Latest news with #DraftDay
USA Today
3 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Chiefs 2026 NFL draft summer scouting: ACC offensive linemen
Chiefs 2026 NFL draft summer scouting: ACC offensive linemen SMU OT PJ Williams is an underrated 2026 Draft Prospect. Easy R3 grade for me + 6'5/317 with a 7'0' wingspan + Top-70 Recruit (#8 OT) in 2022 + Averaged 13 and 7 in HS🏀 + Just 21 y/o on Draft Day + 450+ Snaps at LT and RT + Relentless hand fighter + Athletic mover in space — Clay Fink (@clay_fink) May 7, 2025 In the past two NFL drafts, the Kansas City Chiefs invested significant resources into their offensive line. General manager Brett Veach may use more picks on linemen in 2026 if the team fails to find a long-term solution at left guard or parts ways with Jawaan Taylor to save money. Fortunately, the upcoming class features a deep pool of offensive linemen in the ACC. The Clemson Tigers boast a trio of prospects, including right tackle Blake Miller, left tackle Tristan Leigh and guard Collin Sadler. Miller needs to add functional mass but uses his foot speed and range to provide a consistent wall in pass protection. Leigh checks all the size boxes for an offensive tackle, offering good length and a sturdy anchor. Unfortunately, he suffers from balance concerns that lead to quick pressures for the defense. The Pittsburgh Panthers have two guard prospects. BJ Williams is a long-limbed right guard with nice flexibility and a stout anchor. His teammate, right tackle Ryan Baer, is even more impressive. Baer will kick inside to guard in the NFL. His heavy hands channel excellent power, and his core and leg strength uproot and displace defenders in the run game. SMU Mustangs right tackle PJ Williams and left guard Logan Parr are excellent pass protectors. Williams needs to refine his strike timing and hand placement, but he's a superb athlete with great agility and impressive movement skills in the run game. While rough around the edges, Williams' traits make him worth a top 40 selection. Boston College left tackle Jude Bowry and Miami Hurricanes right tackle Francis Mauigoa both enter 2025 with first round aspirations. Bowry struggled late in 2024 after an excellent first half of the year. Mauigoa is an impressive mover with nice power but might kick inside to guard because of some physical limitations. The ACC's top remaining offensive linemen include guards McKale Boley and Keylan Rutledge and right tackle Fa'alili Fa'amoe. All three project as NFL guards. Boley is an explosive and natural athlete with shades of Marcus Mbow in his play, while Rutledge is less athletic but more powerful, especially in the run game.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Solomon Thomas Could Be a Key Contributor for Dallas Cowboys
Solomon Thomas Could Be a Key Contributor for Dallas Cowboys originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Dallas Cowboys signed veteran defensive lineman Solomon Thomas this offseason to help mitigate the loss of underrated contributor Chauncey Golston. Although Golston wasn't a star edge rusher or game-wrecking defensive tackle, he was a versatile force who had the ability to play both inside and outside along the defensive line. Advertisement Thomas - given his Draft Day pedigree - has the potential to be an upgrade over Golston in Matt Eberflus' defensive scheme. Thomas is a former top-five overall pick and has earned over $41 million in his career. ... And he's ready to re-earn his keep now that he's back in DFW. The Coppell High School graduate is excited to play close to home and build upon the winning culture in the Cowboys organization. "It's been awesome, it's been really cool just being part of the team. Being home for me has been awesome," Thomas said. "Coach Schotty has been doing an amazing job just getting the energy right and culture right here." Advertisement "Guys are excited every day, there's enthusiasm every day, it's feeling like a family. I've only been here like a few weeks, but being around the team everyone feels close, it's a very college like atmosphere." Thomas stands 6-3, 295 pounds, and likely will primarily be deployed on the interior of the defensive line, as the Cowboys have a rock-solid group of young edge rushers—including Micah Parsons, Sam Williams, Marshawn Kneeland, Donovan Ezeuiruaku, Dante Fowler, and Payton Turner. Aside from Osa Odighizuwa, the interior defensive line is a major question mark. Defensive tackle Mazi Smith is hoping to live up to his first-round draft selection by continuing to develop, and the emergence of rookie defensive tackle Jay Toia during OTAs is intriguing but let's not put too much pressure on the kid. Advertisement Thomas, now 29, could serve as a key rotational piece throughout the season for the Cowboys and hopefully have a late-career resurgence. ... with a reach deep inside himself for all of that untapped potential. Related: Cowboys Fans Amazed At Micah Parsons Video Going Viral Related: Mom's New Home is Where the Heart is for Cowboys' Overshown This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Deion Sanders Shoe Style Through the Years [PHOTOS]
In 2023, Deion Sanders, along with Allen Iverson and Derek Jeter, were the first trio of athletes to be inducted into The GQ Sports Style Hall of Fame—and for good reason. Sanders has been the definition of flashy and cool, bringing a blend of flyness, style and confidence that had yet to be seen in the NFL. From the dollar sign earrings the football star wore during Draft Day in 1989 to his own signature Nike sneaker in 1993, Sanders' influence on football expanded way beyond the field. His sense of style also shined through during games and inspired other players, while his penchant for sparkling jewelry—from stacked gold chains and bracelets to diamond rings—was passed down across the league and continues to be on full display with present day athletes. Sanders played in the NFL for 14 seasons, as well as an additional nine seasons of Major League Baseball with several teams. He won two Super Bowl titles and made one World Series appearance in 1992, making him the only athlete to play in a Super Bowl and a World Series. When he was playing both football and baseball for the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta Braves in 1992, Sanders also signed his first contract with Nike. He released his first signature sneaker—the Air Diamond Turf—the following year. The sneakers and cleats continue to be fan favorites and lauded as one of the best as far as design and style among athletes. He parted ways with Nike at one point and signed with Under Armour in 2009, before reuniting with Nike in 2023 when he became the University of Colorado's football head coach. More from WWD Deion Sanders' Second Nike Signature Sneaker Is Making Its Long-Awaited Return Deion Sanders' First Nike Sneakers Are Coming Back in a '90s Colorway Deion Sanders' LeBron James Mash-Up Nike Sneaker Is Finally Being Released Now as Coach Prime, his style is a tad more subdued and his fashion choices have matured over the years. Yet he still carries a sense of flair, coolness and sophistication, and that same confidence that made him an overnight star all those years ago. Now that his son Shedeur Sanders has been drafted into the NFL, all eyes are on the Sanders family. Take a look back at some of Sanders' best red carpet moments, his best designer footwear choices and some of his most standout coaching looks over the years. Best of WWD Looking Back at Jane Birkin's Devotion to the Plimsoll Sneaker: How She Styled the Shoes With Jeans, Cargo Pants, Fur-trimmed Coats and More Victoria Justice's Shoe Style Evolution Over the Years [PHOTOS] Meagan Good's Red Carpet Shoe Style Transformation Through The Years Shedeur Sanders, Deion Sanders, Deion Sanders Jr. at the 14th Annual NFL Honors held at Saenger Theatre on February 06, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Tracey Edmonds and Deion Sanders attend the 12th annual NFL Honors at Symphony Hall on Feb. 09, 2023 in Phoenix, Ariz. Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes watches action on the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2024 in Lincoln, Nebraska. PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 28: Head coach Deion Sanders of the Colorado Buffaloes looks on from the sideline during a game against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl Stadium on October 28, 2023 in Pasadena, California. Jackson State Tigers coach Deion Sanders watches from the sideline area during the first quarter of the college football Cricket Celebration Bowl between the North Carolina Central Eagles and Jackson State Tigers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Dec. 17, 2022. Deion Sanders head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes arrives for their game against the Utah Utes at Rice Eccles Stadium on November 25, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Deion Sanders (2nd from L) at the 13th Annual NFL Honors held at Resorts World Theatre on February 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Honorees Derek Jeter, Allen Iverson, and Deion Sanders attend the Inaugural GQ Sports Style Hall of Fame event hosted by GQ and honoring Deion Sanders, Allen Iverson and Derek Jeter at The Clayton House on February 11, 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona. MINNEAPOLIS, MN – FEBRUARY 02: Deion Sanders attends a special screening of Netflix's 'Coach Snoop: Season 1' at Saint Anthony Main Theatre on February 2, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo byfor Netflix) Coach Prime Season 2 Deion Sanders, Peggy Coppom SAN FRANCISCO, CA – FEBRUARY 05: TV personality/retired NFL player Deion Sanders walks the Blue Carpet at the 2015 Pepsi Rookie of the Year Award Ceremony at Pepsi Super Friday Night at Pier 70 on February 5, 2016 in San Francisco, California. Deion Sanders NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 28: Professional football player Deion Sanders attends the AOL 2015 Newfront on April 28, 2015 in New York City. Lip Sync Battle; Justin Bieber vs Deion Sanders NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 04: Deion Sanders attends the Pepsi NFL Anthems Kickoff Eve – Blue Carpet Arrivals at Hard Rock Cafe, Times Square on September 4, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images) NEW YORK – MAY 12: Former football player Deion Sanders and his wife Pilar arrive for the NBC Universal Experience at Rockefeller Center as part of upfront week on May 12, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by) LAS VEGAS – FEBRUARY 18: Deion Sanders (R) and his wife Pilar arrive at the 2007 NBA All-Star Game at the Thomas & Mack Center on February 18, 2007 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by) WESTWOOD, CA – JULY 15: NFL Football player Deion Sanders (L) and former NFL player Michael Irvin attend the world premiere of 'K-19: The Widowmaker' at the Mann Village & Bruin Theatres on July 15, 2002 in Westwood, California. The film opens nationwide in theaters on Friday July 19, 2002. (Photo by) MIAMI, FL- JANUARY 29: Deion Sanders #21 of the San Francisco 49ers reacts after a play against the San Diego Chargers during Super Bowl XXIX on January 29, 1995 at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Niners won the Super Bowl 49-26. (Photo by Focus) *** Local Caption *** Deion Sanders
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why the NFL Draft is the perfect sporting event of the TikTok age
Let's take half a step back and think, just for a second, about how absurd the NFL Draft hype really is. We'll spend three days watching guys walk across a stage, and another two months in each direction pondering What It All Means. There's not even any actual football here, and there won't be for another four months! Friends, we are watching a splashy, flashy job fair! That's it! Now, let's take a full step forward and plunge right back into the glorious spectacle of the NFL Draft. Because despite the fact that the only contact we'll see is when a massive lineman strides onstage and hoists Roger Goodell like a puppy, the draft is a magnetic event. Matter of fact, we'd go so far as to say that for our short-attention-span, conflict-obsessed, content-heavy culture, why, it might just be the perfect sporting event for our age. Is that depressing or inspiring? Depends on your perspective! But heads up, the chime just sounded and the first pick is in … Hope persists. Drafts are built on hope — the hope that this will be the quarterback/wide receiver/edge that will put your team over the top, hope that your franchise's continued string of draft busts, misfires and faceplants ends right here, tonight. Remember: Everyone's undefeated on Draft Day, and will stay that way until September. (Well, except the Jets. Somehow they're already 0-2.) Arguments do, too. Should Team A have gone offense or defense? Is Player X a good fit for Team B, or will he struggle in their system? Did Team C overreach with their first-round pick, or did they snag a steal right out from under the nose of their divisional rival? Was that a savvy move by Team D to move up in the first, or did Team E fleece them? The draft gives us endless opportunity for high-volume, low-stakes arguments, arguments where — and this is key — everyone is a winner. Until the snaps begin — or until that first-round pick shows up to camp 40 pounds overweight — it's all hypothetical! The picks just keep coming. Hope and arguments fit our age well, but now we get into the aspects of the draft that are uniquely suited for Scrolling America. First, the constant flood of new data, in the form of picks. Teams have 10 minutes to pick in the first round — well, the Titans have had three months — and those 10 minutes are positively stuffed with analysis of the previous pick and speculation about what comes next. That time span shrinks to seven minutes in the second round and five minutes in rounds 3 to 6. The seventh round gives teams just four minutes to make their pick. Four minutes! That's hardly enough time to look up the name of that running back from East Poochie State and pretend like you've watched him all season! Content everywhere. The flood of picks means a flood of content, too — dozens upon dozens of heartwarming achieved-the-dream moments, judgments on red carpet apparel, tender mother-and-son or father-and-son embraces, and awkward shoehorned sponsor moments. There will be 257 players picked, and each one of those 257 has his own story. Surely one of them will resonate with you. Bite-sized bits. Of course, with 257 picks, and 32 teams, and roughly 10,000 draft analysts, there's not much room for in-depth, six-part-documentary-level storytelling. What you'll learn about most of these draft picks can fit neatly into a short TikTok or reel. You're not meant to think too hard about any of these picks; after all, there's another coming in 10 or five or four minutes. Watch it, tap "Like," scroll on. Narrative over results. The NBA has mastered the art of narrative over results — as in, you can know exactly what the overarching storylines are in the league without ever watching a single minute of live gameplay. The NFL isn't there quite yet — the scarcity of NFL games relative to NBA ones makes it feasible to at least lay eyes on every game. (Yes, even Titans-Jags.) But the NFL Draft gives football fans a chance to map long-running storylines over current events — like how certain teams (hello, Giants and Browns) can't get out of their own way even during Draft Day, and how other teams ('sup, Chiefs and Ravens) manage to snag in-plain-sight gems that other teams overlooked. It's all part of the ongoing show. Lifestyle over event. The NFL's scarcity means that without proper care and promotion, it would vanish from fans' minds during the seven-month offseason, and that can't happen. So the NFL has basically turned itself into a lifestyle brand rather than a fall Sunday afternoon diversion, with the games being only one part of the whole picture. The draft — a traveling roadshow that, before long, will draw a million people to this glorified job fair — is the most successful embodiment of the NFL-all-the-time vision, but it's by no means the last. Because once all this draft hype ends, stay ready: The 2025 schedule release is coming up next month, and then we'll do it all over again. It's now a seamless cycle, year after year … very much like an endless scroll on your phone. You can now enjoy, and keep on enjoying, NFL content forever and ever.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Yahoo Sports AM: "The Wall," the Clippers' unique home-court advantage, actually works
In today's edition: 51 rows of distraction, Draft Day buzz, Butler injured in Warriors loss, Cam Ward's unlikely journey, and more. Yahoo Sports AM is our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports. Sign up here to get it every weekday morning. 🚨 Headlines ⚾️ Amazin' start: The Mets walked off the Phillies in extra innings to win their seventh straight game and improve to an MLB-best 18-7. They're 12-1 at Citi Field so far — the best 13-game home start in franchise history. 🎓 Settlement on hold: The judge overseeing the landmark House vs. NCAA case is threatening to reject the settlement over the issue of roster limits. Attorneys have 14 days to implement a system to ensure that athletes currently on rosters don't lose their spots. 💔 RIP, Mongo: Bears legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Steve "Mongo" McMichael died Wednesday after a yearslong battle with ALS. He was 67. 🏀 Mr. Clutch: Knicks guard Jalen Brunson was named the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year for his league-best performance during "clutch time," defined as the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime when the score is within five points. 🏈 Titans sign Lockett: Former All-Pro WR Tyler Lockett is signing a one-year, $4 million deal with Tennessee, giving the Titans a proven weapon on the eve of the NFL draft, where they're expected to take Miami QB Cam Ward with the No. 1 pick. 🏀 "The Wall" works Magic G Anthony Black takes a free throw facing "The Wall." () The Clippers host the Nuggets tonight in the inaugural playoff game at the Intuit Dome, where Los Angeles will unleash its unique home-court advantage: The Wall. 51 rows of distraction: When Steve Ballmer spent $2 billion on his team's new arena, he included an unusually steep section right behind one of the baskets featuring 51 rows of seats reserved only for pre-vetted super fans. One intent of "The Wall" was to be the league's best home-court advantage, distracting opponents at the free throw line. Turns out, it worked. By the numbers: Opponents shot just 73.4% from the line this season when facing The Wall, which would have ranked dead last in the NBA and was well below what they shot on the other end of the floor (76.1%), per Sportico. That 73.4% figure was also 4.7% worse than league average (78.1%), representing the second-largest gap this century* between one environment and the rest of the NBA. (Lev Akabas/Sportico) Perhaps most telling: The Clippers' advantage grew as the pressure mounted later in games, with opponents shooting an abysmal 67.7% against The Wall in the second half, per statistician Mike Beuoy. That might explain why twice as many teams chose to face The Wall in the first half rather than risk distraction in crunch time. What they're saying: "Yeah, it was crazy," said Kevin Durant after missing two fourth-quarter free throws in an October game. "I was just staring at it the whole time. You're not used to that." The Wall during a game earlier this month. (Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images) How it came to be: The concept for The Wall came after the Clippers researched the world's most rabid fanbases, specifically those in college sports and European soccer, ultimately drawing inspiration from Borussia Dortmund's "Yellow Wall" in the Bundesliga. They couldn't quite replicate the sheer volume of 25,000 yellow-clad fans in a single section, but they've gotten as close as could be reasonably expected in their 18,000-seat arena. Only pre-certified fans can purchase tickets, cheering for the other team (or wearing their gear) is prohibited and diehards have a dedicated section right behind the basket. What to watch: In the small sample of a playoff series, it stands to reason that the teams most affected by The Wall would be the ones who usually make a living at the charity stripe. Well, the Nuggets just so happened to take the most free throws of any team this season. *Only the 2014 Thunder saw a larger gap, as opponents shot 5.8% below league average from the line. This was perhaps due to the OKC crowd's penchant for banging air-inflated "Thundersticks" while opponents were shooting free throws. 🏈 Draft Day Buzz: Fireworks at No. 4? (Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports) The top three picks in tonight's NFL draft appear set, according to Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson: Miami QB Cam Ward to the Titans, Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter to the Browns, and Penn State EDGE Abdul Carter to the Giants. After that? All bets are off. What we're hearing: The odds favor the Patriots taking LSU OT Will Campbell at No. 4 to fill an obvious need, but the presence of Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty — arguably the second-most dynamic player in this draft behind Hunter — could shake things up. While there hasn't been any indication he's in play for the Patriots to take him, there has been considerable buzz in the past 24 hours that Jeanty is a favorite for the Jaguars at No. 5. The only question is whether another team inside the top 10, possibly the Raiders at No. 6 or the Saints at No. 9, covets Jeanty enough to motivate a move ahead of Jacksonville. If I had to call it now, I'd lean toward the Patriots staying put at No. 4 and doing the practical thing — which is taking Campbell. But that doesn't preclude them from trading back a few spots and taking him further down in the top 10. Those options will be on the table right to the moment New England is on the clock. So if you're tuning in late, make sure you arrive before the Patriots pick if yo're looking for where the drama could start. More draft buzz: Chatter, potential trades 📸 Photos of the night () Houston — Jalen Green (38 points) and the Rockets beat the Warriors, 109-94, to even the series against Golden State, who lost Jimmy Butler in the first quarter when he fell hard on his tailbone and suffered a pelvis contusion. Tyler Seguin celebrates his game-winning goal. (Andy Cross/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images) Denver — The Stars beat the Avalanche, 2-1 (OT), to record their second straight overtime victory and take a 2-1 series lead. They now have more wins in this series than minutes led. () Boston — Jaylen Brown (36 points) and Kristaps Porziņģis (20 points) led the Jayson Tatum-less Celtics past the Magic, 109-100, to take a 2-0 series lead. Porziņģis was all smiles after taking an elbow to the head that required five stitches. "I love my WWE moments," he said. () Washington, D.C. — The Capitals beat the Senators, 3-1, behind some superb goaltending from Logan Thompson, who made 26 saves (including 14 in the third period) to lift Washington to its first 2-0 series lead since the 2019 First Round. 🏀🏒 More Playoffs: Cavaliers 121, Heat 112 (CLE leads 2-0) | Kings 6, Oilers 2 (LA leads 2-0) 📚 Good reads (Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports) 🏈 Jori Epstein: History says Cam Ward shouldn't be here Every first overall pick is by definition a statistical anomaly. But even among that rare crop of talent, Ward's journey from a high school offense that barely threw the ball, to FCS Incarnate Word, to Heisman finalist, to projected No. 1 pick, is unlike any of his peers. (Grant Thomas/Yahoo Sports) 🏀 Yaron Weitzman: Jeff Van Gundy is the Clippers' secret weapon Ask anyone on or around the Clippers who's most responsible for the team's defensive transformation, and they all give the same answer: A bespectacled 63-year-old former broadcaster who, before this season, hadn't coached an NBA game since 2007. (Joseph Raines/Yahoo Sports) 🥊 Elliott Worsell: Born rivals: Boxing's fiercest 35-year blood feud Three decades after their fathers fought two iconic bouts, Chris Eubank Jr. and Conor Benn will meet in the ring on Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 📺 Watchlist: Draft Day (Tenor) The 2025 NFL Draft begins tonight (8pm ET), with separate broadcasts on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes, NFL Network… and Yahoo Sports! Tune into our live show on the website/app, YouTube, X or Facebook. More to watch: 🏀 NBA Playoffs: Knicks (1-1) at Pistons (7pm, TNT); Thunder* (2-0) at Grizzlies (9:30pm, TNT); Nuggets (1-1) at Clippers (10pm, NBA) 🏒 NHL Playoffs: Panthers (1-0) at Lightning (6:30pm, TBS); Maple Leafs (2-0) at Senators (7pm, ESPN2); Golden Knights (1-1) at Wild (9pm, TBS); Jets (2-0) at Blues (9:30pm, ESPN2) ⛳️ LPGA: Chevron Championship (9am, ESPN+; 11am, Golf) … Nelly Korda looks to defend her title at the season's first major, teeing off at The Club at Carlton Woods near Houston. ⛳️ PGA: Zurich Classic of New Orleans (7:30am, ESPN+; 3pm, Golf) … The Tour's lone team event features 80 teams of two. Reigning champs: Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry. ⚽️ Champions Cup: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Inter Miami (10:30pm, FS1) … MLS' two best teams face off in a first-leg semifinal match. ⚾️ NCAA Baseball: No. 14 Oklahoma at No. 10 Georgia (7pm, ESPNU) … Two of the 10 SEC teams in the Top 25. *Historic domination: Oklahoma City has outscored Memphis by a combined 70 points, the second-highest point differential through two games of a playoff series in NBA history. 🏀 College hoops trivia () BYU legend Jimmer Fredette, who retired from basketball on Wednesday, is one of two Naismith Player of the Year winners (2011) to come from the Mountain West Conference. Question: Who's the other one? Hint: 2005 winner. Answer at the bottom. 🏈 Get the Yahoo Sports app (Yahoo Sports) The Yahoo Sports app is your ultimate draft day companion — loaded with expert analysis, prospect breakdowns and a live discussion feed where you can debate every pick as it happens. My favorite feature? Live Activities, for sure. Each pick will update in real-time on your lock screen, so you can stay in the loop without even opening your phone. Get the app. Trivia answer: Andrew Bogut (Utah) We hope you enjoyed this edition of Yahoo Sports AM, our daily newsletter that keeps you up to date on all things sports. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.
