Anthony Hitchens

The Chiefs' coaching staff committed to lightening Hitchens' workload in 2019 to ensure he would hold up over the course of the season, resulting in him playing more than 200 fewer defensive snaps. While he did play in 15 of the 16 regular-season contests, Hitchens saw a huge decrease from 135 tackles (81 solo) in 2018 to 88 (51 solo) last year. Assuming the staff sticks to its plan and aims to limit the linebacker's snaps again this year, he's more likely to land in the 2019 range than to return to the career heights he set in his first season with Kansas City.

Kansas City invested heavily in Hitchens prior to last season, signing him to a five-year, $45 million contract. The decision proved wise, as the fifth-year linebacker finished fifth in the league with a team-leading 135 tackles (81 solo) in 2018 despite missing a game. After just one season in the 3-4 system, Hitchens likely will return to a 4-3 defensive front under the direction of new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Hitchens recorded 84 tackles in 12 games during his final season in Dallas, so triple-digit tackles should be well within reach despite the change.

Hitchens played the third-most snaps among Cowboys linebackers last season behind both Sean Lee and Jaylon Smith, but the team was willing to allow the four-year pro to walk this offseason. The Chiefs, who decided to cut ties with veteran middle linebacker Derrick Johnson, scooped up the 26-year-old on a five-year, $45 million contract. Hitchens played just 52.2 percent of the defensive snaps in 2017, though it's notable that he missed the first four games of the season due to a knee injury. Johnson, on the other hand, remained on the field for 76.9 percent of snaps. If Hitchens can stay healthy, an expected increase in playing time, combined with a shift from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense, could put him in a position to near the 100-tackle total in 2018.

Hitchens served as the Cowboys' primary middle linebacker in 2016, but the former fourth-rounder was on the field for just 581 of the team's defensive snaps. He was able to notch a career high in tackles with 78, but he didn't force a single turnover and posted just 1.5 sacks. 2016 second-rounder Jaylon Smith is slated to return from a severe knee injury, and he will be the clear favorite to win the starting middle linebacker gig. If that happens as expected, Hitchens' already below-average IDP value would be further diminished.

Hitchens' numbers were very similar through his first two NFL campaigns but he could be in line for a big spike in production with Rolando McClain suspended for the first 10 games this season. The favorite to win the starting middle linebacker role while McClain is sidelined, Hitchens recorded 31 tackles and two sacks in the first four games of 2015 while McClain was also suspended.

Hitchens was a surprisingly effective rookie last season, playing in all 16 games and starting 11 while recording 75 tackles and an interception. He'll compete for a starting role as the strong-side linebacker in 2015

Fourth round pick fell into a giant opportunity when Sean Lee was lost for the season on the first day of OTAs this offseason. If Hitchens can fend off veteran Justin Durant for the starting ILB spot in the Cowboys' defense, he has the athleticism and motor to put up very solid IDP numbers.