標籤: mixed

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

Switzerland manager Murat Yakin has confirmed that Leeds United’s Noah Okafor will miss the March international break through injury.

The winger last featured in Leeds United’s FA Cup win over Birmingham City on 15 February. Since then he has been out of the team due to a hamstring injury.

Okafor recently returned to training, but a new hip problem forced him out of the league draw against Crystal Palace at the weekend.

This setback has come as a huge blow to him as it has further delayed his return to the national team.

Okafor has not represented his country since arriving at Elland Road from AC Milan in August 2025. In fact, he had made an appearance since June 2024, and that was in November of that year.

Timeline of the NT saga of Leeds United players

It’s important to provide background on why Murat Yakin repeatedly ignored Noah Okafor and what changed in recent weeks.

white man’s living together attitude Switzerland considered doubtful for Euro 2024. Last October, Sports Witness Covered Claims The manager was bitter at the Euros and did not want Okafor to remain in the team.

Yakin dropped him from the team again in November, resulting in a public outburst from the 25-year-old. He accused the national team boss and his director Pierluigi Tammi of not communicating with him.

At the end of that month, Tami urged Okafor needs to be “polite,” while Yakin said in January that the door is always open to him.

In February, Yakin, Tammy and Swiss FA media officer Adrian Arnold all traveled to the UK. The trio watched Okafor in live action against Nottingham Forest and chatted with him.

Tami said There were “honest, frank and constructive talks” between the parties. This led to suggestions that he could return to the team for the upcoming international break.

Switzerland’s comeback derailed by injury

Switzerland face Germany and Norway in the coming weeks and Yakin announced his squad this morning.

Okafor missed the game due to injury and the manager spoke with him to learn more about his condition. 9.f Has released his comments.

“I had planned to include him in the team, unfortunately he is now injured. He is making good progress, we are in touch. We also spoke to him on the phone recently about staying focused.” He said.

This suggests that although Okafor is not ready for Switzerland, he should be available for Leeds United soon.

Okafor’s numbers with Leeds United

With a contract until 2029, transfer market He is valued at €18 million, and has increased by €5 million since joining Farke’s side.

Below are his statistics from the Premier League so far

🇷🇺Eduard Spertsyan | The player talks about Leeds United and Southampton

➡️ It was a pleasure working with Daniel Farke
✅thinks #SAFC failure can be for the best
❌ Agent not found now
➡️ Still wants to walk
…complex doesn’t cover it enough 👇https://t.co/D8tR995xI2

– Sports Witness (@Sport_Witness) 4 March 2026

Liverpool hero Dirk Kuyt has admitted he didn’t really like Raheem Sterling when he arrived at Anfield early in his career.

Today’s cover comments from the former Liverpool striker in 1908Made for ESPN in the Netherlands. He has been the talk of Sterling since his surprise arrival at Feyenoord.

Sterling signed for the Dutch team this week after being released by Chelsea. He fell out of favor at Stamford Bridge and all parties decided to end their relationship a year early.

kuyat unaffected

The 31-year-old had offers across Europe, including from the Premier League. But has elected to join Feyenoord until the end of the season. The Dutch side have guaranteed him the playing time he was looking for.

He is looking to get back on track after a poor few years at Stamford Bridge following a €56.2 million move in 2022. A loan at Arsenal in 2024 also failed to rekindle the spark.

It has been a winding career for Sterling, who began his career at QPR before moving to Liverpool’s U18s in 2010.

He was in the Liverpool first team two years later, scoring 23 goals and registering 18 assists in 129 games. Kuyt played with him, but was not a fan.

“That was quite a few years ago; he was sixteen then,” he said.

“We trained together a few times and played a few matches. Ultimately, I didn’t like him that much because he quickly moved to a bigger rival (Manchester City). But Raheem Sterling is, of course, considered a fantastic player in English football with a tremendous record.”

feyenoord occasion

We’re sure Kuyt’s sentiment is shared by most at Anfield after Sterling transferred to Manchester City in 2015.

However, he would argue that 131 goals and 8 assists in 339 games and numerous trophies helped justify it.

The focus now is on Feyenoord, and perhaps convincing Kuyt that he is not so bad. However, there could be some impressive performances between now and the end of the season.