Chiefs headlines for Friday, May 10
The latest
NFL bandwagons to hop on in 2024: Chicago Bears top list, but don’t prematurely abandon Buffalo Bills | NFL.com
Trent McDuffie
Kansas City Chiefs · CB
Remember Revis Island? How about Darrelle Revis’ beef with Richard Sherman? Or Sherman’s beef with Patrick Peterson? Maybe it’s just me, but it sure feels like yesterday’s star cornerbacks used to drive more discussion, routinely engendering debates over shutdown supremacy. No disrespect to young studs like Sauce Gardner and Pat Surtain II, but the position just isn’t moving the needle like it used to. So, I’m here to sing the praises of a talented CB who could be on the verge of superstardom.
McDuffie isn’t as outspoken as many lockdown corners of the recent vintage, but his play speaks volumes. A scheme-versatile cover man who can blanket receivers in the slot or out wide, as well as rush the passer, the 2022 first-rounder absolutely stuffed the stat sheet this past season with 80 tackles, nine QB hits, seven passes defensed, five forced fumbles and three sacks. He just started — and won — his second Super Bowl in as many seasons, masterfully eliminating Deebo Samuel in a transcendent performance on the game’s biggest stage. While McDuffie earned first-team All-Pro honors as a slot cornerback, his dominance isn’t just limited to nickel duties. And in the wake of L’Jarius Sneed’s free-agent departure, I can’t wait to see how Steve Spagnuolo deploys the 23-year-old eraser in his third season. Dark-horse Defensive Player of the Year candidate? The campaign starts here!
Ravens TE appears to have forgotten what happened just over 3 months ago.
#Ravens TE Isaiah Likely on potentially facing the Chiefs in the Week 1 ring ceremony game...
"I mean last time they had us as the underdogs we were playing San Fran and you saw what happened..."@DaGorilla4 @heykayadams #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/TPKvjMkMqh— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) May 9, 2024
2024 NFL offseason: Debating best and worst free agency signings, underrated draft picks, more | CBS Sports
After all the offseason activity, which team is best suited to threaten the Kansas City Chiefs?
Benjamin: The easy answer is: Still the San Francisco 49ers, because Brock Purdy is just hitting his stride, and the setup is still elite. But here are a trio of other favorites: the Cincinnati Bengals, who are lethal with a healthy Joe Burrow, the Houston Texans, who have rightly gotten bold to aid C.J. Stroud, and the Philadelphia Eagles, who are very boom or bust but remain an all-star unit on paper.
Dajani: The Detroit Lions. Last year wasn’t a fluke, and the front office did a good job this offseason not only keeping their current talent happy with contract extensions, but adding talent as well.
McCarriston: If saying the team that faced them last season in the Super Bowl is boring, then call me boring, but I like what the Niners have done enough this offseason to give them this title. The 49ers have an excellent front office and they have continued to make good decisions, like working to keep stars around and adding others. Defensive tackle Maliek Collins will be a difference-maker in an already solid group. While Purdy has his doubters, he is a quarterback who (with a little help) can lead his team to the promised land.
Projecting Every 2024 1st-Round NFL Draft Pick’s Year 1 Impact | Bleacher Report
Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
A lot was made about the Chiefs’ lack of talent at wide receiver last season as that was the primary reason why their offense wasn’t as explosive as it has been in the past. While Rashee Rice broke out toward the end of the campaign, he has struggled to stay out of trouble this offseason and will likely face some discipline from the NFL.
Kansas City did bring in Hollywood Brown in free agency, but he is coming off a couple of down years in Arizona. Meanwhile, Xavier Worthy has world-class speed and likely reminds Andy Reid of what he had in Tyreek Hill.
Don’t be surprised if the Texas product becomes the Chiefs’ top wide receiver and second target behind Travis Kelce in year one.
J.J. Birden on favorite Chiefs moment, playing at Arrowhead Stadium | Chiefs Wire
“Still, it’s one of my cherished memories because every time we played it, I just wanted to get in the endzone, get that place rockin’, and celebrate with them. It’s really cool to see the consistency today, as Arrowhead fans are still rocking. They’re still having fun. There’s a lot to celebrate, as we have a pretty amazing Chiefs team doing some pretty amazing things.”
Birden’s experience at Arrowhead Stadium was helpful in contrast to legendary Raiders star Tim Brown, who tried to avoid the sound of the fans. The former track and field standout revealed his favorite moment as a member of the Chiefs.
“I think it has to be my first NFL touchdown, which took place on October 19, 1990,” Birden said. “We were playing in Seattle in the King Dome. Steve Deberg was the quarterback, and I scored a 33-yard touchdown. That moment stood out most because it was a three-year journey. That was three years of adversity, setbacks, and rejection.
2024 NFL Draft Class: Ranking The Teams - by Ric Serritella | All Access Football
25. Kansas City Chiefs: With all the hoopla surrounding Rashee Rice, the trade maneuver with conference-rival Buffalo to move up and select speedster Xavier Worthy was a brilliant move. Anyone up for some pitch and catch? The Chiefs have done well developing offensive linemen and Kingsley Suamataia is a project who possesses great athleticism. Look for Jared Wiley to be an excellent addition in 12 and 13 personnel. Initial Letter Grade: C-
Around the NFL
Julian Edelman reveals backstage tension between Kraft, Belichick at Brady roast | FOX Sports
The tone of the room changed, however, when Kraft walked in.
“The tension in that room, though, could cut f---ing glass,” Edelman said. “It was so awkward. … I was just like, ‘Oh s---, this could be some fireworks.’ I just walked away.”
Bledsoe, who was a guest on Edelman’s podcast, remarked that it was “some crazy s---” and said it was “very, very real.” However, it didn’t seem that the tension turned into any heated moments.
“They did break it down and got together for 10 minutes at least, the two of them,” Bledsoe said of the conversation Belichick and Kraft had.
Giants sign former Steelers WR Allen Robinson | ESPN
The New York Giants have signed wide receiver Allen Robinson II, the team announced Thursday.
Robinson joins the Giants after one season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who released him March 8 in a cost-cutting move.
The wide receiver room in New York gets a bit crowded with the additions of Robinson and Malik Nabers, who was selected sixth overall in the NFL draft out of LSU. The Giants also have Darius Slayton, Jalin Hyatt, Wan’Dale Robinson, Isaiah McKenzie and Isaiah Hodgins, who re-signed earlier this offseason.
In case you missed it on Chiefs Studios
Chiefs Roster: Tennessee’s Kamal Hadden’s stands out for Day 3 pick
Attacking at the catch point
Overall, Hadden was a true denier of the ball in college. He rarely gave a quarterback’s target breathing room as the pass arrived. That came to a peak in 2023: over seven games, Hadden allowed only 12 of the 33 throws (36%) his way to be completed. He registered a passer rating of 7.0 when targeted last season.
In 2023, Hadden only played 9 games -- but rarely allowed the ball to get by him
Over 33 targets, he allowed only 12 receptions -- a 36% catch rate, allowing a 7.0! passer rating when targeted
3 INTs to top it off #Chiefs pic.twitter.com/jT81dRLnqG— Taylor Bell Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) May 7, 2024
On this fourth down, with Tennessee defending a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter, Hadden plays the situation well. Anticipating a break near the sticks, Hadden shadows the pass catcher inside and attacks the thrown-behind pass to make a game-sealing interception.
One could say it’s wise to bat it down here, but that’s what he attempts to do initially. That left the ball floating vulnerably though; fortunately, the natural ball skills of Hadden made securing the bobble look effortless.
Social media to make you think
“We got the sense that from a mental standpoint, he can handle a lot…”@Chiefs GM Brett Veach says it was more than just his speed that led them to select WR Xavier Worthy
https://t.co/u2cRkasH7n#ChiefsKingdom I #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/MaH0fLDmQD— SiriusXM NFL Radio (@SiriusXMNFL) May 9, 2024
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