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AFC West
Raiders: RB Zamir White
McLaughlin had a mini-breakout early in his rookie season, generating 235 yards on just 31 touches in a three-game stretch from Weeks 4 through 6. But then he curiously never topped a 28% snap rate the rest of the season. Sean Payton shouldn’t make that mistake again. The Broncos have to get this guy involved as both a runner and a receiver.
Karlaftis’ 2022 draft-mate, Trent McDuffie, has already become an All-Pro. That may not be in the cards for Karlaftis, but after racking up 16.5 sacks in his first two seasons, he’s clearly got more pass-rush juice than some people initially thought — and he’s also a really good run defender. Steve Spagnuolo will put him in consistent position to succeed.
7 NFL Teams Brandon Aiyuk Should Reconsider amid 49ers Trade, Contract Rumors | Bleacher Report
Kansas City Chiefs
Already this summer, the Chiefs have seen Hollywood Brown, Justin Watson and first-round pick Xavier Worthy go down with injuries. And keep in mind that Patrick Mahomes’ receiving corps wasn’t exactly a major asset to begin with following a turbulent 2023 campaign for that unit.
That leaves plenty of space for a guy like Aiyuk to emerge as a go-to option for the greatest quarterback in the game today as part of a team that is seeking to make history with a third straight Super Bowl win.
It’s pretty hard to see a downside associated with joining Mahomes, Andy Reid and Co. right now, especially at that position. Kansas City isn’t exactly flush with cash, but the team does have some cap flexibilit,y and a marriage with the Chiefs offense might be worth a short-term financial sacrifice if you’re Aiyuk.
See AlsoChiefs' starters to play first half against Lions after breaking camp in St. Joseph, MissouriFive Observations from Monday's Practice | Chiefs Training Camp 8/12Undrafted rookie Carson Steele never played fullback in college. Now he could make the ChiefsKingsley Suamataia: ‘You’re going to see more of an animal’ against Lions
The wide receiver shuffle is inevitable once more. Marquise “Hollywood” Brown logged all of one catch before going down with a potentially serious shoulder injury, leaving rookie Xavier Worthy and third-year reserve Justyn Ross as candidates to see more snaps in the room.
1 Player Each NFL Team Should Put on the 2024 Trade Block This Preseason | Bleacher Report
Kansas City Chiefs: OT Lucas Niang
A third-rounder in 2020, Lucas Niang hasn’t been able to find his footing in Kansas City.
Injuries have rattled the early portions of his career, which has limited his availability and consistency when called into action. Niang missed the entirety of the 2020 season after opting out due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chiefs GM Brett Veach has also continued to invest heavily in his offensive line in recent years, drafting Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith, Wanya Morris and 2024 second-round tackle Kingsley Suamataia. Veach also added Joe Thuney in years past to boost the left guard spot.
Kansas City could feel comfortable moving on from Niang, especially if the organization believes right tackle Jawaan Taylor (still just 26 years old) can continue to improve since heading over from Jacksonville.
Niang’s trade value, despite his limited snaps, could be at its peak right now given his youth and potential.
Teams that are able to ignore his injury history could take a flier on the 25-year-old Niang, banking on his upside and the possibility that he could develop into a solid starter, should he stay healthy.
Carson Steele is already a Chiefs fan favorite
Since that score, Steele has been in the spotlight as fans want to know more about him. As it turns out, Steele has a pet alligator, which is insane all things considered. A picture of Steele holding “Crocky J” surfaced recently.
See AlsoChiefs WR Marquise Brown 'will miss some time' after dislocating a clavicle in 26-13 loss at JaguarsBut what took many by surprise other than the reptile was Steele’s incredible quad muscles. Most football players are extremely muscular and well-built, and running backs need to have strong legs. Steele’s look a bit odd and it appears to be due to “cupping”, which is a type of physical therapy used to improve blood flow in certain areas and manage pain.
2024 NFL Power Rankings: Stacking Every Team’s Receiver Room | The 33rd Team
14. Kansas City Chiefs
WR room: Rashee Rice, Marquise Brown, Xavier Worthy, Justin Watson, Skyy Moore
The Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl with what was a bottom-five receiving room last year, at best. We can’t count Travis Kelce into the discussion despite his usage, but it can’t be argued that anyone outside of Rashee Rice was especially dangerous.
Now, the Chiefs have two new speedy options next to Rice in Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy. Brown and Worthy aren’t dominant alpha receivers, but this is now a respectable unit with much more explosiveness and possibilities.
Around the NFL
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy to miss rookie season following surgery to repair meniscus | NFL.com
Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell announced on Wednesday that McCarthy underwent surgery on his torn right meniscus and will miss the 2024 season.
“It was a successful procedure, but it did reveal that a repair was necessary which will end J.J.’s 2024 season,” O’Connell told reporters.
The news was first reported on Wednesday by NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
McCarthy suffered the right meniscus tear during Minnesota’s preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders on Saturday and sat out of Monday’s practice with what was initially thought to be knee soreness. Further testing revealed he’d torn his meniscus, prompting surgery.
Patriots trade Matthew Judon to Falcons for third-round draft pick | NBC Sports
Judon, the pass rusher who made clear that he wasn’t happy in New England, has been traded to Atlanta.
The Falcons are trading a third-round pick to the Patriots for Judon, according to multiple reports.
Judon is due a $6.5 million salary this season in the final year of his contract. It’s likely that the Falcons and Judon will come to an agreement on a new contract, but there’s been no immediate word on that.
Judon, who turns 32 tomorrow, is a four-time Pro Bowler who spent five seasons with the Ravens and three with the Patriots. He’s coming off a season in which he played in just four games because of a biceps injury, but the Falcons believe he can bounce back and play at the level he played at in 2022, when he had a career-high 15.5 sacks.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs Roster: Kingsley Suamataia to be more of an animal versus Lions
The 21-year-old rookie is now hungry for more action against the Detroit Lions on Saturday.
“I only got to play a little bit on the first drive,” Suamataia lamented. “If I get more reps, you’re going to see more of an animal just coming out there — flying around to the ball, being around the ball a lot [and being] a ball hog. [I’ll] just have fun out there, at the end of the day.”
A second-round rookie securing the head coach Andy Reid’s trust to play what’s arguably the team’s second most important position is nearly unprecedented. Suamataia has been putting in the work — both on and off the field.
“[I’m] just staying in the playbook,” he explained, “just day in and day out. [You] can never study too much. [I] just make it a habit of mine to — right before I go to bed right [and] as I wake up — just having that refreshed in my mind, so I can just go out there and play loose and free.”
It’s been several seasons since Kansas City has had a left tackle who can play loose and free. Suamataia’s athleticism shows on nearly every snap. Although he has outstanding moves for a big man, he expects to see a payoff for his efforts.
Social media to make you think
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) August 13, 2024INSANE: #Chiefs rookie RB Carson Steele with his PET ALLIGATOR
(Via @BradHensonPro) https://t.co/80ofJwbeH4 pic.twitter.com/RRS9LSPbtW
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