Wrapping Up the Weekend: 10 Things to Know About the 2016 Chiefs Draft from Chiefs.com
1. Kansas City's 2015 first round was very different from its 2016 first round
Last year, the Chiefs started the NFL Draft with a bang, selecting cornerback Marcus Peters at No. 18. As we know, Peters went on to finish tied for the league lead in interceptions with 8 and he later won the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.
This year was much different.
Sitting at No. 28 on night one of the draft, the Chiefs traded their first-round pick, in addition to their seventh-round pick (249), to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for their second-round pick, fourth-round pick (105) and sixth-round pick (178).
"We thought it best within the organization to move back to acquire some picks," Chiefs general manager John Dorsey explained of the move, "because as we target this thing, we think the true depth of this draft lies in between the second and third and fourth rounds itself."
Chiefs reach agreements with several undrafted free agents from The Kansas City Star
The Chiefs continued their annual effort this time of year, agreeing to deals with Florida State linebacker Terrence Smith, Vanderbilt offensive guard Jake Bernstein and Mount Union cornerback Tre Jones as priority undrafted free agents, sources told The Star.
Meanwhile, Brett Tessler, agent for Brigham Young receiver Mitch Mathews, tweeted that his client signed with the Chiefs despite offers from "many" other teams because he likes the opportunity. Southern Methodist announced that safety/linebacker Shakiel Randolph also signed with the Chiefs.
The Chiefs also invited a number of players to the team's rookie minicamp, which starts Saturday and ends May 9.
Chiefs tackle positions of need with 2016 draft class from Chiefs Digest
Trades and a touch of controversy highlighted a wild three days of the NFL Draft for the Chiefs.
With no third-round pick to start the draft, the Chiefs traded out of the first round and secured an additional second-round pick (37th overall) from the San Francisco 49ers. The Chiefs then traded the second (59th overall) of the two second-round picks to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for Tampa Bay's third-round pick (74th overall) and fourth-round pick (106th overall).
The flurry of trade activity was tailor-made for general manager John Dorsey, who believed the true depth of the draft fell between the second and fourth rounds.
Mel Kiper gives the Chiefs a B- for their draft from ESPN
I gave the Kansas City Chiefs a B for their draft because general manager John Dorsey was able to accumulate some extra picks. The Chiefs entered the draft with seven picks, just two of the top 125. They drafted nine players, including five of the top 126.
Now we'll see how well they executed those nine picks.
Chiefs add competition at various positions to close draft from Chiefs Digest
Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan arrived as the first (162nd overall) of two picks in the fifth round and he enjoyed an accomplished career in college, going 36-10 as a starter and leading Stanford to three Pac-12 titles.
He joins a quarterback corps consisting of Alex Smith, Aaron Murray and Tyler Bray, and the Chiefs need to identify a backup quarterback with Chase Daniel now with the Philadelphia Eagles.
The addition of the 6-4, 218-pound Hogan provides another option to consider while he learns the scheme.
Chiefs defend their selection of Tyreek Hill after his domestic abuse case from ESPN
Dorsey said the Chiefs carefully considered Hill's situation before drafting him.
"We sat down and had long discussions about this," he said. "We have done a lot of research within this thing.
"We wouldn't bring a bad person here. If I felt this was a bad person, I would not bring that person in."
Hill is required to take anger management classes as part of his probation.
Chiefs gamble on four players with background issues from The Associated Press via FS Kansas City
The Chiefs spent a third-round pick on a cornerback who missed an entire season for violating Notre Dame's honor code. They used a fourth-rounder on a wide receiver suspended four times at Florida for drugs and other violations. In the fifth round came a speedy wide receiver who was booted out of Oklahoma State after pleading guilty to punching and choking his pregnant girlfriend. In the sixth they picked a linebacker out of Virginia Tech once charged with larceny and suspended for bumping into an official.
All those picks were made in the 36 hours after Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt, in town for the draft, told reporters that "character, first of all, is a very important quality."
After Drafting Player With A History Of Domestic Abuse Charges, Chiefs Ask Fans To ‘Trust' Decision from Think Progress
The NFL has been criticized for high-profile mishandling of domestic violence issues in the past. In 2014, security footage emerged showing Baltimore Raven's running back Ray Rice knocking out his then-fiancee and dragging her out of an elevator. Despite the video evidence, and criminal charges, the NFL initially only suspended Rice for two games (he was later suspended indefinitely, though was later reinstated after an appeal). Last season, the NFL reinstated defensive end Greg Hardy, despite a history of domestic violence allegations. And just a few weeks ago, Johnny Manziel — former quarterback for the Cleveland Browns — was indicted on domestic violence charges.
ESU's Matt Soltes accepts rookie minicamp tryout invitation from Kansas City Chiefs from The Morning Call
Former East Stroudsburg University quarterback Matt Soltes has accepted a rookie minicamp tryout invitation from the Kansas City Chiefs and will participate in the team's three-day camp from Saturday through Monday (May 7-9).
Soltes finished his senior season tied for fourth in the national voting for the Harlon Hill Trophy, awarded to the top player in NCAA Division II football. He was named Football Gazette All-America third team, PSAC East Offensive Athlete of the Year, D2CCA Super Region 1 Offensive Player of the Year and Football Gazette SR1 Co-Offensive Player of the Year.
Texas DT Tank Jackson getting an NFL shot with the Chiefs from 247Sports
Few members of the Texas Longhorns roster since the start of the 2011 season can say they played football with as much passion as Desmond Jackson.
Now he'll get a chance to see if that passion, along with his toughness and brute strength, can allow him to stick in the NFL as Jackson is getting a chance to workout for the Kansas City Chiefs.
SMU LB/S Shakiel Randolph signs undrafted rookie free agent deal with Chiefs from The Dallas Morning News
Randolph's name was not called in Chicago, but he did agree to an undrafted rookie free agent deal with the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Boise State standout Tyler Horn to camp with Chiefs from KTVB
The former Mountain View High standout posted 42 tackles for the Broncos last season. He was also second on the team with four sacks and 8.5 tackes for a loss.
Metro & state: Chiefs' Eric Fisher named CMU homecoming grand marshall from The Detroit Free Press
His appearance is possible because the Chiefs are on a bye that week. Fisher, who graduated from Stoney Creek High in Rochester Hills, called his selection as grand marshal "a huge honor."
Agen heads to Chiefs Rookie Camp from UpperMichiganSource.com
Agen was named to the All-GLIAC Second Team as a senior after leading Michigan Tech in sacks (5.5) while finishing third on the team in tackles with 62.
JSU football: Pope receives mini-camp invitation from Chiefs from The Anniston Star
The former Jacksonville State and Anniston High running back got the call Sunday morning. He's been invited to rookie minicamp with the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs.
"I'm excited to have the opportunity," he said. "I want to go out there and just show the world what I can do now that I have an opportunity.
Florida State talent makes impact in wake of draft from The Tallahassee Democrat
Still, it was a busy weekend for draft-eligible Seminoles as five players — defensive tackle Nile Lawrence-Stample (Cleveland Browns), defensive lineman Giorgio Newberry (Pittsburgh Steelers), linebacker Reggie Northhrup (Washington Redskins), defensive back Lamarcus Brutus (Tennessee Titans) and linebacker Terrance Smith (Kansas City Chiefs) — signed free-agent contracts.
USD's Iddings, Lage, USF's St. Pierre Earn NFL Opportunities from The Yankton Daily Press & Dakotan
Keyen Lage, another four-year player for USD, was invited to the Kansas City Chiefs minicamp, and former University of Sioux Falls cornerback Solomon St. Pierre - a Wagner native - earned a mini camp invitation from the Minnesota Vikings.
Lage, a 6-foot-2, 230-pound outside linebacker from Sioux Falls, was thought to be a long shot for the NFL Draft, but will still have his chance to make an NFL roster.
Tide QB Coker chases 'another dream' with the Cardinals from TimesDaily.com
Other Alabama players to sign as undrafted free agents include linebacker Dillon Lee and defensive end D.J. Pettway to the New Orleans Saints, offensive lineman Dominick Jackson and defensive back Geno Matias-Smith to the Washington Redskins, slot receiver Richard Mullaney to the Houston Texans, fullback Michael Nysewander to the Kansas City Chiefs, and defensive tackle Darren Lake to the San Francisco 49ers, according to multiple media reports.
UM's Tyrone Holmes drafted by Jaguars in sixth round from NBC Montana
Former Grizzlies Ben Roberts and Herbert Gamboa received rookie mini-camp invitations as Roberts will head to Tennessee Titans camp in a couple weeks while Gamboa will join the Kansas City Chiefs for their rookie camp.
NFL: Jordan Canzeri still fighting for chance at being a pro from The Saratogian
However, the former All-Big Ten running back does have tryouts with the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints scheduled for the next two weekends.
"I'm still getting an opportunity to show what I can do and that's something within my control, which is nice," Canzeri said. "I mean again, I'm just used to this. I'm used to always having to prove myself and capable of playing with anybody. This is just another step for me to take."
10 biggest surprises on Day 3 of the 2016 NFL Draft from SportsNaut
6. WR Tyreek Hill was even selected
In a more-enlightened NFL where people who are even arrested for domestic abuse are considered off draft boards, it's shocking that Hill was even taken. Not even did Hill get arrested for domestic violence, he pleaded guilty to the charges.
That's unacceptable in today's NFL and he doesn't deserve to be drafted based on his off-field merits. That didn't stop the Kansas City Chiefs from taking him in the fifth round Saturday.
Chiefs select Tyreek Hill in fifth round from Arrowhead Addict
Honestly, I hope the Chiefs cut him.
Sometimes, you have to bypass talent, especially when it punched and choked its pregnant girlfriend. Disgraceful.
Chiefs forced to defend draft pick from The Kansas City Business Journal
Fans on social media and sports call-in shows heavily criticized the team for its pick of Tyreek Hill in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday. Hill gained a reputation as a speedy receiver at Oklahoma State University, but left after being charged with punching his pregnant girlfriend in the face and stomach and choking her.
UWA return man Ty Hill drafted by Kansas City Chiefs from The West Alabama Watchman
"I am very proud for Tyreek. It is a great accomplishment for him and for the UWA football program," UWA head coach Brett Gillialnd said. "He has put in a lot of hard work to get to this point.
"Although he is the first UWA Tiger drafted in a while, he is continuing a recent trend of UWA players in the NFL. We love when our guys get recognition and opportunities to play at the highest level," Gillialnd said. "I know Tyreek will be making big time plays on Sunday's just like other Tigers Malcolm Butler and Seth Roberts have been."
Sunday Sound Off:Tyreek Hill -- does character matter? from KSHB
41 Action Sports Director Frank Boal discussed the latest sports headlines with experts on the weekly addition of Sunday Sound Off.
Sports Radio 810 WHB personalities Soren Petro and TJ Carpenter along with former Chiefs player Tim Grunhard discussed the Chiefs draft picks and the Royals.