Mar 12, 2018 3 min read

The Buffalo Bills put themselves in a better position to fill a big need at quarterback in the draft. The Cincinnati Bengals added much-needed protection for their own franchise quarterback, Andy Dalton.

The Bills moved up nine spots in the draft by swapping first-round picks with the Bengals, who also acquired high-priced left tackle Cordy Glenn in a trade Monday, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press.

The person spoke to The AP on the condition of anonymity because teams are not allowed to announce trades until the NFL’s new business year opens Wednesday. Buffalo moved up to the No. 12 spot in the draft by trading the first of its two opening-round selections, 21st overall. The Bills also have the No. 22 pick.

Buffalo also traded its fifth-round pick for the Bengals’ sixth-round selection as part of the Bills’ second major trade in three days. On Friday, Buffalo traded starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor to Cleveland for a third-round pick.

The moves helped place the Bills in a position to use one of their first-round picks to draft a quarterback. The Bills have the assets to move up even higher in the draft order by having two picks in each of the first three rounds.

Nathan Peterman, a fifth-round pick last year, is the only quarterback on the roster.

Chiefs to cut Hali

The Kansas City Chiefs are releasing one of their career sack leaders and a veteran stalwart of their secondary, moves designed to help Kansas City get younger on defense and have some financial freedom for the start of free agency.

The Chiefs will part ways with longtime linebacker Tamba Hali and safety Ron Parker, who had missed just one game over the past four seasons and provided some stability when Eric Berry was injured last season.

Raiders release 2

The Oakland Raiders released cornerback Sean Smith and right tackle Marshall Newhouse to create more salary cap room heading into free agency.

The Raiders also officially announced the signing of defensive tackle Justin Ellis to a three-year contract and signed receiver Griff Whalen to a one-year deal. Ellis had agreed to the deal last week to stay off the free-agent market but it was not announced until Monday.

Smith is also facing legal problems. He will plead guilty Tuesday to a felony count of assault with great bodily injury in connection with an altercation in Pasadena last year, according to the attorney for the alleged victim.

Smith was accused of assaulting his sister’s then-boyfriend, Christopher Woods, on July 4. Two witnesses testified during a preliminary hearing in December that Smith stomped Woods’ head as he lay bleeding and unconscious.

Smith will be sentenced to one year in jail and five years of probation in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Broncos’ Gotsis charged with rape

Denver Broncos defensive end Adam Gotsis has been charged with rape in Atlanta.

An incident report says a 30-year-old woman went to Atlanta police headquarters on Feb. 1 and told an investigator Gotsis had raped her on March 9, 2013. The woman said she went to a party with Gotsis and then he took her to his home and raped her.

The Broncos said in a statement Monday that they were aware of allegations of an incident that allegedly happened when Gotsis was in college. Gotsis played football at Georgia Tech.