標籤: steals

A top NFL Draft expert just offered a quarterback who could be a late steal for teams like the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals next month.

Like every other year, many teams would love to find a potential franchise QB in April’s NFL Draft. Unfortunately, this year’s QB class is weak. The Las Vegas Raiders are set to use the No. 1 overall pick on Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. After the Heisman Trophy winner, Alabama’s Ty Simpson is the next best QB on the board, and it’s debatable whether he’ll even go in Round 1.

That’s why many teams have been aggressive in acquiring veteran options that have become available over the past few weeks. However, teams like the NY Jets, Steelers, and Cardinals have situations where they need to consider using the pick on the signal-caller. But in a year with a heavy QB class, which player should they take and when?

Should the NY Jets or Steelers target Cole Payton in the NFL Draft?

Well, this week, veteran draft expert Todd McShay offered a low-cost, high-profit alternative. In a new social media post, he suggested that North Dakota State star Cole Payton is the lowest-rated QB in the entire draft.

“In conversations with NFL GMs, this is a one-of-a-kind guy,” he said, praising his timing and accurate passing. Additionally, he has a high ability to extend the play and make accurate throws under pressure. He added, “There’s a lot of unused stuff here.”

Former first-round picks Carson Wentz and Trey Lance are NDS alumni, and McShay believes Payton is the best QB prospect ever drafted by the university. The fifth-year senior had a career year in 2025, throwing for 2,719 yards and hitting 72% of his 225 passes. He also rushed for 777 yards and scored 29 total touchdowns.

Payton is expected to be a Day 3 pick and could fall as far as Round 7. He could be an interesting option for the NY Jets, Steelers and Cardinals as a project to develop this year.

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

OKLAHOMA CITY – Without All-Stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams, the Oklahoma City Thunder snapped the Cleveland Cavs’ seven-game winning streak. The Thunder guards really understood their defensive duties against All-Star Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and a completely healthy Cavs team. Oklahoma City led 28–5 in the first quarter, a 23-point deficit that Cleveland erased in the second half.

However, the Thunder’s two-point deficit was short-lived as its strong defense continued to make stops, including Isaiah Joe’s career-high five steals and game-high 22 points in Sunday’s 121–113 win. who addressed him exceptional performance After the Thunder’s win on Sunday.

“At the end of the day, I stay true to my game and let it come to me,” Joe said. “Being lower body, it allows for more action. Being able to be more aggressive. A teammate asks a little more of you, and whoever is out there just answers the call. So, I think we all take a little more pride.”

Isaiah Joe on his elite shooting and 5 steals: “At the end of the day, I stay true to my game. With the body being healthy, it allows for more action. Being able to be more aggressive…

Everyone there is answering the call right now. “We all feel a little more pride.” pic.twitter.com/durXXD1WuJ

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 22 February 2026

Joe’s 22 points, including six threes, gave the Thunder seven players in double figures. Cason Wallace (20 points, 10 assists), who finished with three steals, Chet Holmgren (17 points, 15 rebounds), who recorded a double-double, and Isaiah Hartenstein, who added 13 points and seven rebounds.

Isaiah Joe’s defense shines in Thunder vs. Cavs

While Isaiah Joe continued his hot shooting streak, scoring at least two threes in 11 of his last dozen games, he also did his part defending the Cavs’ leading scoring tandem in Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. Against a healthy Cavs team, the Thunder won without All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and their leading scorer and All-Defensive forward Jalen Williams.

Without Ajay Mitchell and Alex Caruso, two Thunder guards who make their presence felt on both ends of the floor, Joe Contribution went a long way. Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault put Joe’s defense against the Cavs in perspective during his postgame media availability.

“With Harden and Mitchell, they’re heavy on looking for matchups, and they’re an experienced team that’s been well-coached. If you put a matchup out there that they like, they’ll have ways to try to get to it,” Daigneault said. “So, you have to be very, very cautious and disciplined in how you handle it. I thought their coverage tonight — they tried to go to him, they tried to go to anybody to get Dort and Cason away from those guys.

“The coverages were very tight. The coverages behind him were really good. That’s a part of him, but that’s who he is. He’s light. He’s not the biggest, strongest guy, but he performs at a high level. He’s fearless. He’s physical. And he plays hard. He plays hard all his minutes. So, you can knock him out in a game like this.”

Mark Daigneault on Isaiah Joe making defensive moves to guard James Harden and Donovan Mitchell pic.twitter.com/ZVazYlapJG

-Joshua Peacock (@Joe_Sway) 22 February 2026

The Thunder have won four of their last five games without Gilgeous-Alexander, Williams and Mitchell.