Chiefs headlines for Friday, April 18
The latest
24. IOL Tyler Booker —> Trey Smith
Talent evaluators had to trust the film on Trey Smith coming into the NFL Draft because he had been dealing with an injury. Tyler Booker is a trust the tape prospect as well. Despite possessing prototypical size, his athletic profile is not that of a player often taken in the first round. — Josh Edwards
With Green Bay hosting the draft this year, there will be a strong contingent of Packers legends who will surely excite fans. Clay Matthews, Jordy Nelson, Ahman Green, James Jones and Mason Crosby will be on hand for the proceedings. Also, 13 of the presenters on Day 2 are University of Wisconsin alumni.
Four members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame will be included: Lynn Swann (Pittsburgh Steelers, Class of 2001), Dave Robinson (Packers, 2013), Jerry Kramer (Packers, 2018) and Joe Thomas (Cleveland Browns, 2023).
There will also be five active players with Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold, Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard, Miami Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold, New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk and Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.
Seven of the presenters are from the 2000 draft class and will be celebrating the 25th anniversary for their selections: Alexander, John Abraham (New York Jets), Keith Bulluck (Tennessee Titans), Dante Hall (Kansas City Chiefs), Julian Peterson (San Francisco 49ers), T.J. Slaughter (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Dez White (Chicago Bears).
Is it Josh Simmons or bust for the Chiefs in Round 1 of the NFL Draft? | The Athletic
If the Chiefs are unable to acquire Simmons or another left tackle prospect in the first round, Veach could pivot his plans toward selecting an ascending defensive lineman with plenty of pass-rushing juice.
Before free agency, the Chiefs had only one defensive tackle under contract for the 2025 season: Chris Jones. Last month, Veach acquired Tillery in free agency and re-signed Mike Pennel, each player signing a one-year deal. Omenihu’s contract is also for only one year.
“There’s a lot of (quality) defensive ends,” Veach said. “The interior defensive line numbers are better than most years, but I don’t think they come anywhere close to the defensive end and corner depth.”
Ex-Browns WR says Chiefs, Eagles on track for Super Bowl rematch | Chiefs Wire
“I think the NFL has been put on alert to watch out for the next few years,” said Sanders. “If they can keep that core team together, they’re going to be tough to beat, especially now, having the experience of winning the Super Bowl and having your franchise quarterback, [and] Saquon Barkley, just got a new contract. You have some good weapons on the outside, and they have an offensive line that can protect their quarterback.
“They’re going to be tough to beat in the future, so we’ll see how things go. But I don’t doubt that the Kansas City Chiefs will come back reloaded and ready to go, and you can never count Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid out because that dynamic and play calling behind it is phenomenal. They’ll be right there in the thick of it, too. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a repeat of last year’s Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles again this year.”
Oregon · OT · Junior
Penalty magnet Jawaan Taylor has been a liability, and I’m not sold on free-agent signing Jaylon Moore curing all of Kansas City’s OL ills. Conerly, who had his best game last season against Abdul Carter, has solid technique as a right or left tackle. He’d thrive under Andy Reid, who covets O-linemen with versatility.
Around the NFL
Bills reuniting with two-time Pro Bowl CB Tre’Davious White | ESPN
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane said last year that despite releasing 2017 first-round pick Tre’Davious White, he told the cornerback it didn’t rule out the possibility of his return in the future.
That idea has been fulfilled one year later.
The Bills and White reached agreement Thursday on a one-year deal worth up to $6.8 million, agents Kevin Conner and Robert Brown told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
White, the first draft pick under coach Sean McDermott, was with the Bills through the 2023 season but was released the next offseason in part due to salary cap reasons after sustaining multiple serious injuries.
Aaron Rodgers still undecided on future; retirement possible | ESPN
Rodgers confirmed he has had talks with the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers since his release by the New York Jets last month. The Giants have since signed quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, and the Vikings have said they are committed to giving J.J. McCarthy a chance to show he can be their starting quarterback.
The Steelers are the only one of those teams with a still-unsettled quarterback situation after signing only Mason Rudolph in free agency. Rodgers said he is still in contact with the Steelers but that he hasn’t given them any indication he has a timeline for a decision.
Rodgers said right now, his sole focus is on his personal life. He said he is in a serious relationship and two people close to him are dealing with serious situations. He said next week’s NFL draft will have no impact on his plans.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs Free Agency: Brett Veach wants new long-term deal for Trey Smith
“I mean, there’s no lack of interest — or will or desire — on our end,” Veach said of the conversations between himself and Smith’s agents: Tory Dandy and Jimmy Sexton of Creative Arts Agency (CAA). “We did have a ton of talk [about] with Tory [Dandy] and Jimmy [Sexton] at the combine. Those conversations continued on to the owners’ meetings. Now, CAA has a ton of draft prospects; they have a ton going on. So we’ve exchanged multiple phone calls [and] multiple e-mails.”
In other words, Smith’s representatives also have a lot of balls in the air. But Veach still believes they’ll all be able to return to Smith’s contract soon.
“So I’m sure once things settle down on both ends, we’ll be in a position to continue this dialogue,” promised Veach, “and hopefully make some progress there. But there’s no secret that we would like to get Trey locked up.”
Social media to make you think
Patrick Mahomes working out with Skyy Moore, Justyn Ross, Nikko Remigio, Isiah Pacheco, and Elijah Mitchell.
Via IG – patrickmahomes pic.twitter.com/hAjlKh3jCo
— Mark Gunnels (@MarkAGunnels) April 17, 2025
Follow Arrowhead Pride on Social Media
- Facebook: Click here to like our page
- AP Instagram: Follow @ArrowheadPride
- AP on X: Follow @ArrowheadPride
- AP Staff on X: see complete list
- Sports Radio 810 on X: Follow @SportsRadio810