Arrowheadlines: Chiefs missed out on another wide receiver

The latest

Report: Chiefs an option for free agent WR Josh Reynolds before he signed with Titans | Chiefs Wire

According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, the Chiefs were an option for Reynolds. That suggests that the Chiefs showed some level of interest in Reynolds, perhaps even inviting him into the facility for a visit. It doesn’t seem like they made a big push to get Reynolds in the building, though.

FMIA: Free-Agency Millions Or NFL TV Billions, Patriots Owner Robert Kraft Simply Is ‘In This Business To Win’ | FMIA

KANSAS CITY probably overpaid for Joe Thuney, but KC has a better line today with Thuney and Kyle Long than the team had at the Super Bowl this year. The player they wanted but didn’t get is center Rodney Hudson, who got traded by the Raiders to Arizona. Hudson wanted to be released, not traded. And if he’d been released, I’m pretty sure he’d have been snapping to Patrick Mahomes this year. KC was ready to pay Hudson more than Arizona did.

2021 NFL power rankings: Post-free agency standings for every team | NBC Sports

1. Kansas City Chiefs

After Patrick Mahomes got teed off on in Super Bowl LV, the Chiefs went to work revamping their offensive line. They paid guard Joe Thuney a hefty sum and brought in the recently unretired Kyle Long to man the other guard position.

The Chiefs still need to bolster their secondary in the draft, but Patrick Mahomes and Co. are well on their way to another Super Bowl appearance.

2021 NFL free agency grades: Browns, Buccaneers, Jets, Vikings among smart deal-makers | CBS Sports

Kansas City Chiefs

Notable moves:

Signed Patriots OG Joe Thuney (5 years, $80M)

Re-signed DE Taco Charlton

Released RB Damien Williams

Signed OG Kyle Long (1 year, $1.5M)

The Chiefs knocked it out of the park as soon as they agreed to terms with Thuney, who isn’t necessarily a world-beater up front but can play literally every spot and do it well. Protecting Patrick Mahomes is key, and he will do that.

Grade: A-

Las Vegas Raiders continue to try to mimic the Kansas City Chiefs | Just Blog Baby

Look at what they’ve done since Mahomes broke in. The Raiders went out and put a lot of faith in a virtual unknown in Darren Waller, who has become a top-tier tight end in this league. Waller is now on-pace to becoming the league’s best tight end with Travis Kelce and Zach Ertz getting older and George Kittle’s injury concern aiding his ascension.

Waller can be the Raiders’ Kelce

Then we have the drafting of Henry Ruggs III last year at 12th overall. Ruggs was considered the best receiver in his class to some, but one thing basically everybody agreed on was that he was certainly the fastest receiver in his class. Now that we’ve seen him play his rookie year in the NFL, he is most definitely one of the fastest guys in the league overall.

2021 NFL Mock Draft: Bears, 49ers and Panthers make their moves up the board for quarterbacks | CBS Sports

Teven Jenkins OL

Kansas City

The Chiefs cut both their offensive tackles after the season, and while they signed guards Joe Thuney and Kyle Long, and tackle Mike Remmers, Jenkins has a chance to be really good. He can play on the right or left, and more importantly, can contribute right away.

Around the NFL

2021 NFL Draft to host fans, prospects in Cleveland | NFL.com

“We are thrilled to be heading to Cleveland for the NFL Draft, which has become one of the most highly anticipated events in sports,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL executive vice president, club business and league events. “Just months after executing a safe and successful Super Bowl LV, we look forward to bringing the excitement of our Draft traditions to fans in collaboration with the Browns, Destination Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, the City of Cleveland, and all of our local Cleveland partners.”

The main stage of the NFL draft will be set against the backdrop of Lake Erie and serve as the central hub of this year’s festivities. It is there where NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will make the pick announcements and greet top selections once their names are called. Although the league will be able to continue its ongoing tradition of the draft this year, the NFL is building on the success of last year’s virtual draft with additional prospects participating remotely from their homes around the country.

Worst NFL free-agency signings of 2021: Bill Barnwell picks his least-favorite contracts, including two from the Patriots | ESPN

CB Ronald Darby to Denver

The deal: Three years, $30 million with the Broncos

Darby has had a truly weird career. After looking like a total disaster during preseason as a rookie with the Bills, the Florida State product then stepped into the starting lineup in Week 1 and looked like a seasoned pro. He was impressive before taking a step backward in his sophomore season, after which he was dealt to the Eagles for Jordan Matthews. He suffered what looked to be a serious injury in Week 1 but later came back and played excellent football through Philadelphia’s unlikely run to the Super Bowl.

In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride

Four winners and three losers from the first wave of free agency

Winners

The offensive line depth chart: Yes... Kansas City is still looking for a left tackle and a center — but the depth across the rest of the line is looking better than it was a week ago. With the addition of Thuney, the newly re-signed Andrew Wylie is once again a backup. With his ability to play guard or tackle, that makes him valuable depth. Adding Kyle Long and bringing back Laurent Duvernay-Tardif gives the team good competition and depth at right guard. Re-signing Mike Remmers and bringing back Lucas Niang gives competition and depth at right tackle. There’s still work to be done — but at least three positions, this will be a deeper offensive line than it was in 2020.

Chris Jones: Many have speculated that Jones would be a potential candidate to be traded — or that his contract was structured in a way to allow the Chiefs an out. But when the team needed salary-cap room, they restructured Jones — along with Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. Teams just don’t restructure the contracts of players who aren’t in their long term plans; Jones is very likely here for the long run.

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