The latest
NFL Power Rankings 2025: Which teams improved in the draft? | ESPN
Post-free agency ranking: 1
Most improved position: Wide receiver
The Chiefs are counting on the return of two top receivers who missed most of last season with injuries. Rashee Rice led the league with 24 catches through the first three games before a season-ending knee injury, while Hollywood Brown played in only two regular-season games because of a sternoclavicular injury. Rice and Brown will combine with Xavier Worthy to give the Chiefs a potent group of wideouts. With the selection of fourth-rounder Jalen Royals, Kansas City also added speed and run-after-the-catch ability on the outside. — Adam Teicher
Kansas City Chiefs: Josh Simmons, LT, Ohio State
Round 1, No. 32
Why was the 32nd pick such a great value? Because through the first five games of his second season for the Buckeyes, Simmons looked like a lock for All-America honors and displayed such dominance with his blend of athleticism, strength and instincts that most draft analysts started projecting him as a top-five pick. But a midseason patella tendon injury that required surgery caused his draft stock to take a hit. But the Chiefs believe he’s on track to regain full strength and count themselves fortunate that Simmons fell into their laps. — Mike Jones
Impactful rookies: DT Omarr Norman-Lott, EDGE Ashton Gillotte, CB Nohl Williams, WR Jalen Royals
The Chiefs low-key had serious needs along the defensive front and addressed them in a big way with Norman-Lott and Gillotte in Rounds 2 and 3, respectively. The Tennessee product wasn’t a high-volume player with the Volunteers. When he was on the field, it was bad news for the interior blockers in the SEC.
Gillotte doesn’t wow athletically. He wins regularly with powerful hand work, elite-level hustle and a sizable, NFL-caliber frame. Williams is the man-to-man cover type who routinely crowds the catch point and whom Steve Spagnuolo will adore on the perimeter of his defense. I don’t think Royals, with his YAC brilliance in a compact frame, could’ve landed in a better situation than in Kansas City with Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid.
2022 NFL re-draft: Who rises and who falls? | SB Nation
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Jalen Pitre, S
Original Pick: George Karlaftis, EDGE
Pitre is one of the NFL’s best at laying the smackdown on unsuspecting ball carriers, a missile from his nickel spot. While he doesn’t have the same coverage capabilities as Trent McDuffie, in this re-draft, it helps soften the blow of losing out on him.
Around the NFL
Browns LB Devin Bush arrested, charged with assault | ESPN
Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush was arrested and charged with simple assault and harassment in Pennsylvania on Sunday, according to court records.
According to a criminal complaint obtained by ESPN, police were called to a home in a Pittsburgh suburb Sunday to a report of an assault. A woman, who identified herself as Bush’s girlfriend, said Bush assaulted her and took her car keys.
The two got into an argument that resulted in Bush allegedly becoming more aggressive, according to the complaint. As the woman began to record the argument on her cellphone, Bush chased her around the home in an attempt to get the phone, according to the complaint. She said she was pinned against a massage table in an office and that Bush put his full body weight on top of her before taking the phone and smashing it. The woman left with her daughter to a neighbor’s home, according to the complaint.
UFL, UFL players sign CBA through 2026 | NBC Sports
Among other things, the new agreement increases salaries and provides full-year health insurance.
“We have reached a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the UFPA,” UFL president and CEO Russ Brandon said. “We look forward to continuing to work with our players to grow professional spring football at the UFL.”
It was critical to avoid a work stoppage or other labor issues. For both sides. The UFL still faces a steep uphill climb to become sustainable over the long haul. If there’s no league, it doesn’t matter what the players are getting paid.
The main measurements are down from last year to this year. This weekend, the St. Louis Battlehawks slipped under 30,000 fans for a home game for the first time since the UFL launched in 2024. The Houston Roughnecks drew a paltry 4,134 for a Week 6 game against the Memphis Showboats.
Washington, D.C., to host 2027 NFL Draft | NFL.com
Hosted in partnership with the Washington Commanders and the local organizing committee, Events DC, the 2027 NFL Draft will take place across the District’s most iconic landmarks, including the National Mall and Pennsylvania Avenue, placing the capital at the center of America’s most celebrated sport.
The announcement was made today in the Oval Office with President Donald J. Trump.
“The NFL Draft has become a marquee event, uniting fans across the country and around the world,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We are excited to bring the 2027 Draft to Washington, D.C., a city rich in history and national pride. With the support of President Trump, the Commanders, Events DC, and Mayor Bowser we’re looking forward to delivering an unforgettable experience as we celebrate the next generation of NFL stars.”
Ravens make ‘tough decision,’ release kicker Justin Tucker | ESPN
In an unceremonious end to one of the greatest Ravens careers, Baltimore released kicker Justin Tucker on Monday, parting ways with the NFL’s most accurate kicker amid an investigation by the league for sexual misconduct.
“Sometimes football decisions are incredibly difficult, and this is one of those instances,” Ravens executive vice president and general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement. “Considering our current roster, we have made the tough decision to release Justin Tucker.
“Justin created many significant and unforgettable moments in Ravens history. His reliability, focus, drive, resilience and extraordinary talent made him one of the league’s best kickers for over a decade. We are grateful for Justin’s many contributions while playing for the Ravens. We sincerely wish him and his family the very best in this next chapter of their lives.”
Julian Edelman to be inducted as 37th member of Patriots’ Hall of Fame | NFL.com
The longtime Patriots receiver has been voted into the Patriots’ Hall of Fame by fans as its 37th inductee, the team announced on Monday.
“Julian Edelman is one of the great success stories in our franchise’s history,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement. “There aren’t many players who earn an NFL roster spot at a position they have never played before. Julian not only did that as a seventh-round draft selection, but he finished his career with the second-most receptions in franchise history and as a three-time Super Bowl Champion, including his last as Super Bowl MVP.
“No one was more committed to his craft and honing his skills than Jules. His explosiveness off the line, quickness in his cuts and elusiveness after the catch made him one of the hardest players to defend. His clutch catches in our biggest games and overall toughness made him a fan favorite.”
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs News: Brashard Smith wants to bring unique skill set to offense
The team traded two of the final picks in the seventh round to move up to the 228th overall selection to take SMU’s Brashard Smith. Smith spent three years as a middling wide receiver at Miami before transitioning to running back after transferring to SMU.
The move paid dividends, as he broke out for 1,332 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns with his receiving skills adding 39 catches for 327 yards and four more scores.
On Sunday before the second session of Kansas City’s rookie minicamp, Smith clarified that he had played running back in high school and was used to a hybrid role.
“Going into college,” he recalled, “I got recruited for a receiver — a slot receiver — but as I was like going into college and being in different systems and being in different offenses, I was moving around a lot. So, I played running back and slot receiver a lot.”
Like most rookies seeing their first exposure to head coach Andy Reid’s offense, Smith acknowledges the difficulty of his new playbook.
“There’s a lot you have to learn as far as playbook, he said. “Getting everything down as far as the playbook, then I feel like it’ll come natural.”
Social media to make you think
Jalen Royals is just ONE season removed from scoring 15 TD’s..
➖Size: 6’0, 205 lbs
➖Speed: 4.42 (89th Percentile)
He missed 5 games, causing him to fall to Day 3..
His Healthy 12 Game Pace?
➖94 Receptions
➖1,438 Yards
➖10 TD’s
..now he gets paired with Patrick Mahomes pic.twitter.com/Xq7QVNXaaH
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) May 5, 2025
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