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Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Speedway, Ind.) — Mick Schumacher turned his first laps Tuesday at the place that serves as the host for “The Greatest Spectacle In Racing.” The former Formula 1 driver, though, has yet to experience the “spectacle” part, so it seemed to be pretty much a business-like day for the INDYCAR rookie in the No. 47 car. Schumacher, son of seven-time F1 champion Michael Schumacher, had previously tested on the IMS road course. He also has had some significant oval experience this year with tests at Phoenix, WWTR Gateway (St. Louis) and Homestead as well as a race at Phoenix. He cracked 220 mph and ranked 24th overall in both single-car and in-the-draft speeds. He’ll likely be going at least 10 mph faster when it comes to qualifying next month for the Indianapolis 500. Schumacher said he likely has hit those speeds at trucks such as Mexico City and Monza but qualifying would likely be the fastest he has ever driven a race car. “It’s just getting through the [test] run plan, which was important to us,” Schumacher told me. “It probably will be very impressive once we go to quali power because that is a big jump. “But up to now, it’s very much what I would expect from an oval from what I’ve experienced so far.” All Indy 500 teams were testing Tuesday and they have another full day set for Wednesday in preparation for the May 24th race. Practice for the Indy 500 begins May 12. Dreyer & Reinbold Racing’s Conor Daly, whose team only does the Indy 500, was the fastest in testing Tuesday. The teams are limited to five sets of tires, so Schumacher’s team (like many) spent some time in their pit stall or the paddock to get their cars comfortable for the driver. “It was good,” Schumacher said about the test. “I spent a little bit in the [pit] box trying to just adjust our car in the right way. I think we managed it pretty well. “Getting out there running tomorrow, we have a good couple of sets [of tires] left to really do the job that we need to hopefully run some in traffic.” Graham Rahal, whose father is a co-owner and who has made 18 Indianapolis 500 starts, said he told Schumacher to just be as smooth as he was at the much smaller 1-mile Phoenix oval earlier this year. “Just be silky smooth with your feet,” Rahal told me and other reporters before Schumacher took to the track Tuesday. “Honestly, the getting up to speed part is some of the hardest parts, because these cars are they’re designed to go fast. … I see all the drivers [data]. I see their throttle traces, braking if needed. I see their downshift points, all the things that affect a car on the corner entry. “He’s done a great job with it. I was super impressed. I was impressed from the first test.” Rahal said the way Schumacher drives suits the ovals quite well. “When he went out there [on the IMS road course last fall], I could see three or four laps in he was fairly comfortable,” Rahal said. “And the way that he was doing things, it’s really good. He’s got a bright future. Stylistically, the way he drives, does suit ovals quite well.” Schumacher said there is a good reason for that. “I come from a place where tie degradation is obviously a big factor, and kind of learned to drive and nurture those ties in a very smooth way,” Schumacher told me. “And I guess that’s what I kind of brought over here.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

This was an underwhelming year for quarterbacks in the NFL Draft. But next year, the quarterback carousel might go for a wild ride when the draft is held in our nation’s capital. Even though we’re still a year out, 2027 looks to be a very strong quarterback class, potentially as deep and talented as the 2024 class, which had six picked in the first 12 selections, three of which have already guided their teams to playoff victories. FOX Sports NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang had five quarterbacks taken in the first round of his 2027 NFL mock draft, including three taken in the top-four picks. That’s a far cry from this year’s draft, when only two quarterbacks went in the first two rounds — that’s only happened one other time (one in 2022) in the last decade. Which quarterbacks headline that group? Texas’ Arch Manning is the current favorite to go No. 1, but other talented passers like Oregon’s Dante Moore, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, Notre Dame’s CJ Carr and others could threaten to be top-five picks. So, with next year’s quarterback class looking to be promising, it might be a good offseason to be a quarterback-needy team. With that in mind, we tried to project the 10 teams that will most likely be in need of a quarterback in the potentially loaded draft class. The Indianapolis Colts gave Daniel Jones a two-year, $88 million contract, but there’s nothing guaranteed in the second year, so if he doesn’t look good coming off a torn Achilles tendon, they could move on. It would mean $35 million in dead money for 2027, but it’s something we’ll note as an unlikely but possible outcome. It’s less likely that Anthony Richardson sticks around and plays well enough to be part of their plans, so there’s a worst-scenario world where the Colts — potentially with a new coach and general manager — look at drafting a quarterback as part of a complete reboot in 2027. Baker Mayfield is a free agent after this season, but it’s still likely the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will give him a lucrative extension after three solid seasons taking over for Tom Brady. If they don’t, there’s no heir apparent on the current roster, so they’d be on this list, though they’ve had good luck in the last two veterans they’ve found in free agency. They’ve drafted only one quarterback (Kyle Trask) in the last decade. The New Orleans Saints got an encouraging nine-game look at Tyler Shough in the second half of 2025, as he went 5-4 as a starter and threw 10 touchdowns against six interceptions. He’ll have every chance to entrench himself as the long-term starter this year, and the Saints have set him up with upgraded talent all over, from running back Travis Etienne to first-round receiver Jordyn Tyson and three other pass-catching draft picks. But it’s possible that Shough doesn’t continue where he left off, which could leave the Saints drafting a quarterback for the fourth time in five years. The Atlanta Falcons have Tua Tagovailoa on a minimum contract while Michael Penix Jr. comes back from another knee injury. He’s still only 28, so this is a chance for him to reset himself, and it’s possible Penix returns healthy and fares better than his 4-8 career record as a starter. If neither are a resounding success, an offensive coach like Kevin Stefanski will want a talented quarterback to build his team around after not having a first-round pick in this year’s draft. The Minnesota Vikings landed Kyler Murray on the cheap, so it’s possible he shows enough to become a long-term answer for the Vikings, and it’s less likely but possible that J.J. McCarthy beats him out and shows he’s better than a rough 2025 that saw him throw more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (11). Or Murray plays so well he Sam Darnolds himself to a big contract elsewhere, which would put Minnesota high on this list. The Miami Dolphins just gave Malik Willis a three-year contract worth $67 million. So, there’s certainly a chance he plays well and shows his promising glimpses in limited work (three starts in the last two years with the Packers) can translate to a full season. Miami has moved on from a huge Tua Tagovailoa contract, one that will count $55 million against this year’s salary cap. If Willis is unconvincing this season, he still has his $21 million salary fully guaranteed for 2027, but the Dolphins have also shown they’ll move on from a quarterback once they’ve decided he’s not the answer. Miami has shed enough talent in the past year through trades and cuts that this will be a rebuild, but if new coach Jeff Hafley wants to make it to a third season, having a long-term answer at quarterback is a must, so that could include a high draft pick next year. At age 35, Geno Smith is a stopgap quarterback, someone who can get the New York Jets started in the right direction but probably won’t be back for another season once the team has the chance to put a high draft pick into a long-term answer. They haven’t done that since Zach Wilson in 2021, and they should improve from a 3-14 record in Aaron Glenn’s first season, meaning they’ll pick later. New York used a fourth-round pick this past weekend on Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, but he took a big step back this past season, going from 36 touchdowns in 2024 and high draft expectations to just 16 in a disappointing 2025. There just aren’t many success stories from quarterbacks taken that late — in today’s NFL, it’s pretty much Brock Purdy and Dak Prescott. Is Aaron Rodgers coming back? Either way, he’s 43, so the franchise has to plan for a near future without him. The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t had a losing record once since 2003, and they’ve managed to extend that streak despite mediocre quarterback play in the four years since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Much like some other teams on this list, they semi-addressed the position in this year’s draft, taking Penn State’s Drew Allar in the third round, and they also have 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard. Could Allar be a long-term answer? He had 50 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in 2023-24, missing half of the 2025 season with an ankle injury. If Rodgers is back, Pittsburgh likely won’t see enough of Allar to evaluate him in 2026, leaving them with enough uncertainty that they’ll be tempted to draft a quarterback, though their relative success will mean they’re picking too late in the first round to get one of the top two or three options. How can an NFL team have four quarterbacks, and yet have none? That’s likely the Cleveland Browns, who still have the albatross of Deshaun Watson’s $230 million contract and have taken three middling quarterbacks in the last two drafts. Watson may actually play this season — he last did in 2024, going 1-6 with five touchdown passes in seven starts — but we also might see Shedeur Sanders, who had seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in seven starts as a rookie last year. There’s also 2025 third-rounder DIllon Gabriel and 2026 sixth-rounder Taylen Green, but the odds of them leaving 2026 with a quarterback they’d want back as a starter are slim. Watson’s contract is up after this year, though he’ll count $86 million in dead money against their 2027 cap, which is just another reason Cleveland would do well to build around a rookie quarterback — with an inexpensive contract — as it works toward a franchise reset under new coach Todd Monken. Using first- and second-round picks on receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston this year will help them have a viable pass game for the next quarterback. The Arizona Cardinals moved on from Kyler Murray this spring at a considerable expense, and are content to move forward with Jacoby Brissett as the presumed starter. Brissett is 33 and wasn’t bad last year, throwing 23 touchdowns against eight interceptions, but he went 1-11 as a starter and this would be the first time in his NFL career he’s started more than five games in back-to-back seasons. Arizona used a third-round pick on Miami (Fla.)’s Carson Beck, who should get a look at some point in what should be a long 2026 season at the bottom of the toughest division in the NFL. It’s unlikely that Beck would show so much promise that the Cardinals wouldn’t enter the 2027 draft with both a high pick and a clear focus on finding a starting quarterback there. Arizona hired an offensive-minded coach in Mike LaFleur, who has worked under both Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay, and they have a promising young back in rookie Jeremiyah Love, so this should be a good situation for a quarterback to help spark a franchise turnaround.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Often, managers become the scapegoats for poorly-constructed teams missing the requisite talent to contend. Occasionally, though, an in-season change can spark a speedy turnaround. In 2022, that’s exactly what happened when Rob Thomson took over for Joe Girardi after Philadelphia’s 22-29 start and went 65-46 the rest of the way, steering the Phillies to their first playoff appearance in 11 years and their first World Series appearance in 13 years. Four years later, though, Thomson now finds himself in Girardi’s fateful position. The Phillies, owners of a 9-19 record and the worst run differential in Major League Baseball, have fired Thomson, the man who guided them back to relevance after a decade of disappointment and amassed the highest winning percentage (.568) in the team’s modern era. They reached the postseason in each of their four seasons with Thomson at the helm, but after making it to the World Series in 2022, they got bounced in the NLCS in 2023 and failed to advance out of the NLDS in 2024 and 2025. Now, the Phillies are hoping that Don Mattingly can rescue their 2026 season the same way Thomson did four years ago. What’s next for the Phillies? Just three days ago, Alex Cora was fired in Boston and immediately became one of the hottest names available. So it’s no surprise that Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski, who hired Cora eight years ago and watched him guide the Red Sox to a World Series championship in his first year as the club’s manager, reached out to fill the Phillies’ vacancy. This time, however, Cora declined Dombrowski’s offer. Cora was in the second year of a three-year, $21.75 million extension in Boston and, at least right now, appears content to sit out the rest of this year. He could become an option in Philadelphia again next season. For now, the Phillies have pivoted to their bench coach, promoting Mattingly to interim manager “through the end of the 2026 season,” according to a team statement. Third-base coach Dusty Wathan will take over Mattingly’s role as bench coach, and Triple-A Lehigh Valley manager Anthony Contreras will assume Wathan’s role as third-base coach. Dombrowski still clearly believes in his roster, which has the fifth-highest payroll in the sport, despite its ineptitude to this point. The Phillies have dropped 15 of their last 18 games and at one point lost 10 straight. They’re 3-13 against teams over .500, and problems persist everywhere. Their offense ranks 29th in OPS, their pitching staff ranks 28th in ERA and their defense ranks last in defensive runs saved. Can a new manager solve all of those problems? Probably not, but it’s also hard to believe this team — which returned a nucleus of players that won 96 games last year — is suddenly the worst in the sport. On offense, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Brandon Marsh have all been well above league-average hitters. The right-handed hitters on the team, however, have collectively tallied a .587 OPS, the second-worst mark in MLB. As a team, the Phillies have been the worst offense against left-handed pitchers by a wide margin. It’s hard to envision this team accomplishing much when Trea Turner, Bryson Stott and Adolis Garcia are all well below league-average hitters and when Alec Bohm is the worst qualified hitter in the sport, as he is right now. But you don’t get the worst run differential in MLB simply with an underperforming lineup. A starting pitching staff that many expected to be among the better units in baseball collectively sports a 5.80 ERA, the worst mark in MLB. Mattingly — whose son, Preston is the team’s general manager — will need a lot more out of that group, which just got Zack Wheeler back from injury and should be better than this. Opponents have a .354 batting average on balls in play against Phillies pitchers, a staggering figure that has to regress at some point. What’s next in the NL East race? Just one month in, the Braves are running away in the NL East. They’re 20-9 and, stunningly, the only team in the division with a winning record. After 28 games, the Phillies are already 10.5 games back of first place. Luckily for them, the Mets have been equally incompetent. FanGraphs still gives the Phillies a 32.5% chance to make the playoffs, and plenty of time remains for them to at least contend for a wild-card spot, though the decision to run back basically the same roster with its aging core looks inauspicious at the moment. There’s not a lot of help coming on the farm — top prospect Aidan Miller hasn’t played all year due to a back issue — so it’s on the players in uniform to get right while there’s still time. The track record of the Phillies’ top players would suggest better days ahead. What’s next in MLB’s coaching carousel? It’s a rarity to see any manager fired in April, let alone two. But with a number of supposed contenders dealing with unexpected early-season turmoil, front offices are getting antsy. With Cora and Thomson out, the two hottest seats now belong to Carlos Mendoza and Joe Espada, who are leading underperforming clubs while on expiring deals. Mendoza’s Mets are 9-19 and in a share for last place with the Phillies in the NL East. Espada’s Astros are 11-18 and in last place in the AL West. They’ll both need to get the train back on the tracks expeditiously to quiet the noise. Beyond those two, Matt Quatraro’s Royals are 11-17 and Dan Wilson’s Mariners are 14-16 a year after making it to the ALCS. Both teams, however, have played better recently. While many teams choose to hire from within when they make in-season managerial changes, among the top candidates available for teams seeking a new voice are Cora, Albert Pujols, Carlos Beltrán, Yadier Molina, Brandon Hyde, David Ross, Rocco Baldelli, Omar López and George Lombard.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The Pittsburgh Steelers have left the door wide open for Aaron Rodgers to return. Still, the club gave itself a little bit of protection in case he does not. Pittsburgh placed the unrestricted free-agent tender on the four-time NFL MVP on Monday, meaning the Steelers would be entitled to a compensatory draft pick if Rodgers doesn’t sign with them and instead lands elsewhere during the 2026 season. General manager Omar Khan and first-year head coach Mike McCarthy remain very optimistic that the 42-year-old will be back after leading them to an AFC North title last winter. The line of communication between both sides has been wide open since the end of the season, and Khan said after the 2026 NFL Draft that the selection of former Penn State Nittany Lions star Drew Allar in the third round does not affect Pittsburgh’s interest in having Rodgers back. The tender does not preclude Rodgers from signing with another team or even give the Steelers the ability to match an offer to him if one is made before July 22. What it does do is give them some coverage if he signs elsewhere before training camp opens in late July. After camp begins, the Steelers would have exclusive negotiating rights with Rodgers. The tender also slots in Rodgers’ salary. Under the rules, Rodgers would be entitled to a 10% raise over his 2025 salary if he comes back for a 22nd season. Rodgers said in January that he would make a decision “down the line.” The Steelers had expressed hope that Rodgers would be able to provide clarity before the NFL draft, but that did not happen. Pittsburgh begins organized team activities — which are voluntary — on May 18. Mandatory minicamp is set for June 2-4. Rodgers skipped OTAs entirely last year, signing a one-year deal with the Steelers not long after minicamp wrapped up. Reporting by The Associated Press.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The hurricane has arrived in the power rankings. Carson “Hurricane” Hocevar earned his first career victory Sunday at Talladega, and that has him in the power rankings this week. Here are my rankings heading into the May 3 race at Texas Motor Speedway. On the verge: Christopher Bell, William Byron, Austin Cindric, Ryan Preece, Daniel Suarez, Bubba Wallace 10. Brad Keselowski (Last Week: 10)RFK Racing No. 6 Ford Keselowski got caught up in the big one at Talladega but his team was able to repair his car so he could continue. He ended up 31st, so his second-place finish in the opening stage added nine points to his total. 9. Chris Buescher (Last Week: Not Ranked)RFK Racing No. 17 Ford Oh, so close. Buescher finished just behind Hocevar, who beat him to the line by 0.114 seconds. Buescher didn’t have much help up front there at the end. But it was a strong run to get him back in these rankings. 8. Carson Hocevar (Last Week: Not Ranked)Spire Motorsports No. 77 Chevrolet Hocevar earned his first career victory and jumped to eighth in the Cup standings. He probably feels like he’s on top of the world, and he should. 7. Chase Briscoe (Last Week: 6)Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18 Toyota Briscoe made a mistake on pit road and then got caught up in the big wreck. He finished 29th at Talladega. On to Texas. 6. Ryan Blaney (Last Week: 5)Team Penske No. 12 Ford Blaney finished fifth in the opening stage before getting caught up in the big wreck. Yes, that was a theme for many on this list. 5. Ty Gibbs (Last Week: 4)Joe Gibbs Racing No. 54 Toyota Gibbs got caught up in the big wreck but was able to continue … until likely damage from that wreck resulted in a tire failure and Gibbs’ day over into the wall. He led 17 laps but finished with just three points. 4. Kyle Larson (Last Week: 3)Hendrick Motorsports No. 5 Chevrolet Yes, Larson, too, was caught up in the big wreck. He finished 40th (last) in the race. But he was in good company in that big crash. 3. Chase Elliott (Last Week: 7)Hendrick Motorsports No. 9 Chevrolet Elliott wasn’t in the big one and finished fourth in the race. He only scored two stage points, but he was there at the end and in position in case the leaders tangled. 2. Denny Hamlin (Last Week: 2)Joe Gibbs Racing No. 11 Toyota A speeding penalty on his first pit stop hurt Hamlin, who didn’t get back on to the lead lap until late in the race. He led 28 laps but finished 15th. 1. Tyler Reddick (Last Week: 1)23XI Racing No. 45 Toyota Reddick finished 14th, but he also signed a contract extension with 23XI Racing. So while that doesn’t add to his total of five wins this year, it probably felt as good as a victory.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Dallas Cowboys defensive back and first-round pick Caleb Downs was so dominant in college that he got bored. Like, literally. “Yeah, I’ll honestly say, yes, [I got bored with] the ball not coming my way,” Downs said when asked if he got “bored” by teams not targeting him in college in an interview with 105.3 The Fan. “Maybe the talent [isn’t] as good that week. You don’t always play high-level talent every week in college, so that’s something you have to get used to. Sometimes, those games, they can get boring just because of the fact you play a team that doesn’t have as good of an offensive line, your D-Line will pretty much make all the tackles. “There wouldn’t really be much to do those games, so, [I] just get bored of not being in the action.” The two-time All-American safety spent the last two seasons of his collegiate career with the Ohio State Buckeyes (2024-25), preceded by one season with the Alabama Crimson Tide (2023). A five-star recruit, Downs transferred to Ohio State after his freshman season in the wake of Nick Saban’s retirement from coaching. Downs totaled two interceptions in each of his three collegiate seasons. In Downs’ 2023 freshman campaign, he led the SEC with 70 solo tackles, won the National Championship at Ohio State in 2024 and was later the 2025 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. “I would say I’m a defensive player. Being able to play near the line of scrimmage, being able to play in the second level, third level, being able to do a lot of different things. You say a weapon, I would just say a full-rounded player,” Downs said. “If you’re a full-rounded player that can make plays on all facets of your defense and make your defense better, that’s who you want on your team. Not necessarily, ‘Oh, I want somebody to be able to set the edge.’ That’s great, but if he doesn’t necessarily make the play, then it doesn’t matter. “At the end of the day, you want playmakers, and that’s what I am.” Dallas traded up one spot to select Downs with the No. 11 pick, sending the No. 12, 177 and 180 picks to the Miami Dolphins to execute the trade-up. Later, the Cowboys traded back three spots with the Philadelphia Eagles, sending the No. 20 pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick to Philadelphia for picks No. 23, 114 and 137. At pick No. 23, Dallas selected UCF Knights defensive end Malachi Lawrence. Downs and Lawrence join a Cowboys’ defense that was last in the NFL in opponent points (30.1 per game) and opponent passing yards (251.5 per game), 30th in total yards (377.0 per game) and 23rd in opponent rushing yards (125.5 per game) last season. Dallas fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after one season, replacing him with former Eagles passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Christian Parker. Surely, Downs won’t be “bored” at the next level.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The Los Angeles Rams selecting Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft was arguably the boldest selection of the draft, and according to the player himself, head coach Sean McVay has the utmost conviction in the young signal-caller. “We tried to keep this under wraps as long as we could,” Simpson said about his contact with the Rams in an interview on ESPN Radio on Monday. “It was something where I knew they were interested, but they wanted to make it private and didn’t want people to know that they were interested. “So, I had some secret meetings with Coach McVay, and I just was trying to be on script and do what everybody told me and not to tell anybody.” Well, those meetings aren’t so “secret” anymore, now are they, Ty? As for keeping their interest in Simpson “under wraps,” the Rams did precisely that, as they neither met with Simpson at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine or brought him in for a top-30 visit. After serving as a backup quarterback to Bryce Young (2022) and Jalen Milroe (2023-24), Simpson got the starting nod for Alabama in 2025. Across 15 games, Simpson totaled 3,567 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, five interceptions and a 145.2 passer rating, while completing 64.5% of his passes. The Crimson Tide finished the 2025 campaign at 11-4, beating the Oklahoma Sooners in the first round of the College Football Playoff before losing to the Indiana Hoosiers in the quarterfinal round. Simpson was the second quarterback selected in the draft, the first being Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 1 pick. As for who Simpson’s backing up on the Rams, Matthew Stafford is coming off a 2025 season that saw him win NFL MVP honors, but his contract expires after the 2026 season.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

With the 2026 NFL Draft in the books, it’s time to make bold predictions. Who takes Rookie of the Year honors? Who’ll be the biggest steal? Who winds up as the biggest star years down the line? Here are my way-too-early superlatives for the 2026 class: Offensive Rookie of the Year: RB Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals With quarterback uncertainty and the lack of a true No. 1 wide receiver, the Cardinals could run their offense through Love in Year 1, enabling him to put up monster numbers. The former Notre Dame star is positioned to be Arizona’s best offensive player not named Trey McBride. 2026 stats projection: 225 carries for 1,265 yards and 8 TDs; 46 receptions for 398 yards and 3 TDs Defensive Rookie of the Year: DE Rueben Bain Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers Bain may have slipped a bit in the first round, but as Tampa Bay’s pick at No. 15, he landed in a great situation with a defensive-minded head coach in Todd Bowles. The attention standout nose tackle Vita Vea draws from the interior offensive line could open up advantageous matchups on the edge for Bain. 2026 stats projection: 8.0 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble Steal of the draft: TE Eli Stowers, Philadelphia Eagles The athletic Stowers broke the vertical jump record for tight ends at the combine. Last season at Vanderbilt, he won the John Mackey Award as college football’s top tight end — in just his third year playing the position. His growth could be exponential in Philly, where he’s positioned to be Dallas Goedert’s successor. 2026 stats projection: 36 receptions for 387 yards and 3 TDs QB1 in five years: Fernando Mendoza, Las Vegas Raiders At least for now, Mendoza’s only challenger for this spot appears to be Ty Simpson, who the Rams picked as Matthew Stafford’s eventual successor. Not only does the No. 1 overall pick have the edge in physical traits and clutch performances, but his well-documented mindset makes it hard to believe that he won’t be at least an average starter. Plus, Mendoza has the greatest quarterback of all time in his corner in Tom Brady, a Raiders minority owner. 2026 stats projection: 62.5% completion rate for 3,744 yards and 18 TDs with 10 INTs Best long-term player: S Caleb Downs, Dallas Cowboys The only knock on Downs is that he plays a position that isn’t highly valued in the modern NFL. Widely regarded as a generational talent, Downs has the instincts, intellect, versatility and play demeanor to become one of the league’s top safeties for many years to come. 2026 stats projection: 2 INTs, 11 pass breakups, 94 tackles, 3.0 sacks (Pro Bowl) Biggest rookie breakout: LB Jacob Rodriguez, Miami Dolphins The Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year joins a Dolphins team that has two established off-ball linebackers in Jordyn Brooks and Tyrel Dodson. But Rodriguez’s playmaking ability makes him a candidate to be one of the best players on new head coach Jeff Hafley’s defense by season’s end. Rodriguez recorded 10 forced fumbles, 21.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions and 10 pass breakups over his last two seasons at Texas Tech. 2026 stats projection: 77 tackles, 2 INT, 3 PBUs, FF Most pro ready: G Vega Ioane, Baltimore Ravens The 14th overall pick, Ioane could be one of the Ravens’ best offensive linemen from Day 1. He made 32 starts for Penn State at left guard. 2026 stats projection: 17 starts at LG Highest upside: CB Jermod McCoy, Las Vegas Raiders McCoy is a mid-first round talent who fell into the fourth round after missing the 2025 season with a torn ACL. If he’s healthy, the former Tennessee star has the potential to be a playmaking CB1 in the NFL. 2026 stats projection: INT, 4 PBUs, 29 tackles (10 games) Top playmaker: WR Carnell Tate, Tennessee Titans Now out of the shadow of Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, Tate is positioned to fully show what he’s capable of as a WR1 at the NFL level. His contested catching ability, ball-tracking skills and route-running efficiency will make him a friendly and a high-volume target for Titans quarterback Cam Ward. 2026 stats projection: 61 receptions for 896 yards and 7 TDs Best fit: OL Keylan Rutledge, Houston Texans The Texans have desperately needed to stabilize their offensive line for QB C.J. Stroud, and Rutledge — who made 43 starts at right guard in his college career — slots in at one of Houston’s guard spots. Rutledge posted the top athletic score for guards at the NFL Combine, according to Next Gen Stats, which will serve him in both pass protection and the run game. 2026 stats projection: 15 starts at LG​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The NFL Draft is about building for the future, but sometimes the future is now. Some teams really can change their short-term outlook with a few smart picks at the right positions, especially in the early rounds. So which teams succeeded and which ones failed in putting the final pieces together for their 2026 puzzle? And how did that affect the overall outlook of the league? Here are my post-draft Power Rankings, which set the stage for the 2026 season as the offseason comes to a close. Super Bowl odds: +40000 Some believe RB Jeremiyah Love will be the best player out of this draft, but how much is he really going to help a team with so many issues — particularly along the offensive line? The Cardinals are still the favorite to get the first pick of the 2027 draft. Super Bowl odds: +30000 Their two first-round picks were good (OT Kadyn Proctor at 12, CB Chris Johnson at 27) and will help, but they need to get QB Malik Willis some playmakers. Texas Tech WR Caleb Douglas was way too much of a reach in the third to fill the departed Jaylen Waddle’s shoes. Super Bowl odds: +15000 Let the offensive rebuild begin with a much-needed tackle (Spencer Fano at No. 9) and two talented receivers (KC Concepcion at No. 24 and Denzel Boston in Round 2). So, whoever their QB is will have help. Oh, and competition, since Cleveland took yet another QB — Arkansas’ Taylen Green in Round 6. That’s three in two drafts! Super Bowl odds: +15000 They had a terrific draft, especially on the first two days, and may have gotten a steal on Day 4 with Tennessee CB Jermod McCoy. And obviously they got their franchise QB in Fernando Mendoza. Their future is brighter, but there’s still a long way to go. Super Bowl odds: +20000 They had a great draft, too, adding three starters in the first round (edge David Bailey, TE Kenyon Sadiq, WR Omar Cooper) and their nickleback in Round 2 (D’Angelo Ponds). QB Geno Smith has plenty of weapons now, but he’s still a liability that’s going to hold this team down. Super Bowl odds: +9000 They desperately needed a WR to help Chris Olave, and they found one at No. 8 in Arizona State’s explosive WR Jordyn Tyson. That could be huge for QB Tyler Shough and Kellen Moore’s offense. The Saints’ defense still needs work, but second-round DT Christen Miller will help against the run. Super Bowl odds: +12000 They pulled the first surprise of the draft, taking WR Carnell Tate at No. 4, and now QB Cam Ward has several dangerous weapons. Robert Saleh added another edge rusher in the first (Keldric Faulk) and a linebacker in the second (Anthony Hill). This team is a lot more talented than it was. Super Bowl odds: +6000 No first-round pick, but they got two defensive starters in LB C.J. Allen and safety A.J. Haulcy on Day 2. Both should be solid players, but might not have a huge impact. The Colts could’ve really used a receiver to replace Michael Pittman, whom they traded away. Super Bowl odds: +5000 This draft would’ve looked better if the Eagles hadn’t stolen Makai Lemon from them in the first round. Guard Max Iheanachor, the consolation prize, might be a bit of a project, and second-round WR Germie Bernard was a bit of a reach. Taking QB Drew Allar in the third round was a headline pick, but he’s no help to the Steelers this year. Super Bowl odds: +6500 Dan Quinn fell in love with Ohio State LB Sonny Styles, and that’s great. But what this team needed most was offensive playmakers. They got Clemson WR Antonio Williams in the third, but they needed more, plus more help on the offensive line. Super Bowl odds: +5000 The fall of edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. to No. 15 could be great for Todd Bowles, and second-round LB Josaiah Trotter and fourth-round CB Keionte Scott will help a defense that needs it, too. And Georgia State WR Ted Hurst (6-3, 207) could eventually be a steal for a team that somehow has to replace Mike Evans. Super Bowl odds: +2500 They have been laser-focused on the defense all offseason long, as they should be. Getting safety Caleb Downs at No. 11 was a steal, since some thought he was the best player in the draft. And adding two edge rushers (UCF’s Malachi Lawrence in Round 1, Michigan’s Jaishawn Barham in Round 2) helps rebuild their post-Micah Parsons pass rush. Super Bowl odds: +12000 Drafting CB Aveion Terrell into the same defensive backfield as his brother A.J. was a nice story with the Falcons’ first pick (second round). But that forced them to wait around to address their glaring need at WR. And they took a risk with the speedy Zachariah Branch, who’s only 5-foot-8, 176 pounds. Super Bowl odds: +9000 They prioritized the trenches and got Georgia OT Monroe Freeling in the first, which is good. Their real prize, though, could be Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell in the third round. He’s a 6-4, 198-pounder with 4.3 speed. QB Bryce Young needed a big-play, down-field threat to take some pressure off Tetairoa McMillan. Super Bowl odds: +7000 Armed with two top-10 picks, they came away with arguably the draft’s best LB (Arvell Reese) and best offensive lineman (Francis Mauigoa). Then they landed one of the best corners in Round 2 (Colton Hood) and a top-10 WR in Round 3 (Malachi Fields). John Harbaugh’s first draft was fantastic. Super Bowl odds: +5500 Trading away edge rusher Jonathan Greenard hurts their defense, especially their pass rush. But at least they stacked the middle with Florida DT Caleb Banks (6-6, 327) and Iowa State DT Domonique Orange (6-2, 322) in Rounds 1 and 3. Super Bowl odds: +1600 The Packers said they needed a corner and a nose tackle, and they got both with their picks in Rounds 2 and 3. But CB Brandon Cisse and DT Chris McClellan might be more about depth than immediate impact. They also still need a wideout to replace the two they lost. Super Bowl odds: +1700 Dan Campbell is all about the trenches, and he got help on both sides with OT Blake Miller (Round 1) and edge rusher Derrick Moore (Round 2). Moore taking some pressure off Aidan Hutchinson could really help the Lions’ defense. Super Bowl odds: +1600 They got an underrated edge rusher (Akheem Mesidor) in Round 1, but what they really needed was O-line help. Florida C Jake Slaughter (Round 2) and Memphis T Travis Burke (Round 4) may have to play a lot right away. Super Bowl odds: +2200 They used their first-round pick in a high-upside trade for DT Dexter Lawrence, then drafted underrated Texas A&M edge Cashius Howell in Round 2. Add in big (6-4) corner Tacario Davis in the third and the Bengals may finally have a defense that can keep up with their offense. Super Bowl odds: +1800 They desperately needed OL help and took big guards in the first and fourth rounds, including Georgia Tech’s Keylan Rutledge No. 26 overall. They also traded up for one of the draft’s best defensive tackles, Ohio State’s Kayden McDonald, in Round 2. The Texans are stronger in the trenches now. Super Bowl odds: +2500 They didn’t have a first-round pick and reached for a blocking tight end who caught just 36 passes in five years in college (Texas A&M’s Nate Boerkircher). They’ve got a lot of holes, and their offseason overall hasn’t been good. Super Bowl odds: +1600 They had already acquired a big-play receiver in Mike Evans, but they added a deep threat who could pull coverage away in the draft when they took the big, speedy De’Zhaun Stribling with the first pick of Round 2. They should have the most explosive offense they’ve had in years. Super Bowl odds: +2500 They did what they had to do in the draft, finding a starting safety (Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman) and offensive line help (Iowa C Logan Jones). Everything else just adds to the depth of a team ready to rise. Super Bowl odds: +1500 They used the draft to reload on defense, taking the best corner (LSU’s Mansoor Delane) and one of the best DTs (Clemson’s Peter Woods) in Round 1. They made sure that when Patrick Mahomes returns, he’ll have a top-10 defense behind him again. Super Bowl odds: +1000 They traded out of the first round and focused on defense. Clemson’s T.J. Parker makes them deep off the edge, and Ohio State’s Davison Igbinosun strengthens them at CB. Fourth-round OT Jude Bowry could be an instant starter on their line, and he might have to be. Super Bowl odds: +1600 Their most important job was improving the O-line, which they did with Utah tackle Caleb Lomu (6-6, 313) in Round 1. Second-rounder Gabe Jacas will help them off the edge, too, after losing K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency. Super Bowl odds: +1000 They hit all their weak spots, finding a road-grading guard (Olaivavega Ioane), an edge rusher to pair with Trey Hendrickson (Zion Young) and a couple of big receivers for Lamar Jackson (Elijah Sarratt, Ja’Kobi Lane). They’re a team that has it all. Super Bowl odds: +1600 Their wizard GM did it again, coming out of the first two days of the draft with two dangerous weapons (WR Makai Lemon, TE Eli Stowers to replace likely trade piece A.J. Brown) and a huge O-lineman (6-9, 346-pound Markel Bell), and he traded for edge rusher Jonathan Greenard. They are so back. Super Bowl odds: +1000 Replacing the Super Bowl MVP (Kenneth Walker) with Notre Dame’s backup RB (Jadarian Price) in the first round is interesting. They also restocked their secondary on Day 2. The reigning champs are a team without many holes, though. Super Bowl odds: +1800 Hard to argue the draft helped them when they had just one pick in the first two days. They didn’t need a lot, though. The offseason addition of WR Jaylen Waddle made them clearly the class of the AFC. Super Bowl odds: +800 They’re still the most talented team in the NFL, but they could’ve locked that in by picking an actual impact player at No. 13. Instead, they took QB Ty Simpson, who won’t help them until 2027 or 2028. This is still the team to beat, though.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

With the NFL Draft comes clear winners, losers and plenty of picks that sparked debate. Several teams made major strides over draft weekend, with three standing out for the improvements they made to their rosters. During Monday’s episode of “The Herd,” Colin Cowherd highlighted the three teams he believes have improved the most this offseason. With the draft now in the rearview mirror, these franchises appear to have positioned themselves as some of the biggest offseason winners heading into next season. The Giants have had a strong offseason, remaining active in free agency and the NFL Draft. But the biggest splash of the offseason might have been their hiring of former Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh. Cowherd certainly seems to think that. “I get a massive head coaching upgrade in John Harbaugh,” Cowherd said. “I get non-premium positions, but Isaiah Likely and Tremaine Edmunds are positions of need for the Giants. Two starters in free agency that I think will excel, then I thought their first four picks were amazing.” Cowherd also pointed to the value the Giants found throughout the draft, especially with players he believes can make an immediate impact. “That’s a different team,” Cowherd said. “That’s a losing organization and I see a major upgrade in leadership, production from guys already in the league and three, potentially four starters.” If those additions develop the way Cowherd expects, the Giants could quickly shift from one of the league’s most disappointing teams to a legitimate playoff contender. After years of inconsistency, they finally appear to have a clear foundation to build around. The Raiders had one of the more intriguing offseasons in the league despite not making many major moves in free agency. One of their biggest additions to the coaching staff was the hiring of former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to be their next head coach. “The Raiders go from an old defensive coach who felt a little bit out of his generation to a young, clever, highly respected offensive coach in Klint Kubiak,” Cowherd said. “They got the best free agent signing to me in the entire offseason in Tyler Lindenbaum with a rookie quarterback.” Cowherd believes those additions, combined with the talent already on the roster, could quickly change the franchise’s direction heading into next season. “Remember the Raiders are not like the Jets,” Cowherd said. “The Raiders have really good players at premier positions in Max Crosby, Kolton Miller, a running back [Ashton Jeanty], tight end [Brock Bowers] and they’ve got an All-Pro center.” If Kubiak can maximize the talent already in place, the Raiders could be one of the biggest surprise teams in the AFC next season. After years of instability, Las Vegas finally appears to have a clearer identity and a foundation built to compete in the long term. After losing quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a season-ending knee injury late last season, the organization struggled overall and ultimately missed the playoffs. Faced with salary cap constraints, they also traded away cornerback Trent McDuffie. Cowherd outlined four key needs the Chiefs had to address amid all the adversity and he believes head coach Andy Reid checked every one of those boxes. “They got the best running back in free agency in Kenneth Walker,” Cowherd said. The best cornerback in the draft in Mansoor Delane. Put [Clemson defensive lineman] Peter Woods from Clemson in the draft a year ago and he would have been a top-10 pick.” Cowherd was also a fan of the Chiefs’ selection of Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas. “R Mason is sort of the Rueben Bain of later in the draft,” Cowherd said, comparing Thomas to a top-15 pick. “Not great measurable, but if you watched Oklahoma play this year, he’s like Rueben Bain.” If those additions hit their ceiling, the Chiefs could quickly rebound from a turbulent year and reestablish themselves as a top AFC contender. In Cowherd’s view, the team didn’t just fill holes; they may have quietly reset the foundation of the roster.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports