Anthony Hitchens

Anthony Hitchens

31-Year-Old LinebackerLB
 Free Agent  
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Anthony Hitchens in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
RANKS
$Released by the Chiefs in February of 2022.
Released by Kansas City
LBFree Agent
February 22, 2022
Hitchens was released by Kansas City on Tuesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Hitchens tallied 80 tackles (41 solo) over 15 appearances in 2021. The veteran linebacker carried a $12.6 million cap hit for 2022, so Kansas City will save $8.4 million in cap space by releasing him, per Lukas Weese of the Athletic. The 2014 fourth-round pick of the Cowboys was a consistent producer in all four of his seasons with Kansas City and figures to draw interest in free agency this offseason.
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2021
2020
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2021 NFL Game Log
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2020 NFL Game Log
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2019 NFL Game Log
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2018 NFL Game Log
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2017 NFL Game Log
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2023 Anthony Hitchens Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Anthony Hitchens' measurables compare to other linebackers?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 0"
 
Weight
235 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.74 sec
 
Shuttle Time
4.45 sec
 
Cone Drill
7.15 sec
 
Vertical Jump
31.5 in
 
Broad Jump
116 in
 
Bench Press
23 reps
 
Hand Length
9.13 in
 
Arm Length
32.50 in
 
Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Anthony Hitchens See More
2022 NFL Offseason Guide: AFC West
February 18, 2022
Talk of an Aaron Rodgers trade hasn't entirely died down, but it may be the Chargers rather than the Broncos who are best positioned to take a big step forward.
Gameday Injuries: Week 8
Gameday Injuries: Week 8
October 31, 2021
October 31, 2021
Juan Carlos Blanco looks at the latest on the key injuries to stars such as Dak Prescott ahead of the release of Sunday's first wave of inactives.
Gameday Injuries: Week 7
Gameday Injuries: Week 7
October 24, 2021
October 24, 2021
Juan Carlos Blanco has the latest on a Week 7 injury report that's particularly heavy on wide receivers.
Gameday Injuries: Week 6
Gameday Injuries: Week 6
October 16, 2021
October 16, 2021
Juan Carlos Blanco has the latest on Week 6 injury report littered with big names at running back and receiver.
NFL Game Previews: Cowboys-Ravens Matchup
December 5, 2020
Erik Siegrist previews the Tuesday night matchup as the Ravens look to get back on the winning track against the Cowboys.
Past Fantasy Outlooks
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
The coaching staff preserved Hitchens for a second straight season in 2020, limiting his snap counts in an effort to keep him healthy and fresh for the playoffs. He did miss a game after being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list but was again highly productive on a per-game basis, notching 78 tackles (44 solo) over 14 games played.
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.
More Fantasy News
Status quo in 2021
LBKansas City Chiefs
January 14, 2022
Hitchens tallied 80 tackles (41 solo) over 15 games in 2021.
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Makes nine stops vs. Cincy
LBKansas City Chiefs
January 4, 2022
Hitchens had nine tackles (four solo) during Sunday's 34-31 loss to the Bengals.
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Eight stops, pick in Thursday's win
LBKansas City Chiefs
December 20, 2021
Hitchens had eight tackles (five solo), an interception, a pass defensed and a quarterback hit in Thursday's 34-28 overtime win over the Chargers.
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Seven stops in return to action
LBKansas City Chiefs
November 10, 2021
Hitchens notched seven tackles (two solo) during Sunday's 13-7 win over the Packers.
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Clear of injury
LBKansas City Chiefs
November 3, 2021
Hitchens (triceps) was a full participant at Wednesday's practice.
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