Arrowheadlines: How former Jets LB Darron Lee might fit in Chiefs defense

The latest

Source: Adam Gase makes first deal as Jets interim GM, sending LB Darron Lee to Chiefs | Yahoo! Sports (Terez Paylor)

Though Lee, 24, struggled against the run in the Jets’ 3-4 defense due to his lack of bulk, he has shown upside in coverage, where his athleticism — he tested as an elite athlete at his position and ran a blistering 4.42 40-yard dash during the 2016 pre-draft process — helped him post career highs in pass deflections (five) and interceptions (three) in 2018, when he also logged 74 tackles until he was suspended after the 12th game for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Every NFL Team’s Biggest Reason to Look Forward to 2019 Season | Bleacher Report

Kansas City Chiefs: Defensive Overhaul

Frank Clark, whom the Chiefs acquired from the Seattle Seahawks, is a better all-around defender than either Ford or Houston. The newly signed Tyrann Mathieu is healthy, whereas Berry is not. Kansas City added Alex Okafor, Bashaud Breeland and Emmanuel Ogbah as well.

Here’s a fantasy glimpse of what a 2020 NFL draft lottery could look like | Yahoo! Sports

Come with me to an alternate reality. It’s Feb. 11, 2020, and just a week earlier, Patrick Mahomes led the Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl title in 50 years after becoming the only quarterback in NFL history to throw for 65 touchdowns in the regular season.

Yet, the Chiefs’ championship run is not going to go down as the most historic thing to happen in the NFL this calendar year. The league, in keeping with its goal of making its product a 365-day deal while grabbing as much cash as possible, is set to host its first NFL draft lottery.

Top 25 NFL rookies in best position for Year 1 success | NFL

Don’t sleep on ‘em

22) Mecole Hardman, WR, Kansas City Chiefs: With the uncertainty about Tyreek Hill’s future in the NFL, Hardman is positioned to play a major role in Kansas City’s explosive offense. He has the speed to get open all over the field and offers special teams value, too.

Tyrann Mathieu returns to New Orleans for charity, hoping to inspire | Nola.com

Mathieu is hosting a three-day charity event this weekend in New Orleans. The event starts Friday (May 17) with a reception-style fundraising party at the Jazz Market, continues with the Celebrity Kickball Classic on Saturday at the Shrine on Airline, and will conclude Sunday with a free football camp for area children.

Most accurate NFL quarterbacks by separation in 2018 | Pro Football Focus

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: 56.7%

Mahomes, the league’s MVP, only attempted 95 passes into tight coverage last year (19th-most among quarterbacks), but he was lights out when he decided to air it out and let his guy make a play. Mahomes led the league with a 56.7% accuracy rate and a 41.8% “accuracy plus” rate on throws into tight coverage — both of these marks are now the best ever recorded by a quarterback over a single season.

The NFL’s pass-rushing triple-double: Double-digit sacks, hits and hurries | Pro Football Focus

So, after looking through all the stats available in Premium Stats 2.0, I settled on the pass-rushing triple-double: players who accumulated double-digit sacks, hits and hurries over the course of the regular season. Fifteen players in the NFL managed the feat in 2018, so here’s our look into the performance of each one.

DI CHRIS JONES, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, 16 sacks, 14 hits, 44 hurries

Chris Jones ranked fifth among his peers with an elite overall grade of 91.0 last year, and his 74 regular-season quarterback pressures were behind only Aaron Donald (106) and Fletcher Cox (95) among interior defensive linemen.

EDGE FRANK CLARK, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS, 13 sacks, 13 hits, 38 hurries

Filling Ford’s void in Kansas City in 2019 will be Frank Clark. The edge defender will only turn 26 later this year, and he has three straight seasons with 10-plus sacks.

Around the league

Jets owner explains decision to fire Mike Maccagnan | NFL

“The more I looked, the more I realized that I wanted to move on,” Johnson told reporters. “It was only through diving deep into the organization, it was only through going through this particular offseason deeply that I understood how this organization was lacking in certain ways.

Adam Gase disagreed with price tag for Bell, Mosley | NFL

“Adam Gase likes Le’Veon Bell, just did not love spending that much money for a player at that position,” Rapoport said of the Jets signing Bell to a four-year, $52.5 million deal. “It’s really just the running back position itself. So he likes the player just didn’t love the price tag.”

Source: Free-agent LB Collins returns to Patriots | ESPN

The New England Patriots have agreed to terms with free-agent linebacker Jamie Collins, a source confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday.

This is a reunion for the Patriots and Collins, as the club had selected him in the second round of the 2013 draft. The agreement was first reported by the Boston Globe.

Rams bring in Ketner Kupp to try and stop brother Cooper Kupp during practice | Yahoo! Sports

The Los Angeles Rams are so impressed with wide receiver Cooper Kupp that they are willing to invest in his entire family. The team did just that Wednesday, signing Kupp’s brother, linebacker Ketner Kupp, to a contract.

We Know Jalen Ramsey Has a Big Mouth. Will He Get a Big Contract? | The Ringer

The elite corner and trash-talker is likely in line for a massive extension with the Jaguars, but he’s drawn the ire of the front office and been mentioned in trade rumors. Does he have a future in Jacksonville?

Kyler Murray’s First Autograph as a Rookie Sets Record at NFL Auction | Sports Illustrated

Rookie QB Kyler Murray’s first autograph as a Cardinal was auctioned off by the league for a record-setting $3,450, according to Katherine Fitzgerald of the Arizona Republic. Bidding began at just $150.

In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride

Report: Chiefs acquire linebacker Darron Lee for a 2020 sixth-rounder

A Wednesday night trade alert—Kansas City adds a linebacker to the mix.

Five thoughts on NFL.com’s prediction of Chiefs’ 2019 starters

NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal got some things right, and others wrong

Former Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt takes field for Browns, talks to media

Wednesday marked Hunt’s first chat with the media since joining his new team.

Chiefs sign safety Juan Thornhill

UPDATE: 9:25 a.m. Arrowhead Time

The Chiefs make the Juan Thornhill signing official, via their official Twitter account.

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