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Hardman has more upside and may be looking for a reasonable payday next year. His numbers are not #1 category so KC may be able to keep him at a decent price. Shuster is a bigger concern to me. If he has a good year he will likely be more likely to leave..

This was an awesome trade back move by Veach. Move back get a great receiver and Kennard in the 5th. I think he traded back to get a 5th and then traded up in the 5th to get his guy. Nice.

It was just the first clue. When Chiefs area scout Pat Sperduto spoke with reporters later that day, he made it clear that from his perspective, Kinnard was going to be a tackle for the Chiefs. And when general manager Brett Veach met with reporters for his post-draft Zoom press conference on Tuesday, he left no doubt that the team had specifically targeted him as a right tackle“That was our plan when we drafted him,” acknowledged Veach. “There’s been a lot of talk: ‘Is he a tackle? Is he a guard?’ I think we feel confident that he can play guard, but you’re talking about a guy who logged a ton of starts at right tackle.” Veach said that one of the things that attracted them to the 6-foot-6, 322-pound native of Knoxville, Tennessee, was his experience playing in one of college football’s toughest conferences. “I think any time that you can go in and play right tackle successfully at the SEC level,” observed Veach, “more often than not, that’ll translate to the pro level. Now, it’ll be a jump — just like all of these colleges are when you’re moving up to the NFL; it’s not like it’s going to be easier — but I think that [the SEC is] one conference that gives you a sense of hope and a sense of encouragement. I think we all saw that Georgia defensive line last year. If you can line up and play against defensive fronts of that caliber, you’re going to have a shot.” While Veach said that while Kinnard would have some “cleanup work” to do, the team’s coaching staff (and the experienced offensive linemen already on the team) would be up to the task. “It might be rough at the beginning,” he allowed. “But I certainly think he’s athletic enough. He’s certainly long enough; we love his length. People thought Orlando Brown wasn’t athletic enough to play tackle. But I think that if you have size and length — and you’re wired the right way — you put [guys like that] in front of the right coaching, they can become very successful. And I think that’s kind of where we’re going with Darian.” We don’t yet know if Kansas City has made this move because the team doesn’t fully believe that presumed starting right tackle Lucas Niang will be fully recovered from his torn patellar tendon — or because they think even a healthy Niang isn’t up to the task of facing the AFC West’s fearsome new pass rushers. Either way, as the offseason continues, it will be one of the position battles to watch closely. LATEST VIDEO FROM SB NATION

It is currently a shoulder rehab not a back issue. No mention of back surgery. A back injury held Fenton out of the Wild Card and Divisional round playoff games last year, but Veach said Fenton’s correction is on his shoulder. https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2022/5/3/23055556/chiefs-say-rashad-fenton-undergoing-rehab-for-shoulder-issue

Its his shoulder and not a big deal. A back injury held Fenton out of the Wild Card and Divisional round playoff games last year, but Veach said Fenton’s correction is on his shoulder. “I’m sure (vice president of sports medicine and performance) Rick [Burkholder] will talk about that either after OTAs or before,” said Veach. “It’s something that I think he’ll be ready for training camp. We certainly want to get some guys out here and be ready to roll and be in a position to kind of know what we have.” “Fenton’s a guy that obviously we’re high on and we’re very confident in,” said Veach, before revealing that the cornerback is on the mend. “He’s going through a little bit of a rehab now, so hopefully we get him for the start of training camp.”

KINGSLEY KEKEDL, UNSIGNED FREE AGENT Texans waived DL Kingsley Keke. Keke was claimed off waivers from the Packers in the offseason, but Houston's recent signings of Rasheem Green and Mario Addison appear to have pushed him off the roster. Keke has shown some pass-rush capability in limited snaps in 2021 and 2020, so he may be claimed again. The Texans also waived OL Sam Cooper

On Tuesday, Veach described how the Chiefs came to the decision to use the UFA tag. “Well that’s something our cap guys — (vice presidents of football operations) Brandt Tillis and Chris Shea — do a good job of,” said Veach. “It was an idea or concept we talked about maybe a week or two before the draft just as a possibility. And then we decided to do that. “As far as where he stands, it’s always a little bit different and unique with these veteran guys. Melvin’s a guy that he’s played a lot of football, he’s accomplished a lot and I don’t think he’s in a rush. We knew that when the free agency period started — that he wouldn’t be in a rush. He would take his time.” To this point in the offseason, Ingram’s only visit has been to the Miami Dolphins. As the Chiefs seemed to expect, the visit did not lead to an agreement. “If it made sense for him, he would do something,” said Veach. “We’ve been in contact with his agent. If there was something that made sense for us, we would definitely want him back. I think what this UFA tender does is it allows us the ability to communicate and not have either him or his agent without us being in the mix — and I think that’s what we want to do. “We don’t know where this is going to go. I can say that we would love to have him back, and it would make sense for us, but regardless, it at least allows us a chance to have a dialogue with them before they decide to do anything —if they decide to do something somewhere else.”

The draft saw Veach acquire five defensive backs (including a first-round corner) — and on Monday, he traded for now-former Houston Texans cornerback Lonnie Johnson. All six defensive backs will be competing for various roles on the Chiefs’ 2022 roster. As far as returning players go, fourth-year cornerback (and former sixth-round pick) Rashad Fenton saw a breakout in 2021. Pro Football Focus has noted Fenton’s 86.3 career coverage grade ranks fourth in the league since 2019, trailing only Jaire Alexander, Jalen Ramsey and Jamel Dean. “Fenton’s a guy that obviously we’re high on and we’re very confident in,” said Veach, before revealing that the cornerback is on the mend. “He’s going through a little bit of a rehab now, so hopefully we get him for the start of training camp.” A back injury held Fenton out of the Wild Card and Divisional round playoff games last year, but Veach said Fenton’s correction is on his shoulder. “I’m sure (vice president of sports medicine and performance) Rick [Burkholder] will talk about that either after OTAs or before,” said Veach. “It’s something that I think he’ll be ready for training camp. We certainly want to get some guys out here and be ready to roll and be in a position to kind of know what we have.”

It was a honest question not a take. Has not been in the conversation on this board or mentioned by Chiefs Leadership. Oldtimer thinks its funny vs sharing his thoughts. LOL

MELVIN INGRAMDL, UNSIGNED FREE AGENT Chiefs GM Brett Veach said "If it's something that makes sense, we'd definitely want him back," when asked about free agent EDGE Melvin Ingram. Ingram's free agency stalled out after he took a visit to Miami, and the Chiefs applied the UFA tender to him yesterday, meaning he'll still count against compensatory pick formulas. It seems likely that Kansas City will bring Ingram back at this point, but it's possible that Ingram is simply waiting the market out ala Tyrann Mathieu.

Is Powell now a failure? Have not heard anything about him.

Baker has not shown much either. At this point there is no such thing as too many. Get through camp. See who is still healthy. Todays deep position is one key injury, or police report, from not deep. Depth is a good thing.

Fenton has been very good. Johnson has not been very good. Some of that is the Texans issues. Johnson may be a good back up and he may not even make the team. Good trade with no real downside.

Only 26. 17 games you need depth and players to give guys some plays off.

No compensation after 2pm today. They waited on purpose. Makes sense. Why help another team?

HB was foolish to say he would have taken the Reid deal. His agent must have been thrilled. LOL

HB 3 years 33 million 18 million guaranteed Reid 3 years 31.5 million 20 million guaranteed

JUSTYN ROSSWR, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS Chiefs signed Clemson WR Justyn Ross. As a true freshman, Ross (6'4/205) led Clemson in receiving yards while playing alongside Tee Higgins and Hunter Renfrow. In his early college career, he was an explosive downfield threat, delivering an elite 3.41 YPRR in his two seasons with Trevor Lawrence. Following the 2019 season, he dealt with a spinal injury that caused him to miss the entire 2020 season and put his football future in jeopardy. It was a tragic result for a player who at point projected as an early first-round pick. Ross was ultimately able to resume his career in 2021, but he played through a stress fracture in his foot, which curtailed his season. As a senior, he wasn't the field stretcher he had been previously, operating primarily as a slot receiver with a 10.9 aDOT and a far less efficient 2.06 YPRR. If he can recapture his early-career form, Ross projects as a Marvin Jones level deep threat. However, the NFL is clearly skeptical, allowing him to fall out of the draft and out of the first wave of UDFA signings. Still, Ross has flashed elite talent and lands in a perfect spot to maximize his chances of NFL success.

Fact is nobody knows anything for sure. Its my opinion.

Speed for special teams.

NAZEEH JOHNSONDB, KANSAS CITY CHIEFS Chiefs selected Marshall S Nazeeh Johnson with the No. 259 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Johnson in his final year at Marshall was fourth on the team with 59 tackles, led the team with two interceptions, and added two pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble. He profiles as a special teamer in Kansas City.

This late its more likely BPA. Plus they get another list or practice squad signings so no reason to read anything into this.

Of course. Still Im surprised KC picked him. Probably available after the draft.

No way he becomes a starter even if CEH and Jones are injured.

Chiefs selected Rutgers RB Isiah Pacheco with the No. 251 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. A four-year contributor, Pacheco (5'10/216) amassed a 563-2,442-18 rushing line and 47-249-1 receiving line across 43 games for the Scarlet Knights. Pacheco turned heads at the Combine by posting a 4.37 40 at 216 pounds. His jumps (33-inch vertical, 9-foot-10 broad) were less impressive, however, and, despite that speed, he did not consistently create big plays in college. According to PFF, just 28 of his 562 career attempts went for more than 15 yards. For comparison, Kenneth Walker III had 30 runs of 15 or more yards just last season. He did not play behind a good offensive line, but he did not help matters with an impatient style, and he did not consistently create yards on his own. Pacheco's size and athleticism will rightfully get him a chance at the next level, but he will have to develop better vision and patience to get the most out of those athletic traits.