Chiefs headlines for Tuesday, April 23
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2024 NFL mock draft: Six QBs in first round as trade options linger | USA Today
32. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
It would be fun to give the champs a toy like Texas WR Xavier Worthy, who set the combine record with a 4.21 40-yard dash. But a gaping hole seemingly remains on Mahomes’ blind side. Too big a need to ignore unless LT Donovan Smith re-signs or HC Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach have a yet-to-be revealed plan that makes more sense than gambling on 2023 third-rounder Wanya Morris. Barring that, Morgan could be the answer – and a significant improvement – particularly in pass pro.
2024 NFL Mock Draft: PFF analysts pick for all seven rounds | PFF
32. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: WR LADD MCCONKEY, GEORGIA
McConkey’s college production won’t wow anyone, but his film and efficiency numbers tell a different story. McConkey’s 3.26 yards per route run figure ranks fourth in the class, and 86.5% of his targets in 2023 were deemed “open.” McConkey slots in as a quarterback-friendly option for Patrick Mahomes who can win on the money downs when Travis Kelce draws too much attention.
Ideal 2024 Draft Scenarios for NFL’s Top Remaining Free Agents | Bleacher Report
OT Donovan Smith: Chiefs Don’t Draft a Left Tackle Replacement
Offensive tackle Donovan Smith won his second Super Bowl after signing a one-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs last offseason. A return to Kansas City and a shot at a third ring would seem like an ideal situation for the 30-year-old.
However, Smith might not get that opportunity if the Chiefs draft an offensive tackle early in the draft—which was what happened in the B/R Scouting Department mock draft, which paired Kansas City with BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia.
“Kansas City needs to address its left tackle spot in the draft with 2023 third-round pick Wanya Morris being the only viable potential starter on the roster,” Brandon Thorn of the B/R Scouting Department explained.
If the Chiefs don’t find that starter, they could consider turning to Smith once again. Kansas City has $20.1 million in cap space available, but the market isn’t exactly brimming with starting-caliber tackles.
If Smith cannot return to Kansas City in 2024, he might find the New York Jets an intriguing option.
“I grew up a Jets fan. I’m from New York, so that would definitely be something I would appreciate before my career ends,” Smith said, per Mark Cannizzaro of the New York Post.
The Jets signed Tyron Smith this offseason, but Smith has a fairly significant injury history—he has only appeared in 30 games over the past four seasons. It would behoove New York to add some tackle insurance in the draft. If it doesn’t, Smith might get his shot to join the Jets, albeit as a likely backup, at least initially.
2024 NFL Mock Draft: Insider Predictions For Entire First Round | The 33rd Team
KINGSLEY SUAMATAIA, OT, BYU
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 326 pounds
Class: RS Sophomore
Fit: Many people predict the Kansas City Chiefs will take a receiver, which makes sense, especially due to the Rashee Rice situation. But if there’s one thing the Chiefs have shown us over the past few years, it’s that they are fine with finding receivers using other avenues than a first-round pick.
Kingsley Suamataia is a bit of a project, but he has the size and mobility to become a starting-level tackle in the NFL eventually. He started at right and left tackle at BYU. If there’s a team willing to be that patient, I see Andy Reid and the Chiefs as one of them.
Recalling McDaniel’s anger back then, Hill said on Tuesday’s episode of the ‘Million Dollaz Worth of Game’ podcast: ‘The play against Sneed. The Chiefs, everybody sees this play against the Chiefs. When the motherf***er slammed me to the floor? He called me out.
‘He was like, ‘’Reek, bro you’re supposed to be the f***ing best play in the f***ing league, and you got this guy putting hands all over you like that.
‘’We pay you all this money for what?’’’
Round 1, Pick 32
Ladd McConkey WR
GEORGIA • JR • 6’0” / 185 LBS
I know the Chiefs landed Hollywood Brown but who knows what the future holds for 2023 second-rounder Rashee Rice. Meanwhile, ask scouts who the best route runner is in this class and the answer is almost universally McConkey. He creates separation at every level and plays up to his 4.39 speed. He’s undersized, sure, but I have a hunch that Andy Reid will be able to scheme him open.
2024 NFL Draft: Five QBs drafted, Jets add Bowers in Nick Wright’s finalmock draft | FOX Sports
32. Kansas City Chiefs — OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona
KC odds to draft OL first: +135 (second-shortest)
Around the NFL
Denver unveiled new uniforms on Monday, officially retiring the sets worn since the 1997 season. The Broncos rolled out three jerseys: the home Sunset Orange top, Summit White road shirt and Midnight Navy alternate jersey, which can be paired with navy, white or orange pants. New navy and white helmets are also included in the changes, as is a long-desired throwback kit intended to harken back to 1977, the year in which the Broncos made their first Super Bowl appearance.
The new duds feature a number of region-specific details, including a mountain peak on each sleeve cap, inspired by both the Rocky Mountain landscape of the Denver area and the linework of the team’s existing Broncos logo, which the team carried over to its new look.
Introducing … the Mile High Collection™️ pic.twitter.com/ca81sGbkGl
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 22, 2024
Longtime Falcons QB Matt Ryan officially retires from NFL after playing 15 seasons | NFL.com
Ryan announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday after 15 seasons (14 with the Atlanta Falcons and one with the Indianapolis Colts) with a heartfelt video message to the organization he played the majority of his career for and its fanbase.
In the video, Ryan reflected on the day he was selected third overall by Atlanta in the 2008 NFL Draft, thanked the veterans he played with in his first season for teaching him priceless lessons early in his NFL career, and other key teammates and coaches throughout his career, with receiver Julio Jones leading the way.
Ryan never mentioned his NFL Most Valuable Player Award earned in 2016, nor did he bring up the crushing loss his Falcons suffered at the hands of the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI. He didn’t need to, though: His career arc already did that for him.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs Draft: 4 unknowns that will drive the the team’s strategy
2. What is the internal scouting on Wanya Morris?
2023’s third-round selection took over at left tackle when starter Donovan Smith left the Chiefs’ Week 12 contest — and then started the next four games.
Then Morris suffered a concussion while rotating snaps during the team’s meaningless Week 18 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. With the rookie unavailable during the first round of the playoffs, Smith returned to the starting lineup — and remained there through the postseason.
We will never know if Kansas City would have brought Smith back if Morris hadn’t suffered his untimely injury. But during their comments this week, both Reid and Veach gave Morris’ play an up-and-down assessment — and each also said that the second-year player would have to compete for 2024’s starting position.
The Chiefs have been linked to several draft-eligible tackles this spring — although a Week 1 upgrade from Morris is unlikely to be available with the draft’s 32nd selection. If Veach trades up to select a tackle, that should be taken as a sign the team believes it has found an immediate starter.
But without an aggressive move at the position — or the acquisition of a veteran player — we should consider Morris the man to beat at left tackle.
Social media to make you think
Going to miss my guy! Chicago is getting a great one! https://t.co/cMGr8AGb80
— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) April 23, 2024
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