Day: April 9, 2026

As Patrick Agyemang strolled through the lobby of the U.S. men’s national team’s 5-star hotel in the swanky Buckhead district of Atlanta late last month, the mother of two young soccer fans approached the lanky young striker. “Are you a player?,” she asked. Agyemang stopped, flashed his 1000-watt smile and, somewhat sheepishly, confirmed that he was and introduced himself. Witnessing this interaction was a timely reminder both of the national team’s place within the larger American sports landscape and of how the coming World Cup has the power to turn someone like Agyemang — a 25-year-old former Division III college player from Connecticut who’d never represented his country at any level until last year — into a mainstream celebrity in a matter of weeks. At least it had. On Wednesday, English second-tier club Derby County confirmed that Agyemang, probably a World Cup roster shoo-in for USA coach Mauricio Pochettino even before he scored his sixth international goal against No. 9-ranked Belgium on March 28, will miss the tournament after rupturing his Achilles tendon. It’s a dream-crushing blow for Agyemang, obviously.  We’ll get to that in a minute. But it’s also a big loss for the U.S. and for Pochettino, who seemed poised to use the 6-foot-4 forward off the bench at the World Cup, or possibly even as a starter should top choice Folarin Balogun get injured or suspended. This is the greatest World Cup fear for every player everywhere: because it comes just once every four years, even a relatively minor ailment at exactly the wrong moment can ruin what’s often a once-in-a-career experience. There’s no guarantee a player who can’t participate ever gets another chance. All that said, Pochettino still has 26 available roster spots. If the assumption is that Agyemang would have taken one, an available place just opened up. That sure can’t hurt the odds of fellow strikers Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright, who just went from probable inclusions to almost certain locks. It also boosts the chances of strikers who haven’t been called in lately (Josh Sargent, Brian White) but who are now possibly just one more injury away from serious consideration. And there could be a knock-on effect down the roster. Since there’s no like-for-like replacement for Agyemang, Poch could bring another defender or midfielder or winger that he otherwise wouldn’t. A versatile option who can plug multiple positions, like 2022 World Cup alum Joe Scally, is another possibility. We’ll find out when the former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager names his selections on May 26. What’s certain is that Agyemang’s loss will be someone else’s gain. Talking to him that day in Georgia’s capital, it was clear that Agyemang fully understood that the opportunity o play in a World Cup on home soil was unique. After coming so agonizingly close to achieving every soccer player’s dream, something he said hits differently. “This career goes quick,” Agyemang told me. “You have to enjoy it.” Stock Up 📈 Although he didn’t add to his eight international goals last month, Balogun is now even more firmly entrenched up top. He also keeps scoring at club level, with 15 combined in the UEFA Champions League and Ligue 1. His divine chip on Sunday against Weah’s Marseille is the best of the bunch so far. The best American player on the planet throughout 2026 picked up where he left off in Juve’s first game after March’s international break. On Monday, Worldwide Wes scored his ninth goal of the season in Juve’s 2-0 Serie A win over Genoa. Somewhat lost amid the negatively that followed the defeats to Belgium and Portugal was the return of Jedi, who’d missed more than a year of national team action pre- and post-knee surgery. The left back started both games and flashed the ability that made him U.S. Soccer’s Male player of the Year in 2024. Robinson and the Cottagers return to action at Liverpool on Saturday. If there were questions about Freese status as the USA’s World Cup No. 1before the March games, he answered them with a commanding performance in the 2-0 loss to the Portuguese. The Harvard grad, who helped the Pigeons earn a point in St. Louis last weekend, will take on Sebastian Berhalter’s Vancouver Whitecaps north of the border on Saturday. Timing is everything ahead of a World Cup and Trusty’s is good: With Miles Robinson hurt, the left-footed center back was one of the best American performers versus Portugal. He also appears to have won back his job in Glasgow, going 90 minutes in Sunday’s 2-1 win at Dundee United after sitting out four straight Scottish Premiership games. Although Poch has never seemed totally sold on Scally, a defensively sound stay-at-home right back who doesn’t attack up the flank the way Sergiño Dest or Alex Freeman or Tim Weah can, his experience at left and center back is compelling. With Dest still nursing a torn hamstring and Freeman still not starting in Spain, could that newly-open roster spot go to Joe? He played just 11 minutes for the national team in March but continues to have a fine season for Premier League Leeds. On Sunday, he won a penalty that Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored from, then converted his shootout attempt in the tiebreaker to help send Daniel Farke’s team to the FA Cup semifinals. Leeds will face Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on April 26. Left off the March roster after missing the start of the MLS season because of injury, Luna responded in the way Pochettino wanted: by getting on the scoresheet for RSL. Luna’s first goal of 2026 arrived less than three minutes into his first start. Stock Down 📉 Not to bury the lead here, but Pulisic’s struggles over the last few months is easily the biggest concern facing the national team ahead of hosting the largest World Cup in history. The 27-year-old star has now gone 13 games without a goal for the Rossoneri. He’s gone scoreless in eight for his country. Yes, there’s still time for the USA’s top attacker to find his form. If he doesn’t, it’s hard to see how the home team can make a deep run. Robinson got hurt in training in Atlanta, which isn’t his fault. Missing both games still hurts Miles, who anchors a FCC back line that has conceded 15 times in six MLS games. He was on the field when Cincy gave up five more goals in a lopsided March 19 defeat to Mexico’s Tigres that eliminated them from the Concacaf Champions Cup. Not only did Arfsten struggle in his brief cameos (18 minutes total) against Belgium and Portugal, Jedi’s backup now no longer a left back at club level. In each of the Fresno, California product’s six MLS appearances this season, Crew boss Henrik Rydström has deployed Arfsten as a dedicated winger with more defensive-minded Dane Malte Amundsen behind him. Another player who could, in theory, benefit from the opening Agyemang’s injury created. But in the deepest position in the player pool, hard-tackling Morris’s best chance of a World Cup trip could be if one (or more) of Tyler Adams, Johnny Cardoso or Tanner Tessmann can’t make it.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

To no one’s surprise, the Dodgers are out to a commanding lead in the NL West, and the Yankees look well on their way to being one of the top American League contenders. However, no one would have expected the Mariners, Red Sox, Tigers and Cubs to all be in at least a share of last place in their respective divisions two weeks into the season. Of course, there’s plenty of time for everything to change. For now, though, here are 10 storylines to follow and things we’ve learned so far. 1. Year of the Rookie … and Rookie Extension The largest guaranteed deal in Pirates history now belongs to a player with six big-league games under his belt. Konnor Griffin is the latest top prospect to secure an early extension from his club, signing a nine-year, $140 million deal with the Pirates that buys out three of the 19-year-old wunderkind’s free-agent years. The trend of locking up homegrown phenoms is becoming more popular in the sport, particularly among lower-payroll teams who are willing to inherit some risk for the chance of securing free-agent years at a bargain price down the road if the players reach their superstar potential. Griffin’s extension came days after the Mariners signed top prospect Colt Emerson to an eight-year, $95 million extension — a record for a player yet to make his MLB debut, beating Jackson Chourio’s deal in Milwaukee by $13 million — and the Brewers signed Triple-A shortstop Cooper Pratt to an eight-year, $51 million extension that included two club options. As Griffin gets his feet wet in the big leagues, other rookies are already thriving. After the first weekend of the season, Cleveland’s Chase DeLauter and Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart were already the Players of the Week in their respective leagues. DeLauter, Stewart and Colorado’s TJ Rumfield all sport an OPS over 1.000, and DeLauter is tied for the MLB lead with five home runs. White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami is right behind him with four, showcasing the wealth of young talent that continues to pour into MLB, a group that also includes top Tigers prospect Kevin McGonigle and top Cardinals prospect JJ Wetherholt. It wouldn’t be surprising to see one of the aforementioned rookies be the next to sign a long-term deal. Across all of MLB, rookies entered Thursday hitting 16% better than league average. 2. Tall Task Already for the Blue Jays to Repeat As AL Champs A year after almost everything went right in Toronto as the Blue Jays made it to the World Series for the first time since 1993, the opposite is happening to start 2026. Alejandro Kirk had surgery this week to repair a fractured thumb, Cody Ponce is expected to undergo surgery to repair a sprained ACL just one start into a three-year, $30 million deal, Addison Barger just went on the injured list with a left ankle sprain, Max Scherzer exited his latest start early with forearm tendinitis and starters Shane Bieber, José Berríos and Trey Yesavage are already on the injured list. Beyond the injury concerns, the pitching staff ranks 23rd in ERA, and the offense, which ranked first in both batting average and on-base percentage last year, is currently 24th in OPS. On a more positive note, Yesavage is expected back soon. Perhaps Toronto’s breakout postseason star can conjure some 2025 magic back into a Blue Jays group that is 5-7 and already 3.5 games back of the Yankees. Speaking of… 3. The Yankees’ Shorthanded Rotation Should be Fine Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt started the season on the injured list, but it doesn’t seem to matter for a Yankees rotation that has looked like the best in baseball in the early going and has guided the team to an 8-3 start. While some criticized the Yankees for mostly running their team back, that’s clearly not the worst idea for a group that won 94 games last year. Boosted by 25-year-old Cam Schlittler — who has 22 strikeouts, no walks and a 1.62 ERA through three starts — a Yankees’ rotation that has looked like the best in baseball in the early going has guided the group to an 8-3 start. Headlined by Max Fried, who’s 2-0 with a 1.35 ERA, and Cam Schlittler, who’s 2-0 with a 1.62 ERA and has struck out 22 batters without issuing a walk through three starts, Yankees starters are 5-0 with an MLB-best 2.28 ERA through 11 games. They’ve gotten to this point without needing a fifth starter, but they have 2024 American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil ready to join when they need him. Ryan Weathers hasn’t gotten off to the start many had hoped (4.50 ERA, .303 opponents’ batting average through two starts), but this group has quelled the concerns. 4. The Dodgers Look Like the Force We Expected It was only six games into the year, but it was still strange at the time to see Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Kyle Tucker, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith and Teoscar Hernández hitting a combined .188. One 5-1 road trip later, and that sextet’s combined batting average is already up to .264. A Dodgers offense that ranked 14th in OPS a week into the year now ranks first, and it is still awaiting the returns of Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández. Meanwhile, both the Dodgers’ rotation (3.46) and bullpen (3.21) rank 10th in MLB in ERA at a time when starter Blake Snell and relievers Evan Phillips, Brock Stewart and Brusdar Graterol have yet to debut. The success of the bullpen is particularly noteworthy, considering that group had a 4.27 ERA last year that was tied for the 10th worst in MLB. The presence of Edwin Diaz at the back end, as well as improvements from Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen, have played a major role in the upswing and, at least to this point, helped fix the Dodgers’ only glaring weakness. They already lead the NL West by three games, and it’s possible they won’t have another team on their heels this season like last year’s Padres, who won 90 games. The only obstacle in the Dodgers’ way might be their age. They have the oldest position player group in MLB, and their depth is already getting tested with Betts on the shelf with an oblique injury, presenting added opportunity for Alex Freeland and Hyeseong Kim. 5. Despite Injury Concerns, Braves Impressing Early The Braves began the year without an off day through their first 13 games and a rotation missing Spencer Strider (oblique strain), Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow surgery), Hurston Waldrep (elbow surgery) and Joey Wentz (torn ACL). It felt particularly ominous considering how injuries played a major part in last year’s 76-win season. Instead, they emerged from this starting stretch in first place in the NL East, with the lowest ERA in MLB (2.03) and tied for the best run differential in MLB (+34), and they’ve done it without relying entirely on the arm of Chris Sale (3.94). Bryce Elder hasn’t allowed an earned run through his first two starts, Reynaldo López has a 1.15 ERA through three starts (before his seven-game suspension for brawling with Jorge Soler), and Grant Holmes has a 2.55 ERA. Meanwhile, a revamped bullpen has surrendered just four earned runs in 44 innings with 43 strikeouts and six walks. Offseason addition Robert Suarez hasn’t allowed a run through six appearances, while returning closer Raisel Iglesias is 2-for-2 in save opportunities and also hasn’t surrendered a run through five outings. Add on the contributions of Tyler Kinley (0.00 ERA) and Dylan Lee (1.59), and the bullpen has been the best in baseball thus far. Meanwhile, an offense that severely underwhelmed last year ranks sixth in OPS despite offseason signing Ha-Seong Kim needing hand surgery after slipping on ice and Jurickson Profar getting suspended for the year after another failed PED test. There are reasons to believe that group will only get better, considering Ronald Acuña Jr. (.575 OPS), Austin Riley (.552) and Michael Harris II (.543) have yet to get going. Then again, that could also be seen as a concern, considering Riley and Harris have each seen their offensive numbers dip every year since Harris’ Rookie of the Year season in 2022. 6. Speaking of Injuries, Astros Are Hurting Again Just minutes into Wednesday’s series finale in Colorado, a game the Astros lost in a Rockies sweep, their center fielder and starting pitcher were already injured. Jake Meyers hurt his back on a check swing, while Cristian Javier exited early with a shoulder issue. The latter injury is particularly concerning, given that their ace, Hunter Brown, is also dealing with a shoulder injury that has him on the shelf. An encouraging start to the year from Lance McCullers Jr. has helped, and the offseason additions of Tatsuya Imai, Mike Burrows and Ryan Weiss give the Astros more options than they had last year, when injuries played a major role in their string of consecutive playoff appearances ending at eight. But it’s a disconcerting start for a team that has lost four straight games to fall under .500, and it puts more pressure on a Houston bullpen that currently has a 7.09 ERA, the worst mark in MLB. Their one saving grace could be Yordan Alvarez. The Astros’ top slugger has four home runs and ranks second among all qualified MLB hitters in OPS (1.183). Christian Walker and Jose Altuve each have an OPS over 1.000 as well, while Cam Smith looks to be on the rise after hitting below league average last year as a rookie. As a team, the Astros sport the highest OPS in the American League. But the way the pitching looks now, they may have to continue slugging their way through the season and doing whatever they can to keep Alvarez healthy. 7. Never Doubt the Brewers and Guardians The Brewers traded away their best pitcher and one of their most productive position players from last year’s team. The Guardians did almost nothing to improve an offense that ranked last in the American League in OPS last year. Year after year, we question the methods of the Brewers and Guardians. Year after year, they wind up better than most predict. Even without Freddy Peralta and Caleb Durbin, Milwaukee is 8-4 and in a tie atop the NL Central with the Reds. The Guardians are riding the Chase DeLauter wave, as their top prospect has helped lift them atop the AL Central. Make no mistake: both ownership groups should be spending more meaningfully to give their teams a better shot of making an October run. But the early returns in the regular season, at least, are encouraging. 8. Mariners, Red Sox, Tigers Among AL Teams Off to Slow Starts Well, this wasn’t the start that Seattle and Detroit, the favorites in their respective divisions, were expecting. The Mariners, after winning the division for the first time in 24 years and coming one game short of a trip to the World Series, are 4-9, in last place in the AL West and ranked last in MLB in every offensive slash-line category. The Tigers are 4-8 and tied for last in the AL Central with a starters’ ERA of 4.99, the fifth-worst mark in MLB despite having back-to-back Cy Young award winner Tarik Skubal and new addition Framber Valdez atop the rotation. Their offense isn’t inspiring much confidence, either, even after calling up McGonigle. The Tigers have the fewest home runs in the American League and are still waiting for the first of the year from sluggers Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson. The Red Sox figured to contend for an AL East title this year, even after inexplicably failing to bring back Alex Bregman. The additions of starters Ranger Suarez and Sonny Gray seemed destined to give Boston one of the top rotations in MLB, but their rotation currently ranks 23rd with a 4.55 ERA. The additions of first baseman Willson Contreras and third baseman Caleb Durbin were supposed to help the offense, but Boston’s .666 OPS ranks 19th in MLB, and they’re 23rd in runs scored. There’s obviously plenty of time for these AL contenders to dig their way out of an early hole, but the Red Sox in particular will need to turn things around quickly in one of the toughest divisions in baseball. 9. Bumpy Start To Tony Vitello Era in San Francisco The spotlight is bright on the Giants’ new manager as Vitello attempts to make the unprecedented jump directly from college coach to MLB skipper. Every hiccup brings added scrutiny, considering his lack of prior professional coaching experience as he goes from motivating kids at Tennessee to trying to get the best out of wealthy adults, and there have been some early ones both on and off the field. After scoring just one run while getting swept by the Yankees to start the year, Vitello blamed himself for a “fire-and-brimstone” speech for getting the players too emotional. Some players pushed back afterward, insisting that they can handle the natural ups and downs of a season. A couple incidents have followed since then, as well, and questions remain about whether the passion that helped Vitello win in college will translate to the big-league marathon. Of course, winning would solve everything. Right now, that’s not happening enough. The Giants are in last place in the NL West with an offense that ranks last in MLB in home runs and last in the National League in OPS. The pitching staff hasn’t been able to make up for that lack of power, ranking in the bottom half of MLB in ERA in the early going. But the team is showing more positive signs to start the week with a series win over the Phillies that included back-to-back shutout victories. Vitello should get some leash to figure things out, and the early shortcomings will be forgotten if the team simply starts playing better. The Giants need Rafael Devers, Jung Hoo Lee and Heliot Ramos to hit. 10. The ABS Challenge System Already a Rule-Change Home Run? Most would agree the sweeping rule changes that were introduced to MLB in 2023, most notably the pitch clock, have enhanced the game and viewing experience. The latest change may take some getting used to for teams and players as they adjust to the new automated ball-strike zone, but early feedback is positive. Home-plate umpires are being held accountable for mistakes, and the fan anticipation and enjoyment is palpable in the stadium every time a player taps his head. Major League Baseball anticipated about 50% of calls to be overturned, and so far that number is at 54% with pitchers and catchers having a better success rate (60%) than hitters (48%). Who has been the best at challenging so far? As a hitter, Ivan Herrera is a perfect 4-for-4. Behind the plate, catchers Logan O’Hoppe and Ryan Jeffers have each won an MLB-high 10 challenges; O’Hoppe has the better percentage of challenges won between the two (77%). As a team, the Twins may not win much this year, but they’ve clearly been the leaders of the pack when it comes to ABS challenges, going 11-for-11 as hitters and 14-for-20 as the team in the field. Only the Marlins have won more challenges in the field (15 total), but the Marlins and Twins are also the two teams challenging the most while in the field. The Tigers have the highest percentage of successful overturns (91%) as the pitching team. One trend, however, worth keeping an eye on: the league-wide walk rate is now at 10%, which would be the highest mark in a full season since 1950, while the league-wide batting average is .234, which would be the lowest mark in a full season ever. Those stats would seemingly be in conflict with MLB’s desire to create more action and balls in play. A reminder for all of these storylines, though: It’s still early. Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on X at @RowanKavner.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Can Colin Cowherd correctly predict the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft? He isn’t sure, but he’s hopeful that he can guess five of the first 15 picks right based on what he’s hearing in his discussions with people around the league. Cowherd unveiled how he thinks the top 15 picks will go in his most recent mock draft as we’re two weeks away from Round 1. While his top-four picks might be what you’ve seen in other mock drafts, he has the New York Giants making a move that might not seem to be too popular. He also has Patrick Mahomes, Matthew Stafford and Lamar Jackson getting some reinforcements around them on offense. So, let’s take a look at how Cowherd thinks the first 15 picks of the 2026 NFL Draft will go down, based on what he’s hearing. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook. 1.  Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana Cowherd’s thoughts: “That’s the easy one. I’m going to go one-for-one. He threw 49 touchdowns and no interceptions the last two years in the red zone. Hyper smart, ball placement and toughness [are good]. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Raiders at the top of the second [round] go get [Indiana wide receiver] Omar Cooper, who might be available at the top of Round 2.” Odds to be No. 1 pick: -20000 2.  New York Jets: Arvell Reese, edge rusher, Ohio State Cowherd’s thoughts: “I think the Jets take a big swing on Arvell Reese, who I think is the youngest prospect in the draft. He’s only 20 and he doesn’t have a clear, defined position yet. That’s what the Jets do. I think they need six or seven good players before they take a swing. With the coaching staff and head coach they have, I just don’t trust them. I would rather get a plug-and-play guy who has a defined, already-made position. Reese is a fascinating player. The Jets had the second-fewest sacks in the NFL, so it’s a position of need, but that’s why I like [David] Bailey [more for New York]. You can drop Reese into coverage. So, I think he’s a great talent, but I worry about the Jets and Aaron Glenn being able to bake this and make it work quickly.” Odds to be No. 2 pick: -105 3.  Arizona Cardinals: David Bailey, edge rusher, Texas Tech Cowherd’s thoughts: “They have a pass rush issue. The Cardinals ranked 28th in sacks last year. So, this will be a bit of a break, in my opinion, for the Arizona Cardinals. They’ll get my favorite pass rusher in college football. I think Rueben Bain is very good as well, but [Bailey] led college football in sacks and pressure rate and he’s getting better. He’s a much better player now than he was at Stanford.” Odds to be No. 3 pick: +235 4.  Tennessee Titans: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame Cowherd’s thoughts: “First of all, Robert Saleh knows the value of a star running back for a young quarterback. He watched [Christian] McCaffrey with Brock Purdy. Saleh’s got a better offensive feel than most defensive coaches. He actually does, I’ve texted with Robert on that. He likes offense, and he knows the value. [Love] is a home-run hitter. I’m telling you, the drop-off between Love and the second-best running back in this draft, it might be greater than Fernando Mendoza and the second-best quarterback. He’s an absolute Jahmyr Gibbs[-type].” Odds to be No. 4 pick: +150 5.  New York Giants: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State Cowherd’s thoughts: “I think the Giants get maybe the cleanest player in the draft, Sonny Styles. He’s going to come in and play. Linebacker, freak athlete, 182 combined tackles over the last two years. John Harbaugh’s been talking about toughness and attitude. That’s Sonny Styles. People can say, ‘Linebacker? I don’t know.’ The Giants have spent a lot of money at corner in the last couple of years. They could go corner, maybe. This kid’s going to come in, play and get a lot of tackles.” Odds to be No. 5 pick: +175 6.  Cleveland Browns: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State Cowherd’s thoughts: “The best receiver in this draft is Carnell Tate, and Cleveland’s gotten an egregiously bad wide receiver corps. The Browns had the fewest receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. [Tate] just walks in and stars. I think he’s great. He’s strong. He’s got speed. I don’t know if he has the route tree of [Jaxon Smith-Njigba], but I’ll tell you this: catching radius, toughness and speed are really good.” Odds to be No. 6 pick: +150 7.  Washington Commanders: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.) Cowherd’s thoughts: “Well, Jayden Daniels needs protection. Laremy Tunsil, meet Francis Mauigoa. Many people think he could interior and play guard. He’s not a left tackle. he’s more of a right tackle. I don’t think he has elite foot quickness, so maybe you move him inside. But I’ve got Jayden Daniels. Daniels is getting banged up in this league.” Odds to be No. 7 pick: +2200 8.  New Orleans Saints: Rueben Bain Jr., edge rusher, Miami (Fla.) Cowherd’s thoughts: “The Saints have a lot of needs, but this kid lives in the backfield. I care a little bit about arm length. He’s a perfect replacement for Cam Jordan, who is a free agent and getting up there [in age]. So, you replace him with a dog — a guy that’s going to come in and pressure the quarterback. Everybody I talk to in the league loves Bain. Because of the measurements, he’s not going to be a No. 1 or No. 2 pick. But I haven’t talked to anyone in the NFL that doesn’t respect him as a player.” Odds to be No. 8 pick: +350 9.  Kansas City Chiefs: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah Cowherd’s thoughts: “This seems obvious. … The Chiefs have struggled to protect Mahomes the last two years — eighth most sacked quarterback in two seasons and now Mahomes is coming off an ACL injury. They solved their running back in free agency, getting Kenneth Walker from Seattle. Do they need an edge rusher? They do, but Bailey will be gone, Reese will be gone and Rueben Bain will be gone. So this is an easy one. I think it’s a smart one. “They got Josh Simmons at left tackle. When he played, he was excellent in terms of the frequency and scarcity of playing concerns. But by the way, you get Fano in. [If] Josh Simmons gets banged up or doesn’t play, this is what they did with the Chargers in Joe Alt. Move him to the other side. I think he goes nine to Kansas City.” Odds to be No. 9 pick: +700 10. Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State Cowherd’s thoughts: “I think he could be the steal of the draft. I think he walks in and starts Day 1. He’s just a great football player, really smart, very instinctive. He’s not huge. I don’t get too caught up on that. People said Troy Polamalu wasn’t huge. He’s just a great player. He’s in-state and Buckeye fans will love it. Just toughness, urgency, playmaking and the defense for now, that Trey Hendrickson is gone, you thought the defense was bad for Cincinnati last year? Could get worse.” Odds to be No. 10 pick: +300 11. Miami Dolphins: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU Cowherd’s thoughts: “Did not allow a single touchdown or commit a single penalty last year at LSU. Number one cornerback in the draft and again, here comes Jeff Hafley, the defensive guy from Green Bay. So with one of his two first-round picks, he’s taking a defensive player, either with one of the picks or two of the picks. Yes, they need a wide receiver. Yes, they need some offensive line. You can get that in the second, third or fifth round. You can’t get the best corner in those rounds.” Odds to be first cornerback drafted: -240 12. Dallas Cowboys: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee Cowherd’s thoughts: “You’ve got to cheapen up that defense because you’re spending a lot of money on offense and now you’re spending a lot of money on your defensive front. They get Jermod McCoy from Tennessee. He can play zone. He can play man-to-man. Opposing quarterbacks last year on the Dallas Cowboys 69% completion percentage and a passer rating at 109. So they have upgraded their defensive front. Now they’ve got to go get some dexterity and versatility on the back end. He’s a great player.” Odds to be second cornerback drafted: -195 13. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons): Makai Lemon, WR, USC Cowherd’s thoughts: “Davante Adams is 34 and got banged up. Puka Nacua has just entered rehab and got some off-field stuff. Maturity issues. This kid does not let the ball hit the ground; 2.8% of balls thrown to him hit the ground. Tremendous kid. He’s got a lot of Amon-Ra St. Brown and will be productive Day 1. … Matt Stafford doesn’t want to teach somebody how to play football. Makai Lemon walks in Day 1. He’ll figure the playbook out in three practices.” Odds to be second wide receiver drafted: +155 14. Baltimore Ravens: Monroe Freeling, OT, Ravens Cowherd’s thoughts: “Lamar Jackson last year pressured on 26% of his throws, a career high. They go get Monroe Freeling, Georgia tackle. He’s a little raw, but has had, in 18 starts, one holding penalty. Listen, if you’re going to pay Lamar Jackson, what you keep reading, they’re going to pay him, you better protect him. This is another player that everybody thinks is going to be really good. Nobody’s quite sure if he’s going to be good as a rookie. Get him in [the] house.” Odds Ravens use first pick on an offensive lineman: +140 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo Cowherd’s thoughts: “Local kid. Played [high school football] in Tampa. Bucs were 27th against the pass. They had the worst red zone defense. Now Mike Evans is gone. They need a receiver. There are some great receivers in the second, third and fourth round. He’s a hometown kid. He is rangy. He runs good enough. Again, another one of these small school [defensive backs] that we don’t watch enough of. Remember when Sauce Gardner came out? Could have been the No. 1 player and defensive player in that draft.” Odds to be second safety drafted: +290​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports