標籤: firstround

After an offseason of roster-building, the Indianapolis Colts are preparing for a new year. Before they open the season for Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens on September 13, Colts general manager Chris Ballard will have several difficult decisions to make.

Currently, the Colts have a roster of 90 players. On August 26, they will have to reduce that number from 90 to 53 players. In doing so, the Colts may be forced to release a recent first-round pick.

Recently, Bleacher Report’s Mo Moton suggested that, instead of finding a trade partner, the Colts could release Anthony Richardson. This is what we saw them do with former Pro Bowl cornerback Kenny Moore, who still hasn’t found a new team.

Richardson would certainly prefer to be released rather than traded elsewhere. This will give the 23-year-old player a chance to choose his next team.

On the surface, it seems hard to believe that the Colts would have to release a player who was selected fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Still, with the Colts likely considering very small trade returns for a player who will be a free agent at the end of the season, it would not be unprecedented for them to decide it would be best to release Richardson.

For now, Richardson is set to return as the backup to Daniel Jones, who signed a two-year, $88 million extension this offseason. The Colts also have 2025 sixth-round pick Riley Leonard and 2025 undrafted free agent Seth Hennigan.

With Jones recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, the Colts may like the additional insurance provided by Richardson, and there’s always a chance he opts out in the preseason, leading to a trade offer from an interested team.

RELATED: 2026 NFL QB rankings after Aaron Rodgers rejoins the Steelers

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Last year, the Jacksonville Jaguars took a big leap in Liam Coen’s first season as head coach, winning 13 games and reaching the playoffs. A year earlier, the Jaguars had won only four games under former Super Bowl champion head coach Doug Pederson.

It is no surprise that general manager James Gladstone did not feel the need to make big trades or make high-priced signings in free agency. Nevertheless, the Jaguars did a lot of work on the margins of the roster, improving the team’s depth.

One area that didn’t get a lot of attention was the group’s pass-rushers. Jacksonville ranked 27th in sacks last season. Aside from taking tackle Albert Regis in the third round, edge rusher Wesley Williams in the fourth and nose tackle Zach Durfee in the seventh, the Jaguars didn’t do much to address their pass-rush.

Of course, having Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker means the Jaguars already have starting edge rushers, but do they have enough depth? What about a third impact pass-rusher who can rotate on obvious passing downs or when Walker and/or Hines-Allen need relief?

recently, Sports IllustratedEva Geitheim suggested the Jaguars should call up the veterans and trade for Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Thibodeaux was the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. In his second season as a professional player he started with 11.5 sacks, but has recorded only eight sacks over the last two years. Still only 25, Thibodaux certainly has some untapped potential, and the Giants may be more willing to deal him after assembling a collection of pass-rushers.

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

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In the months leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, many analysts thought there was a chance that the Carolina Panthers could draft a wide receiver in the first round for the third consecutive year. Heck, even Panthers general manager Dan Morgan admitted the team was set to select a pass-catcher first.

Ultimately, the Panthers did not select a receiver at No. 19, instead choosing Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling. However, the Panthers returned to the receiver position with their third pick, taking Tennessee tight end Chris Brazell with the 83rd overall selection in the third round. Brazell is expected to get playing time as a rookie, leading to the departure of another recent top player in Carolina.

recently, athleticJoseph Persson suggested that Xavier Leggett could emerge as a “potential trade candidate” this fall.

The Panthers made Leggett the 32nd overall pick of the first round in the 2024 NFL Draft. He started 13 of his 16 appearances as a rookie, recording 49 receptions on 84 targets for 497 yards and four touchdowns. Unfortunately, he was not able to increase those numbers in Year 2. Leggett started 12 of his 15 appearances, recording 35 receptions on 64 targets for 363 yards and three touchdowns.

Now heading into the third season of a four-year contract that can extend to a fifth season with a team option, Leggett risks falling behind on the depth chart in Carolina. Tate McMillan is top dog. Last year’s undrafted signee Jalen Coker recorded more yards despite playing in four fewer games and seeing 21 fewer targets. Additionally, the Panthers have now added Brazell.

In other words, the Panthers are likely ready to deal Leggett, who is just 25 years old. He should be able to get a third-day draft pick, but are the Panthers willing to give him up for such a low return? If Leggett doesn’t show development in the team’s minicamp, he may very well be gone.

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

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Entering the 2026 NFL Draft, many eyes were set on the Dallas Cowboys, who began the weekend with the 12th and 20th overall selections in the first round. Some thought the Cowboys might even move up the draft board to secure an elite talent in the top 10 selection.

The Cowboys eventually moved around, moving from 10 to 11 and still acquiring a top prospect in Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. The Cowboys also moved down with their second pick, trading up to the Philadelphia Eagles before selecting UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence with the 23rd overall pick.

Overall, many were happy with what the Cowboys did, adding an impact safety that could control the secondary, and giving a pass-rush group a boost that was desperately needed. Still, not everyone thought the Cowboys made the right decision.

In particular, former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban called the Lawrence selection a “reach”. Still, that was a hot-mic moment they probably didn’t think could be heard on-air. But he was.

Later, when Saban was asked to provide his analysis while the cameras were on him, he strangely had a different opinion, calling Lawrence a “sleeper.”

“Actually, this guy was one of my sleepers for yesterday,” Saban said. “But he’s a good player… This guy is a good player. I thought he was a guy that was going to be overlooked in the draft, but obviously the Cowboys didn’t overlook him.”

“It’s a reach” 😬 pic.twitter.com/60zloMY8nq

– Awful Announcement (@awfulaannouncement) 24 April 2026

Lawrence was widely projected to be selected in the second round, although some analysts believed he had a chance to fall in the late first round. As we’ve seen, it just takes a team to fall in love with a prospect, and that’s clearly what happened with Lawrence in Dallas.

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

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In a surprising development, the 8th-seeded Orlando Magic continued their stellar performance to take a 2-1 series lead against the No. 1-seeded Detroit Pistons. The Magic got an excellent performance from Paolo Banchero with a near triple-double. The Pistons—who had never really been challenged in the Eastern Conference all year—were now firmly on their heels.

Each NFL team has a different draft board, with some prospects ranking higher than others. Generally, the status of a potential client depends mostly on their film, measurables or character. However, there are some rare cases when an athlete has a history of injury.

Most injuries are not serious enough to have a major impact on a player’s future, although some are more serious than others. Sometimes injuries not only ruin a player’s season, but can also impact the rest of his career.

The same could happen with Tennessee’s Jarmod McCoy, who is projected to be a first-round pick. LSU’s Mansur Delaney is considered the top cornerback prospect, but McCoy is often ranked right behind him despite overcoming a torn ACL that wiped out his 2025 season.

While McCoy is expected to be healthy for Week 1, some NFL evaluators are concerned about his long-term health.

According to NFL insider Tony Pauline of Essential Sports, some teams have “red flagged” McCoy for a possible “degenerative knee condition.”

This could cause McCoy’s stock to drop to the point where some teams have removed him from their draft boards entirely. Still, other teams may not agree with this assessment, which is why McCoy could still be a first-round pick. Just needs a team to clear him medically and believe McCoy has a bright future in the NFL.

RELATED: 2026 NFL mock draft: Trades that captured the first round of the NFL draft

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With eight selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals will soon add a group of youth to the roster. It all starts on April 23, where the Bengals have the 10th overall pick in the first round, and fans have spent the last few months speculating who might be joining Cincinnati.

recently, athleticBengals insider, Paul Dehner Jr. made his prediction. As many other analysts have predicted in the Bengals mock, Dehner predicted that Cincinnati would add to their secondary by making Tennessee cornerback, Jermod McCoy, the tenth overall pick in the first round.

McCoy is considered the second-best cornerback in the 2026 draft class. Nevertheless, he missed the entire 2025 season due to a torn ACL, and he is still viewed as a lock for the first round. It makes one wonder whether he would have been classified as the best cornerback if McCoy had not suffered a season-ending knee injury.

Either way, it shows that the film McCoy put on tape at Oregon State in 2023 and Tennessee in 2024 is strong enough for NFL evaluators to remain very high on his pro prospects. McCoy recorded two interceptions in his first season and four interceptions in his second season. There’s certainly more to come in the NFL, and Cincinnati could be an ideal landing spot for the 6-foot-1, 188-pound corner.

RELATED: Cincinnati Bengals Pro Bowler campaign for blockbuster trade involving All-Pro

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The Baltimore Ravens have the 14th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Still, there’s always a possibility that they won’t use the selection. Trades are always possible, and the Ravens could move up or down the draft board.

Or, they could also trade out of the first round.

Recently, Bleacher Report’s Christopher Knox highlighted some potential trade outcomes that could emerge during the draft. In doing so, he suggested that the Ravens could trade the 14th overall pick to the Cowboys in exchange for superstar wide receiver George Pickens, who was coming off a career-high 1,429 receiving yards. Pickens is also entering the final year of his contract, leading some to wonder if Dallas would be open to a blockbuster trade offer.

“Replacing Pickens with a receiver like Kevin Concepcion or Omar Cooper Jr. on a rookie contract would make a lot of financial sense,” Knox wrote. “Snagging Pickens would make sense for a team like the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore could use a legitimate No. 1 receiver, and Pickens would certainly fill that need. He might also get a chance to go up against the Pittsburgh Steelers team that snubbed him a year ago.”

While trading the 14th overall pick would be tough, coming away from the draft with a proven receiver like Pickens would be worth the price. The question is, would the Cowboys really be willing to give up one of their best players?

Some think so, but others believe the Cowboys will not mess up during contract negotiations this time.

RELATED: ‘Very likely’ to draft Baltimore Ravens’ top-ranked player

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had to make some difficult decisions this offseason. They have already said goodbye to potential future Hall of Famer Mike Evans, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency. Franchise icon linebacker Lavonte David retires after 14 seasons.

Needless to say, the Buccaneers’ roster makeup will look a little different when the 2026 season begins. Still, the Bucs are not finished building the roster. They are still evaluating low-risk, high-benefit solutions.

In the latest effort, the Buccaneers are bringing in offensive guard Kenyon Green for a free agency visit on Thursday. The 25-year-old Green spent last season with the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens, but did not appear in a game.

Now a free agent again, Green looks to begin writing his next chapter after arriving as the 15th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Green started 14 of his 15 appearances as a rookie with the Houston Texans, but he missed the entire 2023 season due to a shoulder injury. Once healthy again, Green started nine of his 12 appearances with Houston in 2024.

Sometimes players unleash their potential with a change in scenario. Perhaps Tampa Bay can provide Green with what he’s looking for, helping him get closer to his draft position.

RELATED: Tampa Bay Buccaneers linked to future Hall of Famer

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The 2026 NBA Draft is still a few months away, but there is already a general sense of what the first round of the draft might look like. Mexico’s Kareem Lopez, a projected first-round pick, who is currently playing in the National Basketball League (NBL) in Australia, recently announced his intention to enter the upcoming NBA draft, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

“Playing in the NBA has been my dream and my goal my entire life,” Lopez said. “Honestly, I remember. I was probably 5 years old, drawing pictures of myself playing in the NBA… You know, it’s pretty special to be in this position right now.”

While Kareem Lopez is expected to be selected in the first round of the NBA draft, what is even more important for the NBL forward is that he is on track to become the first Mexico-born player to be selected in the first round of the draft.

The first round has included players of Mexican descent before, such as Miami Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr., none of whom were born in Mexico. Lopez is on track to become the first Mexican-born player since Eduardo Nájera.

Nájera was selected 38th overall in the 2000 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. He played 12 years in the NBA with the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, New Jersey Nets and Charlotte Bobcats.

Lopez has played the past two seasons in the NBL, opting to take the professional route instead of playing college basketball. In recent years, players such as LaMelo Ball, Josh Giddy, AJ Johnson, Alex Sarr, Ousmane Dieng and Ryan Rupert have used the NBL’s Next Stars program as a starting point before entering the NBA Draft.

The Memphis Grizzlies needed a spark to stop an eight-game slump. He found it in the long-term defensive versatility of Taylor Hendricks. In a crucial home win over Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets, the 22-year-old shotstower showed why the Grizzlies are betting on his former first-round pedigree.

Hendricks changed the stat line that defines “disruptive,” racking up 13 points, six steals and three blocks in a matchup against the three-time NBA MVP. This performance was evidence of the Grizzlies and Isalo’s growing comfort level with the coaching staff. Judging by the early contests, the last few weeks have been sensational. Since February 23, he is averaging 13 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocks.

Credit goes to something that can’t be measured as easily as shooting 35.8% from beyond the arc.

“That’s our communication from the bench,” Hendricks said. “It’s telling each other that the only way to get better is to finish games.”

That trust and respect for all voices represents a change for the 6-foot-9 forward, whose path has been slowed by injuries since entering the league. Amidst a chaotic season with two different teams, Hendricks is finally being given the freedom to play through the mistakes. This is benefiting the Grizzlies in a big way, who now know they have a fundamental frontcourt piece.

“Taylor has been great. That’s one of the things that hasn’t really surprised us, but just his ability with his wings. He’s really disruptive,” Isalo stressed, “(Hendrix) is able to put pressure on smaller guards and bigger guys while handling himself physically, and being able to regain his position.”

Whether defending on the perimeter or battling inside, Hendricks’ ability to toggle between positions has given the Grizzlies a flexible piece during a period defined by roster instability. But this opportunity did not materialize just like that and the path to reach this point was not easy.

Grizzlies come to the scene in spring

Isalo believes a change of scenery was just what was needed to provide the mental reset needed to move on from those setbacks.

“I think it’s really just a fresh start, and if you look at Taylor’s short professional career so far, it seems like he’s had some injuries. He obviously had a big injury last season, and it’s not always easy to come back from that,” Isalo said. “And from what I see and know in discussions with him, you see he’s really enjoying playing. He feels very grateful for the opportunity. He enjoys it. He says you know every day I learn something new and play through the mistakes, which is really not the case.”

Hendricks’ willingness to “play despite mistakes” has allowed the young forward to have an impact on wins even when his jumper isn’t falling. Jokic struggled against the Nuggets from deep, shooting only 1 of 10 from three-point range. In many systems, such a cold night can result in benching; Under Isalo, it was a footnote to a dominant defensive night.

“It’s something that I think is a really good fit for him, and he’s found a really good spot on our roster where he complements a lot of other guys,” Isalo explained. “He’s able to play the big spot, rebound there, but also at the four. And he’s hitting shots. Even (against Jokic), he was 10 of 10 from three, he still impacts the game in a very positive way. So, it’s not like he needs to just make shots to impact the game, and those players are very valuable.”

Looking for a late-season highlight, Isalo’s preference is to lean toward opportunity. Few players embrace it more than Taylor Hendricks. A more aggressive and smooth version of the first-rounder is probably the best Zach Eddy insurance for the Grizzlies. If these disruptions hold true to his on-court character, his upside could fill much of the void left by Jaren Jackson Jr.

There is no doubt that the Pittsburgh Steelers will have a different feel next season following the resignation of Mike Tomlin. But this is Mike McCarthy’s team now and there are more changes coming.

The Steelers have been selective in finding roster upgrades this offseason, even if it means getting creative by trading for proven players like Michael Pittman Jr. On defense, Steelers general manager Omar Khan has made upgrades to the secondary.

While the Steelers will certainly still add more in free agency, speculation is growing as to what the Steelers’ potential plans are with the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Could they target the future defensive leader?

Essential Sports’ NFL insider Tony Pauline believes Georgia middle linebacker CJ Allen could be a “surprise” pick in Pittsburgh. Georgia’s Pro Day had just taken place, and Allen reportedly “looked good” in positional drills.

“Linebacker C.J. Allen looked good in position drills. He was comfortable and covered a lot of area on the field. Allen is unlikely to fall out of the first round, and his range is expected to be anywhere between 15 and 32 picks. The Tampa Bay Bucs love linebackers, and he is a perfect fit for their system. The Pittsburgh Steelers could surprise Allen with the 21st pick.”

Allen is widely projected to land, as Pauline said, somewhere between the middle and end of the first round. After a positive workout at his pro day, Allen may have solidified his spot in the first round. Whether the Steelers want to pair him with Patrick Queen under center remains to be seen, but he could be a good fit.

RELATED: Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame legend urges team to release Aaron Rodgers

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The Seattle Seahawks may have won the Super Bowl last season, but that doesn’t mean anything anymore. Once the 2026 NFL season begins, every team will be in the same spot, without wins and losses. But the offseason is where championship teams are made, and Seahawks general manager John Schneider is doing his best to put Seattle in position to repeat.

The Seahawks have their work cut out for them. They’ve already lost offensive coordinator Clint Kubiak to the Raiders. Other losses, such as the signing of starting cornerback Rick Woolen with the Eagles, would lead to roster changes. On Tuesday, the Seahawks may have found their replacement for Woolen.

According to ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Seahawks have signed cornerback Noah Igbinoghene to the roster. No contract details provided.

Still, the Seahawks are getting a 26-year-old former first-round pick in Igbinoghene, the 30th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. He spent the first three seasons of his career as a member of the Dolphins before being traded to the Cowboys. Once he reached free agency for the first time, Igbinoghene signed with the Commanders, where he has spent the last two seasons.

Interestingly, Igbinoghene has only started 17 of his 69 appearances in the NFL. Clearly, Seahawks head coach Mike McDonald sees something interesting in the 5-foot-11, 197-pound cornerback.

Igbinoghene made two starts in 15 appearances at Washington last season, recording 35 tackles (1 TFL), five pass deflections and one sack. He has recorded one interception in his NFL career, which came in 2022. He will definitely try to get more opportunities in Seattle.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft After NFL Free Agency Negotiation Window

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Let’s be honest, the New York Jets haven’t always made the best decisions. This is part of why he ‘earned’ the No. 2 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Last offseason, they decided to sign Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract, hoping that the former first-round pick could develop into the NFL’s next star quarterback after his original team released him. Only, Fields was not successful.

The 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft led the Jets to a 2-7 record before being traded for Tyrod Taylor. Now that the Jets have traded for former Pro Bowl quarterback in Geno Smith, Fields’ time with the organization may have run its course after one season.

According to ESPN’s Rich Cimini, Fields’ “status is very much up in the air” with the Jets.

That was the expectation in the offseason. Some are surprised the Jets haven’t already moved on from the five-year pro. Still, the only other quarterbacks on the Jets’ roster are Brady Cook (an undrafted rookie signed through 2025) and Bailey Zappé. In other words, if the Jets move on from Fields, they will want to find another quarterback or two to help replace him.

If the Jets move on from Fields this offseason, he may not get another chance to compete for a starting job this offseason. But perhaps he can find a role where he still sees the field as a situational player who is capable of helping teams with his legs in the gadget game.

RELATED: 2026 NFL Mock Draft After NFL Free Agency Negotiation Window

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Kasparus Jakusionis has been playing a valuable role with the Miami Heat during his rookie season. After a ball-dominant freshman season at Illinois, the No. 20 pick’s dramatic shooting improvement has allowed him to catch up with Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and others.

After shooting 31.8 percent from three with Illinois, Jacusionis is shooting 44.0 percent from three on 7.5 attempts per 100 possessions this season. The 19-year-old leads all rookies in three-point percentage (minimum 30 attempts).

“Kas has really been working on it, and he’s obviously one of our better three-point shooters,” Erik Spoelstra said after Thursday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets. “I don’t know if you can make that case in July. He was a good three-point shooter, but he’s really refined it. His release is sharp. His reps are always at the top of our roster in the gym. And he’s able to do a little bit more going forward now, and it really helps us. We need that differentiation, we need his creativity, we need the things he can do off the dribble, but we look at his shooting, others. He is getting the benefits of playing. And he will get even better.”

“It’s hard to find players that can do both. They can make plays off the ball and move and get into open spaces. He’s also a very good, smart catch-and-go guy. But in his one year at Illinois, he was ball dominant, so he’s one of those guys. It won’t be as much with us right now, but you can see he’ll have a skill set that he can lean on as well.”

Jacusionis’ floor spacing has allowed him to make an immediate impact.

Kasparas Jakusionis getting attention amid shooting improvement with Heat

According to CleaningTheGlass, the Heat score 3.7 more points per 100 possessions with the rookie on the court versus off. This is the fifth-best mark in the NBA among all players under the age of 22.

“He’s not hesitating. He’s not really thinking about it. He’s just catching and just shooting it,” Bam Adebayo said. “When you’re in that kind of rhythm, we want you to just catch and shoot. Don’t overthink it. Because a lot of times that’s going to be the best shot you’re going to get. So for Kass, it’s just keeping it simple for him.”

Jaksionis would play a key role in the Heat’s playoff run in the final 19 games of the regular season. The Lithuanian guard has played 19.8 minutes per game over the past five weeks, eighth-most on the team.

The Heat are struggling to avoid falling in the Eastern Conference Play-in Tournament for the fourth consecutive season. Miami, the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic are separated by half a game for the East’s sixth to eighth seeds.

The Denver Nuggets are considered one of the potential contenders in the Western Conference, with a solid roster with strong depth. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Nuggets added that potential depth this week with the signing of David Roddy to a two-way contract.

According to Michael Scotto of Hoopshype.com, the Nuggets already had all three of their two-way contract roster spots filled, so they waived Tamar Bates to facilitate the signing of David Roddy.

Roddy’s inclusion is interesting for the Nuggets as he has been performing brilliantly with Team USA during the recent FIBA ​​World Cup qualifiers. During last week’s two-match schedule, Roddy was one of the team’s top players.

In Team USA’s first game against the Dominican Republic, he scored eight points with three rebounds, three assists and two steals. He had a breakout game with a team-high 20 points in the win against Mexico. He shot 7 of 10 from the field, and a perfect 2 of 2 from the 3-point line in that win.

Roddy’s opportunity with the Nuggets is not his first go-round in the NBA. Drafted 23rd overall in the 2022 NBA draft, he began his career in the league with the Memphis Grizzlies. After one and a half seasons, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns as part of a multi-team deal that obtained the Suns’ Royce O’Neal.

Following the 2023–24 season, he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks waived him during the 2024–25 season, and he spent the remainder of the season playing brief stints with the Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets. He was part of the blockbuster Kevin Durant-to-the Rockets trade involving multiple teams. The deal brought him back to the Hawks, who immediately waived him.

Roddy was playing with Raptors 905 in the G League before getting called up to Team USA and then eventually the Nuggets.

The Brooklyn Nets sent rookie forward Drake Powell to the G League in the first round on Friday amid a prolonged shooting decline. Powell, the No. 19 pick in the 2025 draft, was a bright spot for Brooklyn for a long time early this season.

The North Carolina product has continued to make a defensive impact at the NBA level using his seven-foot wingspan and elite athleticism. He has also been shown to encourage increasingly aggressive aggressive flashes. Powell averaged 6.4 points on 46.0 percent shooting from the field and 32.4 percent from three in 16.9 minutes per game in his first 30 appearances.

However, lately he has been struggling to find his rhythm offensively.

Nets send Drake Powell to G League, call up Ben Saraf amid extended slump

Powell is averaging 5.2 points on 35.4 percent shooting from the field and 20.9 percent from three in 19.1 minutes per game over his last 17 appearances. The Nets have used the G League to get extended reps from their NBA-record five rookie first-round picks throughout this season.

After struggling during the preseason and his first regular season NBA performance, the Nets sent Nolan Traoré to Long Island for a long time. After impressive performances in the G League, the French floor general re-joined Brooklyn and has since become the team’s full-time starting point guard.

With Powell in Long Island, rookie Ben Saraf could see extended minutes in the Nets’ rotation. Brooklyn called up Saraf on Friday after spending an extended period in the G League. Although he has struggled during his NBA appearances, the Israeli point guard has averaged 15.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists on .423/.373/.759 shooting splits in 15 outings with Long Island.

For the third consecutive offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers do not know who will be their starting quarterback when the next season begins. While all signs point to Aaron Rodgers returning for a second season, especially now that his old Packers head coach, Mike McCarthy, has been hired to lead the Steelers, he is only a short-term fix.

Ultimately, the Steelers need a long-term plan behind their 42-year-old future Hall of Fame quarterback. Reports suggest the Steelers like 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard, but putting his future on hold for the 185th overall pick in the draft isn’t ideal for a team that hopes to never miss the playoffs.

In the meantime, the Steelers are likely to continue evaluating potential future franchise quarterbacks, whether or not Rodgers returns. Now, they are being linked to a former top QB prospect who is set to enter the 2026 NFL Draft.

according to penliveThe Steelers met with Penn State quarterback Drew Allar at the NFL Combine this week. Before the start of last college football season, Elar was being viewed as the potential No. 1 overall selection in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Still, a difficult year that ended with a season-ending ankle injury after six games has lowered Allar’s draft stock. He is also not seen as someone who can emerge as a fringe player in the first round.

However, the strong-armed QB with legitimate NFL size at 6-foot-5 could emerge quickly during the pre-draft process. Elar is the only quarterback the Steelers have met so far.

RELATED: Aaron Rodgers talks Pittsburgh Steelers after Mike McCarthy hire

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The Minnesota Vikings are back in the quarterback market this offseason after JJ McCarthy missed 27 games due to injury after being selected 10th in the 2024 NFL Draft. After a tremendous debut season in which he completed only 57.6% of his passes with the highest interception rate in the NFL, the Vikings are ready to begin contending.

Right now, the only quarterbacks the Vikings have on their roster are McCarthy and Max Broesmer, who they signed as an undrafted rookie last year. The Vikings are sure to add another QB to the mix this offseason, it’s just a matter of who.

On Thursday, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson requested a trade. According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, there is “mutual interest” between Richardson and the Vikings.

Richardson may be looking forward to the opportunity to be coached by Kevin O’Connell, who has previously made it known that he is a big fan of the Colts’ dual-threat QB.

.@Vikings Head coach Kevin O’Connell had some words of encouragement @GVOaant ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TaXW9dFaMx

– NFL (@NFL) 7 November 2024

While Coach O’Connell appears to be concerned with the cannon-armed Richardson, do the Vikings really want two developmental prospects in their QB room, plus 2025 undrafted signee Max Brosmer? This is a group that requires a lot of coaching rather than mixing two existing youngsters with a proven veteran who can help their less experienced teammates find their feet.

Then again, maybe the Vikings look at Richardson and feel confident they can unlock a superstar in him. Coach O’Connell wasn’t afraid to take risks on former first-round picks, and both Daniel Jones and Sam Darnold have improved since their tenure as a Viking. Perhaps Richardson can do the same, or perhaps he’s the Vikings’ next franchise quarterback.

If the price is something like a late Day 2 pick or a combination of a higher Day 3 pick, the Vikings would be wise to take a chance on Richardson, who has the potential to become an MVP-type player. Still, multiple teams are likely to be interested in the former No. 4 overall pick, and the Colts may feel more inclined to take the best offer rather than an outcome Richardson would prefer.

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Two years away from having the 12th pick in the 2024 draft, Oklahoma City Thunder executive vice president and GM Sam Presti has both prospects — Nikola Topic and Jared McCann — he backed up Mark Daigneault. The timing of both guards could not have come at a better time. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is out with an abdominal injury, Ajay Mitchell hasn’t played since January, and Jalen Williams will be reevaluated in March.

Losing three of its leading scorers shows that Oklahoma City is unable to get close to its 119.4 point average without its reigning MVP and two of the Thunder’s top four scorers. It’s a good thing Presti parted ways with a 2026 first-round pick and two future seconds at the trade deadline to acquire a young guard he’s had his eye on since McCann’s 2024 pre-draft workout with the Thunder.

Presti also trusted the 19-year-old Serbian prospect with an old-school approach to the point guard position despite suffering a season-ending ACL injury. Presti was fine with the debut of Topch, who was selected by the Thunder at No. 12 in 2025-26. Back then, no one could have predicted what would happen after the Thunder preseason games. Now, McCain and Topic are both playing in Oklahoma City at unexpected times in their respective careers.

Jared’s trade to the Philadelphia 76ers made him cry. The subject is four months away from a cancer diagnosis. This was all unexpected, but they both fit like a glove into the Thunder’s offense. McCann’s ability to make open threes and create space gives Daigneault another scorer to utilize. Topic gives the Thunder a secondary playmaker who can score quickly off the bench, which he has already proven in the first two games of his NBA career.

It’s another win for coach Mark Daigneault and Thunder GM Sam Presti amid the defending champions’ quest to win back-to-back titles.

Jared McCann scores season-high in Thunder vs. Nets win

Second-year guard Jared McCain has made at least one 3-pointer in each of his five appearances with the Thunder. He’s also efficient at connecting on 9 of 20 (45%), including half of his six 3-point attempts in a 105-86 win against the Nets. McCain led the Thunder with a season-high 21 points on 7-for-12 shooting, four rebounds and one steal. And his presence has also had a positive impact on the defending champion’s supporting cast.

Isaiah Joe, who has missed at least two threes in five consecutive games, extended his streak to six to 11 points as his hot streak continued in Friday’s win against the Nets. Joe shot a career-best 41.7% clip from deep this season. However, that percentage has increased to 55.8% with McCann making 19 of 34 attempts in the five games since his arrival.

Still, Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault reminded reporters it’s not all about shooting with McCain and Joe, as their increased roles amid Oklahoma City’s injuries have elevated them to do other things that help win.

“It’s not the only thing they do,” Daigneault said. “Jared is a guy that – he’s dynamic offensively – there’s a lot more to his game than spot-up shooting. You could see it tonight. Again, Isaiah Joe rebounded the ball great tonight. We play short games with him on the court, even though he’s a light guy because he’s good physically, he executes, and he gets his nose in the ball to make plays.

“It’s not just taking advantage of the shooting. It’s being able to put them out there because of the other skills they bring. But, yes, we have optionality, and that’s what you want. You never know what you need. You never know who’s going to do well. We obviously try to lean into that with changing rotations and lineups, and they definitely give us more options,” Daigneault concluded.

Since McCann joined the Thunder, Joe has averaged 15.8 points on 49.4% shooting, including 55.8% from deep, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.

“We all have a role to play, and we all know it, and he’s done a great job of helping me with that. I think once we get the ball moving, we can all create shots for each other. Once we get the ball moving, good things are going to happen,” McCain said. “[We’re] This becomes known as we move forward. It’s hard to do it without those people. “However, we are figuring it out.”

Nikola Topic’s playmaking wraps up Thunder’s win

While Jared McCann and Isaiah Joe’s scoring gave the Thunder double-digit relief, Nikola Topic, in his second NBA game, closed the door in the final frame with playmaking, shooting and smooth finishing at the rim. For coach Mark Daigneault, the Thunder’s theme is a traditional pure point guard with a pass-first mentality, and the confidence to score when he sees fit.

Daigneault says Topic is proof of what’s missing in the NBA modern day point guard During the Thunder head coach’s postgame media availability on Friday.

“There aren’t a lot of real pure point guards in basketball anymore. There’s incredible skill, but there’s not a ton of traditional team runners, those guys, and that’s it: He can run your team,” Daigneault said. “He’ll settle you down to ground level. He understands what we’re trying to achieve, even at this very early stage of his career, and he’s got the ability to go along with it.

“He’s still got a long way to go. Offensively he’s got a lot to learn in terms of getting the edge, reading different coverages that he’s going to see as the league gets to know him a little bit; it’ll be a new challenge for him. But he’s off to a great start.”

Topic finished with nine points, three rebounds and two assists in 11 minutes, as the rookie guard is finding his feet in the early stages of his career. Still, Daigneault feels his team will benefit from the influence of both McCann and Topic amid the Thunder’s title defense.