Chiefs News: Jaylen Royals and the Chiefs named a perfect fit

The latest

2025 NFL draft: Best rookie team fits, perfect landing spots | ESPN

Jalen Royals, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Drafted: Round 4, No. 133

Why he fits: With the coverage awareness to find open zone voids and a competitive play style after the catch, Royals can operate in Andy Reid’s system as a midlevel target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Royals is willing to work the heavy traffic areas of the field, where he can make contested catches. And he turns underneath throws into explosive plays.

As a deep-ball target, Royals has the speed to be schemed situationally. But I really like the fit here based on the Chiefs’ leveled concepts, run-pass options and three-step throws. These types of plays will allow him to find open grass and gain even more yards after the catch.

NFL schedule wish list: Eagles-Chiefs on Christmas among ideal NFL matchups | FOX Sports

Week 1 international game, São Paolo: Chiefs vs. Chargers

I’ll be honest, I’m not always sold on the NFL’s philosophy that more is better, but I was a big fan of last season’s Friday night opener in Brazil. After a seven-month wait for the season to start, fill up opening weekend with as much football as possible.

The Chargers have been tapped as this year’s São Paolo team, and who better to help them grow the game in South America than the Chiefs? Kansas City is already used to opening the season on Thursday night, so kicking over one day to Friday should be no sweat.

The Chiefs have owned the AFC West for a decade, and they haven’t dropped a game to the Chargers since 2021, but don’t let that fool you. These games are always good, with seven of the past eight being decided by a touchdown or less. Sounds like a perfect Friday night to me.

Who Still Needs a QB? Describing Each Team’s Urgency After 2025 NFL Draft | Bleacher Report

Probably Not In the Quarterback Market Until 2027 or Later

Kansas City Chiefs: Future Hall of Famer Patrick Mahomes is under contract through 2031.

2025 Fantasy Football Busts 1.0 from Heath Cummings: Players to avoid in all drafts | CBS Sports

Isiah Pacheco RB

I am hopeful Pacheco bounces back from his disappointing 2024, but I am not confident. The Chiefs brought back Kareem Hunt, who was functioning as their RB1 at the end of last year, acquired Elijah Mitchell was has been very good when healthy, and drafted Brashard Smith who could function as the team’s pass catching back. While I do expect Pacheco to lead the team in touches I also expect the team to implement a committee, and that committee could have Pacheco stuck in a role without short yardage work or receiving work. The former 7th round pick has averaged about 13 touches per game for his career and that is pretty close to my expectation for 2025, if he’s fully recovered from the broken leg that slowed him in 2024.

Around the NFL

A Colorado fan is suing the NFL $100M for the stupidest reason imaginable | SB Nation

Nothing is part of the fabric of the United States more than a frivolous lawsuit, and a Colorado fan is putting that to the test. Named in court documents as “John Doe,” the man is seeking $100M in damages from the NFL for Shedeur Sanders falling to the 5th round of the NFL Draft.

Doe, who is listed to be a resident of Georgia, is a self-professed die-hard fan of Colorado football, detailing that he had spent extensive time watching Shedeur Sanders on TV and in person, as well as consuming massive amounts of media content related to Sanders’ transition to the NFL. The lawsuit alleges that the league engaged in violations of the Sherman Anti-Trust act by colluding to tank Sanders’ draft stock, as well as violating the Civil Rights Act due to Sanders being discriminated against as a black quarterback, and finally violating consumer protections laws by misrepresenting the selection process of the draft itself.

Apparently this Colorado fan was so devastated by Shedeur falling to the 5th round that he believes a $100,000,000 payment is warranted for damage to his emotional well-being.

Stefanski — Browns’ QB evaluation will be ‘all-encompassing’ | ESPN

But when the Browns broke the huddle for the first snap of team drills in rookie minicamp Friday, it was third-round pick Dillon Gabriel — not Sanders — who took the first half-dozen snaps. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski, though, downplayed it, saying the quarterback competition in Cleveland will be an “all-encompassing evaluation” over the next few months.

“I wouldn’t look into, really, anything,” Stefanski said after the Browns’ first rookie minicamp practice. “I think you’ll see the whole weekend, going through the spring, we don’t pay too close attention to who’s in there first.”

Friday marked the first NFL practice for Gabriel and Sanders. The two alternated about three dozen passes in individual drills before throwing to pass catchers and then breaking into 11-on-11 drills, which were followed by 7-on-7s.

GM Andrew Berry: Nick Chubb returning to Browns ‘increasingly unlikely’ | NFL.com

It sounds as if a reunion is growing less likely with each passing week. General manager Andrew Berry spoke Friday and didn’t seem too optimistic the franchise legend would return in 2025.

“I wouldn’t rule anything out, but I would say that it’s probably increasingly unlikely,” Berry said during an appearance on 92.3 The Fan. “We do have two young guys that we liked. We think Jerome (Ford) plays a role. It’s basically kind of maybe seeing how the roles shake out in the running back room.

“You’re never going to rule out someone as near and dear to our heart as Nick, and I would expect him to take another step being a year removed from the knee injury. But I’d say a return is less likely, at least in the short term, with us right now.”

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

NFL Rookie Premiere 2025: Chiefs WR Jalen Royals selected to attend

According to the NFL Players Association, Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals has been named to the “rookie premiere” class of 2025. This is the first major business and marketing event featuring players just selected in the most recent NFL Draft.

This year’s event will be held in Los Angeles from May 14-17. Royals and 41 other rookies will have the opportunity to earn a leg up on endorsement deals by getting in front of some big-name brands.

Partners engage with players through two primary channels: content creation and product experiences, each designed to build authentic brand connections. Content partners such as Panini America, EA Sports, Fanatics, Fanatics Collectibles, NFL Social Lab, New Era, and Microsoft rotate through scheduled sessions with players to capture custom content for upcoming campaigns. These one-on-one interactions offer a chance to build early relationships, highlight player personalities, and generate fresh, player-driven marketing assets. Product and activation partners – including Nike, Sony, Oakley, WHOOP, Lululemon, Pro Standard, Highland Mint, Funko, FedEx, On The Mark, Gatorade, Gillette, Shiftwave, EXOS, Pepsi, Procter & Gamble, and Jersey Mike’s – deliver curated experiences and products that connect with players.

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