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The Pick
The schedule is intimidating but I'm not scared. The Chiefs have massive upside with Mahomes under center and can be as dangerous as anyone in the AFC this year. I think Watkins is going to be better than people think and Hunt could actually be better this year. The defense is going to sneak up on some people. If you take this over, you better be prepared to weather the storm in the first six weeks, but even 2-4 won't stop them from potentially winning nine games.
VERDICT: OVER (8.5)
Pro Football Weekly's 2018 AFC breakout players on defense | National | starlocalmedia.com
Kansas City Chiefs LB Tanoh Kpassagnon
In his first full offseason working exclusively at outside linebacker, Kpassagnon, whom Kansas City traded up to secure in Round 2 last year, has earned rave reviews. He'll get a chance to contribute readily opposite Justin Houston, too, after spending his rookie season mostly learning the ropes before registering two sacks and three tackles for loss in Week 17, his first-ever start. With vines for arms (35 3/8 inches) and unusual speed and twitch for a 6-foot-7, 280-pounder, the Villanova product could be a defensive coordinator's dream. And with former first-rounder Dee Ford failing to catch on and Tamba Hali moving on this offseason, it could set the stage for Kpassagnon to shine, especially if he can stay a step ahead of fellow DL convert and second-rounder, rookie Breeland Speaks, for reps.
Fabiano's 2018 fantasy football summer crushes | NFL.com
Trey Burton, TE, Chicago Bears: Burton landed with the Bears this offseason, and his contract (four years, $32 million) suggests he'll be a big part of the offense. He's also slated to see the "Travis Kelce" role for coach Matt Nagy, which means far more opportunities to produce than he had while buried behind Zach Ertz in Philadelphia. If you like to wait on drafting a tight end, Burton should be one of the players you're targeting. A top-10 PPR finish isn't out of the question.
NFC North offseason report card: Grading Bears, Lions, Packers, Vikings | Sports Illustrated
What can we expect?
Look for a complete overhaul of the Bears offense as we knew it under John Fox. Nagy is of the Andy Reid school, which means there will be more creative play-calling. The Bears return defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and 10 starters from the 2017 unit, which ranked 10th in yards, 11th in yards per play and ninth in points allowed. With the addition of first round pick linebacker Roquan Smith, this defense should be just as solid.
Bills GM: Shaq Lawson 'hasn't lived up to' draft status | NFL.com
Beane hasn't been shy about jettisoning ex-GM Doug Whaley's players. We've seen Marcell Dareus, Sammy Watkins and Reggie Ragland shipped out in the past year. If Lawson doesn't impress in training camp, he could be the latest high draft pick booted from Buffalo.
Around the league
NFL releases training camp start dates for all 32 teams | NFL.com
Kansas City: Missouri Western State University, St. Joseph, MO; Rookies - 7/22, Veterans - 7/25
Broncos pass rusher Bradley Chubb inks rookie contract | NFL.com
Broncos pass rusher Bradley Chubb inked his rookie contract on Thursday, the team announced. The Broncos selected Chubb with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2018 draft.
NFL Film Study: Chargers QB Philip Rivers X's and O's | Sports Illustrated
Heading into his 15th season, Rivers is still one of the best quarterbacks and sharpest minds in football. He takes us inside the game within the game on two big plays, and one disastrous red-zone interception, from last season
Jameis Winston expected to be suspended by NFL | NFL.com
Jameis Winston is facing some time away from the field. The NFL is expected to suspend Winston for violating the league's personal conduct policy, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
Paul Guenther, Raiders, and How an NFL Defense Is Built | Sports Illustrated
When Jon Gruden returned to the NFL, he wanted Paul Guenther to build his defense. How the long-time Bengals DC is putting togther the Oakland D nearly from scratch, from uprooting his family, to finding coaches and teaching them how to teach players, to calling upon years of scouting to get the roster right
Jim Kelly's wife says latest surgery for QB 'went well' | NFL.com
Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly's latest surgery "went well," according to an Instagram post from his wife Jill. Thursday's procedure was a follow-up to March's operation to remove oral cancer.
Giants' Saquon Barkley has NFL's top-selling jersey | NFL | Sporting News
No one could've seen this coming, right? Except for one of Barkley's new teammates Odell Beckham Jr., who also apparently moonlights as a fortune teller in his free time.
In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs waived running back Akeem Hunt after reaching injury settlement Wednesday
Hunt would have been a long shot to make this year’s Chiefs team.
Kansas City Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins in 2018: Pro Bowler or bust?
Something significant jumped out at me as I was producing Wednesday’s Arrowheadlines.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ shiny new toy, 25-year-old wide receiver Sammy Watkins, popped up twice, but the interesting part was the vast difference in story tones.
Patrick Mahomes is in a historically unique situation
One of the most anticipated seasons in Kansas City Chiefs history is upon us.