He was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft and has also played for the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After his first season at Regina, he was selected by the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League, but again decided to stay in college.

For the remainder of the 2015 season with the Patriots, Hicks played 13 games with 21 tackles, three sacks, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.

[14] On September 11, 2016, Hicks made his debut as a Chicago Bear against the Houston Texans, recording 3 tackles and a forced fumble.

[15] On September 23, 2016, Hicks was fined $18,231 for roughing the passer, regarding a helmet-to-helmet hit on Carson Wentz in Week 2 against the Eagles.

[19] On December 4, 2016, Hicks recorded 10 tackles plus two sacks and a forced fumble in a 26–6 win over the San Francisco 49ers, earning him NFC Defensive Player of the Week.

[25] In week 11 against the Minnesota Vikings, Hicks sacked quarterback Kirk Cousins once, along with recording a career-best five tackles for a loss.

[31] In week 1 against the Green Bay Packers, Hicks recorded the first sack of his season on Aaron Rodgers as the Bears lost 10–3.

[32] In week 3 against the Washington Redskins, Hicks recovered a fumble forced by teammate Khalil Mack before exiting the game with a knee injury.

[38] Hicks made his return from injury in Week 1 against the Detroit Lions and sacked Matthew Stafford once during the 27–23 win.

Hicks came back for week 6 to face Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, where he recorded another sack in a 24–14 loss.

[44] On September 20, 2022, it was announced that Hicks would miss at least a month of action after suffering a torn plantar fascia in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints.