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What had been mocked everywhere for months became official Thursday night: The Las Vegas Raiders selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. And then draft day really began in Pitsburgh. Stick with us, as I’ll be analyzing and grading every selection in real time. 1. Las Vegas Raiders: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana Rang: An ideal fit for the Raiders both from a physical and intangible perspective, Mendoza isn’t just the right pick, he’s the perfect one. His prototypical size, pre- and post-snap recognition and accuracy from both the pocket and on the move should make him a star in Klint Kubiak’s offense. Even better, Mendoza has composure on and off the field needed for a team based in a city with the many, varied distractions of Las Vegas. Grade: A 2. New York Jets: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech Rang: Bailey: Finishing dead last in the AFC in sacks, the Jets made the right choice to add this year’s top pass-rusher. Bailey’s burst and bend off the edge is elite. He is a realistic Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate who projects as a 10-plus sack-a-year difference-maker. Grade: A 3. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame Rang: Throw out the narrative about positional value, Love’s ability to immediately boost Mike LaFleur’s offense justifies this selection. Frankly, GM Monti Ossenfort needed a slam dunk and Love should provide it. His creativity, elusiveness and breakaway speed have earned comparisons to NFL superstars like Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson from scouts traveling through South Bend for the past two years. Critics, of course, have a point about the fact that drafting a running back this year comes with zero salary relief — something that typically occurs with rookies. Love could be the best running back in the NFL next year, but the Cardinals will already be paying him close to that, regardless. Grade: B+ 4. Tennessee Titans: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State Rang: It’s our first “upset” of the night, but two people certainly not upset with this selection are Titans quarterback Cam Ward and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Head coach Robert Saleh and Daboll were both fired from recent head-coaching positions because their respective offenses struggled to score. Tate isn’t an elite athlete, but his frame, speed and tracking skills help him project as a legitimate No. 1 candidate. Grade: B+ 5. New York Giants: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State Rang: This is a fascinating selection for the Giants, as Reese gives the Giants as formidable a trio of edge rushers as there is in the NFL, teaming, of course, with recent top-10 selections Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Reese’s ability to play the off-ball linebacker position, as well as project as a dynamic pass-rusher gives head coach John Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson an awful lot of flexibility. And unlike some of the coaches who passed on Reese, Harbaugh has the security to give him time to develop. Grade: A- 6. Kansas City Chiefs (via Browns): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU Rang: I love the Chiefs’ bold decision to trade up for Delane, who would not have lasted until No. 9 overall given the way the board changed once the Titans surprisingly took wideout Carnell Tate. While the gap between Delane and the No. 2 cornerback isn’t quite as big as it is at the QB and RB positions, he is unquestionably the best corner in this class and the Chiefs desperately needed to address this position. Grade: A 7. Washington Commanders: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State Rang: Both in Seattle and most recently in Washington, Dan Quinn was blessed to have future Hall of Famer Bobby Wagner at middle linebacker. Remarkably, Quinn will now have an even better athlete in the middle of his Commanders defense in Styles. There are only a few linebackers in NFL history with Styles’ combination of size and speed — Hall of Famer Brian Urlacher comes to mind. Washington needed to find an alpha on defense and Styles should prove to be that immediately. Grade: A 8. New Orleans Saints: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Saints Rang: GM Mickey Loomis has never been one to shy from aggressive picks, and the selection of Tyson is certainly that. Critics will point out his struggles with durability, but his tape is excellent. This is a pick about potential, but also an affirmation of Tyler Shough and head coach Kellen Moore. If Tyson stays healthy, he’ll be a star — that’s a significant “if” though, capping this grade. Grade: B 9. Cleveland Browns (via Chiefs): Spencer Fano, OT, Utah Rang: The Browns desperately needed to find a left tackle and a wide receiver from this draft, and with the top two wideouts already off the board, Cleveland’s choice was clear. It will be fascinating to see how well Fano plays in comparison to Tyson — who, of course, the Browns traded away the opportunity to draft. Fano’s size and agility should make him the Browns’ day one starter at left tackle. Grade: B 10. New York Giants (from Bengals): Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami Rang: Mauigoa starred at right tackle for The U, but I believe the Giants will move him inside to right guard. His girth and power make him an ideal fit for New York, a club looking to adopt the run-heavy attack John Harbaugh preferred at Baltimore. I actually like this fit even better than Spencer Fano in Cleveland one pick earlier — despite the left tackle position being more valued than interior blockers. Grade: A 11. Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins): Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State Rang: The Cowboys allowed an NFC-worst 35 passing touchdowns a year ago, and Downs is the player in this draft best equipped to fix that issue. His remarkable instincts and speed were obvious since his true freshman season, and they’re why I had him as the best player in this draft. Critics will argue that Downs didn’t generate enough big plays, but smart quarterbacks simply stopped throwing the ball anywhere near him. The Cowboys needed a new sheriff in the secondary and they just got him. Grade: A 12. Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys): Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama 13. Los Angeles Rams (from Falcons) 14. Baltimore Ravens 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16. New York Jets (from Colts) 17. Detroit Lions 18: Minnesota Vikings 19: Carolina Panthers 20: Dallas Cowboys (from Packers) 21: Pittsburgh Steelers 22: Los Angeles Chargers 23: Philadelphia Eagles 24: Cleveland Browns (from Jaguars) 25: Chicago Bears 26: Buffalo Bills 27: San Francisco 49ers 28: Houston Texans 29: Kansas City Chiefs (from Rams) 30: Miami Dolphins (from Broncos) 31: New England Patriots 32: Seattle Seahawks​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Following his National Championship and Heisman Trophy-winning season, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza has added another accolade to his name: No. 1 overall draft pick. After months of speculation, the Las Vegas Raiders have selected Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza became Indiana’s first overall pick since running back Corbett “Corby” Davis in 1938, as well as the Big Ten’s first overall quarterback since Illinois’ Jeff George in 1990. Mendoza joins a Raiders team with plenty of young talent. His decorated résumé is bound to make him the Raiders’ franchise quarterback, as he has the likes of tight end Brock Bowers, running back Ashton Jeanty and an offensive-minded head coach in Klint Kubiak. FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt offered insight into what makes Mendoza a compelling quarterback in his draft class, and why he ultimately went No. 1 overall. “This has to do with his play and the value of his position. Mendoza’s 6-5 and 225 pounds, so he checks that box. Did he play great in crunch time? Yes. It’s not enough for a quarterback to be good on base downs. You better be locked up and play great when your best is needed. That’s exactly what Fernando Mendoza did in every single big moment last season, and almost all of them were away from him,” Klatt wrote in his Top 50 NFL Prospects. Mendoza finished the season with 3,553 passing yards, 48 total touchdowns, six interceptions and a 90.3 quarterback rating, which led all quarterbacks from last season. Mendoza is also decorated with awards, including a national title win, Heisman Trophy award win, Davey O’Brien award, Walter Camp award and AP Player of the Year. He also guided the Hoosiers to their first undefeated season in program history, highlighted by several clutch performances. None was bigger than the 27–24 win over Penn State, where he hit Omar Cooper Jr. for the game‑winner with 41 seconds left to move Indiana to 10–0. And in the National Championship against Miami, his fourth‑down, 13‑yard touchdown run became the play that sealed his legacy. For FOX Sports’ Rob Rang, who listed Mendoza as his fourth overall NFL Draft prospect, emphasized he may not be the most dual-threat player on paper, but he’s still the tried and true best quarterback in his class. “Mendoza doesn’t possess the strongest arm of this class, nor is he the most dynamic running threat. He is, however, the consensus top quarterback, offering an exceptional blend of anticipation, accuracy and poise to project as a longtime, high-level NFL starter,” Rang wrote in his Top 150 NFL Prospects. Following a 3-14 record, the Raiders are in desperate need of fresh players to get back in the win column. With nine total picks following No. 1, Las Vegas will look to add another receiving option next to Bowers and more strength on the defense, especially on the interior and in the secondary. The Raiders have picks 36, 67, 102, 117, 134, 175, 185, 209 and 219.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Ohio State is expected to dominate the first round of the NFL Draft, but safety Caleb Downs could prove to be the biggest wildcard of all. The safety position is often one of the most difficult to evaluate and value on draft night, much like running back on the offensive side. If anyone understands the kind of talent Downs can bring to the next level, it’s FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt. He joined “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” on Thursday afternoon to preview the draft and believes Downs could be one of the safest picks in the class. Klatt was even more bullish on his upside, comparing Downs to a Hall of Fame safety. “One of the comps that I like, but people shy away from, is Ed Reed,” Klatt said. “The reason is because it’s one thing to be smart, do your job on the field and then kill it on the whiteboard and really understand football. It’s another thing to allow those instincts, intelligence and preparation to show up on the field.” Downs is viewed as a player with tremendous upside, especially given his experience in three different defensive schemes throughout his time in college. He began his true freshman year at Alabama before transferring to Ohio State in 2024, where he won a national championship. “They revamped the entire defense specifically for Caleb to put him in the middle of the field and allow his instincts to be more impactful,” Klatt said. “This guy with this amount of instincts and this IQ has played in three different defenses in three years and is still the smartest player on the field.” Klatt said what separates Downs from other prospects in the class is his ability to adapt quickly and still dominate at every stop. “This guy had 100 tackles at Alabama for Nick Saban and goes to Ohio State and immediately became the best defender on the field for a national championship team,” Klatt said. “They built the entire schematics around him.” Downs is coming off a strong junior season with the Buckeyes, recording 68 total tackles, 45 of them solo, along with two interceptions. He also forced two fumbles and added a sack, showcasing his versatility all over the field. His production and range only reinforced his reputation as one of the most instinctive defensive backs in the country, consistently impacting games in multiple phases. “He can line up anywhere but then play any position from any part of the field, very similar to Reed,” Klatt said. “That’s something that Caleb can do and that disguise aspect of his game, I think, is highly valuable.” For NFL teams looking for a modern defensive chess piece, Downs may be as close to a sure thing as this draft class offers.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Mets reliever Luke Weaver got Byron Buxton swinging at a changeup expertly placed below the zone to end Wednesday’s game and immediately looked toward the sky, as if his prayers had finally been answered. At least for one night, all of Queens could finally exhale. More than two weeks after beating Arizona to move to 7-4, the Mets finally got their eighth win of the season. The 12-game losing streak, the team’s longest since 2002, was finally over. But the malaise continues for another supposed National League East contender. Philadelphia now holds the longest active losing streak in Major League Baseball, with the skid reaching nine games on Wednesday. The Phillies now have an abysmal 8-17 record and have a minus-50 run differential, by far the worst mark in MLB. The Phillies share the dubious distinction of sharing the worst record in baseball with the Royals (8-17), a team many expected to contend for an AL Central title. Meanwhile, things haven’t started much better for the Boston Red Sox, who are 9-15; or the defending AL champion Toronto Blue Jays, who are 10-14; or the Houston Astros, who are 10-16 and in last place in the AL West; or the Mariners, who are 11-15 after coming one game away from reaching the World Series last year. So, what exactly is going on with the slow starts for these playoff hopefuls? And what hope do they have of turning things around the rest of the way? Let’s dig in. JUMP TO: NYM | PHL | HOU | KC | BOS | TOR | SEA New York Mets (8-16, 4th in NL East) Preseason playoff odds (FanGraphs): 79.5% Current playoff odds: 42.3% Biggest issue: The offense Mets pitchers had a 5.64 ERA during the losing streak, starters Kodai Senga and David Peterson are a combined 0-6 with a 6.86 ERA this year and uncharacteristic defensive lapses from veteran Francisco Lindor haven’t helped matters, but the lack of hitting from a team with the second-highest payroll in the sport has been the biggest culprit for the team’s downturn. The Mets have scored the fewest runs and logged the lowest on-base percentage in the sport, and they have the worst slugging percentage in the National League. Among the nine Mets players with at least 50 plate appearances this year, Francisco Alvarez is the only one hitting above league average. That’s not what president of baseball operations David Stearns expected when he paid top dollar to reshape the roster this winter. Speaking of…. Another problem: The new guys Bo Bichette, who just signed a three-year, $126 million deal to bring offense and bat-to-ball skills to the hot corner in Queens, has a .545 OPS. Jorge Polanco, who played a vital role in helping the Mariners reach the ALCS for the first time in 24 years last season, has a .532 OPS and is already on the injured list. Marcus Semien, who was already showing offensive decline the last two years in Texas, has a .600 OPS. If that wasn’t bad enough, the player Semien was traded for, Brandon Nimmo, is now leading the Rangers in hits and on-base percentage. The Mets called up prospect Carson Benge to start in the outfield, and he has the second-lowest wRC+ among all qualified MLB hitters this year. Luis Robert Jr. has looked the best of the team’s newcomers, but his .666 OPS is still below league average and hardly enough to make up for the club’s many offensive shortcomings. Making matters worse, the club’s new closer, Devin Williams, is 0-1 with a 9.95 ERA. His “airbender” changeup has gotten hit troublingly hard — opponents are batting .467 against the pitch. Williams had a chance to end the Mets’ skid four days ago, but he blew a 1-0 lead in the ninth inning against the Cubs. His next time out, he suffered the loss Tuesday night when the Twins jumped on him in a tie game in the ninth. When the Mets finally snapped the losing streak Wednesday, it was Weaver who was called upon for the save. What hope is there: Juan Soto is back. The Mets were 4-4 and had a .705 team OPS when Soto suffered a calf injury on April 3. In the nearly three weeks without him, the offense tallied a .566 OPS, by far the worst in baseball during that stretch. Soto returned, and the losing streak was immediately snapped. They’re now 5-4 when he’s in the lineup. The problem? They also lost Lindor to a calf issue in Tuesday’s win. He’s due for an MRI at a time when the Mets badly need their offensive stars to get on a roll. Philadelphia Phillies (8-17, 5th in NL East) Preseason playoff odds (FanGraphs): 68.3% Current playoff odds: 37.1% Biggest issue: Lineup depth Kyle Schwarber has eight home runs, tied for the fifth-most in MLB. Bryce Harper has an .861 OPS and is hitting 35% better than league average, right in line with his norms. Behind the team’s top two sluggers, though, it’s bleak. The right-handed hitters in the lineup have a combined .584 OPS, tied for the worst mark in MLB. Relatedly, as a team the Phillies rank last in every slash line category against left-handed pitchers (.178/.264/.282). Overall, the Phillies are 29th in batting average, 28th in on-base percentage and runs scored and 27th in slugging, a steep dropoff for a team that ranked fourth in OPS last season. Alec Bohm is the worst qualified hitter in baseball by wRC+. Veterans Trea Turner, Bryson Stott and Adolis Garcîa have also been well below league-average hitters. Things have gotten bad enough that rookie Felix Reyes was batting clean-up against Shota Imanaga and the Cubs on Tuesday. Rookie Justin Crawford has been a bright spot in a disappointing lineup, but the decision to primarily run it back with the same nucleus does not look especially prudent right now. Another problem: The starting pitching You don’t get the worst run differential in MLB simply by having an underperforming offense. The Phillies also rank 27th in ERA. The starters have been particularly underwhelming, producing a 5.37 ERA that ranks 28th in MLB, a 1.58 WHIP that ranks 29th and a .300 opponents’ batting average, which is the worst in baseball. Cristopher Sanchez is the only Phillies starter with an ERA under 4.40. What hope is there: The starting pitching should get better, and the obscene batting averages on balls in play should start to regress to the mean. Phillies hitters have the third-lowest BABIP in MLB, but even more staggering is the .357 BABIP that Phillies pitchers are surrendering, by far the highest mark in MLB. It’s even more surprising to see that considering Phillies pitchers have actually surrendered the lowest hard-hit rate in MLB. Phillies pitchers also have the biggest difference between expected batting average allowed (.242) and actual batting average (.278) in MLB. Jesus Luzardo has an unseemly 6.91 ERA, but the underlying numbers suggest better days ahead. And, most importantly, Zack Wheeler is expected back this weekend. Houston Astros (10-16, 5th in AL West) Preseason playoff odds (FanGraphs): 33.5% Current playoff odds: 19.7% Biggest issue: The pitching — across the board Their starters have the worst ERA in the American League (5.86). But at least their relievers…uhhh, have the second-worst ERA in the AL (5.75). Unsurprisingly, the result is the worst team ERA in MLB (5.81). Houston pitchers have a 1.63 WHIP that is by far the worst mark in MLB (and even worse than last year’s Rockies pitchers). They’ve allowed the third-most hits, the second-most homers and the most walks — by far — in MLB. Not an ideal recipe for success. Another problem: So many injuries So, why is the pitching performing so poorly? Start with the injured list. The Astros have 16 players on the IL, the most in MLB. Ten of those players are pitchers, including three of their top starters in staff ace Hunter Brown, Cristian Javier and NPB standout Tatsuya Imai, their biggest signing of the offseason. The IL also includes six-time All-Star Josh Hader and starting shortstop Jeremy Peña, masking the team’s peculiar and seemingly incongruous roster construction that included more infielders than spots available. Right now, that’s a problem for another day, but the offseason moves look inauspicious in the early going. The Astros parted with two of their top prospects to acquire Mike Burrows from Pittsburgh; and he has a 6.75 ERA through five starts. Imai had a 7.27 ERA with nearly as many walks (11) as strikeouts (13) in his 8.2 innings before being sidelined with arm fatigue. The Astros also signed KBO standout Ryan Weiss, who has a 6.50 ERA. Bryan Abreu, who was expected to be the closer with Hader sidelined, is 0-2 with a 14.73 ERA. What hope is there: Yordan Alvarez is healthy and looks like the best hitter in baseball again. Alvarez leads the majors in nearly every offensive category, including hits, homers, RBI, on-base percentage and slugging. He’s leading an Astros offense that has been one of the best in MLB, a group that has seen much better production this year from a number of contributors, including Christian Walker (.863 OPS) and Cam Smith (.722). The offense will need to carry the group until the Astros’ injured pitchers can return, but Spencer Arrighetti (2-0, 2.45 ERA) and Peter Lambert (1-1, 3.27) have helped lift the rotation. And, like with the Phillies, the expected stats on the Astros’ pitching staff are better than what’s happening in reality. Houston’s .444 slugging percentage allowed, for example, is 56 points higher than the expected slugging percentage. That’s the largest margin in MLB. Opponents’ .324 BABIP against Houston is the second-highest mark in MLB, behind only the Phillies, suggesting some unluckiness thus far. Kansas City Royals (8-17, 5th in AL Central) Preseason playoff odds (FanGraphs): 44.7%Current playoff odds: 19.7% Biggest issue: The stars haven’t gotten going Among the team’s many issues to start the season, the Royals aren’t going to do much when Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia are league-average hitters, when 2024 All-Star Cole Ragans has a 6.00 ERA and when Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez each has an OPS that starts with a “5.” Witt still hasn’t homered, Pasquantino’s hitting .160 and Perez has the fifth-lowest wRC+ of any qualified MLB hitter. Jac Caglianone hasn’t been able to make up for the power outages elsewhere, hitting just one home run so far, and offseason additions Isaac Collins (.519 OPS) and Lane Thomas (.555) haven’t fixed the club’s perennial outfield production issues. As a team, the Royals rank 25th in OPS and have struggled to produce with scoring opportunities; their .549 OPS with runners in scoring position is the worst mark in MLB. Another problem: The bullpen The Royals rank 25th overall in team ERA, and the primary reason for that is a bullpen that is 2-8 with an MLB-worst 6.29 ERA (for context, the worst bullpen ERA last season belonged to the Nationals at 5.59). Kansas City’s relievers have converted just seven of their 13 save opportunities, and two-time All-Star Carlos Estévez has spent most of the year on the IL after his velocity was way down in one blow-up outing to start the season. Alex Lange, who has thrown more innings than any Kansas City reliever, is 0-2 with a 7.59 ERA. Lucas Erceg, who has filled in as the primary closer, has converted just five of his seven save opportunities and has an ERA over 5.00. So does Matt Strahm, one of their biggest offseason additions. What hope is there: It’s hard to envision Witt, Garcia, Pasquantino and Perez all performing below expectation long-term. Rookie Carter Jensen has been the team’s best hitter, and if he can keep that up once the rest of the group warms up, the offense should be in better shape. In addition, Seth Lugo (1.15 ERA) is still getting it done, and Michael Wacha had been great until his last start. Boston Red Sox (9-15, 5th in AL East) Preseason playoff odds (FanGraphs): 61.2%Current playoff odds: 36.2% Biggest issue: Lack of power at the plate The Red Sox are last in MLB in slugging percentage, expected slugging percentage and home runs, and they have the lowest OPS in the American League. They’ve been too passive at the plate — they’re 29th in zone swing percentage — and that’s especially been a problem for Roman Anthony, who has the fourth-lowest zone swing % in MLB. Anthony, who hit 42% better than league average as a rookie last year and started for Team USA in the WBC, has been a league average hitter this year and has just one home run and four RBI, and he’s now dealing with back tightness. Jarren Duran, a 2024 All-Star, is slashing .194/.266/.306, all career lows. After inexplicably failing to bring back Alex Bregman, Boston third basemen rank 29th in OPS. Caleb Durbin (.147/.238/.213) has been the worst qualified hitter in the AL by wRC+. Their shortstops aren’t much better at 27th, and Trevor Story (.192/.226/.303) has been the sixth-worst hitter in MLB by wRC+. Both are playing below replacement level this year. Another problem: The starting pitching Alex Cora put it simply: “For us to go to where we want to go, we have to pitch.” Boston’s rotation was viewed as one of the deepest in the game this year after adding Sonny Gray and Ranger Suárez, and so far it hasn’t performed anywhere close to expectations. Red Sox starters rank 26th in ERA and 24th in WHIP and batting average against. Gray has the lowest strikeout rate of his career and is now out with a hamstring strain. Suárez has also seen his strikeout rate decline precipitously, and the master of soft contact is allowing the highest hard-hit rate of his career. Brayan Bello has an ERA over 6.00. Most glaringly, though, Cy Young hopeful Garrett Crochet has a 7.88 ERA through five starts. And to make matters worse, Kutter Crawford and Patrick Sandoval, who were on the rehab trail, are both currently shut down. What hope is there: The rotation is too deep and too talented for this to continue all year. Unless he’s seriously hurt, you have to expect Crochet to pick it back up soon. Suárez had two terrific starts before allowing four runs to the Yankees on Wednesday. The Red Sox are getting some more help with talented lefty Payton Tolle getting called up, and 24-year-old Connelly Early has been productive in the early going aside from allowing too many free passes. And at the plate, Willson Contreras has given the Red Sox everything they could have asked for, providing them a ton more value at first base than they had last season. Toronto Blue Jays (10-14, 4th in AL East) Preseason playoff odds (FanGraphs): 53%Current playoff odds: 37.4% Biggest issue: Injuries A year after basically everything went right in Toronto, nearly everything has gone wrong to start the 2026 campaign. Most obviously, many of the players they’re expecting to count on aren’t available. You could field a competitive rotation from the Blue Jays’ injured list. Rotation depth wasn’t supposed to be an issue after Toronto signed Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce this winter, but while the former has given everything the Blue Jays could have expected, the latter is now likely out for the year after undergoing ACL surgery. Shane Bieber, José Berríos, Bowden Francis and 2025 breakout star Trey Yesavage are also among the many starters the Blue Jays have been without to start the 2026 campaign. The injury bug has also bitten the position player side, as George Springer, Alejandro Kirk, Addison Barger and Anthony Santander are all also on the shelf. Another problem: Offensive regression You can’t blame all of the problems on injuries. Bo Bichette is gone, and the offensive players on the shelf had all regressed before going to the IL. Springer, after a resurgent age-35 season last year in which he finished seventh in MVP voting, was hitting .185 before going on the IL. Barger, coming off last year’s breakout, started the 2026 season 1-for-19. Kirk was hitting .150 through his first five games, and offseason addition Kazuma Okamoto has been a well below league-average hitter so far. The Blue Jays ranked first in on-base percentage and third in OPS last season; they currently rank 19th and 20th, respectively, in those categories. What hope is there: This is mostly a matter of getting healthy. Yesavage, Berríos, Springer and Barger are all expected back soon. Kirk and Bieber could be back next month. Cease has given the Blue Jays everything they could have envisioned when they gave him a $210 million contract, and Gausman has 35 strikeouts and just six walks in 28.1 innings. In addition, while the offense hasn’t performed nearly to the level it did last year, this is still one of the better teams in baseball at getting the bat on the ball. They may regret not doing more on the offensive side this winter, though. Seattle Mariners (11-15, 4th in AL East) Preseason playoff odds (FanGraphs): 80.9%Current playoff odds: 70.3% Biggest issue: Slow start for the stars The Mariners aren’t going to be successful when Cal Raleigh (93 wRC+), Julio Rodriguez (94) and Josh Naylor (61) are below-league-average hitters, Logan Gilbert and Luis Castillo are a combined 1-4 with a 4.63 ERA and closer Andrés Munoz has an ERA that starts with an “8”. Another problem: High whiffs, low slug The Mariners have the lowest zone contact rate in MLB and are tied for the second-most strikeouts, a problem that has plagued them in the past. That issue can be mitigated when the Mariners are slugging and homering the way they did last year, but they haven’t done that to this point. They rank 16th in home runs and 23rd in slugging, behind the Brewers and Guardians, and have struggled to convert when presented opportunities. They have a .210 batting average with runners in scoring position (27th in MLB). What hope is there: This is the team I’m least concerned about on this list, and the FanGraphs playoff odds reflect the same belief (playing in the AL West helps there, too). There has been some unluckiness to the lack of power — the Mariners are 11th in expected slugging percentage and ninth in barrel rate — and the big bats are starting to finally get going. Raleigh, who had two homers in his first 23 games, has homered in each of his last three games. Rodriguez is notorious for slow starts, and he entered Thursday on a seven-game hitting streak. Naylor had an abysmal start to the year, slashing .118/.193/.197 through his first 19 games, but has nine hits in his last 17 at-bats. The team’s overall whiff rate remains a problem, but it was an issue last year too and didn’t stop the Mariners from nearly making a run to the World Series. Brendan Donovan was off to an electric start before straining his groin, and he isn’t expected to be out long term, and top prospect Colt Emerson should help the offense at some point.  This should still be one of the best rotations in MLB, Emerson Hancock has looked terrific, and Bryce Miller will eventually be back to assist the rotation. In addition, while Muñoz has gotten hit hard, his velocity has held up, and he’s still generating a ton of whiffs. No reason to panic just yet.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

It’s time for all of us to put our pencils down on our previews for the 2026 NFL Draft. After many days, weeks, months and even years of mock drafts, the 2026 draft has arrived. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza will almost certainly hear his name called when the Las Vegas Raiders make the No. 1 overall pick, but after that, it seems like anyone’s guess as to what might happen. What we do know, though, is that all 32 teams have at least one pick in the first two rounds entering draft night. How should every team use those top selections? We determined the top needs for each time, while our draft expert, Rob Rang, mapped out how the first 64 picks should go in his most recent mock draft. So, let’s dive in and share how we think each team should attack the 2026 NFL Draft. Team needs: QB, DL, OL, RB Eric D. Williams: The Cardinals moved on from Kyler Murray. Last year’s starter, Jacoby Brissett, remains on the roster and Arizona signed Gardner Minshew in free agency. However, those two journeymen are considered stop gaps, with most NFL observers believing new head coach Mike LaFleur could be eying Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson as the team’s quarterback of the future with a Day 1 or early Day 2 pick. Although incumbent starter James Conner reworked his contract to stay on the roster and the Cardinals signed Tyler Allgeier in free agency, Arizona still could look to add a player who some consider the best in this year’s draft in Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love at No. 3 if they do not trade down. With four straight losing seasons, the Cardinals are in desperate need of some sizzle on their roster. The Cardinals averaged 93 rushing yards a contest last season, which was 31st in the NFL. Mock selection: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame (No. 3 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 3Round 2: 34Round 3: 65Round 4: 104Round 5: 143Round 6: 183Round 7: 217 Team needs: LB, WR, OLB Greg Auman: Atlanta gave up its first-round pick last year to get outside linebacker James Pearce, whose off-field issues could create another positional need. Losing linebacker Kaden Elliss to the Saints, Atlanta could use an upgrade in his replacement, like Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez, though the Bucs could grab him two spots earlier in the second round. Receiver depth still needs help, as does the defensive front, ranking in the NFL’s bottom 10 against the run. That starts inside, but they could take an edge if they think Pearce is lost to a significant suspension. Jake Matthews is 34, so if it’s possible to line up a successor at tackle, that would make sense. Mock selection: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia (No. 48 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 2: 48Round 3: 79Round 4: 122Round 6: 215Round 7: 231 Team needs: OL, WR, TE Ben Arthur: The team that Jesse Minter inherited from John Harbaugh is stacked, especially with the return of QB Lamar Jackson and the addition of edge rusher Trey Hendrickson. But the loss of center Tyler Linderbaum is huge and the Ravens need to beef up their offensive line to protect Jackson and power their run game. They could also use more weapons for Jackson, including a No. 2 receiver and a tight end to replace the departed Isaiah Likely. And they’re not looking for developmental players either. They are good enough to make a run at the Super Bowl, so at least in the first few rounds, they need players who can plug holes right now. Mock selection: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon (No. 14 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 14Round 2: 45Round 3: 80Round 4: 115Round 5: 154, 162, 173, 174 Round 6: 211Round 7: 250, 253 Team needs: Edge, LB, WR, CB Henry McKenna: Often, when a team hires an offensive-minded head coach like Joe Brady, the general manager’s first inclination is to equip that coach with the tools and weapons on that side of the ball. I doubt that’s what’s going to happen for Buffalo in the draft, in part because the Bills already used their second-rounder to get D.J. Moore, one of Brady’s guys from their Carolina days. Instead, this should be a defensive-focused draft from Buffalo to help newcomer, defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard, make the most of a unit that appears sorely lacking in talent. Mock selection: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State (No. 26 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 26Round 3: 91Round 4: 126Round 5: 165, 168Round 6: 182Round 7: 220 Team needs: S, WR, OT Auman: Carolina aggressively upgraded its defensive front by giving huge contracts to edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. Is finding a starting safety the next step in that effort? That’s the obvious spot on defense, perhaps at 19 with a player like Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman. Tackle is tricky with Ikem Ekwonu sidelined and Rasheed Walker just a one-year stopgap for now. They can do better than Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders at tight end, and as much as they’ve invested at receiver, they had only four pass plays of 40-plus yards last season, showing a need for speed to add to the downfield arsenal. Mock selection: Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama (No. 19 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 19Round 2: 51Round 3: 83Round 4: 119Round 5: 158, 159Round 6: 200 Team needs: S, Edge, C, OT McKenna: Last year, the Bears got the right players in place for coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams to thrive. I think we’ll see those guys continue to trend upward, particularly if general manager Ryan Poles can find offensive line depth in the draft. But the primary focus for this year’s draft will likely be to get the right players — talents that fit defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s scheme. That’s where the emphasis will land for Poles in Year 2 of this new era. Mock selection: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson (No. 25 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 25Round 2: 57, 60Round 3: 89Round 4: 129Round 7: 239, 241 Team needs: DL, DB, WR Arthur: The Bengals traded for three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, but that shouldn’t preclude them from adding to the D-line. They have four defensive tackles who are at least 28 years old near the top of the depth chart, while they’re also lacking a true No. 1 edge rusher. The secondary should be addressed, too. At safety, Jordan Battle is set to be an unrestricted free agent next offseason and veteran Bryan Cook has no guaranteed salary after 2026. The Bengals could also use a Day 1 starter at nickel and must be cognizant of their future at outside cornerback, where both Dax Hill and DJ Turner are set to hit free agency in 2027. At wide receiver, Andrei Iosivas is entering the last year of his rookie contract. With two players at the position making big money (Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins), Cincinnati could be eyeing a WR3 for 2027 and beyond. Mock selection: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson (No. 41 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 2: 41Round 3: 72Round 4: 110Round 6: 189, 199Round 7: 221, 226 Team needs: OT, QB, WR, Edge McKenna: It’s a sad situation in Cleveland where they need good players at every one of the premium positions, where it’s hardest to get good players. Quarterback might be a need, but they aren’t likely to address it. They should focus on hitting every premium position that’s not QB in hopes that when their selection rolls around in 2027, they can draft a young signal-caller and support him in ways that they haven’t done (sustainably) since Bernie Kosar. Mock selection: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah (No. 6 overall pick), Denzel Boston, WR, Washington (No. 24 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 6, 24Round 2: 39Round 3: 70Round 4: 107Round 5: 146, 149Round 6: 206Round 7: 248 Team needs: Edge, LB, CB Arthur: The Cowboys had the league’s worst scoring defense last season (30.1 points allowed per game), so they need help everywhere for a unit that brings in a first-time coordinator in Christian Parker. Dallas traded for Rashan Gary in March, but it still needs a true No. 1 edge rusher. At cornerback, there are injury concerns with DaRon Bland and second-year pro Shavon Revel Jr., while veteran acquisition Cobie Durant didn’t receive starter money in free agency. The Cowboys’ off-ball linebacker spot is also very thin. DeMarvion Overshown, who missed 15 games over the last season, is a projected starter alongside 2025 fifth-rounder Shemar James. Mock selection: Rueben Bain, Edge, Miami (Fla.) (No. 12 overall pick), Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee (No. 20 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 12, 20Round 3: 92Round 4: 112Round 5: 152, 177, 180Round 7: 218 Team needs: LB, TE, DL Auman: Denver lost its first- and third-round picks in acquiring receiver Jaylen Waddle from the Dolphins, and three of their seven picks are in the final 12 picks overall, so there’s less to work with than any other team in the league. Alex Singleton is 32, so addressing linebacker could be a priority for their lone top-100 pick. Evan Engram has two touchdowns total in the last two years, so a mid-round tight end would be smart. Defensive tackle John Franklin-Myers got $21 million a year from the Titans, so putting one of those fourth-rounders to bolster the interior defensive front is a must. Mock selection: Max Klare, TE, Ohio State (No. 62 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 2: 62Round 4: 108, 111Round 5: 170Round 7: 246, 256, 257 Team needs: OL, Edge, CB Arthur: Priority No. 1 for the Lions should be remaking their offensive line. They need a new left tackle following Taylor Deck’s release, and the interior offensive line — particularly left guard and center — could use depth. All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell is an option to flip to the left side, but Detroit would need to find a reliable replacement at right tackle. Defensively, the Lions need a No. 2 edge rusher to pair with Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson — veteran Al-Quadin Muhammad (11 sacks in 2025) departed in free agency — and insurance at cornerback, where starters Terrion Arnold and D.J. Reed missed a combined 15 games last season. Mock selection: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia (No. 17 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 17 Round 2: 50Round 4: 118, 128Round 5: 157, 181Round 6: 205, 213Round 7: 222 Team needs: Edge, CB, OL, DT McKenna: The Packers have a well-built roster, with a few Achilles heels. So it will be interesting to see whether they draft to plug the obvious holes. They traded away Rashan Gary, which opened up a starting spot on their defensive line. It also wouldn’t hurt to snag a starting-caliber CB. However, given that their first selection falls in the second round, I’m not sure they’ll be able to find an immediate starter at either spot in this year’s draft. Mock selection: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee (No. 52 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 2: 52Round 3: 84Round 4: 120Round 5: 153, 160Round 6: 201Round 7: 236, 255 Team needs: G, DT, OLB Auman: Few NFL offensive lines have undergone — or needed — more overhaul than Houston’s in the last two years, and that’s an ongoing process. The Texans have four picks in the top 70, thanks to deals last year for Laremy Tunsil and when the Giants moved up for Jaxson Dart. At 28, they might be able to get the second guard off the board, and as much as they’ve committed financially to Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, they can still add young depth so they don’t have to play their elite edges too much. Defensive tackle would be smart for the 38th pick, keeping the defensive interior strong. Lots of assets for a team already loaded with talent, so it’s possible they try to land some 2027 draft capital as well. Mock selection: Keylan Rutledge, OL, Georgia Tech (No. 28 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 28Round 2: 38, 59Round 3: 69Round 4: 106Round 5: 141, 167Round 7: 243 Team needs: Edge, LB, S, WR, OT Arthur: The Colts need a three-down edge rusher that can be paired with Laiatu Latu, a need that only became reinforced with Kwity Paye’s departure in free agency. Lou Anarumo’s defense is also very thin at linebacker — Akeem Davis-Gaither and Austin Ajiake are currently the projected starters — and needs a safety replacement for Nick Cross, who signed with the Commanders in free agency. At wide receiver, not only is there a hole after trading Michael Pittman Jr., but general manager Chris Ballard revealed this week that new No. 1 option Alec Pierce could miss three months because of ankle surgery. Indy could also use a third offensive tackle behind Bernhard Raimann and Jalen Travis following Braden Smith’s departure in free agency. Mock selection: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech (No. 47 overall) Draft picks: Round 2: 47Round 3: 78Round 4: 113Round 5: 156Round 6: 214Round 7: 249, 254 Team needs: OLB, DT, TE Auman: Jacksonville gave up its first-round pick to the Browns in moving up from 5 to 2 to get corner Travis Hunter in last year’s draft. They do have four picks between 56 and 100, including two extra third-rounders gained in trading down during last year’s third round. With 11 overall picks, some consolidation (moving up) would make sense – they lack depth at edge behind two well-paid starters in Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen, and could use help on the interior even after acquiring Ruke Orhorhoro from Atlanta. An inside linebacker to challenge Ventrell Miller would be smart after losing Devin Lloyd in free agency, as well as a second tight end to pair with Brenton Strange. Mock selection: Gennings Dunker, G, Iowa (No. 56 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 2: 56Round 3: 81, 88, 100Round 4: 124Round 5: 164, 166Round 6: 203Round 7: 233, 240, 245 Team needs: CB, Edge, OT, WR McKenna: It’s weird to see the Chiefs picking in the top 10 — and twice in the first round. But it’s a good thing for KC, which has seen its talent depth erode steadily over the last few years. Their secondary seems lacking in high-end starting talent, particularly after trading away Trent McDuffie. And then their offense was brutal last year, as they continue investing in receiver and tackle while getting disappointing returns. Mock selection: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU (No. 9 overall pick), Akheem Mesidor, DL, Miami (Fla.) (No. 29 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 9, 29Round 2: 40Round 3: 74Round 4: 109Round 5: 148, 169, 176Round 6: 210 Team needs: QB, WR, DL, DB Williams: The Raiders will draft Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick, solving their need for a long-term answer at quarterback. General manager John Spytek also improved the roster in free agency, with the addition of a mentor for Mendoza in veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, center Tyler Linderbaum, receiver Jalon Nailor and linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean. However, the Raiders had a handful of receivers in for pre-draft visits and could be looking to add another playmaker on the perimeter for Mendoza through the draft. Las Vegas kept one of the top pass rushers in the game after the Baltimore Ravens rescinded the Maxx Crosby trade, but the Raiders need an interior defensive lineman to help push the pocket and stop the run. Along with that, new defensive coordinator Rob Leonard could use a couple more athletic bodies in the secondary. Mock selection: Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (No. 1 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 1Round 2: 36Round 3: 67Round 4: 102, 117, 134Round 5: 175Round 6: 185, 208Round 7: 219 Team needs: OL, DL, CB, WR Williams: Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz says protecting Justin Herbert is the team’s top priority this offseason after the Oregon product took the most hits of any quarterback last season. The Chargers addressed that issue by bringing in new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, along with signing center Tyler Biadasz, offensive guard Cole Strange, tight end Charlie Kolar and fullback Alec Ingold in free agency. Hortiz expects to continue that effort by drafting an interior offensive lineman early to pair with bookend offensive Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt returning from season-ending leg injuries. The Chargers also could use another playmaker on the perimeter, along with defensive help at edge rusher and cornerback, to help new defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary. He replaces defensive guru Jesse Minter, who left to take the head coaching job with the Baltimore Ravens. Mock selection: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State (No. 22 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 22Round 2: 55Round 3: 86Round 4: 123Round 6: 204 Team needs: WR, OL, LB Williams: The Rams have not been this high up in the draft since selecting Jared Goff No. 1 overall in the 2016 draft. Los Angeles already made big moves this offseason, trading the team’s other first-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for cornerback Trent McDuffie and signing his teammate Jaylen Watson to a lucrative deal in free agency. The Rams also were close to consummating a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for A.J. Brown, so head coach Sean McVay taking a receiver early makes sense. The Rams could also add depth up front on the offensive and defensive lines, along with an athletic linebacker for this team looking to return to the Super Bowl, hosted in their home facility at SoFi Stadium this season. Mock selection: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M (No. 13 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 13Round 2: 61Round 3: 93Round 6: 207Round 7: 232, 251, 252 Team needs: WR, CB, OLB Auman: Miami has seven picks in the top 100, but there are glaring needs from veterans jettisoned for those bonus picks in the past year. New coach, new GM, and a chance to start rebranding the franchise. Losing Jaylen Waddle (and not re-signing Tyreek Hill) makes receiver a strong need and a good match at No. 11 overall. Losing Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb makes edge a priority as well. Can you name a starting Dolphins defensive back? Putting multiple second-day picks into the secondary will help as well, with the back end getting completely retooled. There’s much work to be done for Jeff Hafley’s first season, but the draft can be a huge first step in the right direction. Mock selection: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State (No. 11 overall pick), Treydan Dukes, DB, Arizona (No. 30 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 11, 30Round 2: 43Round 3: 75, 87, 90, 94Round 4: 130Round 5: 151Round 7: 227, 238 Team needs: C, S, WR, Edge, TE, OT Arthur: Ryan Kelly’s retirement leaves Minnesota with a hole at center. Elsewhere on offense, the Vikings need a new WR3 — Jalen Nailor signed with the Raiders — and tight end and offensive tackle are worthy of taking a long-term outlook. TJ Hockenson is entering the year of his deal, while insurance is needed behind left tackle Christian Darrisaw (injury concerns) and right tackle Brian O’Neill (entering the last year of his contract). Harrison Smith hasn’t decided if he’s returning yet, but even if he does, he’ll be 37 and the Vikings will need a young, starting-caliber safety for Brian Flores’ defense. Edge becomes a need if veteran Jonathan Greenard gets traded. Mock selection: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon (No. 18 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 18Round 2: 49Round 3: 82, 97Round 5: 163Round 6: 196Round 7: 234, 235, 244 Team needs: Edge, LB, TE, OT McKenna: The Patriots still need help rushing the passer — and all over their front seven. Injuries depleted their defense last year, and they weren’t deep enough to deal with injuries to Harold Landry and Robert Spillane. So it would help to get younger there. But Drake Maye began to regress in the Patriots’ playoff run, and New England would be smart to give him more support — maybe with a young tackle or with a tight end (or both). Mock selection: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State (No. 31 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 31Round 2: 63Round 3: 95Round 4: 125, 131Round 5: 171Round 6: 191, 198, 202, 212Round 7: 247 Team needs: WR, edge, CB Auman: The Saints finished 2025 with four wins in their last five games, and despite the positivity surrounding QB Tyler Shough, there are still needs on both sides of the ball. Finding a solid receiver to complement Chris Olave is a must, and they’re well-positioned at No. 8 to perhaps get the second receiver off the board. They’ve struggled to draft an edge rusher despite multiple high-round picks, and the secondary needs replenishing after losing Alontae Taylor in free agency. Two picks were acquired from Seattle for wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, so a second receiver with an eye on returns wouldn’t be a bad idea. Mock selection: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State (No. 8 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 8Round 2: 42Round 3: 73Round 4: 132, 136Round 5: 150, 172Round 6: 190 Team needs: DB, DT, G, WR Vacchiano: The Giants have a lot of holes to plug, particularly on a defense that was bad before they traded away defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. John Harbaugh believes he can make his new team competitive, and maybe a contender, if he can get some playmakers on that side of the ball. And really, they can pick any position except edge rusher, where they have plenty of depth. They’re in better shape on offense, but they always need offensive line help, and maybe a second receiver. With two top-10 picks and three in the top 40, they’re in position to get a lot of instant help. Mock selection: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State (No. 5 overall pick), Francis Mauigoa, OL, Miami (Fla.) (No. 10 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 5, 10Round 2: 37Round 4: 105Round 5: 145Round 6: 186, 192, 193 Team needs: QB, WR, Edge Vacchiano: What don’t the Jets need, really? With their best defensive players traded away, they’re thin at every position except maybe running back and tackle. They did a nice job of re-stocking their defense in free agency, so outside of an edge rusher (which they’ll likely get at No. 2), they can focus their attention on offense. What they really need is a quarterback, but it’s unlikely they’ll get more than a developmental one on Day 3. For now, their focus will be on a starting receiver for their offense and that edge rusher. After that, it’s wide open because every pick will fill some sort of hole. Mock selection: David Bailey, Edge, Texas Tech (No. 2 overall pick), Keldric Faulk, DL, Auburn (No. 16 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 2, 16Round 2: 33, 44Round 4: 103, 140Round 5: 179Round 7: 228, 242 Team needs: Edge, OL, TE Vacchiano: Despite their disappointing season, the Eagles are still loaded for a Super Bowl run. They just need to get back to what got them to the Super Bowl in two of the last four years — dominance in the trenches. They need more strength on the offensive line, particularly on the interior. And they need an edge rusher to replace the departed Jaelen Phillips. Filling those two needs makes them an instant championship contender. One other thing to watch, though: If they trade A.J. Brown — and they might — receiver will become a sneaky need, though a tight end to eventually replace the aging Dallas Goedert is a bigger priority. Mock selection: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo (No. 23 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 23Round 2: 54Round 3: 68, 98Round 4: 114, 137Round 5: 178Round 6: 197 Team needs: QB, WR, G, S Vacchiano: Assuming 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers eventually decides to play, then the Steelers have a quarterback for this season, but they still don’t have one for the future. Unfortunately for them, that likely will have to wait until 2027. For now, they need to get Rodgers another weapon to join DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. in Mike McCarthy’s pass-heavy offense. They could use interior offensive line help to keep Rodgers protected too. They need players who are ready to play, at least from the first three rounds, because with a quarterback that old, they’re not building for the future yet. They’re trying to make one more playoff, and maybe even a championship run. Mock selection: Makai Lemon, WR, USC (No. 23 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 21Round 2: 53Round 3: 76, 85, 99Round 4: 121, 135Round 5: 161Round 6: 216Round 7: 224, 230, 237 Team needs: WR, DE, S, OL Williams: The 49ers added veteran pass catchers in Mike Evans and Christian Kirk in free agency, but could use a young receiver to groom as a big-bodied, long-term target on the perimeter for Brock Purdy. San Francisco also needs an eventual replacement at left tackle for Trent Williams, who turns 38 in July. Defensively, new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris could use some pass rush help up front, with Nick Bosa and last year’s first-round pick Mykel Williams recovering from season-ending knee injuries. Along with edge rusher, San Francisco could use a playmaking safety to upgrade the defensive secondary. Mock selection: Malachi Lawrence, Edge, UCF (No. 27 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 27Round 2: 58Round 4: 127, 133, 138, 139 Team needs: CB, RB, DE, OL Williams: The defending champs lost Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to the Chiefs in free agency. And while they signed former Green Bay Packer running back Emanuel Wilson in free agency and have starter Zach Charbonnet returning from a season-ending knee injury, the Seahawks would like to add another dynamic playmaker early in the draft to the running back room. With defensive backs Riq Woolen and Coby Bryant also departing in free agency, adding reinforcements to the secondary should be a priority for general manager John Schneider. Finally, head coach Mike Macdonald could always use another pass rusher, so expect Seattle to scour the draft for a pass rush specialist. Mock selection: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame (No. 32 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 32Round 2: 64Round 3: 96Round 6: 188 Team needs: OLB, LB, TE Auman: Tampa Bay’s draft is just their original seven picks, with nary a trade, though it’s very possible that changes if they trade down from 15, not seeing an obvious match at edge or linebacker. Those two are the most glaring positional needs, and positions they’ve struggled to draft in recent years. Losing Mike Evans on offense is tough, but they used their top pick last year on Emeka Egbuka, so a pass-catching tight end is the more likely offensive replacement, perhaps on the second day of the draft. They invested in Zyon McCollum and Benjamin Morrison at corner, but if they’re unsure of either, they could put another high pick into an outside corner. Mock selection: Olaivavega “Vega” Ioane, OG, Penn State (No. 15 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 15Round 2: 46Round 3: 77Round 4: 116Round 5: 155Round 6: 195Round 7: 229 Team needs: C, G, Edge, WR, ILB, S Arthur: The Titans have invested heavily in the defensive line this offseason (John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson), but they’re still a piece away on the edge for Robert Saleh’s defense. The linebacker and safety spots could use more talent and depth as well. But apart from edge rusher, Tennessee’s biggest priority should be supporting Cam Ward. The team needs starting-caliber talent at both center and right guard, while an early-round receiver would round out the pass-catching group. Mock selection: Arvell Reese, Edge, Ohio State (No. 4 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 4Round 2: 35Round 3: 66Round 4: 101Round 5: 142, 144Round 6: 184, 194Round 7: 225 Team needs: WR, CB, C Vacchiano: They are expecting instant improvement this season with a healthy Jayden Daniels, and that seems likely to happen. But it sure would be easier if they got him someone other than Terry McLaurin to catch his passes. McLaurin is incredibly reliable, but he’ll be 31 in September and coming off injuries. The Commanders really have no one else he can count on, especially with Deebo Samuel gone. They also really need someone to snap Daniels the ball, which is why they made an offseason run at free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum after letting their old center go. They have a hole at corner, too, and an edge rusher wouldn’t hurt. They also only have six draft picks this year and just two in the first two days. They’ll really have to prioritize what holes they fill. Mock selection: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State (No. 7 overall pick) Draft picks: Round 1: 7Round 3: 71Round 5: 147Round 6: 187, 209Round 7: 223​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The Tyson brothers will be 315 miles apart at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday night. And they each know exactly where the other will be at the moment the clock strikes eight. For Jaylon Tyson, his Cleveland Cavaliers will be on the court in Toronto for the opening tip of Game 3 in their playoff series against the Raptors. Jordyn Tyson, the Arizona State receiver and top NFL Draft prospect, will be with the rest of their family in the green room in Pittsburgh watching NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell take the stage to declare the 2026 draft open. It seems like bad luck that these events start at the same moment. But Jaylon sees a silver lining. “There’s a teaching moment within this, because you have to understand it’s a business that you’re about to walk into,” he told me by phone on Wednesday. “It’s your job; it’s your livelihood. So I got to take care of my job.” That’s the big brother talking — and always looking to impart wisdom in his little bro. In terms of following where Jordyn lands, Jaylon said he thinks he’ll wait until halftime, when a Cavs staffer will inform him. It’s one of the things Jordyn admires most about his brother: his professionalism. A month ago, not knowing what the NBA playoff schedule would look like, Jordyn told me that it would be “really special” if Jaylon could be there on draft night. Because Jordyn had been there for Jaylon in 2024 when the Cavaliers selected the 6-foot-6 shooting guard in Round 1 at 20th overall. “It was amazing,” Jordyn said, then growing somber. “But just to be honest, like it was messed up, because [on the TV graphics] it was like, ‘Next 15: Best available.’ He wasn’t on the next 15 when he was drafted. So just seeing people continue to just sleep on everything he’s done, everything he’s endured, everything he’s been grinding for and just people keep continuing to sleep on him. It’s just about him just continuing to prevail and prevail.” It didn’t matter that the draft broadcast wasn’t listing Jaylon when Cleveland selected him. All that mattered was that Cleveland selected him. And once all the excitement had settled down, Jaylon spoke to his little brother. “You’re up next,” Jaylon remembered saying. “Yeah, if it’s in God’s plan,” Jordyn responded. “No,” Jaylon said. “It’s going to happen.” At that time, Jordyn had yet to emerge on the college scene. He suffered a knee injury (ACL, MCL, PCL) in 2022 at Colorado. And then in 2023, after transferring to ASU, Jordyn went without a single catch in three appearances. So on Jaylon’s draft night, Jordyn’s future was uncertain. He had no real sense of what 2024 would bring. That was when Jordyn felt like he needed his brother the most. “I feel like without him, I wouldn’t be here,” Jordyn told me. “I wasn’t on the field, wasn’t competing. It was him continually just calling me to say, ‘You’re gonna be fine. You’re gonna be fine. Just keep going. Just keep working. That’s all you got to do.’ So just him constantly being in my ear, repeating kind of the same stuff.” They talk about more than just ball. In fact, those were the conversations Jordyn valued as much as the ones about sports. Because when they talked about life — from clothes to video games to something important that happened to them that day — it took Jordyn’s mind off his knee. In 2024 at ASU, Jordyn had a breakout season with 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. But then, it was Jaylon who was struggling. His first NBA season didn’t go as he had hoped. He wasn’t getting minutes with the Cavs and spent a lot of time in the G League with the Cleveland Charge. That’s when there was a role reversal that wasn’t always comfortable. “It was one of the hardest times in my athletic career — not being able to play, wanting to be out there,” Jaylon said. “[Jordyn] was there for me. He challenged me, and as big bro, I didn’t really like it at first, but I understood where it was coming from. It’s coming from a good place, and my goal was just, don’t show him any weakness, because if I showed him weakness, then how would he do when adversity came to him?” Doubt crept into Jaylon’s mind. Jordyn, who had enjoyed his breakout season at ASU, knew exactly how to tackle that feeling. “I don’t know if it helped him or not, or I don’t know how he really took it, because he’s big bro. He got to stay strong for me,” Jordyn told me. “I was like, ‘Just keep going.’ Kind of the same thing he was telling me. ‘Just keep going.’ He was doubting his play. And I was like, ‘Bro, you’re a good player. You’re a great player. And shoot, let it all play out. Just keep being you. Keep being yourself, and don’t crash out about something that you can’t control.’” Jaylon had his breakout season this year, playing in 66 games for the Cavaliers and averaging 13.2 points. As good as these brothers are to one another, they are fiercely competitive with one another. So I wondered: How will Jaylon respond if Jordyn gets picked earlier than No. 20? “That’s already done. He’s already beat me on that one,” Jaylon told me. It’s true: Everyone expects Tyson to go in the top 10 picks. But! “I always got the edge because I was the first to do everything. I was the first to go D-I, and I was the first to be a first-round pick,” Jaylon said. [Ranking and Evaluating the Top 10 Wide Receivers] There are two more things you should know about these brothers. First, if they’re competing against each other, steer clear. You might catch a stray. “Everything we did was competing. If our parents gave us $5, I’m getting $3 and you’re getting $2,” Jaylon said. “When we started getting older and we started getting stronger, our parents couldn’t let us keep fighting like we used to, because we were trying to kill each other.” And when they played football together, especially. “We were trying to tear each other’s head off.” Then there’s the second thing. If they’re competing against you, get out of the way. They’re coming for you. “It’s us versus the world,” Jaylon said. “It was always like that.” It makes sense that Jordyn doesn’t need Jaylon on Thursday night. And Jaylon doesn’t need Jordan. Sure, it’s always better when they’re together. But given all they’ve been through — and the way they’ve come out, they are both in prime positions to enjoy their night. The Cavaliers are up 2-0 in the series, with Jaylon playing a key rotational role. Jordyn seems to have won over the hearts of multiple teams picking in the top 10 — and certainly in the top half of the first round. He’ll hear his name early in the night. They owe their success to each other. And when they do finally connect on Thursday night, and they’re both first-round picks, here’s what Jaylon will tell Jordyn. “Don’t let nobody change you,” Jaylon said. “In this world and this industry, there’s going to be a lot of people who have something to say about you. There’s always going to be critics. But never change who you are. Remember what got you to this moment. Stay true to yourself.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The Dodgers’ backup catcher moonlighted as their designated hitter for a game on Thursday, doing his best Shohei Ohtani impression by smashing a 412-foot grand slam to help sweep the Mets. Another time, he was their first baseman, filling in while Freddie Freeman was on the paternity list and launching two more home runs. Dalton Rushing has only played in nine of the Dodgers’ first 23 games this year, but he has turned those intermittent opportunities into a historic start to the season. Rushing went deep seven times through his first eight games of the year, a number that trailed only Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt (1976) for the most home runs through a player’s first eight games of a season. He’s one of many examples of the depth allowing the Dodgers to withstand the early-season obstacles that would otherwise overwhelm most clubs. Mookie Betts hasn’t played since April 4 due to an oblique injury. Blake Snell and Tommy Edman aren’t expected to make their 2026 debuts until next month. Edwin Diaz, seven appearances into a three-year, $69 million contract that gave him the largest annual salary ever for a reliever, has an ERA over 10.00 and is undergoing an elbow procedure that will keep him out until the second half. Kyle Tucker, fresh off signing the largest average annual deal in baseball history, has been a league-average hitter. Roki Sasaki’s command and control issues persist. And yet the Dodgers enter Wednesday with a 16-7 record, tied for the best in MLB. Of course, Ohtani’s two-way skills tend to mask some of the team’s deficiencies. But the supporting cast is also playing a vital role in the club’s success. The Dodgers’ No. 7-9 hitters in the lineup have a combined .943 OPS this year, a total higher than Mike Trout (.939), Aaron Judge (.932) and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (.927). Outfielder Andy Pages leads the majors with a .366 batting average and the Dodgers with a 1.009 OPS. Hyeseong Kim and Miguel Rojas, the shortstops with Betts out, are both hitting over .300. Justin Wrobleski, the Dodgers’ sixth starter, is 3-0 with a 0.90 ERA in three starts this month. In the bullpen, Tanner Scott is bouncing back from an abysmal first season in Los Angeles. He has allowed one run through his first 11 appearances in 2026, while Alex Vesia still hasn’t allowed a run through his first 10 appearances. Those two will be crucial now in high leverage with Díaz down. And then there’s Rushing, who has the same number of extra-base hits in 31 plate appearances this year (nine) that he had in 155 plate appearances last year. His seven home runs are tied for the 12th-most in MLB. Every other player with at least that many homers this year has at least 69 at-bats; Rushing has 29. “I think he’s kind of in a better spot mentally — actually, I know he’s in a better spot mentally —  to kind of handle this role,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told me. After struggling in his first season to adjust to the sporadic playing time that exists as the backup catcher behind fellow University of Louisville product Will Smith, who’s under contract through the 2033 season, Rushing entered his follow-up campaign this year with a new perspective: Less is more. “Go back and look at last year.” Rushing told me last week, six days after a 4-for-4, two-homer performance in Toronto and three days before launching the first grand slam of his career. “I was over-swinging from the day I showed up. I felt like I had to show them who I was.” The result was suboptimal. Rushing, who excelled as a hitter at every level of the minors with a preternatural and atypical ability to both control the zone and slug, had a .582 OPS and just nine extra-base hits in 142 at-bats for the Dodgers last season. “I would say he didn’t get used to it last year,” Roberts said. “He’s getting used to it now. I think there’s a little bit of trying to mentally adjust to playing two times a week. There’s a physical, mechanical part to the swing, to make it more simple. Maybe even a little bit of expectation, to lower your expectations. And the player never wants to, which I respect, but it’s hard to play twice a week to get in any type of real rhythm.” Added Rushing: “When you’re a part-time player you try to get back in compete mode once every five days, it’s not easy to do.” Admittedly, he’s still in the process of figuring out how to handle that, though he’s clearly doing a better job. With a new mindset, Rushing is displaying the version of the player he knew he could be — and the one the Dodgers envisioned when they took Rushing with their first pick of the 2022 MLB Draft, despite already employing another star catcher from the same alma mater. Rushing has learned to challenge himself to be ready to play, even on the days he’s not in the starting lineup, spending time hitting on either the Trajekt machine or the regular pitching machine to be ready when called upon. And he has learned from the player he’s backing up, despite possessing a much different demeanor from the fellow Louisville product. Smith is stoic and reserved; Rushing is not. “It’s hard for me to play this game low heartbeat,” Rushing said. “I’ve played like my head’s on fire since I was 8 or 10 years old. I don’t think I’m ever going to lose that. I don’t want to lose that. I think that’s what kind of gets me up to play this game.” At the same time, while that feistiness can drive him while he’s riding hot streaks like the one he’s on right now, it can also be detrimental when the inevitable drop-off comes. He admires Smith’s levelheadedness and the belief that demeanor can foster in teammates. “I think the more you can play at a median, low heartbeat, the more it shows to the older guys, ‘This guy looks like he’s been doing it for seven to 10 years, and there’s never a doubt he’s going to get it done,’” Rushing said. So, he’s still working on that. “That’s part of being an everyday guy,” Rushing explained. “You need the median heartbeat, man. Nothing brings you up, nothing brings you down. Throughout this year, that’s going to be my goal. I know if I keep that as my goal, then the hitting and everything else will take care of itself. It always has.” There are nine players with more at-bats than Rushing on the Dodgers roster, yet he ranks second on the team in homers and fourth in RBI. With more success, the Dodgers are finding creative ways to get him opportunities, even beyond giving Smith a breather behind the plate. After Ohtani was hit by a pitch in the back of the right shoulder in the first game of the Dodgers’ series against the Mets last week, the Dodgers elected to keep their two-way superstar out of the DH spot two days later. It was the first time since 2021 that Ohtani pitched but did not hit in a game. The DH role went to Rushing, who doubled and broke the game open with a grand slam. “There’s no more trying to show them,” Rushing said. “Just let your game play for itself.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Ready for this summer’s soccer smorgasbord that will be the 2026 FIFA World Cup? You better be because you know I am. I’m ready for 48 teams from around the globe to take part in what will be an epic party spread across three nations, including the United States. But let’s be real. There are teams that are better than others. Some will have a legit shot at winning it all. And some will just enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience. So now it’s time to rank all 48 teams. And remember, these are my power rankings. If you don’t like them, you can get your own. Odds to win the World Cup: +250000 (48th)Key player: Winger Derrick Etienne Jr. (Toronto FC) Hey, when you’re at the bottom, there’s nowhere to go but up. This will be Haiti’s second World Cup and first since 1974. Group C opponents: Scotland (June 13), Brazil (June 19), Morocco (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +200000 (T-46th)Key player: Midfielder Leandro Bacuna (Iğdır FK) Curaçao is the smallest nation in the World Cup with a population of about 156,000. Size doesn’t matter … until it does. Group E opponents: Germany (June 14), Ecuador (June 20), Ivory Coast (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)Key player: Midfielder Adalberto Carrasquilla (Pumas UNAM) Panama returns to the World Cup after missing out on 2022. It gets a brutal group against England, Croatia and Ghana. The Panamanians will be lucky to score a goal. Group L opponents: Ghana (June 17), Croatia (June 23), England (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +80000 (38th)Key player: Striker Lyle Foster (Burnley) South Africa is going to need a bigger vuvuzela to make an impact at this World Cup. It will have a big chance to shake things up in the opening match of the tournament against Mexico. Group A opponents: Mexico (June 11), Czechia (June 18), South Korea (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)Key player: Winger Ryan Mendes (Iğdır FK) Cape Verde is an incredible story, but this team will be happy just to be involved in the World Cup and collect the gift bag. Group H opponents: Spain (June 15), Uruguay (June 21), Saudi Arabia (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)Key player: Striker Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) The Kiwis qualified directly from the Oceania region, which is the weakest confederation in international soccer. I’ll leave it at that. Group G opponents: Iran (June 15), Egypt (June 21), Belgium (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)Key player: Striker Ayman Hussein (Al-Karma) The good news for Iraq: It’s back in the World Cup for the first time in 40 years! The bad news: The Iraqis will face France, Senegal and Norway in their group games. Group I opponents: Norway (June 16), France (June 22), Senegal (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)Key player: Forward Akram Afif (Al Sadd) Qatar is back after scoring one goal and losing all three of its games as the host nation in 2022. Group B opponents: Switzerland (June 13), Canada (June 18), Bosnia and Herzegovina (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)Key player: Defender Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City) Almost the entire Uzbekistan team plays its club soccer in its home country, so I’m not expecting much from it this summer. Group K opponents: Colombia (June 17), Portugal (June 23), Congo DR (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +70000 (37th)Key player: Striker Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis) Congo DR is back in the World Cup after 52 years. Its reward: an opening match against Portugal. It will be hoping to channel Saudi Arabia’s 2022 team, which opened the tournament with a shocking win over Argentina. Group K opponents: Portugal (June 17), Colombia (June 23), Uzbekistan (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +50000 (T-34th)Key player: Midfielder Ellyes Skhiri (Eintracht Frankfurt) Tunisia has never advanced out of the group stage at a World Cup — although it won games at each of the last two tournaments. I’m still not expecting this team to make the knockout stage this summer. Group F schedule: Sweden (June 14), Japan (June 20), Netherlands (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +200000 (T-46th)Key player: Winger Musa Al-Taamari (Rennes) The only parting gift Jordan should expect to get from the World Cup this summer is an autograph from Lionel Messi in its final Group J game. Group J opponents: Austria (June 16), Algeria (June 22), Argentina (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +50000 (T-34th)Key player: Midfielder Jackson Irvine (St. Pauli) There are no stars to be found on this team, but the underdog role suits the Australians. They could be a spoiler in Group D against the United States, Türkiye and Paraguay. Group D opponents: Türkiye (June 13), USA (June 19), Paraguay (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +25000 (33rd)Key player: Winger Wilfried Zaha (Charlotte FC) The Ivorians didn’t qualify for either of the last two World Cups and have never made it out of the group stage. That will be a tough task this year in a group with Germany and Ecuador. Group E opponents: Ecuador (June 14), Germany (June 20), Curaçao (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +30000 (T-30th)Key player: Winger Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) Egypt has never won a World Cup game. That could change this summer with matches against Iran and New Zealand in the group stage. Group G opponents: Belgium (June 15), New Zealand (June 21), Iran (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +35000 (T-32nd)Key player: Winger Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli) The Algerian attack is strong, led by winger Riyad Mahrez and a solid supporting cast. This team’s potential downfall: its defense. Group J opponents: Argentina (June 16), Jordan (June 22), Austria (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +25000 (28th)Key player: Striker Edin Džeko (Schalke 04) Did the Bosnians peak by beating Italy to qualify for this tournament? That will be the big question for this team entering the tournament. Bosnia and Herzegovina will face Canada on its home soil and a tough matchup against Switzerland in Group B. Group B opponents: Canada (June 12), Switzerland (June 18), Qatar (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +100000 (T-39th)Key player: Winger Salem Al-Dawsari (Al-Hilal) Just 56 days before its first game of the tournament, Saudi Arabia moved on from manager Herve Renard. It’s a bold move for a team that faces Uruguay and Spain in its first two games of the tournament. Group H opponents: Uruguay (June 15), Spain (June 21), Cape Verde (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +50000 (T-34th)Key player: Winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh (Dender EH) Iran enters the tournament with a lot of uncertainty, but it can make some noise in a group that is pretty tame after Belgium with Egypt and New Zealand. Group G opponents: New Zealand (June 15), Belgium (June 21), Egypt (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +15000 (24th)Key player: Midfielder Tomas Soucek (West Ham United) Czechia thrives through set pieces, physicality and its size. Those tools will only get you so far against the best teams in the world. Group A opponents: South Korea (June 11), South Africa (June 18), Mexico (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +30000 (T-30th)Key player: Midfielder Mohammed Kudus (Tottenham) Ghana will have a young and inexperienced squad this summer. It’s more of a project capable of making more noise in four years instead of now. Group L opponents: Panama (June 17), England (June 23), Croatia (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +20000 (T-25th)Key player: Midfielder Scott McTominay (Napoli) After a horrible showing at Euro 2024, Scotland is back at its first World Cup since 1998. Scottish supporters are great, but their team will need to win its first game against Haiti to have any success this summer. Group C opponents: Haiti (June 13), Morocco (June 19), Brazil (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +15000 (T-23rd)Key player: Midfielder Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United) If Paraguay is going to have any success this summer, it’s not going to be pretty. The goal for this team will be to muck it up and grind it out in a competitive Group D with the United States, Türkiye and Australia. Group D opponents: USA (June 12), Türkiye (June 19), Australia (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +10000 (T-20th)Key player: Striker Viktor Gyokeres (Arsenal) Sweden didn’t win a single game in UEFA qualifying but made it to the playoff round thanks to its success in the UEFA Nations League. The Swedes enter the summer coming off impressive wins in March over Ukraine and Poland to qualify. Group F opponents: Tunisia (June 14), Netherlands (June 20), Japan (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +15000 (T-23rd)Key player: Midfielder Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund) The Austrians are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1998, and they’re sneaky good. Powered by a strong midfield, Austria could give Argentina problems in Group J. Group J opponents: Jordan (June 16), Argentina (June 22), Algeria (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +11000 (22nd)Key player: Winger Sadio Mané (Al Nassr) The African champions (allegedly) come into this tournament as a popular dark-horse pick. Unfortunately, Senegal was paired with France and Norway, so it faces an uphill battle. Group I opponents: France (June 16), Norway (June 22), Iraq (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +20000 (T-25th)Key player: Defender Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich) Canada avoided Italy after Bosnia and Herzegovina’s upset in qualifying in late March, but be careful what you wish for. The Canadians have more talent than ever, but it won’t be smooth sailing for them this summer. Group B opponents: Bosnia and Herzegovina (June 12), Qatar (June 18), Switzerland (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +10000 (T-20th)Key player: Midfielder Arda Güler (Real Madrid) A new sense of pragmatism may enable the Turks to live up to the hype around their young team. This team will be the Americans’ biggest competition in Group D. Group D opponents: Australia (June 13), Paraguay (June 19), USA (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +45000 (33rd)Key player: Winger Son Heung-min (LAFC) The Koreans have a good team, but they did not get any luck from the draw. South Korea will play all of its games in the group stage in Mexico. Group A opponents: Czechia (June 11), Mexico (June 18), South Africa (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +20000 (T-17th)Key player: Midfielder Granit Xhaka (Sunderland) The Swiss national team is like the country’s banking system: safe, boring and effective. Switzerland is not going to dominate in attack, but it will be efficient and be a tough out for any opposition. Group B opponents: Qatar (June 13), Bosnia and Herzegovina (June 18), Canada (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +5000 (T-12th)Key player: Midfielder Wataru Endo (Liverpool) Japan beat England at Wembley Stadium in London in late March. It was an impressive victory that saw the Japanese clean up on — and off — the field. Group F opponents: Netherlands (June 14), Tunisia (June 20), Sweden (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +9000 (19th)Key player: Midfielder Moises Caicedo (Chelsea) Ecuador has a golden generation of players here, featuring Caicedo and defenders Piero Hincape and Willian Pacho. Believing in this team, though, is fool’s gold. Group E opponents: Ivory Coast (June 14), Curaçao (June 20), Germany (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +3000 (9th)Key player: Striker Erling Haaland (Manchester City) Norway will be a sexy dark-horse pick after dominating qualifying, which includes two wins over Italy. The Norwegians will need more than just Haaland if they want to really compete this summer, though. Group I opponents: Iraq (June 16), Senegal (June 22), France (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +6500 (T-12th)Key player: Midfielder Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) Uruguay’s golden generation, which was led by strikers Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani, has given way to a bronze-ish generation. That doesn’t mean this team will be a pushover, though. Group H opponents: Saudia Arabia (June 15), Cape Verde (June 21), Spain (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +7500 (16th)Key player: Striker Raúl Jiménez (Fulham) Mexico gets all of its group-stage games on home soil. That’s a positive on paper, but if results don’t go their way, the Mexicans will be in trouble. Group A opponents: South Africa (June 11), South Korea (June 18), Czechia (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +5000 (T-12th)Key player: Defender Achraf Hakimi (PSG) Everyone’s darling from 2022 is no longer a surprise. Morocco is not going to sneak up on opposition this summer. Group C opponents: Brazil (June 13), Scotland (June 19), Haiti (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +6500 (14th)Key player: Winger Christian Pulisic (AC Milan) Nothing beats home cooking, but the United States might need a double helping of it this summer if it wants to contend. The Americans will enter the summer coming off convincing losses to Belgium and Portugal in late March. Group D opponents: Paraguay (June 12), Australia (June 19), Türkiye (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +3500 (10th)Key player: Midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (Napoli) Belgium was drawn into an easy group (Egypt, Iran and New Zealand), so advancing from there won’t be a problem. The sum of the Belgians’ parts will dictate whether they’re a contender in the knockout rounds, though. Group G opponents: Egypt (June 15), Iran (June 21), New Zealand (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +8000 (T-17th)Key player: Midfielder Luka Modrić (AC Milan) Croatia is the favorite of dads and old guys everywhere. Modrić is in the final chapter of his international career and leads a Croatian team that has shown it’s more than capable of beating any team in this tournament. Group L opponents: England (June 17), Panama (June 23), Ghana (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +1400 (7th)Key player: Midfielder Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) Even a mediocre German team is still German. While manager Julian Nagelsmann’s squad lacks truly elite players, it will still be a force to be reckoned with this summer. Group E opponents: Curaçao (June 14), Ivory Coast (June 20), Ecuador (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +2000 (8th)Key player: Defender Virgil Van Djik (Liverpool) While the Dutch have a strong team, it is not quite ready for prime time to truly compete with the top-tiered teams. There is quality around the field in this team, but the Netherlands isn’t among the favorites. Group F opponents: Japan (June 14), Sweden (June 20), Tunisia (June 25) Odds to win the World Cup: +800 (4th)Key player: Winger Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) It’s rare that Brazil enters a World Cup this low in anyone’s rankings. I like the idea of the Brazilians entering this tournament with low expectations attached to them. That might make them more dangerous. Group C opponents: Morocco (June 13), Haiti (June 19), Scotland (June 24) Odds to win the World Cup: +1100 (6th)Key player: Striker Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) The dynamic surrounding Ronaldo will make or break this tournament for Portugal. The 41-year-old is missing one major trophy in his career, and that’s the World Cup. Will the attention he draws be a help or a hindrance? Group K opponents: Congo DR (June 17), Uzbekistan (June 23), Colombia (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +850 (5th)Key player: Forward Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) In a vacuum, I’d have Argentina higher, but no team has won back-to-back World Cups since Brazil way back in 1958 and 1962. There is no doubt, though, that the Argentines remain serious contenders, led by one of the best players ever in Messi. Group J opponents: Algeria (June 16), Austria (June 22), Jordan (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +4000 (11th)Key player: Midfielder James Rodríguez (Minnesota United) I see the heat and environment in the United States favoring South American teams this summer. Colombia has shown it can compete with the best at these big tournaments, and it has a star in attack (winger Luis Diaz) who could lead it to the promised land. Group K opponents: Uzbekistan (June 17), Congo DR (June 23), Portugal (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +650 (3rd)Key player: Midfielder Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) It pains me to say this, but this is the best England team in decades. With striker Harry Kane leading the attack and Bellingham and Declan Rice in midfield, this could be the year that England breaks through and wins a major international trophy. Group L opponents: Croatia (June 17), Ghana (June 23), Panama (June 27) Odds to win the World Cup: +500 (1st)Key player: Midfielder Pedri (Barcelona) This is not your parents’ Spain, which won the Euros twice and the 2010 World Cup. It’s better. The Spaniards won Euro 2024 and have not lost since March 2024 — plus, only twice since the start of 2023. Group H opponents: Cape Verde (June 15), Saudia Arabia (June 21), Uruguay (June 26) Odds to win the World Cup: +550 (2nd)Key player: Striker Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) The combination of talent, depth and arrogance in this square … it’s like a lethal French perfume. Manager Didier Deschamps’ team has everything needed to send him off with a win this summer in his final major tournament in charge. Group I opponents: Senegal (June 16), Iraq (June 22), Norway (June 26) 2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson has a strong chance of knowing where he’ll end up in the NFL on Thursday night, the Philadelphia Eagles continue to ask teams to pay a premium price for A.J. Brown and the New York Giants are in love with a top wide receiver prosect in the 2026 NFL Draft. Those are just a few of the things FOX Sports NFL insider Jay Glazer is hearing on the eve of draft night. Appearing on FS1’s “Wake Up Barstool” on Wednesday, Glazer shared a few pieces of intel on what to expect on Thursday night and potentially in the coming weeks. Here’s a bit more on what Glazer’s hearing from around the NFL. Ty Simpson will be a first-round pick Not only have there been questions about how early Simpson could be selected on Thursday night, but there may now be some clarity. Glazer is confident that Simpson will come off the board in the first round. Some potential landing spots for Simpson in the first round include the New York Jets at No. 16, the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 21, or a team looking to trade back into the late first round. One team Glazer specifically mentioned as a possibility is the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals are unlikely to select Simpson with the No. 3 overall pick, but a trade up from No. 34 is a more realistic scenario. Moving into the back end of the round would also allow them to secure a fifth-year option, which often motivates teams to trade up on draft night. Simpson is coming off just one season as a starter at Alabama after spending two years behind Jalen Milroe in Tuscaloosa. He put together a strong junior season, completing 64.5% of his passes for 3,567 yards, 28 touchdowns, and five interceptions. All signs point to Simpson being one of the more intriguing quarterback selections on draft night as teams weigh his upside against his limited starting experience. Eagles holding firm on high asking price for A.J. Brown trade The A.J. Brown saga has been one of the defining offseason storylines, and while a post-June 1 trade to the New England Patriots has been expected, questions remain about the return. Glazer still believes the Eagles are holding firm on their demand for a first-round pick in any deal. “The Eagles are still looking for a first-round pick,” Glazer said. “I know the Patriots aren’t there yet.” Brown, 28, is under contract through the 2029 season and is coming off his least productive year since 2021 with the Tennessee Titans. He finished the season with 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns, including seven games in which he was held under 50 yards. The Los Angeles Rams and Patriots have been the two teams most closely linked to Brown, but all signs point toward him ultimately being dealt to New England, potentially as early as this summer. As talks continue, the final price tag and timing of any deal will likely depend on whether New England is willing to meet Philadelphia’s steep asking price. Both sides appear positioned for a standoff that could stretch deeper into the offseason as the draft approaches. What will Giants do with their two top-10 picks? The New York Giants have been heavily connected to Ohio State safety Caleb Downs in recent days, but Glazer is not sold on him going No. 5 overall. The player he continues to hear is high on the Giants board is Arizona State wide receiver, Jordyn Tyson. “I don’t know if I’m sold on that one as everyone else,” Glazer said on Downs going No. 5 overall. “I think you’re looking at the offensive line or wide receiver and I do know they kind of haven’t hidden their love of the wide receiver from Arizona State.” After trading defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence for the No. 10 overall pick, the Giants now own two selections inside the top 10. That gives them added flexibility to address multiple roster needs on both sides of the ball, if they choose to. “I don’t know if five is too high, maybe 10,” Glazer said of Tyson. “People love him, but he’s just been hurt a lot. But they think he is so dynamic.” Tyson finally found his footing with the Sun Devils after transferring from Colorado, but injury concerns have followed him throughout the draft process. He’s battled multiple injuries during his college career, but has performed well when available. Last season with the Sun Devils, Tyson played in nine games, finishing with 61 receptions for 711 yards and eight touchdowns. With two picks inside the top 10, the Giants are positioned to be one of the most active and unpredictable teams early in the draft.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

“Why not us?” That’s the mantra that United States men’s national team coach Mauricio Pocchetino has used to motivate his team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted on home soil (along with Canada and Mexico) this summer. But how realistic is that objective for the U.S. with less than two months before the World Cup starts? It’s a question put forth to three former USA coaches in the first of FOX Sports’ special roundtable series previewing the tournament’s highly anticipated return to North America this summer. “Obviously, if you set out the highest bar, there’s nothing wrong with this,” former United States men’s national team coach Jürgen Klinsmann said. “But in order to win a World Cup, it takes such a high capability of suffering and going through difficult times in specific moments, to play every three or four days once you get into the knockout phase.” Klinsmann’s U.S. side was knocked out in the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after finishing as the runner-up in the “Group of Death” with Germany, Ghana and Portugal. He previously led Germany to a third-place finish as its coach in 2006 and was named German Football Manager of the Year for his efforts with the national team. He also won a World Cup title as a Germany player in 1990. “When you think you go through the Round of 16 or the quarterfinals, you think, ‘Oh, now we’re really there,'” Klinsmann said. “Then comes an even more difficult game with extra time and maybe a penalty shootout. The thing is: Is our team ready to really, extremely suffer? Are we ready to go through the extreme of going one game at a time? “You see a lot of top soccer nations in the world are just not capable [of going] past the fifth game, like Mexico and ‘quinto partido.’ They don’t have the belief to go past the fifth game or go into the fifth game — and now you have one more game because of this tournament.” The United States men’s national team hasn’t won a knockout stage match at the World Cup since 2002, and it has only advanced to the semifinals once, at the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the USA lost, 3-1, to Netherlands in the Round of 16, with a roster that had the second-lowest average age (25.2) at the tournament. While USA’s roster is expected to feature many of the same key players this summer, the expectations will be much higher. “After Qatar, we liked that team,” said Bob Bradley, who coached the U.S. at the 2010 World Cup. “Those guys were really likable. Now, in this next period, we’re expecting more, and there’s been some ups and downs. Of course, Mauricio comes in without a full cycle, they don’t get as many opportunities to play against big teams, but I still think we believe in this group. The optimism that they can come together at the right time and do something that is special — I think we all believe in that.” Some of that optimism stems from the number of Americans playing club soccer in Europe’s top-flight leagues and competing in the UEFA Champions League. When Bradley coached the United States at the 2010 World Cup, there were only three Americans playing in the Champions League; this year there were eight, with one — Atlético Madrid midfielder Johnny Cardoso — still competing in the semifinals. “We look around now, and we see that Christian [Pulisic] is doing so well in Europe [at AC Milan]; Weston [McKennie] is having an incredible year [at Juventus]; we see guys like Johnny Cardoso and what he does at Atlético; that’s a reason that people get excited,” Bradley said. “The more guys you have playing in the Champions League, the better.” Playing in the Champions League also gives the stars of the U.S. men’s national team a valuable perspective that they wouldn’t have otherwise. “I think the players know now more than ever before what it will take to go all the way until the end; to book your hotel, as we Germans do, all the way to the final, and if you have to cancel the hotels or the flights, we cancel them because we’re flying home after the quarterfinal,” Klinsmann said. “It’s a cultural element that I see the U.S. growing into more and more and more. “Twenty or 30 years ago, [American players] were also in Europe. … But now they’re in the Champions League and the Champions League is different. Now, we have five to seven players there, and that gives me the feeling that, if they really build exceptional chemistry, if they get along, if they help each other when things get nasty and dirty — and it will get nasty and dirty — then maybe they can really surprise one game at a time.” The United States will have two warm-up matches against Senegal and Germany, two teams that are higher in the FIFA world rankings, ahead of its World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 12 at Los Angeles Stadium. Pochettino’s side will be hoping to use those matches as an opportunity to snap their three-match losing streak and build some positive momentum going into the tournament, but form is fallacy at the World Cup, according to former USA coach Steve Sampson. “I truly believe that when the moment comes that they’re playing against Paraguay, that’s when it all has to come together,” said Sampson, who coached the U.S. at the 1998 World Cup and was an assistant for the 1994 tournament in the U.S. “The leadership of this team has to pull the team together and say, ‘Look, forget about what’s happened before.'” For Klinsmann, that short-term memory is “the art” behind success at the World Cup: “You have to forget about what you just did right away.” And if they do that? “I don’t think there’s an easy path, but as long as they get some momentum in those first games, I think they can do something special,” Sampson said. 2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports