Chiefs News 4/27: One Chiefs UDFA may be ‘undrafted gem’ of 2026 class

Veteran OT Donovan Smith calls it a career | Pro Football Talk

Smith, 32, played nine seasons in the NFL but has not appeared in a game since 2023.

“Dear Football,” Smith wrote in his announcement. “When I first started out this journey in seventh grade, I didn’t know what the other side would hold. . . . Football has made me feel and experience every emotion imaginable.

“Thank you to all that has helped me through the years along my football career. It has allowed me to grow and experience life in ways I can’t put into words.”

The Buccaneers made Smith a second-round pick in 2015, and he played eight seasons in Tampa. He spent 2023 with the Chiefs.

Smith won two Super Bowl rings, one with the Bucs and one with the Chiefs.

He started all 136 games he played in his career.

Emmitt Smith’s Son, RB E.J. Smith, Signs With Kansas City Chiefs | Yahoo! Sports

Following the 2026 NFL Draft, Texas A&M running back E.J. Smith – Emmitt Smith’s son – signed with the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent. Smith played six years of college football, four at Stanford and two at Texas A&M.

In his six seasons, Smith had 207 carries for 969 yards and nine touchdowns plus 71 receptions for 470 yards and one touchdown.

Chiefs Sign ‘Most Elusive RB’ in College Football History as UDFA: Report | Heavy Sports

The Chiefs already drafted Nebraska ball-carrier Emmett Johnson in round five and agreed to terms with undrafted free agent RBs Jaydn Ott and E.J. Smith, but Stewart might be the most interesting backfield addition of all.

Per fantasy football expert and podcaster Scott Barrett, “projected UDFA RB Terion Stewart narrowly edges out Ashton Jeanty and Bijan Robinson as the most elusive RB in PFF College history.”

Barrett included a graphic in his post, which shows Stewart as the only CFB running back with a missed tackles forced per attempt over 0.4, not to mention an average yards after contact over 4.5 yards.

Five things to know about new Chiefs RB Emmett Johnson | ESPN

2. His 46 catches ranked second in the FBS among all running backs.

Johnson was more than just a runner for Nebraska, recording 46 catches – the second-most among all FBS running backs – for 370 yards and three touchdowns.

Here’s more on Johnson’s pass-catching ability from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler:

“He’s a savvy pass-catcher with crisp route breaks that allow him to win against linebackers 1-on-1 (a ton of flare routes on his tape).”

It all helped Johnson become the only player in the FBS to average more than 150 scrimmage yards-per-game.

3. Johnson is as sure-handed as they come.

Despite touching the ball 297 times last season (with 251 carries and 46 catches), Johnson logged just one fumble and one drop over the course of the campaign.

Simply put, when the ball went Johnson’s way, it almost always resulted in a positive play.

Around the NFL

Niners GM John Lynch still hopes to trade Brandon Aiyuk following draft: ‘Give us a call’ | NFL.com

“No new update right now,” Lynch said regarding Aiyuk on Saturday during his post-draft news conference, per team transcript. “We’re available. Give us a call. And like I said earlier, I think it’s the prudent thing to do. He’s an extremely talented player. He’s been an extremely effective player in our league; situation didn’t work itself out here. That’s not to say that it can’t be rekindled somewhere else. And we’d be happy to do something with anyone if the opportunity presented itself.”

Aiyuk has been destined for a San Francisco exit for months now after the team placed him on the reserve/left squad list in December. Lynch acknowledged in January that it was “safe to say” Aiyuk had played has last down as a Niner, but the months ticking along have done nothing to diminish the 49ers’ interest in getting something for the wideout after getting nothing from him in 2025.

“Not anytime soon,” Lynch said when asked if he was planning on releasing Aiyuk.

Diego Pavia, first Heisman finalist to go undrafted since 2014, to reportedly join Ravens’ minicamp | Yahoo! Sports

The former JUCO, New Mexico State and Vanderbilt quarterback became the first Heisman Trophy finalist to go undrafted since Northern Illinois QB Jordan Lynch was not picked in the 2014 draft.

Following the draft’s conclusion on Saturday, Pavia did not sign with an NFL team as a free agent. He reportedly visited the Carolina Panthers before the draft, but no other visits were publicized.

Yet on Sunday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Pavia has accepted an invitation to join the Baltimore Ravens at their minicamp next week, finally giving the undrafted free agent an NFL landing spot. The Ravens currently have Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley on their QB depth chart.

Based on a viral interview clip with Jon Gruden earlier this spring made it appear that Pavia had not hired an agent ahead of the predraft process.

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

R Mason Thomas adds a changeup pitch to Chiefs’ pass-rush arsenal

The Chiefs’ defense should immediately feel an impact from Thomas on pass downs or two-minute drill situations. Kansas City will want Thomas on the field for as many opponents’ pass plays as possible, because he is immediately the most dangerous edge rusher on the team because of the get off.

Defensive ends George Karlaftis and Ashton Gillotte will likely be the starters and lead the way on early downs, but Thomas will live on third down, and should live primarily on the edge in those pass-rush setups.

Of course, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will get creative, but he shouldn’t overcomplicate it when Thomas’ first step on third and long is enough to mess with a protection or disrupt the pocket. He and George would be the primary edge rushers for Spags’ third-down packages, and the presence of Thomas should also mark the end of the strategy to align defensive tacke Chris Jones on the edge.

He likely won’t complain. Jones has been missing an edge rusher who can aid his pass rush by forcing quarterbacks to step up in the pocket toward him.

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