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The latest
AFC West projected starters: Raiders revival? Chargers led by D? | NFL.com
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
Offense
QB: Patrick Mahomes, RB: Damien Williams, WR: Sammy Watkins, WR: Demarcus Robinson, WR: Mecole Hardman, TE: Travis Kelce, LT: Eric Fisher, LG: Cam Erving, C: Austin Reiter, RG: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, RT: Mitchell Schwartz
Defense
DE: Frank Clark, DT: Derrick Nnadi, DT: Chris Jones, DE: Emmanuel Ogbah, OLB: Anthony Hitchens, MLB: Reggie Ragland, CB: Kendall Fuller, CB: Bashaud Breeland, CB: Charvarius Ward, S: Tyrann Mathieu, S: Juan Thornhill
Chiefs’ rookie ‘wild man’ Lovett transitions from quarterback to Swiss Army Knife | Kansas City Star
Before Lovett joined the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent a few weeks ago, he worked under the tutelage of Surace, displaying his versatility and toughness at Princeton. As the Tigers’ quarterback, Lovett earned the Ivy League’s Offensive Player of the Year award two times in three seasons.
Now, he’s changing positions and beginning his NFL career as a tight end/H-back hybrid in Reid’s system — something Lovett is uniquely suited for with his skill-set and unrelenting work ethic. And it’s a position the Chiefs desperately need filled with the free agency departure of tight end Demetrius Harris.
7 Early Undervalued Players (2019 Fantasy Football) | Fantasy Pros
Sammy Watkins (WR – KC) | Consensus Rank: WR26
“Not only is Kansas City home to one of the most undervalued running backs, but a wide receiver with league-winning potential can also be found on the Chiefs roster. Sammy Watkins was a low-end WR2 through the first 9 weeks of the season, before struggling with injuries the rest of the way. While dynasty owners are excited about the potential of 2nd-round pick Mecole Hardman, it is Watkins who is set up to be the Chiefs’ go-to receiver in 2019. Watkins’ lengthy injury history is baked into his ADP, but for the weeks he is active, he offers a safe floor with massive upside in the Patrick Mahomes-led offense. If he were to stay healthy for the bulk of the season, owners will have enjoyed year-long WR1 production at a WR3 price tag.”– Matthew Hill (DataForce Fantasy Football)
3 Players the Chiefs Won’t Be Able to Keep After Patrick Mahomes Contract Extension | 12Up
Barring a colossal drop of form or career-changing injury (please no), we can expect Mahomes to demand crazy money following the conclusion of next season and could very well become the NFL’s first player to land a $200 million contract .
With that in mind, let’s identify a few players that Kansas City will not be able to afford after Mahomes gets his deal.
Chiefs players visit young patients | KCTV5
Some Chiefs brought some joy to a group of young patients on Thursday. KCTV5’s Dani Welniak has the story.
But Hill was lifted by grandparents he speaks of with reverence and nurtured in a church on the edge of town — the same church he returned to with an apology to its congregants after a 2014 incident in which he pleaded guilty of domestic abuse.
“He came back before the church and just said he was sorry,” said Jerry Braswell Jr., the pastor of Pine Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. “He just felt like he let a lot of folks down.”
That’s no doubt part of what has made this time so distressing and puzzling for people in a community where Hill has stirred imaginations and symbolized hope, and where he was bestowed the “key to the city” just a few weeks ago.
Analyzing Colts biggest threats in the AFC: Kansas City Chiefs | Stampede Blue
It will be interesting to see what sort of team Kansas grows into with all these new faces, but so far, it looks like once again their offense will have to carry them, and without the elite weapons Mahomes had last season, it will not be an easy task. The Colts defense will hopefully be vastly improved, and able to at least slow down KC’s offense. If the Colts’ running game gets going early, which would allow their defense enough rest, then the Colts would be in a nice position to win the game. I’m not as high on the Chiefs as others, considering their horrible offseason, but they are still a threat to be considered in the AFC.
Around the league
Seahawks part ways with Doug Baldwin, Chancellor | NFL
It’s the end of an era in the Emerald City: Doug Baldwin and Kam Chancellor are no longer active members of the Seattle Seahawks.
The team announced Thursday that they are terminating the contracts of both players with failed physical designations.
”The Seahawks have made the difficult decision to terminate/failed physical Doug Baldwin and Kam Chancellor,” Seahawks general manager John Schneider said in a statement. “These are two of the most iconic players in franchise history and both were instrumental in establishing our championship culture, great examples of competitiveness and leadership on the field and in the community. These legendary players will always be a part of our Seahawks family.”
Sources: Dolphins to give CB Howard record deal | ESPN
The Miami Dolphins are making young star Xavien Howard the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback with a five-year, $76.5 million deal that has $46 million guaranteed, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Kyler Murray signs rookie deal with Arizona Cardinals | NFL
The Arizona Cardinals announced Thursday that they signed quarterback Kyler Murray, whom they chose with the No. 1 selection in last month’s draft.
As with all first-round contracts, Murray’s deal is for four years with a fifth-year team option. The contract is worth $35,158,644 fully guaranteed, a source told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported.
Steelers Rumors: Ben Roethlisberger Told Owner He Plans to Play at Least 3 Years | Bleacher Report
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger told team owner Art Rooney II during offseason contract negotiations that he “planned to play at least three more years,” per Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
The two-time Super Bowl winner signed a two-year, $68 million extension with $37.5 million guaranteed on April 24, per Over the Cap.
“It was said to me from a great coach, that in order for the man to be his best, he must get his world in order,” Smith wrote on Instagram. “At this time I must take time away from this game and get my world back in order. I must give this time back to myself, my family, and my health... I just ask y’all respect my decision to not play football this season.”
Baker Mayfield is the perfect quarterback for Odell Beckham Jr. | SB Nation
Cleveland’s new offensive duo is ready to take over the league.
In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride
Report: Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah signing with Seahawks
After six seasons in Detroit, Ansah will help fill the void left when the Seahawks traded Frank Clark to the Chiefs
Dixon’s AP mailbag: Keith Reaser, Carlos Hyde and Derrick Johnson
Let’s see what questions you have for our own John Dixon about the Chiefs this week
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