Washington State Cougars safety Jaden Hicks was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2024 National Football League Draft as the No. 33 pick of the fourth round and No. 133 overall. Hicks is the second Cougar drafted by the Chiefs in the past three seasons, following cornerback Jaylen Watson's selection in the 2022 draft. This marks the third consecutive year that a defensive player from Washington State has been drafted, with linebacker Daiyan Henley being picked in the third round by the Chargers last season.

By the Numbers
  • 33rd pick of the fourth round
  • No. 133 overall pick
  • 155 tackles in two seasons for the Cougars
  • 8 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions
State of Play
  • Hicks earned All-Pac-12 Conference Honorable Mention in the past season, finishing seventh in the league with 79 tackles, along with six tackles-for-loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble
  • Recorded the Pac-12's fourth-best overall defensive grade among all defensive players
  • Earned Freshman All-America honors in 2022
What's Next

Hicks is set to join the Kansas City Chiefs and will likely begin preparations for the upcoming NFL season, aiming to make an impact as a rookie in the league.

Bottom Line

Jaden Hicks' draft selection by the Kansas City Chiefs marks a significant achievement for the young safety, demonstrating his talent and potential to contribute to an NFL team. His impressive track record at Washington State indicates that he is poised for success at the professional level, and his future in the NFL looks promising.