Chiefs vs. Saints preseason Week 1: 8 players to watch

Keep your eye on these eight players when the #Chiefs play the #Saints in their first preseason game on Sunday.

The Kansas City Chiefs host some serious talent on their 90-man roster and will need to get a good look at several up-and-coming prospects during their first preseason game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Several players have stood out in training camp, but impressing fans and coaches in practice means little if in-game results leave something to be desired.

Here are eight players to keep your eye on in Kansas City’s preseason tilt against the Saints on Sunday:

10 Chiefs with the most to prove in Kansas City’s preseason matchup vs. Saints

These 10 #Chiefs have the most to prove in Kansas City’s preseason kickoff against the #Saints on Sunday.

The Kansas City Chiefs intend to defend their Super Bowl LVII title in 2023 and are in the process of determining which players belong on their 53-man roster ahead of the new season. Preseason exhibitions are an ideal time for younger athletes to make their case for a spot on the team, and several Chiefs will have something to prove ahead of Kansas City’s kickoff on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

Guys like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Creed Humphrey, and L’Jarius Sneed have nothing to fear heading into the highly anticipated preseason matchup, but others will be fighting for their jobs in the Big Easy. Expectations are high for the Chiefs, and they can’t afford to keep anyone who hasn’t proven to be the best of the best if they want to win a second straight championship.

Here are 10 players who have the most to prove in Kansas City’s tilt against New Orleans on Sunday:

Chiefs UDFA Spotlight: Indiana LB Cam Jones

Our #Chiefs UDFA Spotlight series concludes with a linebacker who averaged over 10 total tackles per game in 2022.

An all-purpose player at Saint Benedict at Auburndale High School in Cordova, Tennessee, Jones was a four-year starter playing both linebacker and receiver. For two seasons running, he led his team in tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss on the defensive side of the ball. During those same two seasons, he led the team in receptions, rushing yardage, all-purpose yardage, and touchdowns.

A three-star recruit, Jones had offers from over a half dozen schools out of high school. That group included the University of Missouri, Tennessee, Memphis and Mississippi State. He signed on with Indiana in April of 2017, before withdrawing his commitment nearly two months later. He’d finalize his decision in October of 2017, enrolling with the Hoosiers.

UDFA LB Cam Jones ready to learn from veterans on Chiefs defense

Undrafted linebacker Cam Jones is ready to do whatever it takes to make the #Chiefs final roster in August. | from @TheJohnDillon

Undrafted free agents often have to go the extra mile to make a final roster in the NFL, but linebacker Cam Jones seems poised to defy the odds after a standout showing at the Kansas City Chiefs rookie minicamp.

He spoke to reporters following the conclusion of the camp, detailing his thought process in joining the team and seeming hopeful that he could make the cut for the 53-man roster in August.

“I think it’s a great opportunity,” Jones explained. “Looking at what the Chiefs did over the past couple (of) years, it’s like why not come be a part of greatness and I think that I fit the type of coaching style that they have and just the overall players. I think that’s a great fit.”

Asked about the opportunity he has and what he might be able to gain by being in Kansas City through the rest of the offseason, Jones was optimistic that he would be able to soak up valuable knowledge from the Chiefs’ veterans at the linebacker position.

“I think coming in being able to learn from guys like Nick (Bolton), Willie Gay, and Leo Chenal and Drue (Tranquill). Just learning from those guys and taking my game to the next level,” He said. “I know that those guys – they all have something to give and for me being a young guy coming in, I’ve got to learn how to put that into (a) part of my game and just grow as a player.”

Whether Jones will be able to find traction with the Chiefs is unknown at this juncture, but he could prove to have the inside edge over his other undrafted counterparts. Being a sponge around his veteran teammates certainly won’t hurt his cause.

In a year where Kansas City is looking to defend their Super Bowl title, the team will need all the help they can get, especially on defense.

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48 draft prospects attend Colts’ local pro day in 2023

The Colts hosted 48 draft prospects at their local pro day.

The Indianapolis Colts held a local pro day for eligible prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL draft Monday, and there were some intriguing names on the list.

While the local pro days typically serve as a chance for lesser-known prospects to show off their talent, there were some big names participating during Monday’s workout.

There were a few names we knew the Colts have interest in either because they previously worked out for the team or because they reportedly have a top-30 visit scheduled.

Here’s a look at the 48 prospects who attended the Colts’ local pro day ahead of the 2023 draft:

Underwear Olympics: Stock up/down on linebackers after testing

This year’s class has plenty of athleticism in it.

NFL Scouting Combine week is one of the best weeks in the NFL offseason as we get to get more information on the prospects in this year’s class. The linebackers got their turn and there were some really impressive athletic performances this year. The Cleveland Browns have an interesting decision to make with the linebacker position and could be looking for a new starting mike linebacker in the 2023 NFL Draft.

It is a good year to look for athletic attacking linebackers that would be good fits in the Browns’ defensive scheme. With the possibility of bringing back a great veteran leader like Anthony Walker to help coach up a young player, it could make a lot of sense for the team to make a move in the draft.

10 takeaways from the top DL, edge rusher, LB performances at NFL Combine

We’re looking at takeaways and instant analysis from the top defensive line and linebacker performances at the 2023 NFL Combine

The 2023 NFL Scouting Combine is underway with the defensive tackles, edge rushers, and linebackers putting on a show during the on-field workouts at Lucas Oil Stadium.

All-American defensive tackle Jalen Carter was a spectator after returning to Indianapolis following his arrest for misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing in connection with the fatal crash that killed one of his Georgia football teammates, Devin Willock, and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy earlier this year.

Carter, a projected top-five pick in next month’s NFL draft, had been scheduled to speak with reporters when the arrest warrant was issued.

The workouts went on and several high-profile players including one of Carter’s Georgia teammates.

Here are ten takeaways from the top performances on the afternoon.

7 linebackers for the Eagles to watch at NFL combine

We’re previewing seven linebackers for the Philadelphia Eagles to watch at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine

The NFL draft started in Mobile, and now league personnel and college football’s top prospects are taking the show to Lucas Oil Stadium for the scouting combine.

With the Eagles set to retool on defense, we’re taking a look at the linebacker position.

Philadelphia has Haason Reddick under contract for two more years, but the other two starters, T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White are set to become unrestricted free agents.

The Eagles do have rookie Nakobe Dean, rookie Kyron Johnson, and Patrick Johnson under contract but could look to add more depth.

With kickoff from Mobile quickly approaching, here are seven linebackers to watch at the scouting combine.

7 linebackers for the Eagles to watch at 2023 Senior Bowl

We’re looking at 7 linebackers for the Philadelphia Eagles to watch at the 2023 #SeniorBowl

The NFL draft starts in Mobile, and even with the Eagles preparing to face the Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII, all eyes this week will be on Alabama, for the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

Philadelphia has Haason Reddick under contract for two more years, but the other two starters, T.J. Edwards and Kyzir White are set to become unrestricted free agents.

The Eagles do have rookie Nakobe Dean, rookie Kyron Johnson, and Patrick Johnson under contract but could look to add more depth.

With kickoff from Mobile quickly approaching, here are seven linebackers to watch at the Senior Bowl on Saturday.

2023 Senior Bowl Preview: Linebacker

We continue our Senior Bowl preview with the linebackers

One of the most important events on the National Football League calendar is the Senior Bowl. Held the week after the conference championship games, it is the true beginning of the NFL draft cycle.

Not only do scouts and analysts like us get to see over 100 draft prospects in one place competing against each other, but it’s also an opportunity for analysts and personnel alike to get together and have discussions about a number of topics.

As we look forward to this year’s Senior Bowl, both managing editor Tyler Forness and columnist Matt Anderson will be there in person to break everything down.

We will be breaking down each position group and what to look for throughout the week. Here is the edge rusher position.

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