The latest
2018 fantasy football depth charts for all 32 teams | NFL.com
What to watch: Can Mahomes be this year’s version of Jared Goff? That’s the big question as it pertains to the Chiefs offense. If he looks good in the preseason, Mahomes’ sleeper stock is going to rise to new heights because of his big arm and offensive weapons. If he struggles, however, we could see a slight decrease in the ADPs of Hill and Watkins. ... Speaking of Watkins, his target share in a loaded offense is a bit worrisome. ... Kansas City added a lot of backfield depth (Damien Williams, Kerwynn Williams) in case Ware’s knee is an issue entering training camp, but Hunt will continue to be the bell cow for coach Andy Reid regardless of the situation. He’s well worth a first rounder.
Which NFL records will probably never be broken? | SB Nation
If a running back somehow managed to play for 15 seasons like Smith did, he’d need to average about 1,224 yards per season to take the record. A grand total of three running backs even topped that in 2017 — Kareem Hunt (1,327), Todd Gurley (1,305), and Le’Veon Bell (1,291).
Crockett signs deal with Kansas City Chiefs | The Edmond Sun
Crockett wrapped up a brilliant four-year career at Central in 2017. The Bristow, Okla. native, who wore No. 6 on the field, finished that career No. 6 in school history in both receptions (129) and yards receiving (2,003). Crockett also hauled in 18 touchdown receptions from 2014-17.
Former Eagles receiver Jason Avant competing on ‘American Ninja Warrior’ | Philly Voice
Avant played eight seasons for the Eagles before playing one year in Carolina and finishing his career with former Eagles head coach Andy Reid in Kansas City. For his career, Avant totaled 4,118 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns.
Bengals’ A.J. Green ‘comfortable’ with not being NFL’s highest-paid WR | Sporting News
Now, Antonio Brown, Mike Evans, DeAndre Hopkins, Sammy Watkins and Jarvis Landry all collect bigger checks than Green. But unlike Odell Beckham Jr. and Julio Jones, Green isn’t clamoring for more dough or skipping offseason team activities.
2019 NFL Draft: Here’s an early introduction to six of the potential top linebackers | CBS Sports
T.J. Edwards, Wisconsin
Experience: Has already been a part of 40 games at Wisconsin. Has reached the 80-tackle plateau every season. Following 8.5 tackles for loss, three picks, and three sacks in 2016, Edwards had 11 tackles for loss, four interceptions, and two sacks in 2017. Also had seven pass breakups last season.
Early comparison: Reggie Ragland
Around the league
Peyton Manning says Drew Brees ‘deserves’ to break his NFL passing records | SB Nation
“Yeah, I don’t think it’s a matter of if. It’s just a matter of when,” Manning told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. “He deserves it. He’s been a great player for a long time.”
Tom Brady repeats as No. 1 player in ‘Top 100’ rankings | NFL.com
A year ago, we cemented him as the G.O.A.T. -- the Greatest of All Time. Coming off his fifth Super Bowl win, what was there left for Brady to conquer? Well, a year later, he’s coming off being conquered -- at least temporarily. Brady returns with more drama surrounding him than ever, yet he’s also armed with plenty of talent to win yet another AFC title and a shot at a sixth ring. Will Brady retire soon? Will the trophy-winning triumvirate of the quarterback, Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft be broken up? Know why we’re asking this? Because he remains the G.O.A.T. -- and the reigning No. 1 player in football.
Le’Veon Bell: Contract talks ‘a lot closer than last year’ | NFL.com
“Yeah. You know regardless that’s what I want to do,” Bell explained on The Top 100 Players of 2018 Reactions show. “I don’t want to have the replications of what happened last year. But if that came down to that, obviously I got to do what I got to do. Take my stand and protect myself. I don’t want to have to do that. I want to go to camp and play for the Steelers long term.”
Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers lead NFL’s top quarterbacks for 2018 | NFL.com
4. Derek Carr
After all the hype of the offseason, the 2017 Raiders had a down year. Now with a new coaching staff, I believe the Raiders and Derek will get back to 2016 form. I’ve seen Derek and Jon Gruden interact, and Derek’s game is going to benefit tremendously from that move. And after watching several practices during OTAs, the offensive skill players really fit Derek’s style. Martavis Bryant is perfect for Derek, and Jordy Nelsonwill be a matchup nightmare as a slot receiver against CB2s and CB3s.
In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs offseason review: inside linebackers
Should we be talking more about the linebackers?
This is a position that has undergone a total makeover during the Brett Veach era, and, as much as any other group, symbolizes a shift in attitude and direction. Do the Chiefs finally have a pair of enforcers that can stay on the field for running and passing downs? Do they have enough depth to make it through a long season (and hopefully, a long postseason)?
The ‘curious’ thing about Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes II could have been a pro baseball player. His dad, Pat Mahomes Sr., pitched 11 seasons in the major leagues. His godfather, LaTroy Hawkins, pitched in 21 MLB seasons and made nearly $50 million. Mahomes II threw a no-hitter with 16 strikeouts in high school and was a top-100 prospect. In a conversation with Jeff Passan, Mahomes Sr. said that “everybody and their momma” thought Mahomes II would be a pro baseball player, and a first-round draft pick at that. As Mahomes Sr. pointed out, baseball is the safest sport, and the most lucrative. Mahomes II should have been a pro baseball player.
Chiefs may have beaten Steelers in 2017 had new catch rule existed
Week 6 of last year is a long time ago now, so here is a refresher on the play we’re talking about:
The 5-0 Chiefs trail the 4-1 Steelers, 12-3, with just under 13 minutes left in the fourth quarter at Arrowhead Stadium. Its fourth-and-2 at the Pittsburgh 4-yard line, and head coach Andy Reid opted to keep the offense on the field.
Alex Smith, working out of the shotgun, rolls to his right and throws on the run to Demetrius Harris, who catches the football, has two feet down and appears to make a “football move,” which in this case would be tucking the ball in.