The Kansas City Chiefs have functional depth at linebacker, but losing Leo Chenal in free agency leaves the team one injury away from a more precarious position. Fortunately, the 2026 NFL Draft features plenty of exciting linebacker talent. The Chiefs could target premier positions early in the draft and circle back for depth in the later rounds.
Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke is undersized by almost every measurement, but his high motor and explosive movement skills make him an excellent option for a backup and subpackage role. Heinecke’s experience across five special teams units gives him a pathway to contribute as a rookie.
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Heinecke shows no hesitation when stepping down to fit the run. He often appears impatient in his approach, but when he gives the play a second to develop, he makes excellent decisions. Heinecke lacks the play strength and size to challenge offensive linemen, so he uses his burst and smaller frame to slip through gaps and penetrate the backfield for potential tackles for loss.
Heinecke checks a lot of athletic boxes. His flexible lower half allows him to dip and play around or under blockers. He changes directions well in space and reaches a good top speed that gives him sufficient range to hunt down playmakers. Heinecke’s closing burst is a significant asset in pursuit.
Heinecke keeps his head on a swivel in coverage and reads the quarterback’s eyes to anticipate and jump passing lanes. He rarely gets his hands on the football but prevents plays from picking up yards after the catch because he triggers so quickly once the quarterback releases the throw.
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Heinecke is fast enough to carry tight ends vertically, but the Sooners didn’t ask him to cover at depth often. His instincts and feel for basic coverage assignments are still developing, suggesting he is best suited for a special teams role.
Heinecke must develop techniques to stack and shed blocks. His undersized frame and short arms make it difficult for him to separate from blockers, which is a huge obstacle to him seeing meaningful snaps on defense.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: Oklahoma Sooners LB Owen Heinecke