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Detroit native Darius Robinson: ‘Dream come true’ to get drafted in his hometown

Darius Robinson: ‘Dream come true’ to get drafted in his hometown when the 2024 NFL draft happens in Detroit

Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson will be one of the featured prospects live in Detroit for this week’s 2024 NFL draft. He’s a Detroit-area native and is thrilled about the idea of walking on the stage in his hometown as he hears his name called.

Robinson recently did a guest appearance on Sirius XM NFL Radio and talked about how much it will mean to him to be selected in his home city.

“Most definitely it’s a dream,” Robinson told host Bill Leckas. “My whole life, I’ve been going to downtown Detroit to see the Lions and Tigers play. To have the opportunity to have my name called in that same area would be a dream come true.”

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Robinson will be one of 13 players who are in Detroit for Thursday night’s first round. He’s generally projected to get selected in the latter half of the round, and is one of the leading candidates for the local Lions at No. 29 overall.

Robinson also noted that he’ll be wearing a “colorful” suit and will have a small family group with him at the draft.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach on trading with AFC rivals: ‘Asking prices are a tick higher’

#Chiefs GM Brett Veach told reporters that trading with Kansas City’s AFC rivals is difficult because “asking prices are a tick higher”

The Kansas City Chiefs’ success over the past few seasons has been partly due to decisions the team has made in the offseason. Their front office, led by general manager Brett Veach, has found ways to reshape the roster around its stars to maintain its supremacy, and the rest of the league has taken notice.

During a press conference on Friday, Veach spoke openly about the Chiefs’ mindset heading into the draft next week and revealed that doing business with every team in the league isn’t easy due to Kansas City’s status as Super Bowl champions.

“I think that if it can benefit them (another team), I think they’re always going to pick up the phone and call and be willing to work,” Veach explained. “I don’t think a team will diminish their ability to do something they really want to do just because it’s the Chiefs.

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“I do think that the ability to deal with certain teams it’s always been understood that if you’re going to deal with the team in your division, there’s a little bit more of a premium. Still, I think just some of the AFC teams, in general, that are consistent playoff performers.”

The Chiefs have consistently had battles with rivals in the AFC on their way to three titles over the last five years. Veach understands that other teams take caution to avoid adding to Kansas City’s dominance in the offseason.

“The Buffalo (Bills) and the Cincinnati Bengals and [the] Baltimore (Ravens), it’s probably a little bit harder to deal with those teams,” Veach continued. “Even if they pick up the phone, I think some of their asking prices are a tick higher. So I think we get hit with a little more interest. I think that there’s always a way to make a deal, but I think certain teams will probably up the price a little bit.”

Kansas City’s dynasty will be remembered for the fantastic players that Veach and his staff have brought in over the years, and the classic games that have been won due to the Chiefs’ exceptional foresight in roster construction.

Brett Veach: Wanya Morris to compete for starting spot on Chiefs’ OL

#Chiefs GM Brett Veach made it clear that he expects Wanya Morris to compete for a starting spot on Kansas City’s offensive line.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ road to back-to-back Super Bowl titles last season wasn’t smooth, with various players going down due to injury. The offensive line shuffling forced the team to count heavily on young players and depth.

Wanya Morris saw plenty of action at left tackle due to an injury to Donovan Smith. While the results of his time in action were mixed, the 2023 rookie gained valuable experience.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach revealed that he wants to see Morris compete for a starting spot on Kansas City’s depth chart next season.

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“I think we were really happy with Wanya’s development last year,” Veach explained. “I think he showed some signs early on [in] the OTAs that we were really excited about, continue that growth and maturation process during the training camp. Then, middle of the season there, he got an opportunity, some good, some bad.

“I think Wanya would tell you this: If you look at his body of work last year, on the one hand, you’re happy that he was able to come in at the pro level and be competitive. It wasn’t perfect. But it was also solid play that I think is a good foundation to build and grow on.”

Morris started in four of the 14 games he played last season; the third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft proved he’s worthy of being in the conversation to start, but according to Veach, he has more work ahead of him.

“He has to come in here with the mindset that we’re going to look to bring in competition,” Veach continued. “He’s got to come in here and win that position, and it’s his job to come in and be prepared to win that position. I think it’s our job to go out there and find competition, you know, for that left tackle spot.

“I think, again, there’s a lot of promise in there. There’s a lot of ability. But certainly, I think it’s our job to bring in some competition there. Make him earn that and work for that.”

Veach is focused on the flexibility of his offensive line, hoping to draft or acquire players who can play multiple positions. Morris is heading into his second season with a great opportunity as the offensive tackle position battle will be one to watch in training camp.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach provides update on WRs Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore

#Chiefs GM Brett Veach gave reporters an update on wide receivers Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore during a press conference on Friday.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ offseason is humming along as the team prepares for the 2024 NFL Draft next week. The most-discussed position of need for the defending Super Bowl champions is wide receiver, as the squad hopes to improve their production at the position after a noticeable drop-off in 2023.

Chiefs general manager Brett Veach addressed the media on Friday via Zoom to give his thoughts on the current state of Kansas City’s roster, specifically touching on expectations for Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore next season.

“We’re obviously hoping both continue to improve progress and can be consistent playmakers for us,” Veach explained. “Kadarius has obviously had a long history of injury issues, but he is probably our most talented wideout. Now again, it doesn’t do anyone any good unless unless you stay healthy. But I mean, the kid has always worked hard here for us. I know; he’s been down there with Pat (Patrick Mahomes). I think it’s just a matter of him staying healthy. I think if he can do that, he can really do a lot of great things in this offense.

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“That’s one of the things there’s a lot of speculation about KT, but I don’t think we ever stopped believing in him. I think people around the building like him, and it’s, it’s the injury bug, and hopefully, he gets some luck on his side, and he can stay healthy and be the player that he was in Florida and the player that we’ve seen in spurts here. So, just hoping he has a good offseason and has a little luck on his side and can stay healthy.”

Moore also dealt with injury issues last season, being placed on injured reserve in December and unable to get his timing back effectively for the postseason run.

“Skyy (Moore) has always been a mentally tough kid,” Veach said. “He had that knee injury last year, too. So, to some degree, it is just these guys being on the field and staying healthy, and then making plays when their number is called.

“The great thing about both these guys are the two guys we really like as people, and they’re smart guys, and they work hard. And now it’s just a matter of them putting themselves in position to earn consistent playing time and then make plays when their number is called.”

Toney and Moore will prioritize health, as the young receivers are still a big part of the team’s future, especially with the ongoing police investigation of Rashee Rice.

The Commanders are doing something very unusual with their QB prospect visits

New Commanders GM Adam Peters is breaking the mold of pre-draft visits for quarterback prospects

New Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters is bringing some serious change to the organization. One of his new ways of getting ready for the NFL draft is an innovate approach.

Well, that’s one word for it, anyway. Others might include weird, intriguing, bizarre, awkward, ridiculous, brilliant, unconventional or insane.

Peters and the Commanders hold the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL draft and are almost certain to select a quarterback with the pick. But which quarterback?

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In a (choose your favorite adjective from above) move, the Commanders are hosting all of the candidates together for one giant visit. Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy and Michael Penix will all be in Washington and meeting with Commanders’ decision-makers at the same time. From Albert Breer,

The concept of having multiple players in for a pre-draft visit together isn’t terribly uncommon; Peters’ old organization, the San Francisco 49ers, has done it before. But the prominence of the quarterbacks and high stakes of the No. 2 pick makes hosting all of them at the same time a bold choice.