety options.

Jaden Hicks arrived in Kansas City as a big, physical safety with a knack for finding the ball, and he has spent his first two pro seasons proving that instinct travels from Pullman to the NFL. He lines up all over the Chiefs secondary, from strong safety to the slot, and his snap count has climbed steadily since he stepped onto the field as a rookie.

★ Led the Chiefs in interceptions as a rookie in 2024

★ PFF All-Breakout Team selection, 2025

★ Midseason All-American honors at Washington State, 2022

Path to the league

Hicks starred at Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas before redshirting his first year at Washington State. As a redshirt freshman in 2022 he started 11 of 13 games, piling up 76 tackles, an interception and a sack on his way to midseason All-American recognition. The Chiefs drafted him in the fourth round, 133rd overall, in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Career highlights

Hicks made an immediate impact as a Chiefs rookie in 2024, appearing in 17 games and leading the team with three interceptions despite making just one start. He has also seen postseason action, playing in three playoff games during Kansas City's 2024 run. Through two seasons he has piled up 71 tackles, three interceptions and nine pass deflections.

2025 season recap

Hicks took on a bigger role in 2025, seeing time at both strong safety and slot cornerback and nearly tripling his snap count from his rookie year, from 312 defensive snaps to 445. He finished the season with 42 tackles, half a sack and four pass deflections across 17 games, and was named to PFF's All-Breakout Team for the year.