With the Jaguars re-building the stadium in Jacksonville, Mike Florio ofProFootballTalk.com does not see an expansion franchise in London anytime soon.

Of the 32 current NFL franchises, the Jaguars were the most likely to move to London. Now that the Jaguars have a deal with Jacksonville for a renovated stadium, they won’t be moving to London.

If not them, then who?

Probably no one. At least not anytime soon.

Really, who would it be? First, a team would have to be unable or unwilling to stay in its current city. Then, that team would have to choose being in London — and everything that goes along with that.

For starters, it makes more sense to have two teams in London than one, since it would create a natural rivalry and give both teams one road game that would be very close to home. Even then, there are logistical issues that would be hard to overcome, absent the return of supersonic passenger flight.

A road trip for a London team wouldn’t be one night away. It would be multiple weeks, with 3-4 games played in the U.S. before the team goes home.

Beyond that are issues with taxes and exchange rate and getting players to choose to live there. And if the league were to give the London team(s) extra cap space or draft picks, and if the London team(s) thrive, many will say that the benefits were excessive and unfair.

Also, some players would refuse to sign with a London team(s), setting the stage for draft picks making power plays far more often than every 20 or more years. And if/when draft picks refuse to sign with London and get their way, other draft picks might refuse to sign with other teams.

Finally, what happens when the London team makes the playoffs and, for example, hosts Seattle in the wild-card round? Or plays in San Francisco?

For all those reasons, the best approach is to keep doing what the league has been doing — and to expand it. Multiple games per year in London. Up to eight, the football equivalent of the shrink-wrapped variety pack of small cereal boxes.

While the league will surely reserve the right to dangle a periodic carrot regarding the possible relocation of a team, that’s just a way to coax the London media to take NFL football more seriously. It’s becoming more and more clear that the likelihood of a team being based in London is low.

With the Jaguars not doing it, there’s really no one else who will.

NFC NORTH

CHICAGO

The Bears are casting a wide net for someone to kick off.  Michael David Smith ofProFootballTalk.com:

Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower says that with the new kickoff rule expected to increase the number of returns, the kicker is going to have to make more tackles. And that means Hightower is casting a wide net for a potential kickoff specialist.

Although kicker Cairo Santos handled kickoffs last year, Hightower said rookie punter Tory Taylor also could handle kickoffs, and the Bears aren’t ruling out the possibility of someone at another position kicking off, the way the Chiefs have considered letting safety Justin Reid handle kickoffs this season.

“Anybody with a helmet that can kick off,” Hightower said, “is always in play.”

Hightower said all 32 special teams coaches are trying to work out the optimal strategies for their own teams, and look at how to attack opposing teams.

“The rest of the league got to figure it out,” Hightower said.

The new kickoff rule is something everyone in the NFL is trying to figure out right now, and the teams that are ready to hit the ground running in Week One will be at a big advantage.

NFC EAST

DALLAS

The woman who tried to shakedown QB DAK PRESCOTT gets nothing:

A judge has dismissed a lawsuit claiming sexual assault against Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

Collin County Judge Angela Tucker’s ruling Wednesday comes on the heels of Dallas police announcing in May that they had found “insufficient evidence” to support a criminal case against Prescott and would not pursue charges.

The case stemmed from an alleged incident that occurred in 2017 in which a woman said Prescott assaulted her in the back of an SUV in a strip club parking lot.

In January, attorneys Bethel and Yoel Zehaie sent a letter on behalf of a woman accusing Prescott of sexual assault in February 2017. In the letter, the attorneys stated that the woman was “willing to forego pursuing criminal charges, along with disclosing this information to the public, in exchange for compensating her for the mental anguish she has suffered.” The letter went on to value the damages at $100 million.

Prescott denied the claims and filed a countersuit, which remains active, as do potential extortion charges against the woman and her attorneys in Collin County, according to Prescott’s attorney, Levi McCathern.

“Despite [the woman’s] and her legal team’s relentless efforts to extort money and damage Dak’s reputation, justice has consistently prevailed and will continue to do so,” McCathern said in a statement.

Judge Tucker set a Sept. 13 hearing to determine whether sanctions should be levied against the woman and her legal team.

Collin County is the county northeast of Dallas (Plano, Allen and McKinney among the communities).

NEW YORK GIANTS

Dan Duggan of The Athletic on what happens when QB DANIEL JONES fails in 2024:

The New York Giants diligently explored the quarterback prospects in this year’s draft, but they passed on the position after failing to trade up to the third pick to land North Carolina’s Drake Maye. Time will tell if the Giants made the right call to pass on the three quarterbacks — Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix — who went in the six picks after the Giants selected LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers at No. 6.

Passing on those quarterbacks shouldn’t necessarily be viewed as a vote of confidence for incumbent starter Daniel Jones. Giants brass wouldn’t have invested so much time and resources in evaluating this quarterback class if it was fully committed to him. But the Nabers pick granted Jones a stay of execution and another chance to prove he can be a franchise quarterback.

Jones is now facing another prove-it season despite signing a four-year, $160 million contract in March 2023. That contract was structured to give the Giants an escape hatch after two years, with the team due to eat $22.2 million in dead money on the salary cap if it dumps Jones after this season. Odds point toward the Giants exercising that out barring a drastic turnaround from Jones as he returns from a torn ACL and six abysmal starts last season.

With all of that in mind, here’s an early look at the Giants’ potential quarterback options for 2025 and beyond.

In-house options

Daniel Jones

As much as the deck is stacked against Jones, he can’t be ruled out. He was in a similar position entering the 2022 season, and he rose to the occasion to earn the extension. If Jones plays well this season, the Giants’ cleanest path forward is keeping him as the starting quarterback. But with cap hits of $41.6 million in 2025 and $58.6 million in 2026, the bar is much higher this time for Jones to again stake his claim as the team’s QB of the future.

Drew Lock

There has been debate about what exactly was communicated to Lock before he signed with the Giants on a one-year, $5 million contract with an additional $3 million available in incentives. But what’s undeniable is that Lock decided to leave Seattle, where he had been Geno Smith’s backup for the past two seasons, to come to New York for a relatively modest contract. Lock at least had to believe the Giants offered a better opportunity to start than Seattle.

Lock got an opportunity to make an impression while taking all of the first-team reps as Jones rehabbed during the offseason program. There are no signs the Giants will conduct a quarterback competition during training camp, but if Jones falters or gets injured, Lock could get a shot for a Smith-like career reboot that could earn him the starting job in the best-case scenario for the 27-year-old.

Tommy DeVito

DeVito faces long odds as the third-string quarterback entering camp. But he overcame longer odds to engineer a three-game winning streak as an undrafted rookie last season. It’s at least possible to envision a scenario where Jones and Lock get injured or perform poorly enough to give DeVito another shot. It would be extremely economical to have DeVito as the starting quarterback in 2025 on a minimum salary. But that’s also extremely unlikely.

What should each NFL team be worried about entering camp? Picking one concern for all 32 teams

Free-agent options

Dak Prescott, Cowboys

Prescott’s name is going to hover over the entire league this season. Any team with a question at quarterback will at least have to monitor Prescott’s situation with the Cowboys, who have been unwilling to join the parade of teams showering franchise quarterbacks with record-setting contracts.

Prescott’s uninspiring playoff track record overshadows his excellence in eight seasons as the Cowboys’ quarterback. He has a 73-41 career record, including a 12-2 mark against the Giants. He has topped 4,000 yards and 30 touchdown passes three times each, including a league-leading 36 TD passes last season.

Prescott turns 31 in July. His age and production would make him the most attractive quarterback to hit free agency since … Tom Brady in 2020?

The price tag will reflect Prescott’s desirability. Could the Giants really pivot from Jones to a replacement who will cost $60 million per year? If they’re desperate to win in 2025, Prescott represents their best option.

Russell Wilson, Steelers

The Giants had an “exploratory meeting” with Wilson this offseason before he signed a one-year deal with a Steelers team coming off a playoff appearance. That sets up the nine-time Pro Bowler to hit the market again next offseason. The 35-year-old could be a win-now option for the Giants at a much lower price point than Prescott.

Justin Fields, Steelers

Fields is a wild-card entry. Traded by the Bears to Pittsburgh in March to serve as Wilson’s backup, Fields was the No. 11 pick in the 2021 draft. He showed some promise in three seasons with the Bears, but not enough to prevent them from taking USC’s Caleb Williams with the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft.

Fields profiles similar to Jones as a dual-threat quarterback with limitations as a passer. Fields would be a prove-it/bridge option if the Giants move on from Jones. Fields has more upside than other bridge options like Sam Darnold and Mac Jones.

Green Bay’s Jordan Love and Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa weren’t considered even though they’re set to enter the final year of their existing deals. It’s widely expected they’ll sign extensions with their current teams or at least get franchise tags next offseason.

Potential cap casualty options

Geno Smith, Seahawks

Like Jones, Smith cashed in after a strong prove-it season in 2022. But the Seahawks were far more judicious, giving the former Jets bust a three-year, $75 million contract with an even cleaner out after two years ($13.5 million dead money if cut next offseason).

Smith had an eventful 2017 season with the Giants, taking over as the starter in the game that ended Eli Manning’s streak of 210 consecutive starts. Smith handled that uncomfortable situation well, and he has found a new lease on life in Seattle. Smith ranks sixth in passing yards and touchdown passes over the past two seasons. The 33-year-old could be an alternative if the Giants want a proven starter without breaking the bank for Prescott.

Derek Carr, Saints

Carr is another mid-tier quarterback who signed a lucrative contract in 2023 (four years, $150 million) with a potential out for the Saints after two seasons. The 33-year-old Carr isn’t the sexiest option, but he’s been consistently productive. Again, the Giants’ interest in veteran options depends on how much they’ll prioritize adding a quarterback capable of winning immediately over fully hitting the reset button with a rookie.

There could be other quarterbacks unexpectedly added to the market as cap casualties, like Wilson was this offseason, but Smith and Carr are the obvious candidates now.

Trade options

Kirk Cousins, Falcons

The Falcons’ puzzling decision to take Penix with the eighth pick in the draft a month after signing Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract immediately called into question the long-term future of Cousins. It’s at least possible he could be moved next year depending on how things unfold this season. The 35-year-old Cousins would fit with a win-now timeline. A trade would make his contract more affordable, although the Giants would need to part with draft assets in the deal.

Matthew Stafford, Rams

The continued unrest about Stafford’s contract could make him available if the sides can’t resolve their differences. The 36-year-old Stafford is still playing at a high level, but if the Rams aren’t willing to make a commitment to him for the future, they could be open to a trade.

There are usually wild-card entrants in this category, with Arizona’s Kyler Murray looming as a potential trade chip. But Cousins and Stafford stick out as the obvious potential trade candidates when operating from a presumption that the Giants intend to compete immediately if they pursue a veteran quarterback.

Draft options

The Giants are far more likely to go this route if they move on from Jones. And the Giants’ projected win total of 6.5 has them in line for another top pick.

A potential benefit for the Giants is that some of the other teams with the lowest win total projections — Patriots, Broncos, Commanders, Vikings — took quarterbacks in the first round this year, so there could be less competition for the top 2025 prospects. The downside is the early evaluations have pegged the 2025 quarterback class as significantly weaker than the 2024 crop. But things can change, so here’s an early look at the top quarterback prospects in next year’s draft.

Carson Beck, Georgia

Beck is the early favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. The Giants shouldn’t be expected to pick that high, but it’s possible the pick could become available if a team like the Patriots lands at No. 1. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Beck has prototypical size and is poised to post monster stats this season for a national title contender. It’s easy to forecast Beck becoming the prize of this class.

Quinn Ewers, Texas

The No. 1 prospect in the 2021 recruiting class, Ewers transferred to Texas after one year at Ohio State. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Ewers hasn’t lived up to his recruiting hype, but his talent is undeniable. Ewers could vault up draft boards with a strong season.

Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

Deion Sanders’ son enters the season with more buzz than any college quarterback. Sanders earned attention with his performance (27 touchdowns, three interceptions) last season despite Colorado’s porous offensive line. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound Sanders doesn’t have overwhelming physical tools, but he’s a refined passer. It will be interesting to see if NFL teams are turned off by his father’s oversized influence.

Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss

A top quarterback prospect from Ole Miss may be too good to pass up for the Giants after their experience with Manning. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Dart can make plays with his legs, but he needs to maintain improved ball security after throwing 11 interceptions in 2022.

Cam Ward, Miami

Ward is staying in college for another year of a roller-coaster career. He began his career at FCS Incarnate Word and then spent two seasons at Washington State. Ward briefly entered the 2024 draft before changing course and transferring to Miami. The 6-foot-2, 223-pound Ward is loaded with talent, but he has been careless with the ball. He could be a major riser on draft boards with a breakout season.

Jalen Milroe, Alabama

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Milroe is a true dual-threat quarterback. He’s not as big as Bills quarterback Josh Allen, but there are some parallels as a raw athlete with a strong arm and quality intangibles that could appeal to Giants brass. Milroe has the tools to be a quarterback who makes a big jump between now and the 2025 draft.

Riley Leonard, Notre Dame

There are parallels between Leonard and Daniel Jones beyond their shared Duke background. And remember, this regime gave Jones a $160 million contract a year ago. Like Jones, the 6-foot-4, 216-pound Leonard is tough and athletic. Leonard must improve his accuracy, but he’ll have a chance to show progress with a better supporting cast after transferring to Notre Dame.

Conner Weigman, Texas A&M

Weigman missed most of last season with a foot injury, so his résumé is thinner than other top quarterback prospects. But the 6-foot-3, 215-pound Weigman has the physical and mental traits teams are seeking in franchise quarterbacks. A healthy and productive season could push Weigman up draft boards.

This is just a sampling of the top quarterback prospects 10 months before the draft. Some of these players will drop and others will rise. But Giants fans may want to keep an eye out for these names this fall.

NFC WEST

SAN FRANCISCO

Randy Mueller in The Athletic analyzes the negotiations with WR BRANDON AIYUK:

Deadlines spur action.

We hear this often when it comes to NFL contract negotiations, and San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s quest for a new deal provides yet another example: There has been no deadline, and thus very little action, despite plenty of reports, opinions and public chatter.

Teams tend to hunker down on their position based on facts that might make sense only to them. A player and his representation will almost always make their case based on a totally different set of facts. When timing is not of the essence, it’s easy to ask for the moon. Until one side has something to lose, demands can be wide-ranging or easily dismissed.

But the closer we get to training camp in late July, negotiations will cut to the chase. Having been the point man in many similar negotiations over the years, I know that threading the needle takes time, patience and people skills … and maybe a life preserver at the end to close the deal. Let’s take a closer look at the factors at play here.

The market

The wide receiver market has exploded over the last few months, and by no means are we done. Many of the best receivers have already been rewarded, but several more are on deck. Where does Aiyuk fit in? Well, that probably depends on whom you ask.

Here are the five largest contracts right now by average per year. All but one (Tyreek Hill’s) have been signed since April.

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings — $35 million

A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles — $32 million

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions — $30.003 million

Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins — $30 million

Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins — $28.3 million

Average per year (APY) is the most popular metric to compare deals, but there are many other elements to consider, including signing bonus, guaranteed money, length of the deal and the player’s market value. The egos of the parties involved also affect negotiating dynamics. But all of these things are derivatives of one larger factor: leverage. More on that later.

Most good negotiations come with both sides walking away with some semblance of a win. St. Brown’s four-year, $120.01 million deal with the Lions was a great example. He got an unusually high APY for his skill set (he has not produced big plays like others in this range have), but just $34.7 million, or 28.9 percent of the deal, was fully guaranteed. Jefferson’s four-year, $140 million deal with the Vikings included $88.7 million fully guaranteed (63.4 percent), clearly on another level.

Teams will pay only what they have to. Seldom do you see what happened in Minnesota, where both sides clearly agreed Jefferson is the NFL’s best receiver and would reset the market, making it fair for both. Most deals include some disagreement over the player’s worth.

Given Aiyuk’s skill set, where does he fit? Compared to those who have already been paid, I believe his traits are closer to Jefferson than the others. Ja’Marr Chase and CeeDee Lamb, who are also looking for new contracts, are slightly more accomplished than Aiyuk but have benefited from more receiver-centric offenses. Both are waiting for Aiyuk’s deal to set the floor for theirs.

Aiyuk is strong and plays bigger than he measures, which is very important at his position, as he consistently makes contested catches. He can separate with suddenness or with body control, which he uses to vary his speed as a route runner much like Puka Nacua does for the Los Angeles Rams. He had 75 catches on 105 targets in 2023, but usage varies depending on the scheme and play caller — Jefferson had 100 targets in only 10 games, and most of the other receivers we mentioned had at least 140 targets — so you can’t just go by the numbers.

Public perception doesn’t mean pressure

Aiyuk’s contract situation has been a hot topic publicly since the week after the Super Bowl, with a steady stream of media reports, rumors and social media chatter. That includes chatter from Aiyuk himself. Last week, in a video posted on his TikTok account, he told Commanders quarterback and former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels, “They said they don’t want me back. I swear.”

Be careful how you interpret what is said publicly. Aiyuk knows what he’s doing. Many in the media also have an agenda, seeking to create suspense or intrigue. Some have said San Francisco has botched the negotiation, while others argue the Niners will have to release other players to make room for an Aiyuk contract. Allocating resources under the NFL’s salary cap can be tricky, but much of these proclamations are misguided. The point is that public posturing does nothing to change the facts from the team’s standpoint.

Teams often take the high road in these situations. You never want to disrespect a player or his representation, which is why teams rarely comment on contractual negotiations or details. Sometimes players can make it hard for the team to bite its lip, but it’s necessary.

Yes, Aiyuk’s name has been in trade rumors over the past couple of months. That narrative is someone throwing mud at the wall — chances of it sticking are remote, at best. Aiyuk is not getting traded. He’s the 49ers’ best wide receiver, and trading him would make them a worse team, no matter what draft choices they would receive in return. It just doesn’t make sense.

Leverage

Aiyuk has the short straw. He has a contract for 2024 that will pay him $14.1 million, and under the current CBA, holding out of training camp is not a viable option. If the 49ers wanted to play hardball, they could make Aiyuk play for that and then franchise-tag him for 2025. The tag for wide receivers (which the Cincinnati Bengals’ Tee Higgins received this offseason) is worth $21.8 million in 2024. It is projected to rise near $25 million in 2025, which would put Aiyuk around $39 million over the next two years.

I’m not suggesting the 49ers should play hardball, but they could if they wanted to. That’s leverage. Obviously, Aiyuk’s representation knows this.

Aiyuk’s latest message to the masses — that the 49ers don’t want him — is partially true: They don’t want him at his price. But I can assure you they want him on their team. I give Aiyuk and his team credit for trying to play any card possible.

If he really wanted to create leverage for the long haul, he’d wait and let Lamb and Chase sign new deals, and his market would only rise. In that scenario, Aiyuk might get north of $34 million annually. But that would come with the risk of playing for $14 million this year and $25 million in 2025, without any long-term guarantees. His goal is to get paid now and have multiple years of security immediately.

The fly in the ointment for the 49ers is St. Brown’s contract. Most in the NFL would consider Aiyuk a better all-around player than St. Brown, whose deal caused much back-channel conversation within the league. That’s the one bit of leverage Aiyuk has that might have some traction with the 49ers’ brass. Because of that deal alone, they might have to go to $31 million per year.

Even so, they have the leverage. It’s just a matter of how much they want to use it.

Options

To reinforce their leverage, the 49ers have given themselves options. The worst deals I made as a general manager came when we had no options at a given position. That’s not the case for the Niners, who have smartly covered themselves at wide receiver.

They have Deebo Samuel under contract at $23.8 million per year and doubled down by drafting Florida’s Ricky Pearsall in the first round. Pearsall’s security in San Francisco is clear. But Samuel? Not so much. In the 49ers’ offensive hierarchy, his playmaking skills with the ball are second only to running back Christian McCaffrey, but as a receiver, he might be their third- or fourth-best option in 2024, depending on whom you ask.

The Niners also extended wideout Jauan Jennings to a modest but solid deal. He served mostly as their third receiver last year but had nice production.

Don’t get me wrong: I am not suggesting moving on from a very good player in Aiyuk. They have nobody equal to him at the position. But in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, they have some versatile personnel, so they are not desperate to get Aiyuk signed right now.

Bottom line

It’s very difficult as a GM to navigate the contract waters of a talented, good-but-not-great player while weighing market value against the player’s value to your team.

In this case, I don’t think Aiyuk’s camp is looking to reset the market. The key factor is that he is already under contract, which will have a direct effect on how hard his representation can push. His rebuttal is twofold: He’s 26, and his big-play ability (he averaged 17.9 yards per catch and had 41 gains of 15-plus yards in 2023) compares favorably to St. Brown.

Ultimately, I expect Aiyuk would sign for around $30 million to $32 million annually with about $50 million fully guaranteed. That would give him something to hang his hat on. The question then becomes: Do the 49ers value him that much more than their other options, even if that cost is a bit more than what they had budgeted?

I think a deal will get done before camp starts, when time is of the essence. Then, Aiyuk can make sure to put St. Brown on his holiday card list, and the 49ers can move on to their next problem — what to do with Samuel — maybe even before the season starts. Remember: It’s all about options.

AFC WEST

KANSAS CITY

The Chiefs may be better in 2024 – and if they are adding two explosive receivers will be a big reason.  Adam Teicher of ESPN.com:

In what the Chiefs hope is a sign of things to come, one of the last plays from their recent minicamp was a long touchdown pass. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes got rid of the ball in time to beat the blitz and threw deep downfield to Marquise Brown for a touchdown.

Such plays were infrequent for Mahomes and the Chiefs last season. Some of their biggest offseason moves, including signing Brown and drafting Xavier Worthy, were aimed at bringing that type of play back to the Chiefs’ offense.

“I think we’ve done a great job of mastering the intermediate and short stuff, but we want to get back to having that part of the offense as well,” Mahomes said. “Coach [Andy] Reid is really pushing us to push it down the field. It’s hard to do against our defense but we’re trying to make it happen.”

Mahomes was the NFL’s MVP in his first season as a starter in 2018, throwing 50 touchdown passes and for more than 5,000 yards with many deep throws mixed in. But last year, as the Chiefs wide receivers were largely a disappointment, his throws on average were the shortest of his career (7.0 yards).

On more than half of Mahomes’ passes, the intended receiver was less than 5 yards past the line of scrimmage. His throws averaged just more than 6 yards past the line of scrimmage. As a result, just 13% of his completed passes went for 20 yards or more, the lowest percentage of his career.

That’s why Brown and Worthy were two of the Chiefs’ biggest offseason priorities. Brown once was timed at 4.27 in the 40-yard dash. Worthy set a scouting combine record this year by running 4.21.

“Both of those two can run well and I think both love to play the game and are good football players, so I think that that’ll help us,” Reid said. “It doesn’t hurt to have [downfield] speed. We’ve functioned without the great speed down the field and done well, but if you have an opportunity to get somebody that you think is a good player, just not a speed guy, but a good football player, I think you probably need to take advantage of that.”

The Chiefs have had fast receivers since Mahomes became their starter. Tyreek Hill ran a 4.24 40-yard dash when he was coming out in the draft. Mecole Hardman, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Sammy Watkins and Justin Watson aren’t in Hill’s category but fast nonetheless.

But they haven’t had two speedy receivers playing together like Brown and Worthy.

“Those guys are blazers,” Watson said. “They’re at a different level of speed, and defenses are going to have to back up.

“We had a lot of debates and conversations I would say the last two years about who’s the fastest [among Chiefs receivers] and I would always put my name in that ring. I’m going to defer it to one of those two. Those guys can absolutely fly.”

Brown averaged 12.3 yards downfield every time he was thrown the ball last season, when he played for the Arizona Cardinals. He averaged 11.8 yards in his career and has never been below 10.7 yards in a season.

“I’ve seen it the entire offseason from working in Texas to here,” Mahomes said before the Chiefs ended offseason practice. “He tracks the ball down the field well and he can really go … I’m giving him chances downfield and he’s making the plays happen. The more plays he makes, the more we’ll continue to give him those chances. He’s a good addition to our offense.”

Worthy didn’t practice much after being drafted by the Chiefs because of a sore hamstring, but the Chiefs expect him back for the start of training camp.

Even without him, Mahomes still hit a good share of deep throws. He spread the ball between Brown, Watson, Rashee Rice and others.

“They’re definitely taking advantage of us playing some coverages, learning some things and trying some different things out,” linebacker Nick Bolton said. “We’ve got a lot of speed and Pat trusts those guys to go out there and make plays . . . We’ll definitely take some deep shots early this year.”

Reid has always wanted Mahomes to look for receivers down the field but has encouraged him to do so even more this year. Mahomes said Reid asked him at one point why he was throwing so many checkdowns.

Not all of his throws during the offseason were checkdowns and certainly not the one near the end of minicamp to Brown.

“Seeing the blitz, I kind of just put my head down, trusting that he was going to throw it,” Brown said. “I looked up and the ball’s in the air and I just made a play.

“We’re fast. We’re definitely fast. We’re going to put a lot of pressure on people for sure. I just think it’s going to be exciting. I think everyone should be excited for it.”

THIS AND THAT

2025 DRAFT

Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic looks at underclass names to know for next spring’s draft:

The 2024 NFL Draft was hardly a bad one in terms of depth, but compared to the 2025 class it was generally viewed as less than by NFL scouts.

And that was before we saw a gaggle of top-rated prospects stay in school.

The 2025 NFL Draft class will be deep — very, very deep, if an uber-talented crop of first-year-eligible players declares. Here’s an opening look at the top junior (or redshirt sophomore) prospects for 2025.

Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

Hunter played more regular-season snaps from scrimmage (631 defense, 475 offense) than any other Power 5 player last year. That’s more than 1,000 total snaps — essentially a starting NFL defender’s load, as a true sophomore at two exhausting positions. Hunter’s 1,106 total snaps were the most of any P5 player in at least the last six seasons. He did it in his first year on that level, in just nine games.

He’s primarily been a long (6-foot-1, 185 pounds), active corner with elite ball skills, but his instincts and speed make it hard to say on which side he’ll drafted. He produced 721 yards receiving at 2.17 yards per route run in 2023. If he were to specialize at one spot, he might be the best player in America. Even as a two-way performer, he’ll have an argument.

Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

At 6-3, 318, Graham plays football like how I imagine an actual bear would. Graham’s combination of grip strength, power and burst has made him a terror on Michigan’s last two defenses. He’s flashed versus every top-tier team he’s faced while winning in different ways.

In 2023, Graham led all FBS underclassmen defensive tackles in win rate (16.4 percent), picking up 29 pressures and three sacks in just 254 reps. For context on Graham’s playing time, 30 DTs played at least 600 snaps last season (Johnny Newton led the FBS with 749).

Will Campbell, OT, LSU

The first true freshman starting left tackle in LSU history, Campbell also served as a captain during his sophomore season. Campbell (6-6, 320) plays with a serious punch, and though he doesn’t have overwhelming length, his feet and ability to carry power on the move are outstanding. He’s a nasty finisher who will be just 21 years old come draft night.

Campbell’s tall, and he plays tall at times — that’s the biggest concern with his game right now, although it’s not a consistent problem. A great athlete who needs to continue adding power to his frame.

Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Michigan’s most complete cornerback prospect since Charles Woodson, Johnson (6-2, 205) is still working on finer points of press coverage — he’ll sometimes bite on double moves or jump a route too early. Same time, his general movement skills, instincts and size have made him one of college football’s top DBs the last two years.

Johnson is a great zone defender who has played in a highly complex defense and flourished, especially in red-letter games. He’s produced two Big Ten title game picks, one in the national title game and one against Ohio State (while defending Marvin Harrison Jr.).

Mykel Williams, Edge, Georgia

The first player selected in Dane Brugler’s early 2025 mock draft, Williams is all tools at the moment — but his tool chest is very deep. At 6-5, 265 with terrific length and power, Williams can win with his hand on the ground, standing up as a rusher or dropping into coverage.

Like everyone at Georgia, his reps have been limited and the flashes have been a bit inconsistent. Check out his games against South Carolina and Florida State, though. The potential to be the type of versatile three-down edge every NFL team wants is obvious. If he puts it all together, no edge in this class can match everything Williams has physically.

Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame

One of the most active corners in the country last season, Morrison finished the year with 13 forced incompletions (tied for seventh nationally) and allowed just 11.2 yards per reception. An All-American as a sophomore, Morrison is a big-time competitor in press who’s hard to beat at any level of a route. He has great hip fluidity, can stop on a dime and isn’t afraid to hit.

Athletically and instinctually, Morrison has everything Hunter and Johnson have — he’s just a bit shorter. He also had offseason shoulder surgery.

James Pearce Jr., Edge, Tennessee

Pure lightning off the corner, Pearce’s 21.8 percent win rate led all Power 5 freshmen and sophomores last year. Pearce added 52 pressures and 10 sacks in just 280 pass-rush reps.

Pearce has done a great job adding weight at Tennessee after playing at 220 pounds as a prep senior, but he’s still pretty light. His leg drive and turbo-charged first step are off-the-charts good, though. Whether or not he can add — and keep — power is the big question here.

Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

A massive human who runs and moves like a tight end, Banks (6-4, 324) plays with power throughout his whole body and has enough quickness to battle speed on the edge. He can play stiff and stand up at times, but he’s a brick wall with balance, very hard to knock over and a good puller.

Hand usage and leverage consistency are still areas that need improvement, but Banks is a hulking left tackle who could also probably play on the right side.

Abdul Carter, LB, Penn State

A lot of people spent time trying to comp Penn State’s Chop Robinson to Micah Parsons last season, when, in truth, Carter deserved it more. Like Parsons, he has spent time as a stack linebacker with the Nittany Lions and is a twitched-up ball of explosion. Also like Parsons, he brings a bit of positionless flavor to the front seven.

Carter has been timed in the 4.4-second range in the 40-yard dash and, per The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, also has notched a time of 4.35 in the short shuttle and a broad jump of 10 feet, 7 inches. Both of those final two numbers are better than Parsons’ combine performances.

Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Big and bouncy with a great catch radius, McMillan (6-5, 210) plays with great balance and shows the ability to contort his body to grab throws outside his (very large) area. He was an immediate contributor at Arizona, with a combined 129 catches for 2,098 yards and 18 touchdowns in two years.

A skinny player in high school, McMillan could still use more power, especially in the lower half, but he’s done a nice job bulking up. His 17 contested catches last year ranked behind only Rome Odunze nationally.

Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

A rare offensive lineman who felt close to being ready for pro contact as a true freshman, Booker is a massive 6-5, 352-pound guard with extreme tools. A house at the point of attack, Booker’s powerful enough to erase incoming rushers and quick enough to finish in the second level and the screen game.

Booker got on the field as a freshman at Alabama and had dominant stretches as a sophomore. Working on hand consistency, as well as maintaining leverage, will be key this season.

Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Georgia’s best defensive back last year as a sophomore, Starks is a solidly built, 6-1 safety who is very sticky in coverage (seven forced incompletions) and rangy enough to play just about anywhere in the secondary. Despite all the annual talent in the Bulldogs secondary, Starks has already snagged seven interceptions and made his name lining up all over the place.

Follow the “Brian Branch Rule” here: If you get on the field or start as a freshman safety for Kirby Smart or Nick Saban, you’re going places. Starks is about to be a three-year star for Georgia.

Harold Perkins Jr., Edge, LSU

Many wondered where Perkins was last season as a sophomore, with some questioning LSU’s decision to move him off the edge and into the stack. Perkins had 10 sacks outside as a freshman, but that number dipped to 5.5 last year.

Same time, Perkins did get a ton of experience as a coverage player who had to chase and fit the run from a different angle. LSU fans may be frustrated, but if this clicks for Perkins he, too, could become the type of positionless dynamo everyone covets up front.

Earnest Greene III, OT, Georgia

We’ve seen Jordan Davis and Amarius Mims and Travon Walker. Here’s another Georgia prospect from another planet. Greene isn’t quite as big a name as those previous prospects, but at 6-4, 320 with 35-inch arms and great burst, he qualifies as a freakish Bulldogs lineman.

A left tackle last year, Greene also has the power and burst to be a factor on the right side, if needed. His general technique (punch accuracy, using hands and feet together) needs improvement, as 2023 was his first year as a starter.

Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

Burden’s undersized, but he’s as dynamic as it gets in space. One of the top yards-after-catch players in the country last year, Burden produced 724 of his 1,209 yards after the catch. He ranked slightly in front of Ladd McConkey last year in yards per route, at 3.26.

The size (5-11, 208) is a concern here. And though Burden did lead the SEC in YAC last season, he was noticeably quieter against top-end defenses, like Ohio State, Tennessee and Georgia.

Deone Walker, DT, Kentucky

Arguably the freakiest big man in the class at 6-6, 350, Walker had an outstanding 14.5 percent win rate (with 51 pressures) as mostly a B-gap rusher who took on some heavy edge responsibility.

Incredibly twitchy at his size, Walker’s explosion gives him an array of options to win inside — and one might argue he could’ve been even more dominant last year. An oddity here, and why his motor has to stay hot: Despite his huge frame, he’s not super long.

Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

Loveland felt like a first-round pick last year as a sophomore. An outstanding mover with wiggle and body control, Loveland lined up all over the field and was Michigan’s toughest cover during its national title run.

He still needs to get stronger, and though he improved in this aspect last season, his run blocking can still take another step. Loveland has the potential to be a true three-down tight end with flex and downfield ability.

Nic Scourton, Edge, Texas A&M

There are things Scourton can do in space and on the edge most 280-pounders never dream of. Not only is he a tank, he’s explosive, quick and plays with great bend. His spin move leaves a vapor trail.

Scourton racked up 52 pressures with an outstanding 21.2 percent win rate last year at Purdue (both top 10 nationally), before transferring to play for Mike Elko and Texas A&M.

The nation’s top-ranked prospect in 2022, Nolen moved to Ole Miss for 2024 after two years at Texas A&M. He had good stretches in College Station, to be sure, including a seven-sack year in 2023.

He was not a dominant presence, however. Most of it came in big flashes, like a three-sack game at Arkansas a week after a two-sack game versus Auburn. Over the next five games, though, he followed up with just six pressures and one sack. Nolen needs more to be more consistent with everything he does.

Emery Jones Jr., OT, LSU

LSU’s offensive line room is dripping with talent right now. Jones has been a starting right tackle opposite Campbell, his classmate, for the last two seasons. His pass protection hasn’t been as clean as the LSU captain’s, but Jones’ combination of power and intelligence at 6-6, 322 is outstanding.

He’s not as quick as Campbell either, so he will have to show a bit better technique against ultra-speedy SEC edges this season to be considered a left/right tackle as opposed to a RT-only prospect.

Josh Conerly Jr., OT, Oregon

Conerly came to Oregon with a reported 82-inch wingspan — and a lot of growing to do. Still more is needed, but it’s impossible not to see the potential here, as Conerly’s massive frame and big hands give him a chance on either side of the line. He’s a good mover who’s improved his punch over time.

Being consistent, continuing to add strength (he was around 280 pounds in high school) and maintaining leverage will be the keys to whether or not Conerly’s ready for the next step come spring.

Tacario Davis, CB, Arizona

With a frame reminiscent of Seahawks CB Tariq Woolen, the 6-4, 195-pound Davis led all Power 5 sophomores last season with 15 forced incompletions. He added 12 pass breakups and, despite being challenged deep plenty, allowed only 12.6 yards per catch while showing great long speed.

As good as Davis was against the ball, though, he came down with just one pick and was credited with three that were dropped. More patience would unlock a lot.

Others to watch: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State; Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge, Penn State; Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan; Isaiah Bond, WR, Texas