標籤: Draft

Could the San Antonio Spurs have a next-generation version of the “Twin Towers” next season? ESPN’s new NBA mock draft opens the door to that possibility.

On Monday night, the Spurs took a big step closer to reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014 when they won Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. With Victor Wembanyama, arguably the best player in the NBA today, San Antonio has a very real chance to win the franchise’s sixth championship next month.

Still, while almost all of the organization’s attention is on the West Finals, they must also look forward to June’s NBA Draft. Well, when it comes to their selection at 20th overall, ESPN’s Jeremy Wu predicts the Spurs will select Kentucky big man Jaden Quaintance.

Quaintance is a risky selection as he played only four games in his first season with the Wildcats after suffering a serious knee injury, including a torn ACL. Wu reported, “Although he looked explosive and in good shape at his Pro Day, many NBA observers in the stands noticed he was favoring his right foot.”

Could Wembanyama and Quantance be ‘Twin Towers’ 2.0 for Spurs?

If he gets a clean bill of health, Wu notes that the 6-foot-10 tall man could help form a very nasty defensive combo with Vembanyama (7 feet 5 inches).

If Quaintance can live up to his potential, which will take some time as he is still only a teenager, he and the French phenom could form one of the greatest duos in Spurs history, a new version of the “Twin Towers”. That duo paired Hall of Famers Tim Duncan and David Robinson for three seasons from 2000–2003, making the playoffs each season and winning the championship the third year running.

Robinson, 7-foot-1, and Duncan, 6-foot-11, were a dominant front-court duo due to their blend of skill, athleticism and toughness. Vembanyama and Quaintance are a little different, but they can stick together for a long time and develop into an effective duo on defense.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The Sacramento Kings were expected to be the winner of the 2026 NBA Draft lottery, putting them in a position to land one of the four top-tier prospects available. With the club finishing 7th overall, the draft targets changed significantly.

According to Kevin O’Connor of Yahoo Sports, many around the league “widely believe” the Kings are targeting Arkansas Razorbacks point guard Darius Acuff Jr. with the seventh overall selection.

RELATED: Sacramento Kings join big man in free agency

• Darius Acuff stats (ESPN): 23.5 ppg<6.4 apg<3.1 rpg, 48.4% FG, 2.5 3pm per game, 44% 3pt

It should come as no surprise that Sacramento is in the market for a point guard. This has been an issue plaguing the franchise since All-Star point guard De’Aaron Fox was traded away. The organization’s hope was that the lottery would turn out in their favor and that they would have elite chances of their choice among the top three.

Instead, by selecting seventh overall, Sacramento will likely take a top guard who hasn’t already been snatched up. That group of prospects is headlined by Acuff, Arizona guard Brayden Burries and Illinois guard Keaton Wagler.

RELATED: Kings linked to bizarre trade for superstar

Acuff, who turns 20 in November, earned SEC Player of the Year honors last season and received unanimous first-team All-American honors as a freshman. Sam Veseni of The Athletic called Acuff potentially “the most polished freshman guard prospect ever.”

The 6-foot-2 guard’s shot creation, ability to get to the paint and passing ability all give him the potential to become a high-level contributor offensively. However, he is also seen as one of the worst guards in the 2026 NBA Draft.

In an era where NBA teams have shown greater reservations about making long-term commitments to undersized guards who struggle defensively, drafting Acuff appears to go against that thinking.

Potentially, Sacramento could draft Acuff and then re-sign Russell Westbrook to serve as a mentor for the rookie this upcoming season. At best, he could develop into a Deron Williams-archetype player.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

A new NBA mock draft from ESPN shows the New York Knicks will use their first-round selection in June on a player who is unlikely to make much of an impact next season.

There is a lot of hope and excitement about the Knicks right now. On Tuesday night, they begin their Eastern Conference Finals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers at home and as favorites. Due to their excellent play over the past few weeks, this could be the franchise’s best chance to win an NBA title in decades.

Still, while the organization is hyper-focused on the East Finals, they should also keep some attention on what’s coming next, and that’s the NBA Draft next month. And when it comes to their choice at No. 24 at the June event, ESPN’s Jeremy Wu believes the team will take Houston big man Chris Cenac Jr.

On paper, getting an impact player from an elite team in 2025-26 sounds like a great accomplishment. But according to the draft expert, don’t expect Cenac Jr. to be more than a role player next season.

Will Chris Senac Jr. be Mitchell Robinson’s replacement for the NY Knicks?

Wu wrote, “Cenac measured well at the combine and excelled physically in on-court drills, with good amplitude and mobility for a center that makes him a worthwhile developmental bet.” “He made progress with his tenacity and rebounding in Houston, but is still a ways away from contributing to a winning NBA team.

“Still, his immense size and fluid movement skills give him a chance to carve out an eventual role in the NBA if he can find more offensive identity. There’s probably more rim-protection upside than his worrisome lack of blocks, as he was asked to play conservatively and focus on rebounding as part of Houston’s approach.

For a team that is hoping to win a championship this spring, and compete for more over the next few seasons, using a first-rounder on the prospect who will be the best role player next season is disappointing. However, Wu noted that with backup center Mitchell Robinson leaving in free agency this summer, the Knicks will have to look for a potential replacement.

Robinson is also basically a role player, but a very good player who specialized in certain skills. If Cenac Jr. can be just as meaningful or more in a few years, Knicks fans will be happy with this selection.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Since ancient times, undue importance has been given to low-sized prospects. Look no further than Cole Caufield, the 5-foot-7 Montreal Canadiens 50-goal scorer who fell to 15th overall in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. Despite scoring 72 goals during the season, the previous US development team record (Auston Matthews, 55) was demolished.

The New Jersey Devils could take advantage of that bias towards smaller players by selecting Viggo Bjork if he is still available with their 12th overall pick in the first round on June 26.

Björk Caulfield is not small either. He stands at 5-foot-10, 172 pounds, and watching his style of play in the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) or the recent IIHF World Championship should put most size concerns to rest. He has drawn comparisons to Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brayden Point.

However, we have seen it time and again. Many scouts are stubborn and stale in their analysis of less skilled players, even if those players continue to prove them wrong.

The Athletic draft expert Corey Pronman has Bjork headed to the Devils at #12 in his mock draft. Trading the pick might be in the Devils’ best interest. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about general manager Sunny Mehta, it’s that he’s not afraid to do what he feels is right, even if it’s unpopular.

Thus, if nothing comes of the Devils’ time, using the pick on Bjork could still be an incredible option. Based on skill and talent alone, he is in the top five.

Playing against NHL talent at the World Championship, he didn’t look out of place in any way. Take it from the great Sidney Crosby himself:

“It’s not easy [being that young at Worlds] … You know, he’s very balanced and you can tell he’s competitive. He’s not the biggest guy but he sees the ice well, makes good shots, does everything well. The way he competed, he was really tenacious with the puck.”

Sweden has equalized against Canada in the power play.

Viggo Björk (#2026NHLDraft) wins the faceoff against Ryan O’Reilly, Oliver Ekman-Larsson finds Lucas Raymond who makes no mistakes, just sneaks past him to tie the game!

– Tony Ferrari (@theTonyFerrari) 15 May 2026

Björk has two points (1G, 1A) in three games, as well as a disallowed goal, and despite his youth he has not shied away from participating in (and winning) puck battles. Both his playing ability and general hockey IQ seem well ahead of his age.

“They doubt [related to size] “Should fade out early,” said Ivan Ortiz of SMAHT scouting. “He is a well-rounded, intelligent player who is already managing the physical demands of professional hockey. Bjork plays with consistent energy and awareness, constantly scanning the ice and staying engaged in all three zones.

If the Devils retain Nico Hischier – which they should – the 1-2-3 punch of Hughes, Hischier and Bjork could be absolutely lethal on the road.

Bjork can also excel on the right wing, which could be a better option if he becomes a perennial 50+ point producer.

Viggo Bjork preventing Canadian defenders from pressuring a shot is something that won’t show up on the stat sheet or that people who aren’t looking for it won’t notice.

What you do is equally important #NYR pic.twitter.com/ZF2cJu6v12

– NYLOUIE TM️ (@NYLOuie) 15 May 2026

There is no guarantee that Björk will still be on the board at pick No. 12. But if he is, which wouldn’t be a surprise given his drafting history, the Devils shouldn’t think too much about it.

History with Mehta says he probably won’t think too much about it; They had Jesper Bratt, who was drafted #172 in 2016, ranked as the third best player in the entire draft via their draft model.

As GM, Mehta is clearly in a much more influential position than he was a decade ago. Fans should have full faith in Mehta and company. Decide to pursue.

Daniel is the New Jersey Devils beat reporter for SportsNut. He graduated from Montclair State University in 2025… More about Daniel Amoia

This is Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach’s 10th season with final decisions on the roster. They have produced three Super Bowl champions in the process. Except, Veach had a big task this offseason after the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014.

With free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, the bulk of that work has already been completed. Still, now that the Chiefs have 90 players on the roster, Kansas City will have some tough decisions to make when it comes time to trim the roster down to 53 players.

something, like athleticKey insider Jesse Newell believes Kansas City could land a player from its 2025 NFL Draft class. Specifically, Newell believes the additions of Kenneth Walker III, Imari Demercado and fifth-round rookie Emmett Johnson could make 2025 seventh-round running back Brashard Smith expendable.

The Chiefs made Smith the 228th pick last year. He ran the ball 44 times for 151 yards, caught 25 passes for 172 yards and one touchdown. He’s still only 23, but clearly, Walker is the immediate and future head forward in Kansas City, and Johnson could be part of the solution, offering help on third downs as well.

Walker and Johnson’s roster spots are absolutely safe. That means Smith, Demercado, and undrafted newcomers Jaden Ott and EJ Smith, son of Hall of Fame RB Emmitt Smith, could all find themselves fighting for a roster spot and an extra slot on the practice squad.

RELATED: Kansas City Chiefs predicted to sign first-team All-Pro

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

A new report suggests the Sacramento Kings or Los Angeles Clippers could take a risk with their top 10 selection in June and go after a star from national champion Michigan. But this is not Yaxel Lendeborg.

Over the weekend, both the Kings and Clippers found out where they will select in next month’s NBA Draft. The results were very different for the pair of California teams. Despite having strong chances to make the top four, Sacramento finished seventh overall. LA got a rare run of luck and won with the fifth overall pick.

The Clippers reached such a critical spot despite being playoff contenders this spring because of the bold trade they made that sent Ivica Zubac to the Indiana Pacers for a top-four protected pick. When Indy finished with the fifth overall pick, the selection went to LA.

In the days since, various draft speculations have linked the Kings and Clippers to star prospects such as Darius Acuff Jr., Kingston Flemings, and Keaton Wagler. However, according to CBS Sports draft expert Adam Finkelstein, both teams could go in surprising directions with their picks at five and seven, respectively.

Finkelstein claims that after looking impressive at the NBA Draft Combine this week, Michigan big man Ade Mara is rapidly moving up draft boards, and the Clippers and Kings have the most obvious need for a center in which the Spaniard has “incredible size, rim protection, deceptive mobility, passing and touch.”

“It remains to be seen whether someone will pull the trigger at 5 or 7, but it is no longer viewed as unlikely, especially in that latter scenario,” Finklestein noted about the player who was originally projected to go much later in Round 1.

If any Michigan star advanced to the event, most basketball fans would assume it would be top star Yaxel Lendeborg. The senior was first or second to the national champions in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

But Mara is a beast at 7-foot-3 and 259 pounds. Its wingspan is 7 feet 6 feet and height is 9 feet 9 inches. Mara is a shot-blocking specialist who led the Big Ten with 2.6 blocks last season.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Sunny Mehta’s new right-hand man comes from the same organization from where the New Jersey Devils poached him.

Each of them got to work with and under Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito for several years, and we all saw how well built they were.

You can’t help but get excited by what New Jersey has to offer. More details on who Mehta appointed as his new assistant GM yesterday in the link below.

Also in the link, Devils draft targets, potential Blueshirts trade, and more.

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

New Jersey Hockey Now: Sunny Mehta placed his first fingerprints on the front office, hiring Braden Birch—the Florida Panthers’ former director of hockey operations—as assistant general manager.

And if you were unsure about Birch, this Hall-of-Famer and future NHL executive had nothing but positive things to say about the new appointment:

Looking at the draft, I’m still of the position that Mehta should be traded with the 12th overall pick. However, if he doesn’t find a partner, here are five must-see forwards the Devils should target in the first round.

📺 devil’s rink report: There is debate over whether the Devils should retain their 12th overall pick or trade it for immediate help. On the Devils Rink Report YouTube channel, I explained clearly why they should be aggressive about doing this later.

Earlier this week, we went live with immediate reaction after the draft lottery. The full episode can be found here 👇🏼

Please like and subscribe our Youtube channel And turn on those notifications when we go live every Friday!

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NHL Trade Talk, News and National Hockey Now

Forever Blueshirts: That’s why the New York Rangers have a big decision to make when it comes to Drew Fortescue.

pittsburgh hockey now: The Pittsburgh Penguins certainly exceeded expectations this season by making the Stanley Cup playoffs. Here’s how each of the big three, Sindy Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang, contributed.

Boston hockey now: That’s why the Boston Bruins are having to trade for speed and skill this summer.

Montreal hockey now: The Montreal Canadiens’ post-season success has been marked by consistency in goal. More from Mark Dumont about Jacob Dobbs on this occasion.

Colorado hockey now: That’s why Jared Bednar’s gamble on Mackenzie Blackwood in Game 3 paid off in the Colorado Avalanche’s 5-2 win over the Minnesota Wild and a 3-1 series lead.

Athletic ($): What will the New York Rangers do with their fifth overall selection? What Vince Mercagliano is hearing includes the possibility of a trade.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

During the NFL Draft, the Las Vegas Raiders focused heavily on their secondary. They needed it.

Last season, only Tennessee and Miami allowed opponent quarterbacks to complete passes at a higher clip than the Raiders, who tied Dallas for the third-highest opponent completion percentage in the league.

General manager Jon Spityek used four of the team’s 10 picks at cornerback and safety. Las Vegas drafted Arizona safeties Traydon Stukes and Dalton Johnson in the second and fifth rounds. The team added cornerbacks Jermod McCoy and Hezekiah Maas on day three.

“We definitely needed to add competition to the defensive back room,” Clint Kubiak said. “It’s very rare to get two safeties on the same team playing together. It’s exciting. Get two new corners. That was an area on defense we needed to address.”

The question now is how four rookies fit into a defensive rotation that has to handle some of the game’s best pass catchers.

Traydon Stookes highlights the versatility of all four players

Treydan Stukes can rotate at nickelback and safety. At Arizona, he defended in man and zone, played the line of scrimmage and back end, and graded out at 90.1 overall last season – sixth best among cornerbacks nationally.

He allowed a 34.4 passer rating when targeted.

“I’m going to learn both (positions) and wherever I can fit in best and help the team win some games, that’s what I’m going to do,” Stukes said during rookie minicamp.

The Raiders traded down two spots and still took advantage of first-round talent to send them to the second round. Four interceptions and six pass breakups last year show why this matters.

Defensive coordinator Rob Leonard wants the interception. Stukes gives him a ballhawk in the middle of the field.

ALSO READ: Las Vegas Raiders 2026 NFL Draft recap: Best class in years, but the wide receiver room still needs an answer

Arizona teammates join veterans in Raiders secondary

Dalton Johnson was selected at No. 150 due to his versatility. He can play free safety, strong safety, nickelback and the slot. The Day 3 pick has a value of four positions.

Johnson totaled 277 tackles in his final three seasons in Tucson. He’ll learn behind veterans Jeremy Chinn and Isaiah Pola-Mao, who played 96% and 89% of defensive snaps last season – both clearing or approaching 1,000 snaps.

RELATED: Las Vegas Raiders draft recap: Knowing about the selections

Jarmod McCoy proving himself despite knee concerns

Jermod McCoy went from a potential first-round pick to the first pick on Day 3. Injury history ruled him out.

He missed all of 2025 due to a torn ACL at Tennessee. Reports surfaced before the draft that some teams believed a second surgery was imminent due to degenerative concerns surrounding a bone plug in the same knee. The Raiders made a one-spot deal to take him anyway.

“Confidence wasn’t an issue,” said vice president of player personnel Brandon Hunt. “We felt good about where we took him. It was an opportunity to get value. This was probably the best corner in the draft, and we feel like we have great people and a great process to make sure we get the best out of this player.”

Despite the medical report, McCoy worked out of rookie minicamp. At Tennessee in 2024, after transferring from Oregon State, he posted four interceptions and nine pass breakups and earned All-American honors. The next three months will show the attackers what they really have.

Also Read: Las Vegas Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza faced criticism from anonymous coach and it didn’t stop

Maas and McCoy join veteran cornerback room

If Stukes is the ballhawk in the middle, Hezekiah Maas is the ballhawk on the outside.

Masses led the nation with 18 passes defensed last season. He finished seventh with five interceptions and earned AP Second Team All-American honors. At over six feet tall, he reads route concepts well on the field.

The veteran room he and McCoy step into is solid. Teron Johnson comes to Buffalo with eight seasons of double-digit games, 48 ​​pass deflections (seven or more in four consecutive years from 2020-23), 98 tackles and AP All-Pro Second Team honors on his resume. Eric Stokes played more than 90% of the defensive snaps for the Raiders last season – that group included Pola-Mao and Devin White – and added five pass deflections and 53 tackles.

You have two rooms led by veterans and four rookies, which gives the Raiders a lot to be excited about.

As a result, both defensive back rooms have an opportunity to turn their great draft picks into a top unit by combining them with their veterans. The next three months of preparation before the season will tell how far they come along.

ALSO READ: Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver depth chart 2026: No clear No. 1 option heading into training camp

Braven Honda graduated from San Diego State with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism in May 2021. During his time at SDSU, … More about Braven Honda

When Stefon Diggs became a free agent in March, his circumstances were a little different from his fellow athletes hitting the open market. For one, the 32-year-old has been dealing with legal issues that may have impacted his availability for the 2026-27 NFL season.

However, now that Diggs was cleared of those charges on May 4, the market for the four-time Pro Bowl receiver is expected to skyrocket. Since he is extremely competitive, we expect Diggs to prefer the chance to land with a playoff contender. Below, we evaluate the four best and most likely landing spots for the former All-Pro.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings: From the NFL’s worst starting QBs to the best

buffalo bill

How about a reunion? We would argue that the Bills still haven’t got their MVP QB enough help at the receiver position. DJ Moore may not be the solution, but we could see it working while adding Stefon Diggs to help take attention away from each other. Diggs already knows the offense, and he already has chemistry with Josh Allen. It makes a lot more sense not to work.

new England Patriots

The Patriots may have been concerned about the potential PR hit and potential future suspension of Diggs when deciding to release Diggs from their roster in March. Now that the NFL Draft has come and gone, the Patriots haven’t added anyone in free agency except Romeo Dobbs, so the Patriots should welcome Diggs with open arms and really try to win a Super Bowl this time.

kansas city chiefs

Who wouldn’t want to team up with Patrick Mahomes? Diggs is still chasing his first Super Bowl ring, and Kansas City has always been confident in his ability to reach the big game. Who knows? Maybe with Diggs, they could quickly get back to the top of the mountain.

Washington Commanders

Diggs is a DC native, which has led to frequent rumors that he would like to play for the Washington Commanders. When it came time to choose a college, he decided to stay close to home and play for Maryland. Now he’s been given the chance to choose his next destination, why not consider the opportunity to become a hometown hero?

RELATED: 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating the worst, best teams after the NFL Draft

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Kansas star Darrin Peterson offered an absurd explanation to ease some teams’ concerns ahead of next month’s NBA Draft.

For many basketball evaluators, there was no more exciting NBA prospect than the Jayhawks guard in the 2025-26 college basketball season as the freshman was one of the most prolific scorers in the country. He has a great mid-range game, but can also be a force at the basket and from three. But he doesn’t need to be a ball hog and can be dangerous without it.

Additionally, the 6-foot-5 guard has a wingspan similar to that of a 6-foot-10 player, and this, along with his athletic ability, plays a significant role in why he is also a difference-maker on the defensive side of the ball. He has the potential to become a perennial All-Star at the next level. However, he had one major challenge stacked against him in his lone season at Kansas: his availability.

Of the Jayhawks’ 35 games, Peterson missed 11, and there were instances when he asked to leave games early while on the heater. This led to questions about how dedicated he was to winning, as the crux of it all often seemed to be the excuse.

Well, this week, Peterson tried to calm some doubters about possibly being the No. 1 pick in June’s draft with an explanation of cramp issues. The 19-year-old told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne that “a new round of blood tests and other tests” by doctors during the pre-draft process revealed that creatine was the cause of his cramps.

Darryn Peterson feared he was dying during convulsive episode in September

“I had never taken it before, but after the season, I took two weeks off and they did tests that showed my baseline levels were already high,” he said. “So, when I took the dose they said [a process of increasing a dose over time to create maximum benefit at the beginning of taking a supplement]”This would have made the levels unsafe.”

Peterson revealed that his cramps got so bad at a Kansas boot camp in September that he actually feared he might die.

“I took it to the training room and begged them to call 911,” Peterson recalled of the cramps he felt in his legs, stomach, back, arms and hands. “They were trying to give me an IV, get a vein to get me back hydrated. But I was convulsing so hard they couldn’t get the vein out. I thought I was going to die on the training table that day.”

In recent mock drafts, Peterson is projected to go to the Indiana Pacers (No. 2) or the Brooklyn Nets (No. 2) in Round 1 of the NBA Draft.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

On Saturday night, WWE will return to the ESPN app with the 2026 edition of Backlash. The event, taking place in Tampa, FL, will be headlined by a World Heavyweight Championship match between cousins ​​Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu. And the card will also include the reveal of Dannhausen’s mystery partner for the tag match against Kit Wilson and The Miz.

However, there is another big reveal planned for the event. And that’s an announcement from WWE icon John Cena that will reportedly “shake the foundation of WWE,” according to the future Hall of Famer. Rumors suggest that this club will be related to the launch of WWE. However, it may ultimately get a lot of praise from Tampa fans.

With that in mind, we’re offering five fun speculations about John Cena’s Backlash announcement.

John Cena announces location for WrestleMania 44

WrestleMania 43 is going to take place in Saudi Arabia next year. However, there has been a lot of new speculation on where 44 will be. Recent reports have revealed that Nashville and Ireland are in the running for the event. Considering all the recent news, Cena is likely to announce the location for WrestleMania 44 at Backlash.

John Cena reveals date of 2026 WWE Draft

For years, the annual WWE Draft became a major week on the company calendar. However, last year the event was skipped entirely, and instead, WWE went with the Transfer Portal. With complaints that the product has become a bit stale recently, both Raw and SmackDown really need the roster overhaul that the draft can bring. Fans will welcome the announcement of the 2026 WWE Draft at Backlash.

John Cena announces WWE has purchased the rights to Lucha Underground

There has been a lot of speculation among fans for the past few years regarding the return of Lucha Underground. The brand, which ran for four years from 2014 to 2018, still has a huge number of supporters. Especially since it played a major role in the careers of many current and former WWE stars.

It would be a lot of fun if Cena announced that WWE has purchased the rights to the brand to get a video library and plans to bring the company back with bi-weekly programs.

John Cena reveals plans for a performance center in Mexico

The WWE Performance Center has been one of the biggest successes in the company’s history. Instead of relying solely on talent from the indies or other companies, he created a wrestling factory that developed future stars.

After purchasing AAA last year, there were rumors that the company might open a new performance center in Mexico. It’s possible that this could be Cena’s announcement at Backlash.

John Cena reveals WWE has purchased TNA Wrestling

If Cena’s announcement is to truly shake up WWE, it needs to be monumental. New details on Club WWE won’t do that. However, it would be revealed that he purchased TNA. There has been speculation for some time that the company would purchase its longtime competitor. The working relationship over the past two years may have set the stage for an eventual purchase.

Although this would not be good for the wrestlers and staff, TNA’s video library and brand would be a very valuable asset to WWE.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The New Jersey Devils will have the 12th overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Tuesday’s lottery showed no movement for New Jersey, which entered with the 12th-worst record among non-playoff teams.

His slim chances of climbing into the top ten never materialised.

Instead, chaos reigned at the top of the board. The Toronto Maple Leafs, with only 8.5% odds and the fifth-worst record, moved from outside the top tier to first overall.

The San Jose Sharks moved up to second place, about a 5% difference from mid-lottery position (ninth-worst). Both jumps were highly improbable and expectations for the 2026 NHL Draft class were reshuffled.

For the Devils, it’s another year of lottery neutrality. Like 2024, they’re stuck in a spot that reflects their season: competitive enough to miss the playoffs but not lottery-friendly. That year he landed a big shot at Russian defenceman, Anton Silayev.

The top-tier talent headlined by prospects like Gavin McKenna now looks to Toronto and San Jose as teams looking to capitalize on long-term fortunes.

Yet 12th overall remains valuable.

What the Devils do with their first round pick remains to be seen. New GM Sunny Mehta reported that he believes New Jersey is on the verge of becoming a perennial playoff performer.

Thus, it’s fair to wonder if Mehta will settle for his core needs and package a first-round pick for more immediate help.

Otherwise, the Devils lack chances going forward. The 2026 NHL Draft is loaded with forward talent, and New Jersey will certainly look to improve their crop of forwards in the pipeline.

The 2026 NHL Draft is just less than two months away. Thus, Mehta and his team will have ample time to assess the best course of action with the 12 overall selections on June 26.

However, if the new regime is truly something that is going to change the culture in New Jersey, their first round pick should – without question – be used as a trade chip to eventually make Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt a proper left winger.

James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on SportsNote and … More about James Nicholls

The 2026 NHL Draft Lottery was held Tuesday night, as the Washington Capitals will select the 16th overall pick in the draft. The team did not even move from its original position in the sequence.

Additionally, the Capitals also have the Anaheim Ducks’ first-round pick following the John Carlson trade. As a result, the team will have two selections in the early rounds of the 2026 NHL Draft.

The Capitals entered the lottery with just a 0.5 percent chance of advancing, finishing the furthest away in the top 10. The team was eliminated in both the draws in the beginning itself.

The Capitals missed the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs, finishing in the middle of the pack.

The Toronto Maple Leafs ended up with the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft. They will likely select Penn State forward Gavin McKenna, the top prospect in this year’s class.

The San Jose Sharks have moved up to second overall, while the Vancouver Canucks will finish third. Vancouver entered the draft with the worst record in the NHL and the best odds (18.5 percent) for the first or second pick.

The Capitals have selected 16th overall only once in their franchise history, in 2012. At that time, the team had selected Tom Wilson, who had performed very well in DC.

The 2026 NHL Draft will take place June 26-27 in Buffalo, New York.

Harry Lichtman is an award-winning journalist who covers the Washington Capitals for SportsNut. He also contributes to the sites… More about Harry Lichtman

Now that the dust is settling on the 2026 NFL Draft class, the San Francisco 49ers’ roster is starting to come into focus. For a team that fell out of the first round, the 49ers have taken a lot of heat for their eight-man draft class. Still, when general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan put together the team’s final 53-man roster, there could be tough decisions to be made with some of those selections.

One of the players drafted by the 49ers was Indiana running back Kellon Black in the third round with the 90th overall pick. Could his arrival herald the departure of another recent 49ers draft pick?

recently, athletic49ers insider Vic Tafur suggested that running back Isaac Guerredo “looks like he’s buried (on the depth chart) and will look for a new team.” Tafur doesn’t suggest the 49ers will trade Guerrando, but we’d imagine a respectable offer would get a deal done.

The 49ers selected Guerredo in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft with the 129th overall selection. He started three games as a rookie and participated in 16 overall, recording 420 yards and four touchdowns on 84 attempts. But last year, he appeared in 14 games and didn’t get any carries. As Tafur said, he’s been buried, and Black’s arrival won’t make Guerando’s life in the RB room any easier.

The 49ers have starter Christian McCaffrey and backups Jordan James, Black, Guerando, Patrick Taylor Jr. and Sean McCormick. While McCaffrey is the team’s workhorse, the 49ers are looking for another back who can relieve their All-Pro weapons, and they may be ready to admit that Guerando isn’t the solution they were looking for.

RELATED: San Francisco 49ers linked to Pro Bowl pass rusher

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Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Brandon Sorsby is facing the possibility of being stripped of his eligibility by the NCAA in 2022 for allegedly betting on football games while he was with the Indiana Hoosiers. If that happens, the NFL’s supplemental draft may once again be relevant.

While the supplemental draft once produced starting-caliber players such as Josh Gordon (2012) and Ahmad Brooks (2006), a player has not been selected since 2019. Given the number of quarterback-needy teams around the league, Sorsby could change that if he decides to turn pro.

Let’s look at some potential landing spots for Soursby in the NFL supplemental draft.

green Bay Packers

This may come as a surprise. However, the Green Bay Packers would love to have a developmental quarterback behind Jordan Love who they can potentially help like they did with Malik Willis. There will be no pressure on Soursby to play in Green Bay, as he can sit behind both Love and Desmond Ridder. The Packers are projected to receive compensatory picks in Rounds 3 and 4 in the 2027 NFL Draft, which could give general manager Brian Gutekunst the option to sacrifice a third-round pick forfeiture to take Soursby in the supplemental draft. He will have four years of contractual control and can develop for another year before making him Love’s backup in 2027. After that, he’ll still be only 24 years old and the Packers could potentially flip him for premium draft capital in the 2028 NFL Draft.

RELATED: NFL executive offers reason to worry about Green Bay Packers

dallas cowboys

We are prioritizing landing locations first, where Sorsby will be under no pressure to see the field in the near future. The Dallas Cowboys have already demonstrated they are willing to gamble on young quarterbacks with attractive physical tools (Trey Lance and Joe Milton); Sorsby was a more attractive prospect than any of them when he was acquired. It will also be a homecoming for the 23-year-old quarterback, who starred at Lake Dallas High School in Denton, Texas. Sorsby will have the opportunity to learn from Dak Prescott for two-plus years before potentially taking over as the Cowboys’ starting quarterback in 2028. This may have required Jerry Jones to sacrifice a second-day pick, but he has made more aggressive moves with first-round draft capital for worse players.

Read More: 2026 NFL Power Rankings, evaluating each team after the 2026 NFL Draft

miami dolphins

While Brandon Sorsby has played 34 career collegiate games, he wasn’t really viewed as a major quarterback prospect for the NFL until last year. Now that he is dealing with a gambling scandal, there is too much risk in thrusting him into a starting role so soon. However, the worst NFL teams are willing to take more chances. Fortunately, the Miami Dolphins already have a starting quarterback to whom they are financially committed for 2026. Malik Willis’ contract should ensure that he remains the Dolphins’ starter, allowing the coaching staff to use this season as a development year for Soursby. If he makes a strong impact and demonstrates he’s ready to be the starter, Miami could potentially use a top-three pick on wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

New York Jets

If Brandon Sorsby were to be selected in the second round in the NFL supplemental draft, the New York Jets would come up as a potential option. They already have three first-round selections in the 2027 NFL Draft, so that Round 2 selection could already stand out as a potential trade chip. Many will believe that Soursby could challenge to become the Jets’ starting quarterback very soon, but the coaching staff is very committed to Geno Smith. A better plan would be to give Smith the first three months of the season before Soursby gets a trial run as the starter in December. If he performs really well, New York could use their first trio to build a core around him. If he struggles, take Arch Manning or Dante Moore.

RELATED: The best 2026 NFL draft classes including the NY Jets

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Brandon Sorsby is facing the possibility of being stripped of his eligibility by the NCAA in 2022 for allegedly betting on football games while he was with the Indiana Hoosiers. If that happens, the NFL’s supplemental draft may once again be relevant.

While the supplemental draft once produced starting-caliber players such as Josh Gordon (2012) and Ahmad Brooks (2006), a player has not been selected since 2019. Given the number of quarterback-needy teams around the league, Sorsby could change that if he decides to turn pro.

Let’s look at some potential landing spots for Soursby in the NFL supplemental draft.

green Bay Packers

This may come as a surprise. However, the Green Bay Packers would love to have a developmental quarterback behind Jordan Love who they can potentially help like they did with Malik Willis. There will be no pressure on Soursby to play in Green Bay, as he can sit behind both Love and Desmond Ridder. The Packers are projected to receive compensatory picks in Rounds 3 and 4 in the 2027 NFL Draft, which could give general manager Brian Gutekunst the option to sacrifice a third-round pick forfeiture to take Soursby in the supplemental draft. He will have four years of contractual control and can develop for another year before making him Love’s backup in 2027. After that, he’ll still be only 24 years old and the Packers could potentially flip him for premium draft capital in the 2028 NFL Draft.

RELATED: NFL executive offers reason to worry about Green Bay Packers

dallas cowboys

We are prioritizing landing locations first, where Sorsby will be under no pressure to see the field in the near future. The Dallas Cowboys have already demonstrated they are willing to gamble on young quarterbacks with attractive physical tools (Trey Lance and Joe Milton); Sorsby was a more attractive prospect than any of them when he was acquired. It will also be a homecoming for the 23-year-old quarterback, who starred at Lake Dallas High School in Denton, Texas. Sorsby will have the opportunity to learn from Dak Prescott for two-plus years before potentially taking over as the Cowboys’ starting quarterback in 2028. This may have required Jerry Jones to sacrifice a second-day pick, but he has made more aggressive moves with first-round draft capital for worse players.

Read More: 2026 NFL Power Rankings, evaluating each team after the 2026 NFL Draft

miami dolphins

While Brandon Sorsby has played 34 career collegiate games, he wasn’t really viewed as a major quarterback prospect for the NFL until last year. Now that he is dealing with a gambling scandal, there is too much risk in thrusting him into a starting role so soon. However, the worst NFL teams are willing to take more chances. Fortunately, the Miami Dolphins already have a starting quarterback to whom they are financially committed for 2026. Malik Willis’ contract should ensure that he remains the Dolphins’ starter, allowing the coaching staff to use this season as a development year for Soursby. If he makes a strong impact and demonstrates he’s ready to be the starter, Miami could potentially use a top-three pick on wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

New York Jets

If Brandon Sorsby were to be selected in the second round in the NFL supplemental draft, the New York Jets would come up as a potential option. They already have three first-round selections in the 2027 NFL Draft, so that Round 2 selection could already stand out as a potential trade chip. Many will believe that Soursby could challenge to become the Jets’ starting quarterback very soon, but the coaching staff is very committed to Geno Smith. A better plan would be to give Smith the first three months of the season before Soursby gets a trial run as the starter in December. If he performs really well, New York could use their first trio to build a core around him. If he struggles, take Arch Manning or Dante Moore.

RELATED: The best 2026 NFL draft classes including the NY Jets

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

The Buffalo Bills parted ways with head coach Sean McDermott this offseason after seven consecutive seasons of double-digit wins. Although expectations for the organization clearly have not been met, it appears that some in the league believe things will not get better any time soon.

Speaking to Mike Sandow of The Athletic, an NFL executive shared his belief that the Bills’ window as a Super Bowl contender in the AFC has closed. This is despite the expected regression from the New England Patriots and the AFC seemingly being “down” right now.

“I think Buffalo’s window is closed.”

Unnamed NFL executive on Buffalo Bills entering 2026 season

RELATED: 2026 NFL power rankings, see where the Bills land

In 2025, Buffalo tied for the fourth-most wins in the AFC and then reached the divisional round, but lost in overtime. This led to head coach Sean McDermott being fired, general manager Brandon Beane being promoted to president of football operations and offensive coordinator Joe Brady being named head coach.

The Bills front office responded to that disappointment in 2025 by adding safety Geno Stone, nickel C.J. Gardner-Johnson and edge rusher Bradley Chubb to bolster the defense. Equally important, Buffalo traded for wide receiver DJ Moore to provide Allen with an effective offensive weapon.

It’s fair to assume that the Kansas City Chiefs will bounce back in 2026 with the return of Patrick Mahomes and the signing of Kenneth Walker. Elsewhere in the AFC, the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals look better on paper next season.

One reason some around the league are skeptical of the Bills’ approach may have something to do with the team’s draft class. Beane traded downs twice in Round 1 and, in a class that was considered unusually weak, there were some questions whether the team had taken the right approach.

NFL officials skeptical of Buffalo Bills draft strategy

Another executive questioned the Bills’ strategy in the 2026 NFL Draft. While President of Football Operations Brandon Beane received much praise from analysts for trading down multiple times, an analytics-approved strategy, some around the league were not as keen on this specific draft reason.

One executive said, “You get an advantage from the guys who pick you, whether it’s third or fourth or something later, they weren’t going to give you any (good) player in this draft.”

The Athletic’s NFL executive trading down on the Buffalo Bills draft class

This was not the only opinion that expressed doubt as to whether this is the right year to trade up multiple times and collect large amounts of Day 3 draft capital. Another NFL executive told Sandow that it was a “weird draft” because the class was “terrible at the top and terrible at the bottom.”

RELATED: The best 2026 NFL draft classes, including the Buffalo Bills

However, as some of Beane’s teammates in front offices around the league pointed out, a weak 2026 NFL Draft class actually made it, so there was no “right” strategy to take. Beane setting himself up to take multiple swings may prove to be the best approach as it at least gives him a chance to take more swings at different players who may strike out.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

After gutting the roster and cutting millions in salary, the Miami Dolphins got much better during the 2026 NFL Draft. The Dolphins included 13 players in the draft, but that doesn’t mean the team addressed all of their weaknesses and needs.

Shortly after the draft ended, the Dolphins were already linked to one of the top remaining free agents.

according to miami heraldBarry Jackson The Dolphins have shown interest in wide receiver Jaun Jennings since the start of free agency. Nevertheless, there is no indication that the interests are mutual.

“In fact, according to a source, the Dolphins – since the start of free agency – have expressed interest in 49ers free agent receiver Jaune Jennings,” Jackson wrote. “But they don’t have the money to satisfy his contractual wishes, and Sullivan has said Miami is not going to spend big in free agency after June 1.”

The former San Francisco 49ers receiver is currently visiting with the Minnesota Vikings, and is expected to stay through Wednesday as well. Chances are, the Vikings will make every effort to ensure that Jennings does not leave their facility without a signed contract.

Come 4pm ET on April 29, teams will be able to sign free agents without impacting their future compensatory selection formula. This could be just what teams like the Vikings have been waiting for, but the real question may center on how much money Jennings is asking for.

Jennings, 28, recorded 643 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He’ll likely play a much bigger role in the Dolphins’ offense than the Vikings, where he’ll be behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Nevertheless, the Dolphins are expected to struggle in a rebuilding season, while the Vikings are expected to compete for a playoff spot again. This could be just what Jennings is looking for.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating the worst, best teams after the NFL Draft

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ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft opens the door for the New York Knicks to select a potential OG Anunoby replacement with their top pick at the June event.

Since arriving in a trade ahead of the 2023-24 trade deadline, Anunoby has been a valuable part of the Knicks roster. He’s a reliable three-point threat, an underrated scorer, a talented athlete, but more than anything, he’s a tenacious defender who can guard both forward spots.

However, if the Knicks disappoint in this year’s playoffs and fail to reach the Finals, the 28-year-old could be used in a blockbuster trade. Furthermore, he still has three years and $135 million left on his massive contract. This is a huge number for a player who has never earned All-Star honors in the NBA.

Maybe that’s why Jeremy Wu’s new ESPN NBA mock draft predicts the team will use their first-round pick in June on Arizona big man Koa Peat.

Can Koa Pete replace OG Anunoby?

“Pete chose to declare for the draft and has the opportunity to solidify his role on the board with a strong predraft process,” Wu wrote. “Some teams see him as an excellent candidate to return to school and improve his stock, an option that is available to him.

“Scouts view his perimeter shooting as a key swing skill that will impact his career path, as he is not particularly effective at scoring outside 15 feet at this stage of his career. But his strength and quickness relative to his size, coupled with a solid offensive feel and ability to defend the perimeter, give him a chance to find a spot at the right position.”

The 6-foot-8 prospect isn’t quite the same three-point shooter as Anunoby, but he has similar athletic talent and the ability to be a problem for opposing forwards. One area where he is better than the nine-year vet is that he is a better ball handler and passer. The 19-year-old is a project, but he would come at a fairly cheap rate and wouldn’t need to be a top scorer or distributor, just a strong defender.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

In ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft, the Los Angeles Lakers find an interesting replacement for Deandre Ayton in the June event.

This has been a very good season for the Lakers. Despite some early bumps in the road and major questions about the team’s chemistry and dedication to defense, LA came into the season in a much stronger position. However, injuries to Luka Doncic and Austin Reeves seemed to end any hopes of a deep run in this year’s playoffs. Or so we thought.

Thanks to the brilliance of LeBron James and some shockingly good play from Luke Kennard, the Lakers actually lead 3-1 in their opening-round series against the Houston Rockets entering Game 5 on Wednesday at home. Still, while the chance to go far in the postseason is back, the front office needs to keep an eye on the impending offseason.

In a few months, the team will have to find out if LeBron James, Austin Reaves, or Deandre Ayton are in their plans after this season. It seems like they want James back – at the right price – and will certainly give Reeves a huge raise in free agency. It seems Ayton is a strange man. Although he has been solid for them in 2025-26, he hasn’t made a case that he will be difficult to replace.

Los Angeles Lakers predicted to draft UNC’s Henry Vissar

Perhaps that’s why the Lakers have selected Ayton’s replacement with their first-round selection in ESPN’s new NBA mock draft.

Jeremy Wu writes, “The Lakers have some roster uncertainty next season with James and potentially Reeves (player option) entering free agency. The most glaring need is at center, where they stand to move on from the stellar Deandre Ayton.” “Henry Vissar will elevate their skill level and add a floor-spacing element that the roster is lacking.”

The North Carolina center is 7-feet and 225 pounds. The junior had a breakout year for the Tar Heels after transferring from Arizona. Posting 17.0 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and shooting 42% from three.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

A new report points to the New York Knicks potentially replacing veteran rim-protector Mitchell Robinson with St. John’s top star in 2025-26.

Robinson never had stats that jumped off the page. Even this season, he is averaging 5.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in just 19.6 minutes per night. However, for Knicks fans and rivals in the conference, they know the seven-foot player can make a big difference as an elite offensive rebounder, talented rim protector and lob threat.

That’s why New York gave the former second-round pick a huge raise four years ago in the form of a four-year, $60 million deal. However, with the valuable center in the final year of his contract, and the Knicks already hovering around the second salary tax apron, there’s a very real possibility they let Robinson walk in free agency.

That’s why they may consider trying to replace him with a more cost-effective option in June’s NBA Draft. Well, they could reportedly be one of those teams taking a close look at a player who could be a great replacement for Robinson next season.

Could the New York Knicks trade Mitchell Robinson for Zubie Ejiofor?

According to college basketball insider Adam Zagoria, more than 20 teams have “requested private workouts” with St. John’s star Jubie Ejiofor. It would make complete sense if the Knicks were one of the teams the senior won Big East Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Scholar Athlete of the Year honors last season for a Red Storm team that reached the Sweet 16.

Although Ejiofor is shorter than Robinson (7-feet compared to 6-foot-9), he weighs similar to the Knicks center. He is also a talented rim protector (2.1 blocks per night) and offensive rebounder (3.0 ORPG in 2025-26, 4.4 in 2024-25). However, he may be upgraded overall as he is a far more efficient scorer than Robinson.

Last season, Ejiofor posted 17.3 points per game and shot 72% from the line. Robinson is a liability at the line after averaging 51% from the stripe for his career. The St. John’s big man could be an option for New York, with a higher possibility at 24, or 31, to open Round 2 of the draft.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Less than a week before the start of the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Giants made the surprising decision to trade one of their best players, sending Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for the 10th overall pick. While the Giants got a strong return for their three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, his departure left a huge hole in the middle of John Harbaugh’s defense.

What was the Giants’ plan to replace the DT?

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, the Giants wanted to take Ohio State defensive tackle Kayden McDonald “at the top of Round 2” with the 37th overall pick. Nevertheless, the Houston Texans selected McDonald with the 36th pick, just one spot ahead of the Giants.

As mentioned, once McDonald left, the Giants turned to Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood, who some viewed as a potential first-round pick like McDonald. Still, the Giants did not get back on the defensive line until selecting Auburn’s Bobby Jamison-Travis with the 186th overall pick.

Thus, the Giants may still be looking to add a potential starting defensive tackle before the 2026 season begins. They’ve already brought in DJ Reeder for the tour, and it’s possible he’ll be part of the solution going forward, but McDonald might be the better option long-term.

RELATED: A bold prediction for every player in the New York Giants’ 2026 draft class

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The Las Vegas Raiders are set to make Fernando Mendoza the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But they also selected nine other players and overall their draft class was extremely successful.

Of course, we won’t know the true results of the Raiders’ 2026 draft class for another year, if not longer. Still, it’s never too early to draw some early conclusions.

According to some accounts, the raiders decimated their draft class. He also got some draft steals, but those also come with question marks.

Specifically, NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports suggested that there is a “chance” that fourth-round cornerback Jermod McCoy “will never play football again.”

Pauline wrote, “Cornerback Jermod McCoy was worth the upset in Round 4.” “There’s a possibility he’ll never play football again, and he could be sidelined until at least 2026, but if he returns healthy, it’ll be a bargain.”

McCoy entered draft day as a projected first-round pick. Nevertheless, reports from NFL doctors revealed that the Tennessee defensive back had a possible “degenerative knee condition”. This led some to wonder whether McCoy might slip to second.

Of course, McCoy’s draft freefall didn’t end until Day 3, when the Raiders made him the 101st overall pick. Still only 20 years old, it would be a major tragedy if McCoy never got a chance to showcase his talents on an NFL field, yet teams clearly had concerns about his knee.

RELATED: Las Vegas Raiders 2026 NFL Draft recap: Best class in years, but the wide receiver room still needs an answer

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Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone is the NFL’s youngest GM. After seeing how the Jaguars handled the 2026 NFL Draft, some might say their inexperience showed last weekend.

To be fair, this team was already behind the 8-ball, entering the weekend without a first-round draft pick after last year’s trade for Travis Hunter. Jacksonville’s first draft selection did not come until the 56th overall selection, when they selected tight end Nate Boerkircher, who was projected to be a fourth-round selection by NFL.com and athleticDan Brugler.

Things didn’t get any better from there, yet the Jaguars still had nine more selections to make.

Recently, NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports called the Boerkircher pick a “head-scratcher.” He also called the team’s fifth-round selection, DT Albert Regis, a “reach.”

While some of her selections were heavily criticized, Pauline liked some of the team’s other selections, but even some of them had flaws.

“On the other hand, Emmanuel Pregnon can turn in steals from the same frame, as he is a dominant, drive-blocking guard who is relatively effective on the move,” Poulin wrote. “Why did he slide? People at USC told me Pregnon can be tricky, while others say he often slows down offensive schemes. Still, it was worth rolling the dice for Jacksonville. Safety Jalen Huskey and edge rusher Wesley Williams are two players I like, but I believe they would have been available later in the draft. Josh Cameron could be a steal in Round 6, as he’s sure-handed and productive. But he lacks speed and has a funky body type.”

Overall, Pauline gave the Jaguar a C- grade. Meanwhile, Brugler actually ranked the Jaguars last, suggesting that Jacksonville’s draft class was the “worst” in the NFL this year.

Of course, NFL Draft grades mean nothing in immediate results. What really matters is how the classroom is viewed, one, two, or five years from now, when we will be able to better assess their actual impact rather than predicted outcomes.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Draft Day 2: Winners, losers from Rounds 2 and 3

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The New York Giants have received high praise for their 2026 draft class and are viewed as one of the winners of the draft. We’ll have to see how the seven players perform on the field to assess them, but the outlook for the seven players selected by the Giants appears to be promising.

• Averell Reese, LB, Ohio State (5^th overall)
• Francis Mauigoa, OT Miami (10^th overall)
• Colton Hood, CB Tennessee (37)^th overall)
• Malachi Fields, WR Notre Dame (74^th overall)
• Bobby Jamison-Travis, DT Auburn (186^th overall)
• Jesse Davis, OL Illinois (192^Ra overall)
• Jack Kelly, LB BYU (193^third overall)

The Giants acquired two opening day starters in Reese and Mauigoa and potentially a third starter in Hood. They also added depth and players who would contribute on special teams.

These players would play a huge role in building the foundation of the John Harbaugh era with Big Blue. Here are our bold predictions on what to expect from each player in the 2026 draft class.

RELATED: Report suggests New York Giants GM Joe Schoen could be fired soon

averell reese

Shortly after taking Averell Reese with the fifth overall pick, Harbaugh said the rookie linebacker would play on the inside. The versatile Reese will show off his playmaking ability and make plays sideline to sideline. Reese would not only lead the Giants in tackles, but he would have the most tackles of any rookie, be named to the All-Rookie team, and be voted to the Pro Bowl.

Francis Mauigoa

Despite playing right tackle at the University of Miami, Mauigoa will be the team’s new starting right guard. He will start all 17 games at guard and help reduce the number of sacks given up by the line from 48 in 2025 to 30 in 2026. He would also be named to the All-Rookie Team.

colton hood

Hood would spend the first half of the season in and out of the starting lineup. Then in the second half of the season, he would emerge as the full-time starter opposite Paulson Adebo. He will bring big play ability to the secondary as he has two pick-sixes on the season.

Malachi Fields

The 6’4, 223-pound Fields is the biggest target in the Giants’ wide receiver room. As the season progressed, his playing time would gradually increase, and he would become one of Jackson Dart’s favorite targets in the red zone. Fields scored five receiving touchdowns in each of his final three years in college, and as a rookie, he would also find the end zone five times.

bobby jamison-travis

Jamison-Travis is the only defensive lineman the team took in the draft, so they definitely have plans to help the interior defense. His 6’4 322-pound frame allows him to stack blockers so his teammates can make plays, and he will clog running lanes. His stats won’t be off the charts, but he will play a big role in improving the team to their 31^{scheduled tribe} Run defense from a season ago.

jesse davis

A sixth-round pick is never guaranteed to make the final roster, but Davis appeared in 47 games during his collegiate career, and the franchise has always preferred players with lots of experience. He will make the final roster and add depth to the line. Teams can convert him from tackle to guard, and he can be used in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

jack kelly

The Giants’ final pick in the draft could end up being the best value pick in the draft. The versatile and offensive linebacker had 75 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks in his two seasons at BYU. The defensive coordinator will integrate Kelly into the defensive rotation, but Kelly will also make a big impact on special teams, as he will lead the Giants in special teams tackles this season.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Power Rankings: Evaluating the worst, best teams after the NFL Draft

Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, most analysts predicted that the Minnesota Vikings would select Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with the 18th overall selection in the first round. Of course, the Vikings did not perform as expected, instead selecting Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks in the first round.

The Vikings did not address the safety position until the third round, and they selected nine players overall, the most since 2022. Nevertheless, many analysts felt that Minnesota’s first selection was a reach, given that Banks had multiple foot surgeries and was limited to only three games last season.

Banks was projected as a second-round selection, but the Vikings feel he has the talent to be worthy of a first-round selection. If healthy, they may be right.

Still others, prefer athleticDan Brugler feels like the Vikings had one of the worst draft classes in the NFL this year, finishing 29th out of 32 teams.

• DT Caleb Banks – 18th overall
• LB Jake Golde – 51st overall
• DT Domonique Orange – 82nd overall
• OT Caleb Tiernan – 97th overall
• S. Jacobe Thomas – 98th overall
• FB/TE Max Bredesen – 159th overall
• CB Charles Demings – 163rd overall
• RB Demand Claiborne – 198th overall
• IOL Gavin Gerhart – 235th overall

However, it was not all bad. Brugler said that Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golde was his “favorite choice”, believing he had a chance to make an immediate impact in the Vikings’ Brian Flores-led defense.

Brugler said fifth-round cornerback Charles Demings could “surprise” during his NFL career, adding that the prospect “leaves everything he has on the field.” Overall, Brugler felt Demings was a “worthy bet” for the fifth round.

Although he’s certainly a fan of Gould and Demings, Brugler clearly didn’t think much of the Vikings’ draft class as a whole.

RELATED: 4 Minnesota Vikings WR targets after the 2026 NFL Draft

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While performance on the field will really determine which teams make the best moves in the 2026 NFL Draft, it’s always worth checking out how much some rosters improved over this past weekend. This practice favors teams with premium draft capital, but it also highlights how different some of these clubs could look this fall.

Let’s take a look at the list of NFL teams that we believe have improved the most through the draft.

New York Jets

The New York Jets looked to be one of the worst teams seen in the last decade during the second half of the 2025 NFL season. Not surprisingly, when you eliminate most of your roster, there’s a lot of room for improvement. We think New York did a great job in the NFL Draft.

In the first two rounds, there’s a great case that New York came away with four starters. David Bailey could be an exciting No. 2 edge rusher for Aaron Glenn in 2026, D’Angelo Ponds found the right team to use, and the Jets strengthened their passing game with the selection of playmakers Kenyon Saadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. There will also be more depth on the defensive interior with Darrell Jackson Jr., and we’re eager to see how Glenn utilizes his size (6-foot-3) and speed (4.4). 40-yard dash) in a rotational role for safety VJ Payne.

Connected: Ranking the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidates

dallas cowboys

It is a popular opinion to say that the Dallas Cowboys came out of the 2026 NFL Draft with one of the best performances. Our assessment is that this rookie class, especially the top three picks, will prove vital in a remarkable one-year turnaround for this Cowboys defense. That step forward could also be the difference in potentially winning the NFC East.

Although we don’t expect Caleb Downs to perform like an All-Pro as a rookie, a Pro Bowl selection is on the table because of Christian Parker’s system. This is great, as it took Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper Dejean until their second season under Parker in Philadelphia to do this, but a significant improvement defensively for Dallas makes it possible.

We also like what the Cowboys did at edge rusher by taking Malachi Lawrence (23rd overall pick), Jayshawn Barham (92nd overall pick) and LT Overton (137th overall pick). Suddenly, pass-rushing depth is no longer an issue for this team, and they have already upgraded the backbone of their defense. We’ll also mention the fact that Dallas acquired linebacker Dee Winters, who, if healthy, will be an upgrade from Kenneth Murray Jr. Jerry Jones and company made improving the defense their top priority, and we believe they succeeded.

tampa bay buccaneers

Sometimes it’s good to have luck on your side in the 2026 NFL Draft. For whatever reason, frontrunner Ruben Benn Jr. dropped to 15th overall. We feel pretty confident in saying that if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had picked this high, they would have been taken in the top eight. He’s an immediate starter, solidifying a position that has plagued this Buccaneers defense for years. What makes the selection even better is that Ben will be in a good position to produce quickly as he is joining a defensive line that includes Vita Vea and Caliza Cansi. Tampa Bay’s defensive line may eventually become a problem for other teams again rather than the team’s problem.

Fittingly, in a draft where the Buccaneers had addressed a position of weakness for several years, linebacker Josiah Trotter was the 46th pick overall. He was built for Tampa Bay’s defense, due to his excellent ability to attack everything in front of him. Dropping back into coverage is certainly an issue, but it’s clearly something the Buccaneers’ coaching staff is accustomed to dealing with at linebacker. Elsewhere on defense, Keyontae Scott (116th pick overall) could be a good nickel corner for the Buccaneers this season, and DeMonte Capehart provides some depth if Kansas goes down again.

RELATED: Best 2026 NFL Draft Classes

kansas city chiefs

Not only were the Kansas City Chiefs coming off their worst season since 2012, but they also moved on from corners Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson this offseason. Moving on from the All-Pro cornerback isn’t always an easy call, but this could lead to an improvement on the Kansas City defense we saw last year.

As good as McDuffie was, he had his limitations, and Mansur Delaney plans to be a better boundary corner who matches up well against bigger wide receivers. The Chiefs finally found their future at defensive tackle and landed Peter Woods with the 29th pick overall. We know Woods was extremely talented at Clemson, but he will get far better coaching in the NFL than he did at Clemson. Although his maximum range may not be reached for a few years, he could make a real positive impact on the interior in 2026.

Additionally, Kansas City added some pass-rushing depth on the edge with R Mason Thomas (40th pick overall). The history of the Chiefs coaching staff gives us all the confidence in the world that Jadon Canady (109th overall pick) can develop into a quality rotational cornerback. Credit Kansas City for improving defensively; It was needed.

cleveland browns

As much criticism as the Cleveland Browns organization receives from the public, general manager Andrew Berry knows how to identify talent. In our view, Cleveland was the top pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and we look forward to seeing both sides of the ball next season.

The focus, naturally, is on an offense that features a new left tackle (Spencer Fano) along with two wide receivers (Casey Concepcion and Denzel Boston) whose skills complement each other perfectly. While there is no true ‘alpha’ receiver on this Browns offense right now, it doesn’t seem to be as necessary at the moment as there is now a good group of playmakers to pair with tight end Harold Fannin Jr.

Cleveland got a deal to land safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, the 58th overall pick, who will make a name for himself as a rookie. Berry also learned what can happen when you don’t have depth on the offensive line, adding swing tackle Austin Barber and center Parker Brailsford. While we can’t be confident that Shedure Sanders is the long-term answer in Cleveland, the right infrastructure is in place to evaluate him now.

RELATED: NFL Power Rankings, evaluating teams after the 2026 NFL Draft

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Texas Tech Red Raiders transfer quarterback Brandon Sorsby is checking into a treatment program for gambling addiction, as reported by ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Sorbsey, who most recently played for the Cincinnati Bearcats, is one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft next spring.

The 22-year-old quarterback decided to seek gambling treatment after a recent discovery. Sorsby placed thousands of online bets on various sports through a gambling app, as first reported by Thamel. The NCAA is currently investigating Sorsby’s gambling as he enters treatment for the problem.

“we love [Brendan Sorsby] And support his decision to seek professional help,” said Texas Tech head coach Joey McGuire. ”It takes courage to take this step, and our primary focus is on them as an individual. Our program is behind Brendan as he prioritizes his health.

In 2025, Soursby threw for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns and five interceptions in 12 games with Cincinnati. This represents the 22-year-old quarterback’s second year with Cincinnati. He spent the last two seasons with the Indiana Hoosiers. Sorbsey was ranked as one of the top players in the NCAA transfer portal during this cycle.

Sorsby is set to replace former Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton, who was selected by the New England Patriots in the 2026 NFL Draft. Texas Tech was excited to land Sorsby, who was one of the top quarterback prospects in next year’s 2027 NFL Draft.

Sorsby’s future with Texas Tech is unclear after seeking treatment for gambling. Currently, the NCAA is trying to understand the extent of his actions through its investigation. Meanwhile, the Red Raiders aid Soursby in his recovery, hoping he can improve his health.

READ MORE: Highlights from Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, including the 2027 NFL Draft class

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The New York Giants established their foundation under new head coach John Harbaugh with the team having seven selections in the 2026 NFL Draft.

• Averell Reese, LB, Ohio State (5^th overall)
• Francis Mauigoa, OT Miami (10^th overall)
• Colton Hood, CB Tennessee (37)^th overall)
• Malachi Fields, WR Notre Dame (74^th overall)
• Bobby Jamison-Travis, DT Auburn (186^th overall)
• Jesse Davis, OL Illinois (192^Ra overall)
• Jack Kelly, LB BYU (193^third overall)

Although we will have to wait and see how the players perform on the field to properly evaluate them, the Giants should be considered one of the winners of the draft, considering the players they drafted where they were taken.

It was eye-opening to see how the franchise handled the first draft under Harbaugh, and here are the four biggest takeaways.

Giants signing DJ Reeder seems inevitable

Defensive tackle was one of the team’s biggest needs coming into the draft in the wake of the Dexter Lawrence trade with the Cincinnati Bengals. They ultimately took Jamison-Travis in the sixth round, but he is a project and not ready to be a starter. That’s why the team is expected to sign free agent DJ Reeder at any time.

The 6’3, 330-pound defensive tackle started 32 games for the Detroit Lions over the past two seasons and recorded 51 tackles with 12 quarterback hits and three sacks. He spent his last four seasons with the Bengals, and the first four years of his career with the Houston Texans.

Reeder will turn 32 in July, and he would be an ideal candidate to fill the void in the middle of the defense for a season until a team drafts a defensive tackle in the 2027 draft.

The signing of the veteran defensive tackle could happen as early as this week or sometime during OTAs.

The new system believes you can never have too many pass rushers.

There’s an old Giants adage that you can never have too many pass rushers, and the Giants’ new regime, led by Harbaugh and Senior Vice President of Football Operations Don Aponte, believes it too.

Although Averell Reese would play inside linebacker with New York, he played the majority of his snaps playing on the edge in his final year at Ohio State. He will now run faster from the A gap and sometimes line up on the outside in passing situations.

The team now has four leading pass rushers in Reese, Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux. There were reports that the team was engaged in trade talks with the New Orleans Saints for Thibodaux. But the Saints did not offer the compensation the Giants were looking for, and decided not to part with the 25-year-old edge rusher.

It’s possible the team parted ways with Thibodaux at the end of this offseason. But right now, they have a group of pass rushers that are going to make life difficult for opposing offensive lines. They may not have been the 2011 NASCAR package that led the franchise to victory in Super Bowl XLVI, led by Justin Tuck, Osi Umenyiora, Jason Pierre-Paul and Mathias Kiwanuka, as they played on the defensive line. But fans are hopeful that this generation of pass rushers will help the franchise win a Super Bowl just like the previous generation of pass rushers.

RELATED: 6 best 2026 NFL draft classes including the Bills and Browns

The team got great value from their choice

One reason Big Blue gets high praise for the players they have selected is because of where they have selected them.

Some thought Reese would be a top three pick, but he fell to fifth and New York rushed to hand him his card for the pick. Mauigoa was viewed as the most drafted offensive lineman in the draft, and some mock drafts had him included in the top 10. For the Giants to land him at 10 is great value for a team that was in desperate need of offensive line help.

In terms of price selection, New York is getting the hood with 37^th The overall pick could turn into one of the best value selections of the 2026 NFL Draft. He had a first-round grade by many and will have a chance to start at cornerback.

The Giants committed a turnover of 105.^th and 145^th Trading a selection in the 2026 draft and a fourth-round selection in the 2027 draft and taking Malachi Fields at 74. The 6’4, 218 pound wideout has five years of playing experience, and if not for his 4.61 40 time, he would have been off the board sooner.

The team’s final selection, Jack Kelly, totaled 106 tackles and 15 sacks in his two seasons at BYU. The versatile linebacker will get playing time on special teams but will eventually slide into the defensive rotation.

Caleb Downs wasn’t ranked that high on the Giants’ draft board

In the creation of draft, it is also. For months before the draft, there were reports that the Giants were very high on Ohio State safety Caleb Downs.

Many mock drafts had New York playing the All-American safety with the fifth overall selection. Then, when they got 10^th In the Dexter Lawrence trade, the assumption was that if they didn’t take Downs at five, they would definitely take him at 10 if he was still on the board. But this did not happen.

Big Blue passed on him twice, and now they’ll have to face him twice a year as the Dallas Cowboys have made a deal to take him with pick 11.^th choose. Only time will tell if Big Blue will regret not taking the best safety in the draft.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Draft stunners: The biggest surprises from Round 1, including Simpson going to the LA Rams

Entering the 2026 NFL Draft, many argued that the Minnesota Vikings needed to select a wide receiver who could compete for the WR3 role behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Last year’s third receiver, Jalen Naylor, signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency.

The Vikings drafted receiver Tai Felton in the third round last year, but as a rookie he recorded only three receptions for 25 yards. This is not enough to suggest he will replace Neller in 2026. While the coaching staff may have stronger internal belief in Felton than others, after not selecting any receivers with their nine selections, Minnesota’s need has only increased.

Still, the Vikings’ deregulation of the position, along with opening up more than $10 million in cap space with the Jonathan Greenard trade, has led to speculation that Minnesota could add a veteran receiver in the next few weeks. Here are some players they could target.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Draft Day 2: Winners, losers from Rounds 2 and 3

odell beckham jr

He has already won a Super Bowl playing in the offense that Kevin O’Connell was a part of with the Rams. While OBJ’s best days are far behind him, there has been renewed interest in him in continuing his NFL career since he lined up for a flag football game this offseason. Still just 32 years old, perhaps Beckham will find his spark reuniting with KOC while catching passes from Kyler Murray, and we can guarantee he’ll never have to face a double-team with Justin Jefferson again.

deandre hopkins

Hopkins has already spent three seasons with the Cardinals catching passes from Murray. He has already expressed interest in reuniting with K1 on Vikings. Now that the draft is over, the Vikings can return to the 3x All-Pro knowing his price will be low, given that no one else is knocking on his door. Still, Hopkins turns 34 in June, and hasn’t thrown for 600 yards since 2024. How much does Hopkins have left in the tank?

brandon ayuk

Still under contract in San Francisco, the 49ers appear unwilling to receive anything valuable in return for the former second-team All-Pro. Teams had long expected the 49ers to release the receiver after he missed the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury, but the Vikings may have to offer a 2027 Day 3 draft pick in exchange for the 28-year-old receiver.

john jennings

Somehow still a free agent after recording a respectable 643-yard, 9 TD season, Jennings will be in high demand on the open market. After all, it took him just one year to fall 25 yards short of a 1,000-yard season. After spending five seasons playing for Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco, Jennings would also be a great fit for Minnesota’s offense, especially since he is capable of playing all three receiver spots, which is a must for anyone signing to back up Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

RELATED: Highlights from Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, including the Eagles and the 2027 draft class

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After setting a new attendance record, it’s safe to say that hosting the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was a huge success. As far as the Pittsburgh Steelers themselves, their weekend was one of the strangest among all 32 NFL teams.

It all started Thursday in Round 1, where the Steelers were taken 21st overall. It appears Pittsburgh did what every team does: try to get in touch with the player they plan to select.

The only issue? Pittsburgh just wasn’t on time. It was actually the Dallas Cowboys’ turn to pick the No. 20 pick. Perhaps the Steelers felt strongly about the Cowboys not choosing their target. Still, Pittsburgh did not anticipate that Dallas might trade the pick elsewhere.

That’s exactly what happened when the Cowboys made a trade with their NFC East division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. The real weird part came when the Eagles tried to call USC wide receiver Makai Lemon, who was already on the phone with the Steelers.

Once his people informed him that the Eagles were on the clock, Lemon immediately hung up the phone on the Steelers and started talking to Philadelphia, which was actually selecting them at 20th overall instead of landing them at 21 with Pittsburgh.

This is the moment Makai Lemon thought he was going to be drafted #steelers And realizing in real time that #eagle traded through @gmfb This morning.

He asked Omar Khan “Why is Philly calling?” [me]?” pic.twitter.com/AbXDJONYye

– Ross McCorkle (@Ross_McCorkle) 24 April 2026

According to former Eagles executive Jake Rosenberg, the Steelers may have violated NFL rules by keeping in contact with Lemon when he was not actually on the clock. According to , the NFL intends to examine the Steelers’ draft strategy now that the three-day event has ended. However, he expressed doubt that the league would assess any type of penalty.

We’re guessing this won’t be a big deal. But in the incredibly competitive NFL, it doesn’t take much for a team and agent to create controversy over a small issue.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Draft Day 2: Winners, losers from Rounds 2 and 3

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Everyone was talking about Fernando Mendoza on Thursday night, and rightfully so. The Raiders finally have their franchise quarterback, and this story will dominate the conversation for years. But Day 2 is where front offices show who they really are — and in Las Vegas, GM Jon Spitek gave us a few things to like and at least one decision to take back.

Did the attackers miss a gem the next day?

Let’s start with the one that is stuck in my claws.

When the Raiders and Texans made their trade — Las Vegas sent picks 36 and 117 to Houston in exchange for picks 38 and 91 — I got the logic on paper. You drop two spots, pick a third rounder, and you’re still getting your guy. But here’s the problem: The guy Houston wanted was Kayden McDonald, and I wanted the Raiders to take him. McDonald certainly could have gone in the first round – a rare playmaker at nose tackle weighing 330 pounds with elite production. This is not an exaggeration. He’s a generational interior guard, and the Raiders let him slide two spots off the board so they could get an extra pick.

I understand the draft-capital argument. I do. But there’s a version of this where you stay at 36, grab a McDonald’s, and your defensive line looks completely different in 2026. You don’t always get those players. Spytek called it a great move and said he believed Stukes would still be there and that he only needed to survive two picks to get his partner. Good. But the 36-year-old “our guy” could be a Pro Bowl-caliber nose tackle. Instead, McDonald’s is in Houston.

Now, to be fair, what the Raiders did with those picks is not without merit.

Spytek improves Raiders roster at points of need

Traydon Stukes, 38, addresses a real need. The Raiders’ secondary entered the draft at safety and nickelback, and Stucks can do both. He played free safety for three years at Arizona before being shifted to primarily cover the slot, and he recorded four interceptions last season. The concern is age – he’s an older guy and may be limited at max range – and that’s a legitimate knock. But the attackers were not making choices in a vacuum. They need athletes there, and Stukes fits a real hole.

At 67, they added edge rusher Kieron Crawford from Auburn, a former basketball player with good athleticism who could use development but can contribute immediately as a pass-rusher. With Max Crosby still presenting that line, Crawford doesn’t need to be an immediate impact guy. He just has to grow, and there’s a fair way.

Raiders best pick of day two

Then came the pick that I really liked the most the other day. With the 91st pick – the third-rounder they got from Houston – the Raiders took Texas A&M guard Trey Zuhn III, who adds versatility to the offensive line, having played multiple positions in the trenches in college. If Fernando Mendoza is the future, protecting him is the present. Zuhn fits into that priority. After spending two third-rounders on offensive linemen in Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant last year, the Raiders are bringing in young talent, which is exactly the right approach when you’ve handed your offense over to a 22-year-old quarterback who is making his first NFL start.

So where does that leave us after two days? The Raiders’ base is in Mendoza. They’ve added secondary help, depth on the edge and another piece to the offensive line. By most measures this is a functional draft. The choice of Stukes is reasonable, even if it doesn’t excite you. Crawford is a project with upside. The Zuhn was really good value.

But I keep coming back to Kayden McDonald. Getting a 330-pound nose tackle with that kind of production at this price doesn’t come often, and the Raiders pounced on him the first time around. Instead he chose business. Maybe SpyTech’s board told him he was stuck and an extra pick would be the better play. Maybe it was. We won’t know for three years.

What we do know is that after a decade of wandering in the desert, the Raiders have a plan, a quarterback, and a draft class that, at least, doesn’t blow it before it starts. This matters more than ever in Las Vegas.

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1…More about Scott Gulbransen

The 2026 NFL Draft has ended and while it’s technically too early to declare which teams performed best before these players take the field, it’s always a fun exercise. It’s even more interesting this year because the 2026 draft class was not viewed as particularly strong.

Let’s quickly take a look at our list of the best 2026 NFL Draft classes.

New York Giants

When you have a pair of top-10 selections, it certainly helps to be recognized as one of the best classes from the 2026 NFL Draft. Of course, this came at the cost of the New York Giants trading All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. That said, what happened in Round 1 justified it. Arvell Reese was arguably a top-three prospect in this class, and he is a more well-rounded off-ball linebacker than the Giants’ previous first-round selection Abdul Carter. New York is getting someone with an All-Pro ceiling, and even a 90th percentile result is a perennial Pro Bowl selection who can make an impact on all three downs. With the 10th overall pick, the Giants upgraded their offensive line with Francis Mauigoa. He can be an excellent starter at guard, and by kicking him inside, his timeline to becoming an above average player is accelerated.

We also really liked what New York did the other day. Colton Hood was a marginal talent in the first round, and the Giants took him with the 37th overall pick. He projects to be a quality No. 2 cornerback for a long time, and we’re especially excited to see how defensive coordinator Denard Wilson maximizes his instincts and press-man ability. To the Giants’ credit, they also found a nice complementary receiver to Malik Nabors in Notre Dame’s Malachi Fields (74th overall). He’s not a great athlete, but what matters is he’s 6 feet 4 inches tall, with a big catch radius and the ability to fight through contact. There’s a very good chance that New York came out with four starters, two on each side of the ball. This is a victory.

RELATED: Highlights from Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft

Baltimore Ravens

It’s safe to say that the Baltimore Ravens are happy that the Max Crosby trade just fell through (on their own account). Holding the 14th overall pick, the front office desperately needed help on the interior offensive line with Penn State’s Olivavega Ioane. Using a first-round pick on guard isn’t a “sexy” option, but he is one of the safest prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class with a high chance of becoming an above-average starter for the Ravens.

On Day 2, some good luck occurred for Baltimore when leading tackle Zion Young slipped to 45th overall. A consensus top-40 prospect, Young offers the length-strength-intangibility combo that coaches love in an edge rusher. He can help establish the edge against the run immediately, and he has a long-term path to becoming a very effective three-down player. At No. 80 overall, Baltimore handed Lamar Jackson a pass-catching magnet in 6-foot-4 receiver Ja’Coby Lane. He’ll never be great at getting away from the defense, but the Ravens offense really needed someone who could come up with contested catches and make an impact inside the red zone. To complete that selection, Baltimore added receiver Elijah Sarratt on Day 3 (115th overall). The former Indiana standout isn’t a great athlete, but he knows how to use his 6-foot-2 body to beat corners and get his hands on the football. After a difficult free-agency period, Baltimore hit it out of the park with this draft.

READ MORE: Fantasy football analysis from Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft

New York Jets

What a strange world we live in where both the Giants and New York Jets are listed among the best 2026 NFL Draft classes. It certainly helps that having three first-round picks is the result of a teardown, but it really feels like the Jets front office has made very good connections with all three swings. David Bailey offers a Pro Bowl ceiling, and he could be even more impressive given the additional changes New York has already made to its front seven this offseason. The Jets then landed their top-rated pass-catcher in Kenyon Saadiq, whose athleticism and hands gave him a chance to become one of the five best tight ends in the NFL. Rounding out Round 1, New York selected wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. There are legitimate similarities to Deebo Samuel, at least in some of the ways he can be used and what he does as a receiver with the football in his hands.

The impact on cornerback D’Angelo Ponds is obvious: He’s 5 feet 8 inches tall. It is also undisputed that if he had been 5 feet 11 inches tall he would have been in the top 20. Ponds is a very good athlete with a high football IQ and tenacity that head coach Aaron Glenn will love. New York has done a really great job retooling their defense this season, and this draft class has shown a huge commitment to building a better supporting cast for the franchise quarterback heading into the 2027 NFL Draft.

RELATED: Winners, losers from Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft

cleveland browns

If we were ranking the best 2026 NFL Draft classes, the Cleveland Browns might be in the No. 1 spot. Landing a franchise quarterback was not possible, so general manager Andrew Berry focused on building the infrastructure for his future face of the franchise. Spencer Fano will immediately become a plug-and-play starter at left tackle for the Browns, which is another step toward dismantling last season’s disastrous offensive line. Cleveland then used their next two picks on Casey Concepcion (24th overall) and Denzel Boston (39th overall), two receivers whose games complement each other perfectly. An apt comparison for this duo is the skill sets that Jaylen Waddle and Courtland Sutton bring to the Denver Broncos’ passing game.

This is already a strong start to the draft. Cleveland then got draft-day steal Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, a first-round talent at safety who inexplicably fell to 58th overall. He can fly all the way down to attack anything in sight, and as a rookie he will play quite a few games inside the box. Berry then added more depth to the offensive line, grabbing swing tackle Austin Barber (86th overall) and interior lineman Parker Brailsford. This feels like an A-minus class for the Browns.

RELATED: Winners, losers from Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft

kansas city chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs faced some skepticism for their decision to trade FLR All-American cornerback Mansur Delaney. In our view, you should be prepared to pay a little more to make sure you get a player you think can be a star. Delaney, the top cornerback in the 2026 NFL Draft class, could be a true No. 1 corner and given Steve Spagnuolo’s track record of developing defensive backs, he could be a lockdown perimeter defender. Obviously, given Trent McDuffie’s limitations playing on the boundary, Kansas City may be better off moving forward with this change.

In addition to that selection, Kansas City’s subsequent first-round selection of defensive tackle Peter Woods could yield massive returns a few years from now. He was a lot more show than substance at Clemson, but those peak moments were the type of performances you only see in top-10 prospects. He will also get guidance from Chris Jones. Smartly, the Chiefs continued to prioritize their defense with the selections of Mason Thomas (40th overall pick) and Jadon Canady. Thomas is on the small side as an edge rusher, but a great defensive coordinator can find ways to take advantage of his get-off, strength, motor and understanding of how to win with leverage. Kansas. As for Kennedy, it’s not hard to see him developing as a rookie for the Chiefs. The Chiefs draft class should be vastly improved defensively.

buffalo bill

Coming into the 2026 NFL Draft, there was a lot of talk about this year’s class not being top-heavy, but it did have some depth in terms of role players and upside. The Buffalo Bills had limited chances to take some of those risks until Brandon Beane was traded out of Round 1 altogether. The strategy was successful and Buffalo was well prepared for both the next season and the future.

With their top pick (35th overall), Buffalo made TJ Parker, a great player who would have been a reasonable selection 15 picks earlier. Late in the second round, Beane brought in cornerback Davison Igbinosun, whose length-athleticism combo is perfect for molding into a CB2. While he’s a project that needs to be cleaned up on penalties and footwork, Bills defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard is a great teacher.

On Day 3, the Bills coaching staff landed a new project offensive lineman in Jude Bourrie (102nd selection overall), who could be a swing tackle and develop into a future starter. Skylar Bell, a 5-foot-11 receiver from UConn, bears some resemblance to Khalil Shakir and projects as a useful No. 3 receiver. Buffalo then got more good value with its later picks, TCU linebacker Caleb Elarms-Orr and safety Jalon Kilgore. While there is a greater chance that they will not be successful and have a short NFL career, they also offer an extremely high ceiling.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Rounds 2 and 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft will really help shape the future of the National Football League. There are always Day 2 selections that prove to be massive hits for clubs every year and these selections also shed light on how the front office views the needs and future of the team.

As tonight’s action comes to a close, we’re providing some analysis on what we learned from tonight’s selections. The lessons outline how general managers and scouts view the 2026 NFL Draft class.

Let’s take a look at the takeaways from Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Houston Texans’ defense will be even more impressive in 2026

In 2025, the Houston Texans defense allowed the third-fewest total yards per drive (25.4) and second-fewest points per drive (1.54), all with the fourth-highest takeaway rate (14.6 percent) in the NFL. All of this was accomplished without getting a truly spectacular output from Demeco Ryans’ interior. That’s about to change. Kayden McDonald has been overshadowed by Ohio State’s stout defense, but he is an absolute force as a starter. A year after the Texans allowed the seventh-lowest rush success rate (37.7 percent), this could be a top-five run defense. That means a lot more second- and third-and-longs, which means the Texans’ pass rush gets more treats. Houston’s defense is going to be an even bigger problem for the rest of the league.

RELATED: Winners, losers from Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft

Teams excited by 2027 NFL Draft class

How high are NFL teams taking the 2027 class compared to the 2026 NFL Draft class? Just look at how few future picks were made over the last two nights. Historically, general managers have considered the current selection one round more valuable than a future selection. Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith is clearly a generational talent, a Julio Jones-caliber offensive prospect. Next year’s class is also more deep at running back, quarterback and wide receiver. There is some discussion among analysts that the 2027 class could be one of the strongest and deepest in recent years. This opinion seems to be shared based on how teams have dealt with their future draft capital.

The Cleveland Browns believe in Shedure Sanders

It’s become very clear that Todd Monken was telling the truth about his confidence in quarterback Shadure Sanders. While the front office believes there will be a starting quarterback battle, Sanders is the favorite, and Cleveland has invested premium draft capital in his support. Just look at how much better the supporting cast is now. Spencer Fano is a plug-and-play starter who should at least be serviceable at left tackle as a rookie, and his ceiling exceeds that. The Browns then doubled up at wide receiver, giving Sanders a YAC threat in Casey Concepcion who can get open quickly and complementing it with 6-foot-3 wideout Denzel Boston, who has some shades of Courtland Sutton, with glue-like hands and a huge catch radius. Boston and Concepcion help the quarterback in different ways and that’s what Sanders needed.

Philadelphia Eagles find their Jaylen Phillips replacement

The Philadelphia Eagles definitely wanted to bring back Jaylen Phillips, but the Carolina Panthers pushed the bidding war to a price that couldn’t be compared. Fast forward to the 2026 NFL Draft: Philadelphia flipped the 98th overall pick and a 2027 third-round selection to the Minnesota Vikings for edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. He only had 3 sacks last season, but was a double-digit sack player in the last two campaigns. He’s an above-average rusher, and the Eagles clearly believe he can return to his 2023-24 form, as evidenced by his $100 million contract extension.

NFL teams love TE class, hate 2026 QB and RB prospects

NFL free agency is usually a good indicator of how teams view certain positions in the upcoming draft class. A few months ago, Travis Etienne and Kenneth Walker got paid, while Keaton Mitchell, Rico Dowdle, Kenneth Gainwell, Rachad White, Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Zeke Dobbins were off the board early. Similarly, many quarterbacks found new homes and backups made good money. All this shows that NFL teams didn’t like quarterback and running back prospects other than blue-chip talent this year. That proved to be the case for only one of those taken in the first 75 picks (quarterback Carson Beck).

Meanwhile, Kenyon Saadiq was taken with the 16th overall pick on Thursday night, and we saw a run at tight ends in the middle of Day 2. From the 54th to the 73rd overall pick, six tight ends came off the board. There was a long stretch in the NFL where tight ends looked pretty thin. That’s no longer the case, and it’s clear that teams are placing more emphasis on 2TE sets.

Minnesota Vikings All In Brian Flores Front Seven

Based on the Minnesota Vikings draft selections this year you would think Brian Flores is the head coach, not Kevin O’Connell. Minnesota took a big gamble in Round 1 on defensive tackle Caleb Banks, betting on his elite size and athleticism to have success in Flores’ system and ignoring long-term injury concerns with his foot. On the second day, the Vikings landed linebacker Jake Golde. It’s another bet on explosiveness and size, with Golde (6-foot-4 and 1.60 10-yard dash) really showcasing that ability as a blitzer. In Round 3, Minnesota added some significant beef to the interior by landing Dominique Orange. Standing at 6-foot-2 and over 320 pounds, he is a classic nose tackle who makes his presence felt in the run. Minnesota will once again boast one of the league’s best defenses in 2026.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and there were some surprising moves made on Thursday night. There were several players projected to make the top 32 who would remain on the board in Round 2. Before the second night of the draft, let’s take a look at the 20 best players still set to go in this week’s NFL Draft.

Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Washington receiver Denzel Boston still needs some time to develop, but he could be a star at the next level. He has a very good start, good speed, is effective at winning jump balls and competitive pass battles, and is a problem in the red zone.

Still, there are concerns about his ability to stay away from press coverage. This is a major reason why he was not taken in Round 1.

Zion Young, Edge, Missouri

Missouri EDGE runner Zion Young could be a difference maker at the next level. He has good size and strength which proves valuable in driving passes and blowing up run blocks. Plus, he’s a dog who brings fiery energy to the field and locker room.

Young’s biggest shortcomings are his speed, range, and limited moves when trying to shed pass blockers. At the very least, he can contribute immediately as a run stopper.

Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

After a big sophomore season, where he earned Second-Team All-American honors, Tennessee corner Jermod McCoy was sidelined his junior year after tearing his ACL. If not, he likely would have been a first-rounder this week.

McCoy is a very good athlete who shows explosiveness and quick feet. He has also proven that he has good instincts for breaking up passes and getting interceptions. However, he struggles against faster receivers and when he goes for passes against stronger opposition.

CJ Allen, LB, Georgia

The best way to summarize Georgia linebacker CJ Allen is extremely solid. His athleticism and highlight reel don’t demand attention. However, he is a smart player who helps elevate the talent around him as a very good “green dot” leader on defense. He is not great in any one area, nor is he a liability. Allen can be a reliable three-down linebacker.

Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood had the potential to go in the first round. However, he still needs to improve his coverage techniques and instincts. Additionally, he is very good in press coverage as he uses his physical ability to outmaneuver opposing wide receivers. The same aggression proves valuable in stopping the run as well. With development, Hood could be an impressive cornerback at the next level.

Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M

Texas A&M guard Chase Bissontis is one of the better players at his position in this year’s class. He’s a talented run blocker with good footwork, above-average strength, and brings out a nasty streak when needed. However, he did not go into Round 1 due to concerns about his pass blocking as he has shown problems to opponents.

Bisontis still has a lot of potential and can definitely be a worthwhile starter in the NFL.

Jeremy Bernard, WR, Alabama

Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Bernard brings some nice tools to the team that selects him in the NFL Draft. He is a smooth route runner with good size and acceleration. He can play outside or become a matchup problem in the slot.

The biggest issues with Bernard’s game are that he does not play commensurate with his size (6-foot-1 and 206 pounds) while struggling for balls in the air, and he is not a player who will stretch the field at an above-average level.

Kaden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

Many thought five Ohio State players could go in Round 1 of the NFL Draft on Thursday. However, defensive tackle Kaden McDonald was not called among the first 32 picks. That doesn’t mean he can’t become an impact player at the next level soon.

McDonald is not a tackle with real rush value, but he has shown he can be a high-level talent in stopping the run as he has natural leverage and sends shock waves to interior linemen during initial contact. The OSU star has also proven that he is very good at finding the ball carrier and making tackles.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

In the right system, Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren has star potential in the NFL. Often lined up in the box as a safety, he has consistently shown ability as a run-stopping difference-maker and an enforcer through the middle. Although he has solid coverage skills, he will still need to defend against mismatches with speedy burners on the outside.

Mike Washington Jr., RB, Arkansas

Arkansas running back Mike Washington Jr. has consistently improved at each stop. His speed and breakaway ability are his trademarks and can cause problems lining up when moving through interior traffic. However, he struggles to get to the hole quickly, fouls are a problem, and while he has good size (6-foot-1 and 223 pounds), he lacks the necessary composure when blocking. He could be a nice rotation addition at the next level.

R Mason Thomas, OLB, Oklahoma

Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas has impressive speed and the ability to explode off the edge and slip into gaps in the offensive line. He also has better than expected power when he gets forward. However, when he has to stand 10 feet under and go to battle with a bigger, taller blocker, his game show looks go berserk. Still, he can definitely become an impact player in a few years.

Cassius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

Texas A&M linebacker Cassius Howell could be an immediate difference-maker in the NFL as an EDGE rusher. He has a great first burst, is elusive, and owns a nasty spin move. Still, he needs to improve his handwork and his strength to better deal with run blockers and set the edge properly. But at the very least, he can be a designated player early in his career.

Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. could be a Pro Bowler in a few years. He’s smart, has the power to blow up run plays, and the speed to hold his own in coverage or move from sideline to sideline. The bigger issue was that most of their success came from a lot of run-blitz calls. He also needs to work on disguising his attacks and missed a surprising number of tackles two years ago.

Brandon Sissay, CB, South Carolina

South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse is an explosive athlete who is strong and has good length to intercept passes. But his impressive athleticism has masked some of his technical and instinctive shortcomings at the college level. That’s pretty much a next level project. However, he has the highest ceiling compared to other players at this point in the NFL Draft.

Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

Texas Tech nose tackle Lee Hunter could be a strong anchor on a 3-4 defensive line. While he needs development in his block-shedding techniques and winning in the gap, at 6-foot-3, 318 pounds and with a 6-foot-9 wingspan, he’s quite good at run-stuffing the middle. For now, he estimates it’s primarily an early-down threat.

Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

In a run-heavy attack, Oregon’s Emmanuel Pregnon would be a very nice addition in Round 2. The 6-foot-4, 314-pounder is durable, experienced, and is a nasty downhill blocker due to his upper body strength. Not surprisingly, his lack of quickness in pass blocking is a notable issue. But he is a smart and consistent player.

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez entered the college ranks as an offensive tackle, but has reached the next level as a very productive tackling machine. He has good explosion and is difficult to catch on blocks because he focuses on quick ball handlers. Despite his production, he drops to Round 2 as he has trouble with big blockers and can often be fooled due to misdirection and play actions.

Avion Terrell, CB, Clemson

Avion Terrell, brother of 2020 Atlanta Falcons first-round pick AJ Terrell, is a good athlete who moves well and is at his best in press-man coverage. While he struggles against larger receivers due to his size (5-foot-10 and 186 pounds), he is good at getting upset at the catch. He plans to be a very good nickelback early in his career.

Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt tight end Eric Stowers is a former quarterback with a lot of potential. He has great hands and is an exceptional athlete. He can also beat downfield linebackers with his speed and is strong on his breaks. But he still needs a lot of development in his route running and isn’t a strong enough run blocker for a position where that’s a critical need.

Zacharias Branch, WR, Georgia

Georgia’s Zachariah Branch can turn routine plays into explosive plays due to his breakaway speed. He is much stronger than he looks and has shown his toughness on several occasions. He needs work on his route running, but offers the option to become a returner as he develops his skills.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is over, and we’ve seen some skill players come off the board. Jeremiah Love is the headliner, but there are several top wide receiver prospects who are finding themselves in attractive landing spots and, of course, there are quarterbacks and tight ends who have come off the board.

Let’s dive into our fantasy football analysis of where each skill player taken in Round 1 ended up. Note, we’re doing this in the order they were chosen.

RELATED: Winners, losers from Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Las Vegas Raiders

How do you feel about Jared Goff? That’s pretty much all you’re going to get from Fernando Mendoza in his peak years. The good news is that he already has an All-Pro offensive weapon in Brock Bowers, and we’re confident that Clint Kubiak can get the most out of Mendoza. For 2026, we don’t see any realistic outcome where Mendoza is a top-16 fantasy quarterback. Looking ahead to the next decade, his status could be one of their top-12 fantasy options.

Jeremiah Love, RB, Arizona Cardinals

Was this the ideal landing spot for Jeremiah Love from a fantasy football perspective? No, not even close. The Arizona Cardinals’ offensive line leaves a lot to be desired and, as helpful as Jacoby Brissett was in increasing their number of pass-catchers, Love will face a stacked box because of who Arizona has under center. As the saying goes, it’s the talent that counts. Ashton Jeanty averaged the 11th-most fantasy points among running backs on ESPN as a rookie, and Love’s pass-catching ability is better. We see Love as a top 10 fantasy pick this season and, if the situation ever improves in Arizona, he could be a top three RB in the offseason alongside Bijan Robinson and Jahmir Gibbs.

RELATED: 2026 Dynasty Positional Rankings

Carnell Tate, WR, Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans made it abundantly clear tonight that they are fully in on Cam Ward and are willing to invest premium draft capital to back him up. Carnell Tate, the most polished wide receiver prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, steps in as the clear No. 1 receiver in Brian Daboll’s offense. When people compare him to Calvin Ridley, remember this is the version of the player who put up 3,061 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns in his first three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. We’d feel confident drafting Tate as a mid-tier WR2 in fantasy football this year, and he could be a high-tier No. 2 long-term.

Jordan Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Medical care is the primary concern for Jordan Tyson. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall with very good speed and excellent ball skills, he is capable of making big plays both downfield and in the red zone. He’s already a very good route runner who knows how to isolate downfield, a perfect pairing with Tyler Shaw. Some will point to the downside that he’ll share looks with Chris Olave, but Kellen Moore is a very good play-caller, and there are a growing number of examples of a passing game that can support two high-end receivers from a fantasy perspective. We think Tyson can become a low-end WR2 this season, but there will be some instability, and you must remember he has a long track record of lower body injuries.

Ty Simpson, QB, Los Angeles Rams

Well, that’s what happened. Ty Simpson clearly has no fantasy football value in 2026. So, it’s really an attempt to look at him through the lens of the dynasty perspective. There really isn’t a better landing spot for a young quarterback, as this Los Angeles Rams offense will have Sean McVay and Puka Nakua for years to come. It appears we are optimistic about Simpson long-term. Except that, Simpson is only a pedestrian athlete at the quarterback position, with arm strength and playmaking ability that can only be described as adequate. There is no top five fantasy QB upside here, not by a long shot. We don’t view him as a quarterback prospect worth passing on.

Kenyon Saadiq, TE, New York Jets

The fantasy football landscape at tight end isn’t as thin as it used to be. That said, Kenyon Saadiq has the potential to be a top-five player at the position. He is “only” 6 feet 3 inches tall, but his athleticism is off the charts. He is just as capable of leapfrogging a defender (43.5″ vertical leap) or making an acrobatic catch in the end zone as he is taking a short pass and turning on the jets with his speed (4.39 40-yard dash time). Plus, landing with the New York Jets means he’s in the offense with the No. 1 wide receiver, who immediately draws the defense’s attention, and New York’s other first-round pick (Omar Cooper Jr.) creates even more open space. NFL comparisons to Vernon Davis and Trey McBride; Sadiq is that special someone as an athlete and he could be one of the best fantasy players in the coming years.

Makai Lemmon, WR, Philadelphia Eagles

So it is clear that AJ Brown is being traded to the New England Patriots in the first week of June. Makai Lemon, who almost landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, immediately moved into the No. 2 role in the Philadelphia Eagles offense. This assumes he’s playing DeVonta Smith’s role (113 targets in 17 games last season). There are Amon-Ra Saint Brown-lite qualities here with Lemon, and his skill set is perfect for making an impact in his rookie season. However, his upside is limited as he will be in a run-heavy offense and catching passes from a quarterback whose accuracy issues have already frustrated his two star wide receivers. Lemon may be a high-end WR2 in fantasy at some point in his career, but he’ll become a WR3 in 2026.

Casey Concepcion, WR, Cleveland Browns

While the quarterback situation is still a bit fluid with the Cleveland Browns, we like this landing spot for Casey Concepcion. He has an opportunity to immediately become the best receiver on the Browns offense, and play-caller Todd Monken has a proven track record of finding ways to get the football in the hands of his playmakers. As a rookie, we could also see Cleveland take advantage of his explosiveness as a returner. Our guess is that Concepcion will become a risk-reward WR3 this upcoming season and, in the long term, if he cleans up the downs and gets a great quarterback, he could be a high-end WR2.

Omar Cooper Jr., WR, New York Jets

Reporting in the weeks leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft made it clear that the New York Jets were relying heavily on Omar Cooper Jr. Sure enough, they moved late in Round 1 to stop him. The NFL comparisons to Deebo Samuel are legitimate; Cooper offers attractive YAC ability at 6 feet tall, and defensive backs have a tough task bringing him down. He’s also running in a situation where Garrett Wilson and Kenyon Saadiq will already draw defenders away, creating more open space for Cooper to operate. He profiles as a low-end WR3 in fantasy for the 2026 season, but there is a very real long-term benefit to him being a strong WR2.

Jadarion Price, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Jadarion Price has certainly landed in a relatively favorable spot from a fantasy football perspective. Zach Charbonnet faces a long recovery from ACL surgery in January, and Emmanuel Wilson isn’t much of a depth prospect. Price entered the NFL with minimal tread on tires, handling only 295 career touches in three seasons at Notre Dame. He averaged more than 6 yards per carry in each of his previous seasons and scored a total of 20 scrimmage touchdowns on 243 attempts. The approach he brings bodes well for immediate success, and a clear path to a leading role in the Seahawks’ offense. However, his current limitations at third in PPR scoring impact his value. For now, he projects as a low-end RB2 in 2026 with more solid flex play.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

Matthew Stafford is coming off the best season of his career, winning his first NFL MVP award while leading the Los Angeles Rams to a record. He is also 38 and has been considering retirement in recent years. Enter, Ty Simpson.

Thursday night, many expected the Rams to select a wide receiver like Jordan Tyson or Makai Lemon in the first round with the 13th overall selection. Tyson went to the Saints at No. 8. Lemon was still available. Other projections included the Rams making a secret selection with Oregon tight end Kenyon Saadiq, who set an NFL Scouting Combine record for a tight end with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash. No. All those mock drafts were wrong.

Instead, Rams general manager Les Snead shocked everyone by selecting Alabama’s QB, Simpson, who is now officially Stafford’s successor in L.A. Obviously, this is a move that head coach and QB guru Sean McVay has signed off on, but it’s still a decision that no one expected at the 13-year-old.

Still, last offseason, there was even a notion that the Rams might trade Stafford, a former Super Bowl LVI champion, before finding common ground and renegotiating his contract. Now re-entering the final year of his contract, Simpson’s selection makes one wonder if this could be Stafford’s final season in Los Angeles and possibly the NFL.

According to Jay Glazer of Fox Sports, the Rams informed Stafford they will select Simpson with the 13th overall pick today. However, he informed her that the selection would be held “whenever Stafford decides to move forward.”

Meanwhile, it’s a tough development for former Georgia QB Stetson Bennett, who the Rams made with the 128th overall selection in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Certainly, he’s ready for QB3 duties behind Stafford and Simpson. Also, all this smoke about the Rams hoping Jimmy Garoppolo will have a change of heart and re-sign? Beautifully played by Los Angeles.

RELATED: 4 James Connor trade landing spots after Cardinals draft Jeremiah Love

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The Arizona Cardinals delivered the first mini-surprise of the 2026 NFL Draft, selecting Notre Dame star running back Jeremiah Love with the third overall pick in the first round. While love can help overcome crime without recognition, it also means James Connor’s days in Arizona are numbered.

Now that Love is the undisputed RB1 in Arizona, let’s evaluate some potential trade destinations for Connor, who is a two-time Pro Bowler and has a pair of 1,000-yard seasons to his name.

los angeles chargers

The Chargers believe they have their RB of the future in last year’s first-round selection Omarion Hampton. They also brought in a fast bowler in the form of Keaton Mitchell. Still, a Harbaugh team can never have enough running backs, and Connor is a proven bruiser who is one of the NFL’s toughest players. It will fit perfectly with the bolt.

jacksonville jaguars

The Jaguars let Travis Etienne sign with the Saints this offseason, and 2025 fourth-round pick Fearshul Tuten may not be ready for a major role. Hopefully the Jaguars add a RB in the next two days, but if not, why not consider trading a draft pick on day three for a proven stopgap like Connor? He is just a year removed from a 1,094-yard, 8 TD season. At the very least, it will buy the Jaguars longer to find a long-term solution.

las vegas raiders

Ashton Jeanty is the future of the Raiders. Still, after a tough rookie season, Las Vegas likely wants to boost the competition in their RB room. Jeanty will undoubtedly still be the starter, but having a veteran like Connor, who has had to work tirelessly to earn and keep his role, could be invaluable to a young athlete like Jeanty.

RELATED: Las Vegas Raiders Final 7-Round Mock Draft

dallas cowboys

Javonte Williams is the Cowboys’ lead back after a 1,200-yard season. But after that? There are some deep questions in Dallas. The Cowboys have four other guys on the roster, clearly trying to find a reliable backup and potentially a future RB1. Connor won’t be the RB1 of the future, but he will erase any doubt about the Cowboys having enough stuff to get the job done in the RB room.

RELATED: Final 2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting Round 1 with trades

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

The Las Vegas Raiders have big decisions to make over the next three days. Of course, the first pick won’t be a tough decision, but general manager Jon Spitek has nine other selections after the first round, and he needs immediate contributors.

Last year, the Raiders added 11 new players to their roster. However, other than running back Ashton Jeanty, the class of 2025 had a very disappointing season. The previous coaching staff preferred veterans like Alex Cappa and Tyler Lockett over Caleb Rogers and Jack Beech or Donte Thornton Jr.

If this year’s class gets as much playing time as last year’s group, the Raiders could see tremendous growth.

Las Vegas is only a few hours away, arriving on time. In the meantime, here’s a final 2026 mock draft for the Silver and Black. These selections are based on how the team can meet roster needs.

RELATED: Final 2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting Round 1 with trades

Round 1, Pick 1: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

The only lock in this year’s draft. Once the Raiders clinched the No. 1 spot in the standings, everyone knew they would turn their attention to Fernando Mendoza, who put on a show in front of the Raiders brass during the College Football Playoff.

General manager John Spitek could make changes to the card as the clock starts ticking on Thursday night. Mendoza will be the ray of hope this franchise needs to get back on the right path.

RELATED: Las Vegas Raiders 2026 NFL Draft: Jon Spytek’s 10 picks, 4 positions to pay attention to

Round 2, Pick 36: Jermaine Bernard, WR, Alabama

According to ESPN’s Ryan McFadden and Matt Miller, the Raiders will consider a second-round prospect who could help Mendoza at offensive tackle or wide receiver.

If that’s the case, the wideout is likely to have a more immediate impact by having a clear path to playing time on the field. Unless Las Vegas trades DJ Glaze, a rookie right tackle will have to compete with him for the job.

As rookies, Jack Beech and Donte Thornton Jr. played sparingly. Additionally, Spytek prepared him for former play-caller Chip Kelly’s offense. Offensive-minded head coach Clint Kubiak may want a different skill set or type of receiver for his system.

Jerami Bernard would be an ideal fit due to his ability to line up at all three receiver spots. Additionally, his experience in a motion-heavy offense should translate well to Kubiak’s scheme, which includes pre-snap movement to highlight mismatches.

Although Bernard does not have escape speed, he is difficult to bring down after the catch. More importantly, he rarely missed passes in college. Kubiak can finally rely on him as a reliable high-IQ playmaker to lead his receiver corps.

Round 3, Pick 67: AJ Holsey, S, LSU

AJ Holsey will provide the Raiders with the best of both worlds at safety. He can set the tone for the back end of the defense with bone-jarring tackles and forced turnovers in coverage.

Over the last two years at Houston and LSU, Halsey became a football magnet, recording eight interceptions and 12 pass breakups. He also played with controlled aggression and went the previous campaign without conceding a penalty.

Halsey is an all-around safety who can earn playing time immediately due to his ball skills. If necessary, he will line up on special teams while working his way up the depth chart.

Round 4, Pick 102: Domonique Orange, DT, Iowa State

Domonique Orange’s skill set and recent experience is exactly what the Raiders need on their defense.

Defensive tackles Jonah Laulou and Tonka Hemingway should play more snaps in the upcoming season after getting four sacks each. Las Vegas needs the nose tackles to combat double-teams and stop the run.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Orange played the second-most snaps (412) in the A-gap among FBS players. The 6-2, 325-pounder could start on opening day at nose tackle in defensive coordinator Rob Leonard’s 3-4 defense.

Round 4, Pick 117: Travis Burke, OT, Memphis

Although Glaze is the frontrunner to become the starting right tackle, he has had a disappointing sophomore season. He allowed 10 sacks, according to Pro Football Focus.

Yes, the Raiders’ previous coaching staff bears some of the blame for the poor offensive line play, however the new arrangement should not simply hand the starting job to Glaze. Spytek could add competition at right tackle.

Travis Burke has experience on both sides of the line, dating back to his time at Gardner-Webb. After playing left tackle for two years at Florida International, he joined the Memphis Tigers at right tackle in 2025.

If Burke is unable to beat out Glaze for the main spot at right tackle he could work his way into the swing tackle role.

Round 4, Pick 134: Ketron Allen, RB, Penn State

Las Vegas is expected to sign a veteran running back after the draft. Najee Harris is still available. However, for now, Spytek can fill the RB2 role with an experienced ball-carrier.

Ketron Allen played four collegiate seasons and led Penn State for three of those tenures. He has three-down ability if he is able to complete his blocking assignments. The 5-11, 216-pounder caught 70 passes for 490 yards and four touchdowns with the Nittany Lions.

Kellon Black is a popular choice for the Raiders due to Mendoza’s Indiana ties, but Kubiak may prefer a bigger tailback similar to his previous RB2, Zach Charbonnet, who is listed at 6-1, 214 pounds. At 5-9, 208 pounds, Black is an undersized running back.

Round 5, Pick 175: Caden Curry, EDGE, Ohio State

Max Crosby should be healthy for the upcoming season, though Spytek can’t ignore the wear and tear on the star’s body due to surgeries over the years. The team shut him down, in part, for his well-being so he could begin the recovery process from surgery on his meniscus.

All told, the Raiders need to improve their pass-rush depth. Free-agent acquisition Kwity Payne has the potential to line up at different positions, but Malcolm Cousins ​​will play on another one-year, prove-it deal.

While Caden Curry doesn’t have the versatility or athletic profile of a starting-round prospect at the position, the 6’3″, 257-pound defensive end could be an up-and-coming player. In his only season as a starter at Ohio State, he recorded 11 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss.

Round 6, Pick 185: Toriano Pride Jr., CB, Missouri

Due to size limitations, Toriano Pride Jr. will likely be a late pick on Day 3, but if not for his 5-10, 185-pound frame, he could be a popular sleeper pick.

Pride played two years at Clemson and a few years at Missouri, recording four pass breakups and two interceptions in each of his last two collegiate seasons. He uses 4.32 speed to make up for his lack of size in coverage and tackles well in space.

Pride isn’t going to line up against elite receivers at the pro level, but he could have a future at safety or behind Terron Johnson.

Round 6, Pick 208: Bishop Fitzgerald, S, USC

Spytek discusses the mathematics of his security room, which only has three players.

#attacker GM Jon Spytek: “We now have 3 safeties on the roster. It’s just a math equation that we must add one, and it’s a very good safety class. Obviously, it’s something we have to attack, and I’m glad the class looks the way it does.”

On security situation.

– Justin Churchill (@ChurchillAtoZ) 14 April 2026

The Raiders need to double down at the position. They may take a chance on Bishop Fitzgerald, who can contribute on special teams and bring ball production on the back end of the defense.

Critics will question Fitzgerald’s athletic profile, but that didn’t stop him from recording 24 pass breakups and 10 interceptions over the past two years at North Carolina State and USC.

Round 7, Pick 219: David Guesta, NT, Kentucky

The Raiders end the draft with another 300-plus-pounder who can stop the run but is better as a pass-rusher than the Orange, who is projected to go in the middle rounds.

You need to look beyond the basic box score numbers to realize David Guesta’s playmaking ability beyond his run stopping ability.

According to Pro Football Focus, Gusta recorded 29 pressures with an 11 percent pass-rush win rate last season. He’s an intriguing late-round prospect who could carve out a three-down role in the defensive line rotation. In 2025, the Kentucky product played 258 snaps in the A-gap, according to PFF.

Maurice Moton covers the Raiders for the Silver and Black TODAY – Powered by Sportsknot. You can follow him on Twitter @momoton.

RELATED: 5 Las Vegas Raiders Whose April Minicamp Appearance Tells Us Everything

Maurice Moton is our senior NFL columnist and co-host of The Silver & Black Tonight on Southern California’s The Mighty… More about Mo Moton

A new rumor has opened the door for the San Francisco 49ers or Kansas City Chiefs to land a Pro Bowl-level wide receiver, which they could actually use tonight during Round 1 of the NFL Draft.

Heading into this week’s NFL Draft, there has been an unusual amount of trade-related talk. With this year’s quarterback class being weak, teams ranked in the top 10 are more willing to trade down and acquire more draft assets this year or next.

However, there have also been reports of teams without a first rounder trying to get a selection tonight, or teams trying to add another pick late in Round 1. The Jacksonville Jaguars are a part of that group, and they’re clearly hanging on to a player they took late in Round 1 two years ago in order to make the selection on Thursday.

According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, “The Jaguars could try to lay the groundwork for a potential trade in the bottom of the first round. A potential lure could include receiver Brian Thomas Jr.”

An opportunity emerges for the 49ers or Chiefs to trade Brian Thomas Jr. tonight

There are four teams with late picks in Round 1 who would be interesting to see give up their selection for a one-time Pro Bowl. Those franchises are the San Francisco 49ers (Pick 27), Kansas City Chiefs (Pick 29), Buffalo Bills (Pick 26), and New England Patriots (Pick 31).

The Chiefs targeting Thomas Jr. makes sense as they also have the ninth pick on Thursday night, and are in desperate need of a legitimate receiver. In Kansas City, Thomas could bring the Chiefs’ offense back to the dominant power it was at the beginning of their dynasty.

With Brandon Aiyuk’s future in San Francisco in jeopardy, the 49ers giving up their only first-rounder for Thomas Jr. would be a smart decision. They might be waiting for this perfect opportunity before officially releasing the receiver.

The Bills and Patriots both have fits for Thomas Jr. However, a pair of AFC East teams heavily linked to an AJ Brown trade may hold their pick and wait until the Philadelphia Eagles star officially hits the open market, which is rumored to be after June 1.

Available after 2025, Thomas Jr. has shown he is not a good fit for head coach Liam Coen’s attack. In his rookie season, he earned Pro Bowl honors (1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns) and has a very affordable contract for the next two years.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

George Pickens’ future in Dallas is no longer a sure thing. After quieting his doubters and improving his reputation with a breakout season for the Cowboys in 2025, owner and general manager Jerry Jones insisted for weeks that locking up the receiver to a long-term deal was inevitable. Well, that can’t happen now.

On Wednesday, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter claimed in an episode Rise That “They’re nowhere with George Pickens at this point. Nowhere. They’re not really talking about an extension.” Later in the day, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones told Dallas media, “There will be no negotiations on a long-term deal,” and the pass catcher will play on his $27.3 million franchise tag next season.

This has led to much speculation that the team may consider moving Pickens during the NFL Draft, specifically in Round 1. If he makes that bold move, let’s take a look at five teams that could acquire the player who posted 93 catches, 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2025.

Arizona Cardinals

There’s a lot of talk that Dallas would prefer to move up to No. 3 and select David Bailey or Arvel Reese — or whoever the New York Jets don’t take at No. 2. Either could be a long-term solution to fill the gap left in the pass rush after trading Micah Parsons last year.

However, some question whether the ‘Guys, giving up their picks at Nos. 12 and 20, will be tempting to the Arizona Cardinals. But if they offer Pickens and the No. 20 pick as well as the third-day pick, it could be enough. While the Cards have a messy QB situation, the combo of Pickens and Marvin Harrison Jr. will be good weapons for their signal-caller in 2026 and beyond.

New York Jets

The Cowboys could also try to move up to No. 2 as rumors have been swirling for weeks that the Jets are willing to trade down.

New York coach Aaron Glenn is feeling a lot of pressure to perform better in 2026 or he may be fired. They have high expectations for veteran QB Geno Smith. So getting another big weapon like Pickens could potentially lead to a drastic change in the offense next season. Dallas could benefit from Glenn’s frustration and get whoever they want at No. 2.

los angeles chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers are looking to take another big step forward in Year 2 under head coach Jim Harbaugh. They lack a game-breaker receiver in 2025. If Pickens were acquired he could help elevate them into a true Super Bowl contender. Due to the impact Pickens can have on offensive coordinator Mike McDaniels’ system, LA may be willing to drop their pick at 22 for the receiver and give him an extension to serve as Justin Herbert’s WR1 for years to come.

Los Angeles Rams

At the beginning of the offseason, the Los Angeles Rams showed they were fully prepared to finish their Super Bowl story when they gave up the No. 29 pick in Round 1 to the Kansas City Chiefs for All-Pro Trent McDuffie. Reports linked him to a possible trade for Philadelphia Eagles star AJ Brown last month. However, they backed out of a deal.

Would LA be willing to give up their pick at 13 in Round 1 for Pickens? Probably not. However, a deal that sends pick No. 13 and Davante Adams to Dallas for Pickens, pick 20, and a third-rounder could be possible. The Cowboys will have picks 12 and 13 in Round 1, as well as a good replacement for Pickens. While the Rams make a lethal WR duo for reigning MVP Matthew Stafford next season.

new England Patriots

Another team that can’t be ruled out in the potential George Pickens trade market is the New England Patriots. They desperately need a young receiver if they hope to have a real chance to get back to the Super Bowl next season.

They are among the teams interested in AJ Brown. However, it may cost two first-round picks. Giving up their pick at No. 31 on Thursday night, plus a third-rounder, could be enough to get them the WR1 Drake Mays wants.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

One notable NFL Draft expert believes the New York Giants could make a very questionable decision with their first pick in tonight’s event.

There is a lot of excitement surrounding the first draft of the John Harbaugh era for the Giants. With the No. 5 pick heading into this week’s event, the team has several directions it can go. In various mock drafts since the season ended, Big Blue has been linked to a boatload of five players, including Ohio State’s Caleb Downs and Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love.

However, Thursday night got even more exciting for Giants fans last week when the team somehow managed to acquire the 10th overall pick from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for disgruntled three-time Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence. The G-Men now have two picks in the top 10, and there is new speculation over who they might take with that second selection.

One name that has come up frequently in recent conversations is Arizona State wide receiver, Jordan Tyson. A player who impressed in his open workout last week. Still, while some believe he could be the best receiver in this year’s class, he was projected to fall out of the top 15 for a few weeks due to injury concerns and declining issues last season.

Could the New York Giants use the No. 5 pick on Jordan Tyson?

But taking him 10th overall could still be a smart risk because of his high upside. However, during an appearance rich eisen show This week, ESPN draft expert Matt Miller suggested the Giants could use their pick five on Tyson when asked about a potential surprise in Round 1.

Miller said, “I think it would be surprising. Where the Giants get on the clock, and whether it’s you guys, or you know, Mel Kiper and those guys talking about it, and you’re running through all the options of these defensive players, and they call out Jordan Tyson.”

Tyson is a very talented player, but there are good reasons to be concerned about his durability at the next level. Selecting him at age 10 may be a reach, but a worthwhile risk. There’s no point in taking a player originally expected to go in the top five at pick 15 when Harbaugh and the front office have the luxury of picking again at 10.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

The 2026 NFL Draft takes place tonight at 8 PM ET, and the Detroit Lions hold the 17th overall pick in the first round. After missing the postseason in 2025, succeeding with their first-round pick will be key to continued roster growth.

Still, the Lions can’t be satisfied with holding on and picking at 17th. They may have their eye on a top prospect who Detroit thinks won’t fall into their draft slot.

According to ESPN’s NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, the Lions are making “trade calls” for Thursday’s event. He further stated that “some teams are looking at Detroit as a trade-up threat.”

The Lions could take a look at one of several offensive tackles who are projected to be selected in the first round after Taylor Decker’s request for and his release is granted. Detroit plans to transition Penei Sewell from right to left tackle, but the Lions still need a replacement for their All-Pro on the right side.

Of course, Lions general manager Brad Holmes is known for some draft day surprises. Often Leos go into the night with a specific need, but emerge with a different playmate. Maybe they are planning the same thing again.

With a total of nine draft selections, the Lions have some extra ammo to play with. Still, they don’t even have a third-round pick this year, so dipping into their 2027 draft capital may be necessary for a big move.

RELATED: Final 2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting Round 1 with trades

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Before the Raiders hit the clock, I want to go on the record.

Every year I do this. Every year, some of these age beautifully and some of them get screenshotted and thrown back in my face by people in my mentions who have been waiting since April to do the exact same thing. Good. This is the deal. You want accountable tech, they’re here.

Let’s start with the obvious and get it out of the way.

Fernando Mendoza has become number 1. I’m really going out on a limb here, aren’t I? The Raiders took over an Indiana quarterback who went 16–0, won a Heisman, threw 41 touchdowns against six interceptions and completed 72% of his passes in a national championship season. It takes almost zero courage to predict this. John Spytek said he has received calls about the selection and that teams “know where they stand.” This GM means stop calling us.

Mendoza is a Raider as of Thursday night at 8:15 pm Eastern time. write it down.

Now this is where it gets interesting.

How the top of the draft plays out past Mendoza

Jets It’s two o’clock and I’m taking Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey over Ohio State’s Arvel Reese. I know this is an unpopular approach. Reese is the unanimous choice, the athleticism darling, the guy most analysts have cornered. I don’t care. The Jets aren’t drafting for upside right now – they’re drafting for production. Bailey led the Big 12 with 14.5 sacks last season, posted 19.5 tackles for loss, and was disruptive every week against real competition. Reese has a high ceiling. Bailey has a track record. New York has been trying to replace their pass rush for half a decade and they don’t have the luxury of waiting on the potential Bailey already has to develop. The Jets took Bailey, and in two years no one remembered it being a surprise. But, this is a prediction that most of you will take a screenshot of.

Cornell Tate could not advance further than eighth place. On most boards he’s going somewhere between six and nine, and I’m not arguing with that range. He’s the most complete receiver in this class, a legitimate route runner who draws comparisons to Justin Jefferson from people whose opinions I really respect. Cleveland needs a receiver so badly that if he’s there at six, they’re not waiting. If it somehow falls, someone will do the business. Tate is leaving quickly with a smile on his face.

Omar Cooper Jr. is the wild card of the first round. Most big boards right now have him going between 13 and 16 — Dan Brugler at The Athletic has him ranked 21st overall, NFL.com’s Mock continues to have him landing at 13 on the Rams, and Todd McShay has him in the middle of the first round. Daniel Jeremiah expressed the possibility that he would lose in the second round. I think the truth lies somewhere between the consensus and Jeremiah. His receiving totals never topped 1,000 yards in college, and for all the athleticism and yards after the catch, NFL teams are going to be talking to themselves before Thursday night is over. He doesn’t make it to Round 2, but he doesn’t make it to Round 13 either. Cooper lands somewhere in the 18-22 range, and whoever took him there feels like they stole something.

What about the Raiders in Round 2?

Now – Raiders at 36.

The receiver board in this location is actually quite interesting. Zachariah Branch, Kevin Concepcion, and Isaiah Bonds all sit in that late-first to mid-second tier, and in most years at least one – if not two – of them are gone before the Raiders even get on the clock. Concepcion, in particular, is a mid-20s player on a lot of boards and probably shouldn’t have gotten here. If he does that, this type of slide teams onto the podium quickly. Any one of them makes sense here.

But the name I remember over and over again is Jeremy Bernard. The Alabama receiver doesn’t have the buzz of the top names in this class, but he weighs in at 6-1, 206 pounds and led the Crimson Tide in catches last season with 50 receptions for 794 yards. Dan Brugler called him a favorite among scouts and coaches, especially because of his versatility in all formations and his competitive mentality. He’s not a slam dunk pick here – Branch and Bonds both have arguments – but if Spytek is building around Mendoza’s comfort and wants a receiver who can line up at multiple spots and work quickly, Bernard fits that profile better than anyone else at this level. Kubiak will find ways to get him the ball.

Either way, the Raiders come out of Round 2 with a pass catcher. I’ll bet on it.

Attackers in Round 3 and beyond

When Vegas gets to 67 in round 3, I think SpyTech goes to the rescue. Specifically, defensive tackle. McDonald visited Henderson and everyone keeps throwing up his name, but let’s be honest – Kayden McDonald is an intriguing prospect. Many boards have him in the mid to late round of the first round, and if he somehow ends up in the late part of Round 2, Spytek should be trading on the phone, not sitting and waiting. He will no longer be there at the age of 67.

A more realistic target is Domonique Orange out of Iowa State. He visited Henderson, he weighs 325 pounds and projects as a round 3-4 pick across the board. He’s not a pass rusher, but in Rob Leonard’s 3-4, the nose tackle’s job is to hold the point of attack and keep the linebackers clean. Orange does exactly that.

Chris McClellan from Missouri is another name here. He also visited, and what separates him from the Orange isn’t pass-rush production (scouts doubt that part of his game), it’s versatility. McClellan can line up anywhere from zero-technique to 4i, which gives a defensive coordinator more options depending on personnel. One of them is a raider as of Saturday morning.

The secondary is addressed on the third day with at least one selection of the fourth round. Three fourth rounders are a luxury. Spytek uses one on a cornerback – I guess Delenn Everett from Georgia visited. The projection range on Everett is wide, anywhere from the end of Day 2 to the beginning of Day 3, so nabbing him with one of those fourth-round picks is realistic without a stretch.

The running back comes in on day three. There’s the name of Indiana’s Kellon Black – physical runner, strong in pass protection, and running backs to that national championship with Mendoza in two seasons. He projects in the fifth or sixth round, right where the Raiders have options sitting. You’re not asking him to go back to being featured. You’re asking him to provide a capable rotation option to Ashton Jeanty and contribute on special teams. Black can do this.

Then there’s Boston College offensive lineman Logan Taylor, who made the top 30 with the Raiders. He weighs 6-7, 314 pounds and started games at all four positions on the line in college – left tackle, left guard, right guard, right tackle. He is not someone who has wandered into a position; He is a man who has learned how to play football. You don’t need that to get started. You need him to give your offensive line room a reliable backup who can plug in anywhere when things get rough, and Taylor provides exactly that. He is the person chosen for the third day who fits the role of the third day perfectly.

Then it’s a receiver, a safety or two, a linebacker that makes your special teams coach smile. The third day is where you throw darts and hope one of them sticks.

Here’s my main takeaway: The Raiders will not be a contender in 2026. Anyone telling you otherwise is not straight with you. Six wins, maybe seven, is a realistic outcome in Year 1 of this rebuild. But a good draft – a Mendoza, a receiver at 36, a nose tackle at 67, secondary depth in Round 4, and a running back with system familiarity at the end of Day 3 – sets this thing up nicely for 2027 and beyond.

Check back Friday morning. I will remain here, either paying obeisance or explaining myself.

maybe both.

Scott Gulbransen, a quintessential expert in the field of sports journalism, serves as an editor, nfl , mlb , Formula 1 … More about Scott Gulbransen

The New York Giants are the most interesting team heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. They are the only team with two top 10 picks, and no one is sure what they intend to do with those selections.

That’s what the Giants brass want as they enter their first draft under new head coach John Harbaugh. Although we’re more than four months away from the regular season, New York is always competing against 31 other teams, and you never want your opponents to know about your plans.

There has been speculation for months as to what the team will do with the fifth overall selection. With the draft just hours away, opinions and mock drafts still vary on who the newest veteran will be.

The players who have generated the most buzz are Notre Dame running back Jeremiah Love, Ohio State Buckeyes Sonny Styles, Caleb Downs, Carnell Tate and Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. But there is also speculation that the team is not as dominant over him as some people believe.

Harbaugh, general manager Joe Schoen and senior vice president of football operations Don Aponte have done an excellent job of disguising which direction the team could go with their first pick. This is a stark contrast to the last two drafts, where it was clear New York had its eyes on Malik Nabors in 2024 and Abdul Carter last year.

after receiving 10^th No one is sure who the Giants might take with their second pick in the Dexter Lawrence trade to the Cincinnati Bengals. If Downs and Mauigoa are still available, some think the team will not give both players a second try. Also, there is a thought that they could take LSU corner Mansoor Delaney. But for the past few days, there has been talk that the team is relying more on Arizona State wide receiver Jordan Tyson.

Of the receivers in this draft class, the 6’2 203-pound Tyson is viewed as the player with the highest ceiling as he has the speed and size to be a dynamic player. However, he has a history of knee, collarbone and hamstring injuries, and there are concerns about how his body will hold up while playing on the MetLife Stadium turf.

There are reports that the team will consider trading up to the middle or late 10th round pick to acquire more picks since the team is without a selection in the third round. The belief is that they will use a pick in the middle or late rounds and take a defensive tackle to replace Lawrence.

The bottom line is that no one outside the Giants organization knows for sure how they will land in the first round of the draft, and you have to give everyone involved credit for putting up a smoke screen. In the previous build-up to the draft, teams acted as if they were playing checkers; This year, they are playing chess and everyone is guessing what move they will make.

RELATED: 2026 New York Giants mock draft, Nos. 5 to 193

The 2026 NFL Draft is fast approaching, and there has been a lot of attention paid to which direction the New Orleans Saints might lean with the eighth overall selection in the first round. Still, with a total of eight selections in the three-day event, the Saints will still find immediate contributors later on, especially considering they have two other selections in the top 73 selections.

However, the Saints could also use the draft as an opportunity to acquire one of their most recognizable players, depending on how the draft board looks for both them and other teams.

According to Saints general manager Mickey Loomis, the outcome of this weekend’s draft could “impact” the future of Alvin Kamara and Cameron Jordan’s status with the team.

“I think it could have an impact on it,” Loomis said. “You know, we’ll see what happens, and it goes both ways, it could impact them, from their perspective and also from our perspective.”

Jordan is already a free agent. Meanwhile, the Saints signed running back Travis Etienne to a four-year, $48 million contract this offseason, and Kamara is entering the final year of his contract. It’s certainly possible that another team would be willing to part with a third-day draft selection in exchange for Kamara. The five-time Pro Bowl back is now 30 years old and is playing his first season without at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage.

For a Saints team that has already moved on at the RB position, parting ways with Kamara for any type of draft compensation would be a win. Plus, they would be doing one of their franchise icons a favor by giving them a better opportunity elsewhere. Of course, they could have done him an even bigger favor by releasing him entirely, giving Kamara the chance to choose his own team rather than being traded there.

RELATED: Final 2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting Round 1 with trades

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The 2026 NFL Draft begins with first-round action on Thursday night, where the Los Angeles Rams have the 13th overall pick. Rams general manager Les Snead hasn’t selected this high since 2016, when he made a blockbuster move at No. 1 for Jared Goff.

Despite the presence of Puka Nakua and Davante Adams, many Rams mocks had them selecting a wide receiver who led the NFL in receiving yards and touchdowns in 2025. Still, Adams is 33 years old and entering the final year of his contract.

Adding another pass-catcher could certainly make a play at No. 13, but the Rams are a wild card; They’re not even close to forcing a first down on a receiver. In other words, he could deliver one of the biggest surprises of the draft.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s NFL insider Dan Graziano suggests that “some are also watching to see if they make a big move for Love, which would be a very exciting cherry on top of their offensive sundae.”

A trade for Love, which may require launching up to the third pick via a trade with the Arizona Cardinals (who are open for business), would require a major investment from Los Angeles. But we’re talking about Les Snead here. The Rams aren’t afraid to trade a collection of draft picks for a player they want, like Jalen Ramsey or even Trent McDuffie.

This time, they’re doing it for a prospect, but someone who many consider to be the best player in the 2026 NFL Draft class. However, the Rams already have a Pro Bowl running back in Kyren Williams, who is still only 25 years old? Will they really do everything possible to land another Notre Dame running back? It will definitely be a surprise, but also fun.

RELATED: Final 2026 NFL mock draft: Projecting Round 1 with trades

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A notable NFL mock draft suggests the Los Angeles Rams will make one of the biggest trades of the 2026 event for a player considered the best at his position.

After falling just short of reaching the Super Bowl earlier this year, the Rams’ brain trust is motivated to finish the story in 2026. And why not? They will bring back most of the same roster, including reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.

However, they made some notable changes the following season to overcome division rivals and defending league champions, the Seattle Seahawks. They made a blockbuster trade for Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Trent McDuffie. Then added his teammate Jaylen Watson in free agency. His aggressiveness has earned him the praise of rival officials.

Now, they will look for more players who can contribute in this week’s NFL Draft. They have one less selection in the first round after giving up their selection at 29th overall in the McDuffie trade. However, they still have the 13th overall pick. At that spot, they should be able to get a very good player. But there are rumors that they may not be enough.

Could the Los Angeles Rams trade up in the draft for Cornell Tate?

Maybe that’s why The Athletic’s Rams reporter Nate Atkins predicted a bold move in the outlet’s latest NFL mock draft that would have them give up the Nos. 13 and 61 picks and a 2027 fifth-rounder this week.

Atkins wrote, “The Rams are often trying to reach the top 10, but often have to go very far to achieve it.” “This year is different. They move from No. 13 to No. 6 to pursue potential receiver run backs. Carnell Tate is an option in this draft who projects as a future No. 1 pick without injury concerns. And that matters if the Rams are unsure about paying Puka Nakua.”

Atkins mentions that if Makai Lemon were still available at pick 13, he believes the Rams would remain in that slot. But receivers can blow up from that board to the back end of the top 10. This trade would bring to L.A. the player draft evaluators consider the most NFL-ready receiver at the moment.

Nacua is entering the final year of his rookie contract. After two Pro Bowl appearances in three seasons, re-signing him would seem like a no-brainer. However, the ongoing civil lawsuit and erratic behavior off the field over the past six months has raised some doubts over whether he can be invested in in the long term. The 24-year-old recently completed treatment at a holistic care and rehabilitation facility to deal with his recent internal troubles.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

A new report has opened the door for the New York Giants or Kansas City Chiefs to move down in Round 1 of the NFL Draft, as well as land a Pro Bowl receiver.

We’re just hours away from Round 1 of the NFL Draft, one of the most exciting days on the NFL calendar. There is always speculation surrounding the annual event, but with this year’s QB class being weaker than usual, there is more talk about trades everywhere in Round 1.

One team that has been linked to a lot of trade discussions as of late is the Dallas Cowboys. They have two picks in Round 1, No. 12 and No. 20, respectively. A recent report suggests the front office is high on Miami’s Reuben Benn Jr. and Ohio State’s Caleb Downs. He has also been linked to Downes’ teammate Sonny Styles.

The Cowboys are expected to have all three off the board by 12. They can try to use two of their choices to reach the top five. But some doubt whether that would be enough for a rival club to give up a selection at that point in the draft. However, he may have another interesting trade feature: George Pickens.

During Wednesday’s edition of ESPN RiseNFL insider Adam Schefter said Dallas is “nowhere close” to an extension Pro Bowl receiver, and is projected to go in the top 10 for a player he is a fan of.

Should the NY Giants or KC Chiefs look for a first-rounder for George Pickens?

“They’re nowhere with George Pickens right now. Nowhere,” Schefter said. “They’re not really talking about an extension. They’re not close to an extension. They’re not making a deal at this point. That’s where the situation stands right now, and the Cowboys are said to really like Jordan Tyson. So it’s just another subplot in a draft full of them.”

After working out for teams last week, the Arizona State receiver has been linked to the Chiefs and Giants at picks No. 9 and No. 10 in Round 1. Once again, the Cowboys are out of range if they stick with their pick. However, if they want to move up for Tyson, Downs or Benn – players who could also end up in the top 10 – Pickens could be an interesting player to play.

The Giants would love the opportunity to acquire a weapon like Pickens for Jackson Dart. If the two NFC East rivals surprisingly agreed to a trade, perhaps pick 20 for Pickens and pick 10, and Kevon Thibodeaux would be the starting point for a deal.

The Chiefs would also love to get their hands on a game-breaking receiver like Pickens. It could be worth picking him and the No. 20 pick. Leaving Kansas City with two selections in the final 10 selections of Round 1.

The money side of the trade will also be an issue, but both teams will try to find solutions to get the player who posted 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns last year.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

At No. 3 in the NFL Draft, the assumption is that the Arizona Cardinals will take the best player available or address a major need. However, a new report suggests that bringing in a player who can increase revenues and improve brand identity may be a priority.

The Cardinals are one of the most interesting teams heading into this week’s NFL Draft. By having the third pick, they have the opportunity to bring in a player who can be a game-changer and be a core member of the roster for years to come. Players like Texas Tech’s David Bailey, Ohio State’s Arvel Reese and Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love have been linked to the card at No. 3.

However, a case can be made that after a 3-14 season and firing their head coach, Arizona has a lot of problems and should trade up in Round 1 to acquire more picks this year and/or next year. That’s why he’s been linked to various trade rumors over the past few weeks.

Is Jeremiah Love an ideal pick for the Arizona Cardinals?

But the school of thought guiding the team’s draft plans this year may be different, especially with that option in Round 1: making more money. on Wednesday’s edition of ESPN RiseNFL insider Adam Schefter said that if they don’t trade up from No. 3 after years of going defense-first, they need to make a spectacular move that can create a spark, excitement and energy. That’s why they feel Love will be the player they choose.

Fellow NFL insider Peter Schrager then chimed in that the Cardinals were at the bottom of the league in merchandise and ticket sales. And after bringing in a new head coach in Mike LaFleur this offseason, it feels like 2026 will be a “fresh” start for the franchise.

Then, when NFL analyst Jason McCourty was asked what the best scenario would be for the Cardinals, he said, “Get your Jeremiah Love jerseys ready” because of the marketability of the talented running back.

For many NFL Draft evaluators, Love is the best player in this year’s class due to his great running skills and ability to make plays in the passing game. However, it is rare to see a running back reach such heights in the current NFL. But Love appears to be an exception because of his talent and what he could do for the Cardinals brand.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Claiming the 12th and 20th overall picks in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys will emerge from Thursday as a better team. After allowing the most points in the NFL in 2025, many expect the Cowboys to turn their attention to defense with one or possibly both selections.

Of course, trading for a top prospect could change those plans. Still, given how well the Cowboys have drafted, they’d probably prefer to have two selections in the first round. The other interesting thing is that the Cowboys often target a player that some analysts believe is a reach, a surprise or even a shocking selection.

Recently, when Essential Sports’ NFL insider Tony Pauline was asked which teams and/or players could lead to a “shocking” selection in the first round of the draft, he didn’t hesitate to name the Cowboys.

As mentioned, the Cowboys have a recent history of making surprise picks in the first round. One could argue they’ve done this in each of the last four drafts, selecting Tyler Booker, Tyler Guyton, Mazzie Smith and Tyler Smith.

If they select someone like Johnson or Rodriguez, especially at age 20, both would qualify as surprise picks, as both players are viewed as more likely to come off the board on the first, if not the second, day of the NFL Draft.

RELATED: Dallas Cowboys Draft Rumors: Trade Update + Key Prospect Watch

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After months of intense debate and evaluation of players, the Arizona Cardinals are finally ready to use the third overall selection on who they hope can become a franchise cornerstone. Of course, Cardinals general manager Monty Ossenfort could find a trade offer too good to refuse, allowing Arizona to add to their draft capital while still getting a prospect they like a lot.

Still, the Cardinals themselves may not yet know what they’ll be doing on draft day. Like most other teams, the Cardinals’ plans may depend on how the draft board goes past them, with the Jets selecting at No. 2, and rumor that they are targeting a pass-rusher.

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, the Cardinals’ GM “wants” Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey. If he is no longer available, the Cardinals front office will “try hard” to trade up in the first round.

Pauline wrote, “The Cardinals, especially general manager Monty Ossenfort, want David Bailey.” “If he’s not available, Arizona will work hard to move the selection up. They could potentially move the selection up before the draft starts. If Bailey is unavailable and they can’t move up the selection, I’m told it’s unlikely they select Arvel Reese, as they view him as a hybrid defender versus a pure edge rusher, and the Cardinals have bombed out on hybrid selections in the past.”

The Cardinals have attempted to draft guys who have no natural home in the NFL, such as eight-year-old Isaiah Simmons in 2020 and 16-year-old Zavon Collins in 2021. Neither one has lived up to their potential, and the fear is that Reese won’t either.

However, Ossenfort wasn’t even with the Cardinals in 2020 or 2021, meaning he had nothing to do with the Cardinals’ previous draft misses. One would think this shouldn’t impact how the Cardinals pursue draft prospects, but unless Pauline’s report is a smokescreen, Arizona doesn’t appear to be too impressed with Reese, leaving us to wonder how far Ohio State could fall on hybrid draft day.

RELATED: Arizona Cardinals target elite position on 3+ trade in late first round

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When selecting so late in the NFL Draft, as Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane has become accustomed to, it becomes difficult to predict which prospects will be available in the latter half of the first round. Of course, as mentioned, this is nothing new for the Bills, who haven’t had a top-10 selection since making Ed Oliver the ninth overall selection in the 2019 NFL Draft.

This time, the Bills don’t have a pick until No. 26 in the first round. Most Bills draft projections expect the team to focus on a wide receiver or defender. It turns out, the Bills’ evaluators have invested a lot of time exploring a specific position on defense.

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, the Bills have done an “extreme amount of work” on off-ball linebacker prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft.

“In my first-round mock draft, I had Buffalo select Georgia’s C.J. Allen,” Pauline wrote. “I’m told the Bills, who don’t have a selection until No. 91 after their pick in the early frame, are doing a lot of work on off-ball linebackers.”

Allen has been a common choice for the Bills at No. 26. He is viewed as the second-best pure linebacker prospect behind Ohio State star Sonny Styles and a potential first-round selection after clocking a 4.47 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine.

The Bills have a total of seven selections in the NFL Draft, including Nos. 26 and 91. After that, the chances of finding an immediate contributor diminish significantly, but the Bills will still have five chances to find someone who can crack their roster.

RELATED: NFL executive criticizes Buffalo Bills’ offseason strategy

Dedicated NFL copywriter/editor. My work has been found on SportsNut, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, MSN, Yahoo, and Minnesota Sports… More about Andrew Buller-Russ

Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday night and everyone knows Fernando Mendoza will be the first overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders. After that, chaos can happen and we’re trying to present some surprises that could happen on draft night.

Let’s take a look at our final set of bold 2026 NFL Draft predictions for Round 1.

New Orleans Saints trade up for No. 3 pick

Myriad of NFL Draft rumors have made it clear that the Arizona Cardinals are engaged in talks to trade down from No. 3 overall. A deal with the Kansas City Chiefs is certainly possible, but general manager Mickey Loomis’ history of draft-day aggression leads us to believe it would be the New Orleans Saints. Along with the quarterback, New Orleans needs to find its own blue-chip talent on the defensive side. That would be Arvel Reese. While David Bailey is the better pass rusher at the moment, Reese offers more versatility as a player with a higher ceiling overall. He could be the centerpiece of the Saints defense for a decade.

RELATED: Small-school prospects worth knowing about in the 2026 NFL Draft

New York Giants snag Jordan Tyson, Caleb Downs

The Dexter Lawrence trade allows the New York Giants to double dip into this attractive prospect pool, addressing needs on both sides of the ball. We think the New York Giants will use the fifth overall pick on wide receiver Jordan Tyson, betting that his injury issues are behind him. When healthy, Tyson is a true No. 1 receiver whose skillset will complement Malik Nabors greatly. For the Giants, this gives Jackson Dart two No. 1 receivers to pair with tight end Isaiah Potential. With the 10th overall selection, head coach John Harbaugh is reminiscent of what the Baltimore Ravens did with the selection of Kyle Hamilton a few years ago. In grabbing All-American safety Caleb Downs at No. 10, New York gets a high-end starter who can do it all.

Washington Commanders Draft Jeremiah Love

Although there is a lot of talk that the Tennessee Titans could choose to bring back Jeremiah Love, we believe Robert Saleh will get his preferred player in David Bailey. So, with Tyson landing in New York, the Washington commanders’ dream scenario unfolds. Running backs may not be the Commanders’ highest need, but blue-chip edge defenders are off the board. It’s also worth remembering that many teams view Love as the best player in the 2026 NFL Draft. He may be just a level below Bijan Robinson as a prospect, but Love’s three-down ability and home-run explosiveness are reminiscent of an All-Pro. That’s the ability you want to pair with Jaden Daniels and Washington will get him.

RELATED: Why the Titans shouldn’t draft Jeremiah Love

Los Angeles Rams boost offense with Makai Lemon

If it hasn’t already been made clear, the Los Angeles Rams are all set heading into the 2026 season and are putting together possibly the best supporting cast around Matthew Stafford. That means selecting wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 13th overall pick. Lemon will be in a position to have plenty of guys to feed into in the Rams’ passing game, but he will also share the field with Puka Nakua and receive guidance from Davante Adams. If he can even be a discount version of Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Rams’ passing attack could be one of the best the NFL has seen in over a decade.

Arizona Cardinals trade up in Round 1 for Ty Simpson

We think a pair of NFC West teams would make unlikely trade partners in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. With the Seattle Seahawks actively seeking more draft capital this year, the Cardinals are taking advantage. After moving down from No. 3 earlier in the night and selecting right tackle Francis Mauigoa, the Cardinals tapped into their war chest of draft picks and moved up two spots from the 34th to 32nd selection overall. This secures a fifth-year option on quarterback Ty Simpson, while Seattle picks up some additional draft picks and possibly lands a player with the second pick in Round 2 that would be taken to end Round 1. A win-win for everyone, and Simpson walks into a position with an advanced offensive line and a great supporting cast of weapons in Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Michael Wilson.

Matt Johnson is the senior NFL and college football editor for Sportsknot. His work including the weekly NFL and college… More about Matt Johnson

It’s Sunny Mehta day in New Jersey. The New Jersey Devils are set to introduce their new general manager today at the Prudential Center at 3 p.m.

This is the beginning of a new era for the red and black.

Mehta still has a lot of work to do. One of those tasks will be figuring out what to do with their first-round pick. He’ll likely make that decision after the Devils find out their luck in the draft lottery. So, what are the chances that they could move forward? More on that in the link.

Additionally, Mehta outlined other top priorities via the Devil’s Rink Report.

Devil’s Trade Rumors and News

New Jersey Hockey Now: The NHL released its 2026 NHL Draft lottery odds over the weekend. Here are the Devils’ chances to win it, and how far they could realistically move up in the draft order.

📺 devil’s rink report: So, what priorities will Sunny Mehta face as she steps into her new role as general manager in New Jersey? We break it down in the latest Devils Rink report.

Full episode here 👇🏼

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James is the fully certified New Jersey Devils beat reporter for New Jersey Hockey Now on Sportsnaut and … More about James Nicholls