Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Here are 5 things to know about Colts’ new WR Alec Pierce.
After trading back with the Minnesota Vikings, Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard waited until pick No. 53 to make the team’s first selection in the 2022 NFL draft.
After much suspense, Cincinnati wide receiver Alec Pierce is the newest member of the blue and white. Here are five things to know about Matt Ryan’s newest weapon:
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Miami Heat completed a trade that involved KZ Okpala, amended the 2023 Heat pick in exchange for 2025 top-14 protected or 2026 unprotected pick and released Mamadi Diakite
The Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired KZ Okpala from the Miami Heat in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick, according to Marc Stein.
In the official PR statement, the Thunder also announced that the team has amended the 2023 pick the Heat owed them and will not be owed in 2025 with top-14 protection and will then convey to a 2026 unprotected pick.
In a corresponding move, the Thunder also waived Mamadi Diakite, who was on his third — and final — 10-day contract with the team. Diakite averaged 4.3 points and 4.5 rebounds in 13 games this season.
Okpala is in his third season in the NBA and has averaged 2.8 points and 1.8 rebounds in 63 career games. This season, Okpala has averaged 3.7 points and two rebounds while shooting 34.6 percent from three in 21 games.
Okpala was drafted 32nd overall in the second round of the 2019 NBA draft. Okpala is in the final year of his rookie contract and will enter the summer as an unrestricted free agent.
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The Gabriel Deck era is officially over as the Thunder waive the 26-year-old to create a roster spot and gain a second round pick in a trade with the Jazz.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired Miye Oni and a 2028 second-round pick from the Utah Jazz, in order to make the trade work, the Thunder will also waive Gabriel Deck, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. With the Thunder waiving both Deck and Oni, the team has created a roster spot as the NBA trade deadline rears closer.
Deck’s weird tenure with the Thunder has finally come to an end. The 26-year-old signed with the Thunder last April and played in 10 games, where he averaged 8.4 points, 4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. But he has struggled to get any playing time this season with just seven short appearances.
Due to Deck’s age and inability to space the floor, getting consistent minutes with the Thunder was always going to be a problem. There’s always the possibility that a contending team signs Deck, like the LA Clippers or Chicago Bulls, whom both have shown reported interest in him before.
Oni went 58th overall in the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft. The 24-year-old has spent his first three seasons with the Jazz, where he has averaged 1.8 points and 1.4 rebounds in 80 career games.
In a small sample size in the NBA, Omi has shown the ability to shoot the ball at a respectable level, shooting 33 percent on 115 career attempts.
It seems like the purpose of this trade is for the Thunder to gain an additional asset as they eat the remaining salary in exchange for a pick and the Jazz create some financial and roster-building flexibility.
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Chiefs Wire staff’s reactions, grades, and initial thoughts on pick No. 138.
The Kansas City Chiefs have added Louisiana Tech DB L’Jarius Sneed at pick No. 138 in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft
Below you will find the Chiefs Wire staff’s reactions, grades and initial thoughts for this pick.
Sneed is a versatile defensive back with experience playing both corner and safety at Louisiana Tech. The Chiefs lost that same type of versatility when Kendall Fuller left in free agency. I suspect that he’ll slide into that role fairly effortlessly in Kansas City and give them another chess piece for the defensive secondary.
I know many fans liked Amik Robertson, Sneed’s LA Tech teammate, who was drafted by the Raiders at pick No. 139. For what the Chiefs need at the position — someone who can play outside corner — Sneed made more sense than Robertson.
The Chiefs finally got their cornerback. Technically Sneed is listed as a safety, but he has experience playing slot corner and has the size and speed to play on the outside. He’ll provide nice depth at that area for Kansas City in his first season and could end up a starter if he develops well.
At 6 feet tall, Sneed has impressive measurables with a 4.37-second 40-yard dash and a 41-inch vertical. With his athleticism and versatility, I think he could be a solid contributor for K.C. in year one.
The Chiefs selection of L’Jarius Sneed in the fourth round was their first gamble on a defensive back in this year’s draft. I’m not sure Sneed was the best player on the board at this point, but his addition comes after the departure of Kendall Fuller this offseason.
This is a solid pick if the Chiefs have a plan for Sneed long term. He might not amount to much more than bottom roster depth early in his career, but the big-play ability (3 pick-sixes in his college career) makes him a tantalizing prospect in the fourth round.
Chiefs Wire staff’s reactions, grades, and initial thoughts on pick No. 63.
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The Kansas City Chiefs have added TCU OT Lucas Niang at pick No. 96 in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft
Below you will find the Chiefs Wire staff’s reactions, grades and initial thoughts for this pick.
This is a tremendous value pick for the Chiefs, as Niang is a player that should have been drafted much earlier. Adding protection on the offensive line for Patrick Mahomes in any capacity is quite important. We saw last season how difficult it was when Cameron Erving was forced into starting action in place of Eric Fisher. This should provide valuable depth and upside for a potential starter a few years down the line. He can work with one of the top technicians in the game in Mitchell Schwartz in order to refine his technique in the meantime.
This is a good pick. Lucas Niang provides much-needed depth for the Chiefs at offensive tackle. He is also versatile enough to play guard which makes him that much more valuable.
Niang could be a future starter for K.C., but he won’t need to start right away thanks to Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz being locked down under contract for two more seasons. However, if the Chiefs decide to move on from one of those guys in 2022, Niang could be ready to step up and start once that time comes.
After slam dunk picks in the first two rounds, Kansas City selected Lucas Niang, an offensive tackle from TCU in the third. Niang will be a developmental prospect at the NFL level but comes into a Chiefs team with top-flight starters at the bookends. With holes at other positions, this pick came as a surprise to many. It makes sense to stock up on the offensive line talent to keep their franchise quarterback upright.
Chiefs Wire staff’s reactions, grades, and initial thoughts on pick No. 63.
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The Kansas City Chiefs have added Mississippi State LB Willie Gay Jr. at pick No. 63 in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft
Below you will find the Chiefs Wire staff’s reactions, grades and initial thoughts for this pick.
This is the type of pick that screams projection rather than production. The Chiefs fell in love with the athlete that is Willie Gay Jr., but it has to be slightly worrisome that he was merely a spot starter during his career. He’s only appeared 28 games and started in significantly less.
His 6-1 and 243 pounds frame is impressive, along with running 4.46 40-yard dash at the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine. He definitely fits what Steve Spagnuolo likes at the WILL linebacker spot and I trust Matt House can coach him into a good player. I’m not ready to give this pick more than a C+, however.
I’m happy the Chiefs took a linebacker with this pick given that it’s a huge need, especially someone who can cover. I was hoping for Wisconsin LB Zack Baun, but I suppose I can’t argue with general manager Brett Veach and co. if they believe this was the right pick.
I’m impressed with Willie Gay’s speed — an athletic LB is exactly what K.C. needs. However, I’m a bit concerned with his lateral motion and pursuit at certain angles. Hopefully, he’ll be able to clear up any issues once the Chiefs’ coaches get a hold of him.
After getting a gem in Clyde Edwards-Helaire in round one, Kansas City took a boom or bust prospect in Willie Gay with their second pick. Gay possesses elite athleticism, and the pick is reminiscent of the Chiefs’ selection of Dorian O’Daniel in 2018. Both pop out on film with their speed and ability to play east-west on defense, but like O’Daniel Gay will need to harness his skills and refine his game before he sees consistent action. Gay is a project player who will likely be a special teams gunner in year one.
See why the Buccaneers’ drafting of safety Antoine Winfield Jr. likely made new quarterback Tom Brady feel a little old.
Tom Brady will be 43 years old when the 2020 season rolls around, so the new Bucs quarterback must feel like quite the elder statesman when he watches the NFL draft.
And perhaps no pick so far tonight has made Brady feel older than that of his new teammate, safety Antoine Winfield Jr. out of Minnesota. The Bucs took the talented defender with the 45th overall pick, and if Brady is wondering why that name sounds so familiar, there’s a good reason.
The Bucs select Antoine Winfield, Jr., whose father Antoine Winfield, Sr. intercepted new Bucs QB Tom Brady all the way back in 2001, Brady’s first season as a starting QB.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 25, 2020
The game was a Week 9 showdown in New England back in 2001, with Brady’s Pats prevailing 21-11. Brady went 15-for-21 with 107 yards, a touchdown, and the pick to Winfield.
Don’t you just love how everything comes full circle in the NFL?
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The Seahawks’ second-round pick from the Chiefs for Frank Clark falls to No. 63 or No. 64 as a result of Kansas City’s Super Bowl berth.
The second-round pick the Seattle Seahawks received from the Kansas City Chiefs has lost its value significantly. The Chiefs were the presumed Super Bowl favorites in the AFC heading into the 2019 season, and they have made it to the NFL’s big dance for the first time in half a century.
This is not good news for the Seahawks, who traded defensive end Frank Clark to Kansas City along with their third-round selection in 2019 in exchange for a 2019 first-round pick, a 2019 third-round pick and a 2020 second-round pick. With the Chiefs now headed to the Super Bowl, this ensures Seattle’s pick from Kansas City will occur near the end of the second round (barring a trade deal, of course) at No. 63 or No. 64.
This is not to say the Seahawks will not be able to net a promising player at the bottom of the round as they did last year with wide receiver DK Metcalf, who went on to have one of the best rookie seasons for a wide receiver in recent memory. There is always a chance for lightning to strike twice.
However, Pete Carroll and John Schneider must prove they still know how to scout and draft because Russell Wilson still gives them a chance to compete for the Super Bowl in any given season and he will not be under center forever.
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