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Chiefs News 4/11: Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels draws interest
The latest
Kansas City Chiefs show interest in former Kansas Jayhawks quarterback: details | The Kansas City Star
With the draft two weeks away now, a source close to Daniels told The Star that the Kansas City Chiefs have recently shown interest.
Daniels went the Chiefs’ local pro day. After the workout, Daniels met with multiple members of the Chiefs’ coaching staff and front office for several hours.
The source told The Star that it was similar to a top-30 visit — NFL teams are allowed to host up to 30 visits, interviews and meetings with prospects before the draft. The source said Daniels also had a recent top-30 visit with the New England Patriots. NFL insider Ian Rapoport was first to report the news.
Daniels is projected as a latter-round selection in the April 23-25 draft. But there’s some sentiment that his draft stock has risen this spring, and that he could be picked earlier than expected.
2026 NFL draft: Latest Kansas City Chiefs updates, intel, buzz | ESPN
Friday, April 10: One of the Chiefs’ most important pre-draft visits occurred Thursday. The team hosted Rueben Bain Jr., the talented Miami defensive end. Bain could be the best option available at No. 9 to fulfill one of their biggest roster needs.
Last season with Miami, Bain was a constant presence in rushing the opposing quarterback. He recorded 9.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, an interception and a forced fumble. Entering the draft, the Chiefs don’t have a logical starter on the edge opposite of veteran defensive end George Karlaftis. If the Chiefs draft Bain, he could learn and play alongside star pass rusher Chris Jones.
“I love it; I think this would be a dream outcome for Kansas City, quite frankly,” ESPN analyst Mina Kimes said Thursday on “NFL Live.” She later added: “They really need pass rush. Last season, their highest-ranked edge rusher in pass rush win [rate] was George Karlaftis, who ranked 25th at the position. They need juice there — and juice is exactly what Rueben Bain brings to the table.
“His get-off is extremely explosive. He plays with violent hands, the way he converts speed to power is special. His motor also runs hot versus the run. And for Kansas City, he fits their timeline. This is a team that should be competitive every year, including next year, and he’s a pro-ready player.”
Here are some intriguing scenarios the Chiefs could see in the NFL Draft | The Kansas City Star
Scenario: Caleb Downs is available
This is the most frequent of the player-might-be-available scenarios we’ll discuss. Caleb Downs, an Ohio State safety, is on the board with the Chiefs on the clock in nearly half of the drafts I simulated for the exercise.
He is a terrific talent who will be ready to start from his team’s first snap. He’s a two-time All-American who can move around the defensive backfield a bit, but no matter where he’s lined up, he plays as though he’s one step ahead of the offense. There are players with higher ceilings, but he might have the highest floor.
So why not jump at him?
Well, it’s the positional value.
This is the first time the Chiefs have picked in the top 10 since drafting Patrick Mahomes in 2017. These opportunities have been non-existent since that day, and the objective is to make them non-existence for another decade.
The Chiefs need to take advantage of the rarity with a premium position, not draft a position they’ve seemed to replace with relative ease — and at a relatively cheap price, too.
The verdict: Pass
The NFL Player Each AFC Team Should Trade for During the 2026 Draft | FOX Sports
Acquire: TE Sam LaPorta from the Detroit Lions
Cost: Swap first-round picks (Lions move up to No. 9, Chiefs drop to No. 17), 2027 conditional fourth-round pickYes, the Chiefs just re-signed Travis Kelce, who is still an effective player and one of Patrick Mahomes’ favorite receivers. But Kelce is 36, not what he once was, and could be in the last season of his Hall of Fame career. LaPorta is coming off back surgery, heading into the last year of his contract and may get squeezed out in Detroit, where the Lions have a lot of young players to sign. It would probably cost the Chiefs a second-round pick. As an alternative, they could consider a package that involves swapping first-rounders instead.
Kenny Moore II landing spots include Cowboys, as Colts mutually agree to explore trade, per report | CBS Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs’ secondary looks pretty different these days. They traded star cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams, Jaylen Watson then followed him to Los Angeles, safety Bryan Cook signed with the Cincinnati Bengals and backup cornerback Joshua Williams joined the Tennessee Titans. Steve Spagnuolo would value a leader like Kenny Moore, who brings experience and versatility to the slot.
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Around the NFL
Eagles get WR Dontayvion Wicks from Packers, sources say | ESPN
The Philadelphia Eagles got some receiver help Friday when they acquired Dontayvion Wicks in a trade with the Green Bay Packers, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Packers received a fifth-round pick in this year’s draft and a sixth-rounder next year, sources told Schefter.
At the same time, Wicks’ agent, David Mulugheta, told Schefter that the Eagles will sign Wicks to a one-year, $12.5 million extension.
Wicks was heading into the final year of his rookie contract this season but now is under contract through the 2027 season.
Falcons exercise Bijan Robinson’s fifth-year option | Pro Football Talk
Per Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Atlanta has exercised running back Bijan Robinson’s fifth-year option on Friday.
Robinson is projected to make $11.3 million in 2027 under the option.
This was an expected move, especially after Robinson led the league with 2,298 yards from scrimmage in 2025. He rushed for 1,478 yards with seven touchdowns and caught 79 passes for 820 yards with four TDs.
The No. 8 overall pick of the 2023 draft, Robinson has played every game for which he’s been eligible over the past three seasons. He’s registered 3,910 yards rushing with 25 touchdowns and caught 198 passes for 1,738 yards with nine touchdowns.
49ers add veteran CB Jack Jones, full-time starter the past two seasons | San Francisco Chronicle
The San Francisco 49ers agreed to terms with veteran cornerback Jack Jones on a one-year deal, agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed to the Chronicle. Jones started 33 of a possible 34 games in his past two seasons.
Having started all 17 games for the Dolphins last season, the 2022 fourth-round draft pick made one interception, forced two fumbles and recorded six pass breakups. Jones started 16 of 17 games for the Raiders the season prior. At age 28, he has eight interceptions and 33 pass breakups in 59 games across four NFL seasons.
The 49ers return both of their starting cornerbacks from a season ago, Deommodore Lenoir and Renardo Green, whom Pro Football Focus ranked 65th and 92nd in overall defensive grade, respectively. Lenoir, who signed a five-year, $92 million contract extension in November 2024, became a full-time outside cornerback in 2025 upon the departure of Charvarius Ward via free agency. Green, a 2024 second-round draft pick, was a first-time starter in 2025 after making several spot starts as a rookie.
In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride
Chiefs host virtual meeting with Oregon WR Malik Benson. What to know
The Chiefs would certainly take more downfield plays, but the catches that made Benson exciting in college will be much harder to come by in the NFL. He looks the part of a “feast or famine” option in the passing game. Unless he has untapped potential on short and intermediate routes, Benson will only be an option on specific plays. His presence on the field might also tip off defenses to potential play designs.
Under head coach Andy Reid, Kansas City has valued the versatility to line up wide or in the slot and seamlessly change formation. Benson is probably not that player.
On the other hand, the Chiefs currently have five selections on Day 3 of the draft. One of the most instant-boost moves the front office can make late in the draft is to upgrade the return game. After a lackluster showing on punt returns in 2025, the Chiefs could use Benson’s juice on special teams.
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TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – It may not seem like a lot of relief, but gas and diesel prices have declined over the past week.
Friday morning’s national average for a gallon of unleaded gas was $4.39, according to the Automobile Association of America.
That’s down three cents from $4.42 on Thursday; down 16 cents from a week ago; but was up 17 cents from $4.22 a month ago and up $.23 from $3.16 a year ago.
In Kansas, AAA says, unleaded gas on Friday was averaging $3.96 a gallon — down four cents from $4.00 on Thursday; down 13 cents from $3.96 a week ago; but up 26 cents from $3.70 a month ago; and up $1.07 over $2.89 a year ago.
Diesel fuel also was dropping in price. AAA says Friday’s national average for a gallon of diesel was $5.52 a gallon — down three cents from $5.55 on Thursday; down 12 cents from $5.64 a week a go; but up six cents from $5.46 a month ago and up $1.98 from $3.54 a year ago.
Kansas diesel fuel prices, according to AAA, checked in at an average of $4.98 on Friday. That’s five cents below $5.03 on Thursday; down 16 cents from $5.14 a week ago; but up 24 cents over $4.74 a month ago; and up $1.72 from $3.26 a year ago.
In Topeka, GasBuddy.com on Friday morning showed unleaded gas prices ranging between $3.77 and $4.09 in Topeka, with diesel fuel going for between $4.94 and $5.29 a gallon.
Copyright 2026 WIBW. All rights reserved.
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Sunflower soak: Rain welcomes Arkansas baseball to Kansas, might stay awhile | Whole Hog Sports
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NFL Trade Rumors: Kansas City Chiefs linked to $15M New York Giants pass rusher and $10M Chicago Bears tight end in bold ESPN proposals
The Kansas City Chiefs continue to be linked to potential trade targets despite entering the 2026 season with one of the NFL’s deepest rosters. Recent speculation from ESPN connected Kansas City to New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux and Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet. In the proposed scenarios, the Chiefs would send a 2027 fourth-round pick for Thibodeaux or a 2027 third-round pick while receiving Kmet and a fifth-round selection. While neither proposal gained traction with the opposing teams, the rumors have sparked debate about whether Kansas City should make a significant move before the season.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Kayvon Thibodeaux / Cole Kmet |
| Current Team | New York Giants / Chicago Bears |
| Rumored Team | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Contract Status | Both under contract |
| Salary Cap Hit | Thibodeaux: manageable rookie extension window; Kmet carries a significant future cap number |
| Trade Likelihood | Low to moderate |
| Latest Insider Update | ESPN floated hypothetical trade proposals |
| Potential Return | 2027 fourth-round pick for Thibodeaux; 2027 third-round pick for Kmet |
Which teams are interested in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Cole Kmet?
Kansas City emerged as the most notable team connected to both players through the ESPN exercise. The fit is understandable. For Thibodeaux, the Chiefs could add another proven pass-rushing threat alongside their current edge group. Defensive line depth remains one of the most valuable assets in today’s NFL, especially for teams with championship aspirations. Adding a player of Thibodeaux’s caliber would strengthen the rotation and provide insurance against injuries. Kmet addresses a different need. While Travis Kelce remains a central piece of the offense, he is approaching the later stages of his career. Kmet offers a combination of blocking ability and receiving production that could help Kansas City maintain stability at tight end while preparing for the future.
What insiders are saying about the trade rumors
According to AtoZ Sports’ Charles Goldman, the concept behind pursuing Thibodeaux makes sense, but the compensation falls short. New York has little incentive to move a talented edge rusher for a mid-round draft pick when pass rushers are among the league’s most sought-after players. Goldman was similarly cautious regarding Kmet. Although he acknowledged the tight end would fill a practical role in Kansas City’s offense, he questioned whether investing draft capital and future money in Kmet is the best long-term strategy. Instead, he suggested the Chiefs may be better served developing a successor to Kelce through the draft.
Contract details and salary cap implications
Any trade discussion involving Kansas City begins with the salary cap. The Chiefs would likely need to create additional financial flexibility before taking on a notable contract. Thibodeaux presents the cleaner situation. He remains young, productive, and could be controlled through future contract negotiations. There are no reported no-trade restrictions complicating a potential move. Kmet’s situation is more challenging. His future cap numbers could require restructuring or a new agreement if Kansas City wanted to keep him long term. That added financial commitment makes the decision more complicated than the draft-pick cost alone.
How the trade could impact both teams
For Kansas City, acquiring Thibodeaux would strengthen a defense already built to compete for another Super Bowl. A deeper pass rush often becomes critical during playoff runs, where one extra pressure can change a game. Kmet’s arrival would have a different effect. He could ease the workload on Kelce while giving the offense a more balanced tight end room. At the same time, surrendering valuable draft assets could limit future roster-building options. From the Giants’ and Bears’ perspectives, keeping proven starters may provide more value than collecting future picks. That reality is why both proposed deals remain long shots, even if the Chiefs continue to surface in trade conversations.
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