Chiefs are predicted to select Mississippi DL in the latest USA Today mock draft
Chiefs are predicted to select Mississippi DL in the latest USA Today mock draft
The Kansas City Chiefs could potentially add a long-term starter in the NFL Draft next month as rumors swirl around the league. One of the latest suggestions circulating is from USA Today's Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz regarding their depth on the defensive line.
According to Middlehurst-Schwartz, the Chiefs are a likely destination for former Mississippi standout Walter Nolen with their first-round pick.
"Further investment in the offensive line can't be entirely ruled out here, but trading Joe Thuney to the Bears and ponying up big for Jaylon Moore might wrap up the team's offseason plan of drastic action for its biggest vulnerability." wrote Middlehurst-Schwartz "Dropping Nolen in next to Chris Jones would ensure opponents will have their hands full with the Chiefs' interior line for some time."
Nolen was named First-team Associated Press All-American, First-team All-SEC, and tied for the team lead with 14 tackles for loss. He was a finalist for the Outland Trophy (the nation's top lineman). He started all 13 games in 2024, tallying 48 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
![2025 Libema Open: Branstine [231st] vs. Ruse [80th] Prediction, Odds and Match Preview](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gannett-cdn.com%2Fauthoring%2Fimages%2FDataSkriveSportsbookWire%2F2025%2F04%2F16%2FSSBK%2F83116869007-14991234.jpeg%3Fauto%3Dwebp%26crop%3D1199%2C676%2Cx0%2Cy73%26format%3Dpjpg%26width%3D1200&w=3840&q=100)
![2025 Libema Open: Branstine [231st] vs. Ruse [80th] Prediction, Odds and Match Preview](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fall-logos-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fusatoday.com.png&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
USA Today
18 minutes ago
- USA Today
2025 Libema Open: Branstine [231st] vs. Ruse [80th] Prediction, Odds and Match Preview
2025 Libema Open: Branstine [231st] vs. Ruse [80th] Prediction, Odds and Match Preview Carson Branstine (No. 231 ranking) will take on Elena-Gabriela Ruse (No. 80) in the Round of 16 of the Libema Open on Thursday, June 12. Ruse is the favorite against Branstine for this match, with -275 odds against the the underdog's +270. Tennis odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Wednesday at 6:35 PM ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Carson Branstine vs. Elena-Gabriela Ruse matchup info Tournament: Libema Open Libema Open Round: Round of 16 Round of 16 Date: Thursday, June 12 Thursday, June 12 Court Surface: Grass Watch the Tennis Channel and more sports on Fubo! Branstine vs. Ruse Prediction Based on the implied probility from the moneyline, Branstine has a 73.3% to win. Branstine vs. Ruse Betting Odds Branstine vs. Ruse matchup performance & stats
USA Today
35 minutes ago
- USA Today
Contract details for rookie DL Walter Nolen III and what people are saying about him
Contract details for rookie DL Walter Nolen III and what people are saying about him Howard Balzer breaks down Nolen's rookie deal and shares what people are saying about the Cardinals' first-round pick. There have been only eight practices this offseason with the final one of minicamp Thursday, but Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Walter Nolen III has been receiving rave notices from teammates and coaches. Also important is that Nolen signed his rookie contract this week, a four-year deal, with a fifth-year option worth $19,367,550 guaranteed and includes a signing bonus of $10,725,492. His salary-cap charge in 2025 is $3,521,373. The contract includes minimum base salaries each year ($840,000 this year; $1.005 million in 2026, $1.12 million in 2027 and $1.235 million in 2028. However, his pay in those final three years will be larger because of roster bonuses payable on the fifth day of training camp. That money for first-round picks has often been included in the base salary, but the bonus gets it in their hands earlier than it being prorated over the 18-week season. Those bonuses are $715,343 in 2026; $1,480,686 in 2027 and $2,246,029 in 2028. Now, about those accolades for the player selected with the 16th pick of the draft. Defensive coordinator Nick Rallis reflected on coaches watching a big screen in defensive backs coach Patrick Toney's office on draft night and how he was 'just hoping that we would be able to get Walt. Obviously super excited about the player that he is, the guy that he is.' As for what he's seen in the brief work so far, Rallis said, 'I knew he was gonna be the talent that we saw on tape. I would say he's very coachable, great to work with. You see him take those coaching points immediately to the field, whether that's in individual or when going against the offense. And I can tell he studies hard outside the building because he's got things down pretty fast. So pretty impressive so far.' Fellow lineman Dalvin Tomlinson, signed as a 31-year-old free agent this offseason, said Tuesday, 'I love his quickness, his pass rush. I saw him in some drills and stuff today in our team period. He's just fluid like it comes natural to him and as we progress in training camp with pads on, he's just a natural good defensive tackle. It's just like the sky is the limit for him. And I'm happy I'm part of the process to help him continue to improve.' Last year, the Cardinals selected defensive lineman Darius Robinson in the first round at 27 overall. Both are from the SEC with Robinson playing for Missouri and Nolen for Mississippi. 'I love it,' Robinson said after the first OTA practice on May 28 about the addition of Nolen. 'He was on the other side of the SEC, so I never played against Walt. But I know he's going be a great player, great teammate. Like last week he brought everybody Epsom salts, the Dr. Teal's bag. So it just shows you he's a high-character young man and he's a really good teammate. So I'm excited to make some plays with him.' Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Kevin Durant Expected to Be Pursued by Familiar East Contender Once Again
Kevin Durant Expected to Be Pursued by Familiar East Contender Once Again originally appeared on Athlon Sports. According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Phoenix Suns and Kevin Durant's business partner, Boardroom CEO Rich Kleiman, have met numerous times over the past week and are "sifting through trade scenarios." Advertisement The Suns are going to trade Durant this offseason after missing the playoffs this year and firing Mike Budenholzer as head coach. A two-time champion, Durant has one year left on his contract. The superstar small forward will make $54.7 million next season. Durant doesn't have a no-trade clause in his contract, but Charania reports that the Suns and KD "are expected to work together on potential destinations." Phoenix almost traded Durant at the February trade deadline and a team in the Eastern Conference that attempted to acquire the future Hall of Famer in the winter will try to trade for the four-time scoring champion again this summer. The Heat are interested in trading for Kevin Durant again. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images According to Barry Jackson and Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, the Heat are interested in trading for Durant again. Advertisement "Months after making a trade offer for Kevin Durant, the Heat again has interest in acquiring the 15-time All-Star forward, but only at the right price, a source with direct knowledge said Wednesday," Jackson and Chiang wrote. The Heat got swept in the first round of this year's playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jimmy Butler was traded to the Golden State Warriors in February after the All-Star forward requested a trade from Miami. Durant, who turns 37 in September, averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Suns this season. The two-time Finals MVP shot 52.7% from the field, 43.0% from beyond the arc and 83.9% from the free-throw line. A top 75 player of all time, Durant has career averages of 27.2 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Warriors, Brooklyn Nets and Suns. Related: Blockbuster NBA Trade Idea Lands Suns' Kevin Durant With LeBron James' Old Team This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
