The Kansas City Chiefs finally have a running back who can start a game. Emmett Johnson, a former Nebraska star, got the nod in the preseason tie against Seattle. He rushed seven times for 39 yards before leaving the field. This is a big deal for a team that struggled to run the ball last year.
Johnson was picked in the fifth round, the 161st overall. He is the first Husker running back taken since Ameer Abdullah in 2015. Last season, Johnson ran for 1,451 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. He also caught 46 passes for 370 yards. That puts his all-purpose total at 1,821 yards, which was second in the nation for his position. The Chiefs needed someone to fill the gap left by a weak rushing attack. Johnson is ready to do whatever the team asks. He will likely do more than just play on special teams as the year goes on.
Offensive Line Shuffles to Protect Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes needs time to throw, and the Chiefs just added a new body to help. The team traded for offensive lineman Diego Pounds from the Baltimore Ravens. This move was reported by NFL insider Mike Garafolo. He wrote that Pounds is an undrafted free agent from Ole Miss who weighs 330 pounds. Pro Football Focus called him one of the highest-graded rookies in the preseason.
Gordon McGuinness noted that Pounds was the highest-graded offensive lineman in the entire league so far. In 15 pass-blocking snaps, he has not yielded a sack or hurry while on the field. His run-blocking grade sits at 91.1 on 19 snaps. To get Pounds, the Chiefs might have to give up a draft pick. Adam Schefter said the deal depends on which picks Kansas City has at the end of the season. It could be a third-round pick in 2027 or 2028. The team is always looking to protect their star quarterback. This trade shows they are serious about fixing their line depth before the regular season starts.
Edge Rusher Returns or Waiver Wire Moves
The defense might also see a familiar face return to the fold. Mike Danna, a veteran edge rusher, signed with the Buffalo Bills this offseason. He played six seasons with the Chiefs before leaving. Now, some writers think the Chiefs could bring him back via the waiver wire. AtoZ Sports writer Charles Goldman suggested Danna makes sense if other players get hurt. During the preseason in Buffalo, Danna recorded two sacks and five pressures. He played in 87 games for Kansas City and made 21.5 sacks.
Buffalo Rumblings reporter Sean Murphy says Danna is a bubble player in New York. Murphy wrote, “In short, while Danna’s contract might say that he’s a shoo-in for the roster, his positional group and his fit in Buffalo’s defense tell me he’s more of a bubble player than anything else.” He added that barring injury, Danna might not make the final roster.
If he gets cut, Kansas City has a strong case to re-sign him. They know his style and how he fits their system. Young R Mason Thomas also showed promise with a strip sack in the final preseason game. Steve Spagnuolo said Thomas is in the rookie process but has done good things. The Chiefs are building a deep group of pass rushers. They have the veterans and the youth to handle the tough road ahead.
