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Arrowheadlines: Chiefs likely to reignite elite offense

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2024 NFL Draft superlatives: Falcons double book, Bears offseason darlings, Patriots show support and more | CBS Sports

Mostly Likely to Re-Ignite an Elite Offense En Route to a Three-Peat

Kansas City Chiefs

The NFL is rightfully touted as a league chockfull of parity, but the Chiefs are kind of putting a stranglehold on professional football these days, winning a second-straight Super Bowl despite sporting a questionable offense for most of the season. The rich got richer over the weekend, with the Chiefs landing Texas wideout Xavier Worthy in the first round and BYU offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia in the second round. Worthy set the all-time combine record for fastest 40-yard dash and clearly was coveted by Brett Veach and Andy Reid, as the Chiefs traded up with the Bills to grab him in the first round. Worthy and Marquise Brown (speedy free agent addition) give the Chiefs not just insurance for a Rashee Rice suspension, but an explosive downfield component the offense lacked last year. Good luck smothering Travis Kelce with those field stretchers out there. Worth noting: they also spent a fourth-round pick on TCU tight end Jared Wiley. The Chiefs love cultivating that tight end room, so he's a name worth eying. Drafting Suamataia, along with interior offensive linemen Hunter Nourzad (fourth round, Penn State) and C.J. Hanson (seventh round, Holy Cross) makes it clear Kansas City wants to beef up the depth on the offensive line in front of Patrick Mahomes and not find itself in a situation like the 2020 Super Bowl when the line deteriorated and cost them a title.

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Kansas City Chiefs WR Marquise Brown

Hollywood's intersection with the Paris of the Plains could be a one-season proposition. Brown signed a $7 million deal in free agency, ostensibly to be the new deep threat for the back-to-back champs … who then traded up Thursday to get Texas WR Xavier Worthy and his 4.2 speed in Round 1. Maybe there's an opportunity for both to play if Rashee Rice's legal issues ultimately earn him an early season suspension. Or maybe Worthy has a slow build transitioning to the NFL, especially if his 172-pound frame prevents clean releases. But given Brown appears to be working as a temp and has a career average of 11.6 yards per catch, seems quite possible he could be superseded by midseason.

2024 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams | PFF

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: B+

1 (28): WR Xavier Worthy, Texas

2 (63): T Kingsley Suamataia, BYU

4 (131): TE Jared Wiley, TCU

4 (133): S Jaden Hicks, Washington State

5 (159): C Hunter Nourzad, Penn State

6 (211): CB Kamal Hadden, Tennessee

7 (248): G C.J. Hanson, Holy Cross

Worthy — Kansas City trades up to select the fastest player in combine history. Worthy, owner of the 4.21-second 40-yard dash, gives Patrick Mahomes the most explosive outside threat he's had since the departure of Tyreek Hill. However, However, Worthy earned PFF receiving grades in the low 70s in each of the last two years, and there are concerns about his 172-pound frame. It's a gamble by a Chiefs organization looking to make their offense more aggressive.

Chiefs to look at stadium options beyond Arrowhead | ESPN

"We will approach it from a broader perspective going forward because time is short for us at this point and so we need to see what other options are out there for us,'' Hunt said. "When we started on this process three years ago, it felt like we had a very long time, a long runway with about 9½ [years] left on our lease. We're now down to 6½ and so I do feel very much of a sense of urgency.

"Arrowhead is a special place for our family and our fan base. That was one of the reasons that we focused on it with the last effort, but going forward it may make more sense for us to be in a new stadium.''

Voters in Jackson County, Missouri, rejected a sales tax measure earlier this month that would have helped fund major renovations to Arrowhead as well as build a new ballpark for MLB's Royals in downtown Kansas City.

Takeaways: Quick NFL Draft Reviews for All 32 Teams | Sports Illustrated

Assessments of the Kansas City Chiefs' draft class will likely ride on whether Xavier Worthy can open the offense back up the way Tyreek Hill once did. But, to me, the pivotal pick for the franchise is second-round OT Kingsley Suamataia. Ultra talented, and in need of some maturing, Andy Reid's selection of the big man (who was linked to the Chiefs the past few weeks) is a bet that he and his staff can bring the best out in a guy with the ability to fill a pretty big need on the roster.

2025 NFL Mock Draft: Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter headline way-too-early look at next year's class | CBS Sports

Round 1 - Pick 31

Nazir Stackhouse DL

GEORGIA • SR • 6'3" / 320 LBS

Stackhouse is stout at the point and plays with both length and power. He'll flash some explosiveness and consistently wins by collapsing the pocket.

Way-Too-Early 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Who Is Next Year's Top QB? | The 33rd Team

31. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS - HOWARD CROSS, DT, NOTRE DAME

With Chris Jones now in his 30s, the Chiefs could use some more interior defensive line help. Howard Cross is a much different type of defensive tackle than Jones. He has a smaller frame and is only 280 pounds. However, he's been productive for several years at Notre Dame and could push himself into the later stages of Round 1 with a solid senior season.

Around the NFL

Cowboys, RB Ezekiel Elliott agree to terms on reunion | NFL.com

Elliott, 28, was released in the 2023 offseason by Dallas and made his way to New England, signing with the Patriots in August and finding middling success on a struggling offense. He led the Pats with 642 rushing yards as Rhamondre Stevenson was slowed by injuries. Still, Elliott averaged only 3.5 yards per carry, offering more statistical credence that his finest Sundays are behind him.

Nonetheless, Elliott's return to Dallas should offer some plusses beyond just nostalgia. The former two-time rushing champion, who was taken fourth overall in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Cowboys, still has a nose for the end zone and is a usually sterling pass protector.

Mayo: Door's open for Tom Brady return to Patriots — as a coach | ESPN

"I love Tom. The door is always open if he wants to come in here and coach. But as far as going on the field, I don't know," Mayo said in an interview on sports radio WEEI's "The Greg Hill Show."

The Patriots selected North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye third overall in the NFL draft and also drafted Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III in the sixth round (No. 193). They currently have five quarterbacks on the roster, with veteran Jacoby Brissett, 2022 fourth-round pick Bailey Zappe and former Canadian Football League standout Nathan Rourke.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

Chiefs Draft: First film look at new Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy

Catching the deep ball

Great speed comes with the ability to take the top off of defenses, and the Chiefs could not pass up a chance to give Patrick Mahomes a weapon downfield.

Worthy explodes out of his stance and eats up all the cushion that the high safety was giving. He turns and tracks the ball perfectly making a spectacular over-the-shoulder catch. His ability to maintain his stride while tracking the ball is excellent. pic.twitter.com/UmvHP6JUYD

— Caleb James (@CJScoobs) April 26, 2024

Texas goes with the deep ball, and Worthy ends up in a one-on-one situation with the high safety. Worthy blows past the safety with the elite speed but still must come up with the pass. Turning his head, he can track the ball perfectly, and he makes a sensational over-the-shoulder catch for a touchdown.

Outside of a few explosive plays during the 2023 Playoffs, the Chiefs could not throw the deep ball for most of the season. This had little to do with Mahomes and more to do with the lack of consistency in catching the ball down the field.

Worthy should provide the Chiefs with the spark they need to bring these plays back.

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