Film Review: Chiefs’ Curtis Jacobs is a high-ceiling linebacker who is a great fit

One of Kansas City’s new free-agent signings is a player to watch carefully

On Saturday — just as the team’s rookie minicamp was getting underway — the Kansas City Chiefs announced the signings of 17 undrafted free agents. While it’s rare for an NFL team to get a high-level contributor this way, it’s hardly unknown. Defensive end Malik Herring and defensive tackle Tershawn Whartton are two current Chiefs who first joined the teams as UDFAs.

One of Saturday’s signings was Penn State linebacker Curtis Jacobs, who could not only make the team’s roster, but also become a long-term contributor.

Let’s take a look at what he brings to the table.

Background

It was surprising that Jacobs wasn’t drafted. Coming out of the McDonogh School in suburban Baltimore, he was a top-25 recruit — and the country’s second-ranked outside linebacker. He received several major offers, but chose to remain close to home by attending Penn State.

After his redshirt freshman season, Jacobs spent three seasons as the Nittany Lions’ starter at WILL and SAM linebacker, finishing his four-year career with 171 tackles (105 solos and 24 for loss), 9.5 sacks, a pair of interceptions, a forced fumble, four fumble recoveries and three passes defensed.

But Jacobs played fewer snaps in each of his starting seasons, getting 605 snaps in 2021, 550 in 2022 and 451 in 2023. In each year, he received honorable mentions to the All-Big 10 team — and in his final season, was named as one of the team’s three outstanding senior players alongside tight end Theo Johnson and tackle Caedan Wallace.

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Jacobs checked in 6 feet 1 (46th percentile) and 241 pounds (59th percentile) with 31 1/2-inch arms (25th) and a 77 3/4-inch wingspan (59th). He ran an impressive 4.58-second 40-yard dash (82nd) with a 1.59-second 10-yard split (70th). Jacobs recorded a 10-foot-4 broad jump (85th) at the combine — and at this Pro Day, had a 35-inch vertical jump.

Film evaluation

On film, you see Jacobs’ five-star traits.

One of his best attributes is his range. Penn State uses a heavy blitzing scheme that often puts their linebackers on the line of scrimmage, where they can use their athleticism and pass-rushing skills. This is how the Dallas Cowboys’ Micah Parsons developed into a star while playing for the Nittany Lions.

But it also puts a lot of responsibility on linebackers in coverage. Depending on the blitz call, linebackers may be called upon to drop into throwing windows as much as 15-20 yards downfield. On film, Jacobs handled these assignments, showing the explosiveness and range to shut off these windows. From the line of scrimmage, Jacobs can make it all the way out to the flat.

Jacobs also has the versatility to sometimes play over the slot. He isn’t a great stack linebacker — he lacks a lot of the playing strength and physicality necessary to take on blocks — but from the slot, he can bully a wideout and set a good edge. He can cover a lot of ground, using his length and size to re-route receivers.

Jacobs also shows blitzing ability — because Penn State trains all its linebackers to serve as pass rushers against offensive linemen. While he lacks the elite playing strength to throw blockers around, he’s athletic enough to beat slower linemen to the spot.

As a run defender, Jacobs has very good range. This allows him to tackle in space by beating running backs to the sideline. He’s at his best when slipping blocks, but tends to struggle when he must face blocks directly; at his size, he doesn’t possess great playing strength. To succeed at the next level, Jacobs must get stronger at the point of attack.

The bottom line

Ranked 176th in Arrowhead Pride’s consensus 2024 draft prospect rankings, Jacobs didn’t fall out of the draft because of off-the-field concerns or athletic problems. His film just wasn’t that great. Even though he started as a player with an outstanding recruiting profile (and then spent four years at a major university known for developing defensive talent), Jacobs didn’t get significantly better over time. I can see why other NFL teams had concerns about him.

Sometimes, though, a player just needs a change of scenery —and that’s not a criticism of his college coaches. But it’s possible that Penn State just wasn’t a place where Jacobs fit in. He has plenty of talent — and shows real flashes on film — but it might be he needs the right coach to unlock his potential.

That place could be Kansas City — and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo could be that coach. He has demonstrated the ability to develop these blitzing, rangy linebackers into contributors. Leo Chenal and Willie Gay Jr. are two of his successes. There’s a chance the Chiefs could put Jacobs on a similar path — and get similar results.

It’s rare for the Chiefs to get a UDFA with Jacobs’ experience and upside. If he comes in ready to learn, there’s no reason he couldn’t surpass Cole Christiansen or Cam Jones on the roster. If he’s able to do that — and contribute on special teams — he could carve out a long-term role in the Kansas City defense.

Grade: Round 4