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The NFL Draft is mostly about finding young players to help teams build for a better future. Rookies can’t always step right in and change a franchise’s trajectory right away. But sometimes that’s exactly what a team needs. And there are a bunch of teams that know that one good draft — maybe even one good pick — could make all the difference in the world in the 2026 season. For some, the draft could turn them into an instant playoff contender. For others, it could put them on a Super Bowl path. So here’s a look at 10 teams that would benefit the most by nailing their draft class this week. Five of them could go from a losing record right into the playoff race. And five of them could be a threat to win it all. Potential playoff contenders 5. Washington Commanders2025 record: 5-122026 picks: 1.7, 3.71, 5.147, 6.187, 6.209, 7.223 So many of their problems last season had to do with Jayden Daniels’ injuries. But not all of them. They were clearly lacking firepower on offense and needed to fix a terrible defense, too. They focused their free agency money on completely rebuilding the defense. If that works, they can get right back in the playoff chase with the right offensive pick. They desperately need another receiver to pair with 30-year-old Terry McLaurin. They could get one easily with the seventh overall pick. If they decide to go defense there — the Commanders reportedly are high on Ohio State LB Sonny Styles, if he’s still available — they’d have to take a receiver at 71, which is their only other pick in the first three rounds. If they can get a plug-and-play receiver and another valuable defensive player — a linebacker is fine, but a corner would be better — then it’s a short leap from 5-12 to contention in the NFC, especially if Daniels can stay on the field. 4. Tennessee Titans2025 record: 3-142026 picks: 1.4, 2.35, 3.66, 4.101, 5.142, 5.144, 6.184, 6.194, 7.225 They’ve got a new coach and an offensive coordinator who should be really good for quarterback Cam Ward. They also gave him a new weapon (receiver Wan’Dale Robinson), beefed up the offensive line and restocked the pass rush and defense for head coach Robert Saleh. So they are already much improved, but it’s still a big leap from 3-14 to the playoffs. And they could use more offensive playmakers — receiver and running back — and a little more defensive help on the edge. They could find either with the No. 4 overall pick, where they could be eyeing Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love if he gets past the Cardinals at No. 3. If they do that, and add an edge rusher and a receiver with their next two picks (Nos. 34 and 66), they’ll have addressed all their biggest needs. Making the playoffs will still be an uphill climb in a suddenly stacked division. But they’ll have the talent in place, at least, to give it a run. 3. New York Giants2025 record: 4-132026 picks: 1.5, 1.10, 2.37, 4.105, 5.145, 6.186, 6.192, 6.193 They are on the verge of a breakthrough anyway with young quarterback Jaxson Dart and new coach John Harbaugh. But they still have a ton of holes to fill. They need plenty of help on defense, especially after trading defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, and another weapon on offense would be a big help, too. But they now have two top-10 picks (Nos. 5 and 10) after the Lawrence trade, and a high second-rounder (37), too. That gives them a shot at three players who should step right in and help. They could add one of the two best receivers in the draft to pair with Malik Nabers and maybe a top safety or linebacker to strengthen the middle of their defense. And there figures to be some gifted defensive tackles available to fill Lawrence’s spot early in the second round. They need more talent overall, especially on defense, to make a really big leap. But they were 4-13 in a weak division last season. Strengthen their defense and add a little explosion to their offense, and they won’t challenge the Eagles, but a wild card is within reach. 2. New Orleans Saints2025 record: 6-112026 picks: 1.8, 2.42, 3.73, 4.132, 4.136, 5.150, 5.172, 6.190 Kellen Moore already has them headed in the right direction with promising young quarterback Tyler Shough. They even improved their offensive line (with guard David Edwards) and added another running back (Travis Etienne) to help out the aging Alvin Kamara. Now imagine how good the offense could be if they got another target for Shough — a receiver to take a little of the pressure off the underrated Chris Olave. That might be enough to boost their 6-11 record, and they don’t need much in a division that was won by the 8-9 Panthers last year. They could also use some help along the defensive line, where they don’t have much beyond Chase Young (10 sacks), especially if they don’t eventually re-sign 36-year-old Cam Jordan (10.5 sacks). But they had a top-10 defense last season. They could fill either need with the No. 8 pick, and can fill both with three picks in the top 75. 1. Dallas Cowboys2025 record: 7-9-12026 picks: 1.12, 1.20, 3.92, 4.112, 5.152, 5.177, 6.180, 7.218 They are the easiest team to fix on this list. They already have the offense to contend for a lot more than just the playoffs. But they have a defense capable of dragging them all the way into the basement of the league. Fix the defense and they’re an instant playoff contender. And they definitely should be able to do that with two first-round picks. They have huge holes at every level, but with picks 12 and 20 they should be able to come away with a new starter at two positions. Take your pick from corner, edge rusher and linebacker. And while they don’t have a second-round pick, they should be able to fill the third need at least a little in the third round, at pick 92. Getting better players at all three spots won’t turn this into a Super Bowl defense, but they’re already good inside (with defensive tackles Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark), and they added reinforcements in the secondary with safety Jalen Thompson and corner Cobie Durant. Add three more starters, and they’ll at least be around the middle of the pack. With that offense, that’s enough. Potential Super Bowl contenders 5. Baltimore Ravens2025 record: 8-92026 picks: 1.14, 2.45, 3.80, 4.115, 5.154, 5.162, 5.173, 5.174, 6.211, 7.250, 7.253 They were already going to be on the edge of contention once they got Lamar Jackson back healthy, but they’re really close after adding edge rusher Trey Hendrickson in free agency. What they need now is a final push, which they can get by adding a little beef to both lines. The offensive line is the priority after losing center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency, and they should be able to get help there with the 14th overall pick. A center or guard will help protect Jackson and clear room for running back Derrick Henry. And if they can use a second- or third-rounder to get a big body to clear space for Hendrickson on the defensive side, he could have a huge year. The only other thing they’re really missing is a second receiver to complement Zay Flowers. But this is a run-based offense, so if they can dominate in the trenches, they’ll be a dangerous playoff team. 4. Cincinnati Bengals2025 record: 6-112026 picks: 2.41, 3.72, 4.110, 6.189, 6.199, 7.221, 7.226 The Bengals already used their first-round pick (10) to acquire defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence from the Giants, a bold move they felt was necessary because they didn’t think they could get an impact defender at that spot in the draft. Lawrence is certainly far better than any defensive tackle they could have found there. But it was a clear sign they are going for it all this year, since they’re already loaded on offense as long as quarterback Joe Burrow is healthy. What they need to do now is fix the back end of the defense, preferably with a new starting cornerback. And it also wouldn’t hurt to bulk up the offensive line to make sure Burrow stays on the field. It won’t be as easy without that first-rounder, but they still have picks 41 and 72. If they hit on those, they’ll have the support to let Burrow carry them the rest of the way. 3. Kansas City Chiefs2025 record: 6-112026 picks: 1.9, 1.29, 2.40, 3.74, 4.109, 5.148, 5.169, 5.176, 6.210 Their dynasty looked like it was dying even before quarterback Patrick Mahomes got hurt last season, but they’re not ready to see their window slam shut just yet. Mahomes coming back healthy is the most important thing. But they need some help to get Steve Spagnuolo’s defense back on track too. Specifically, they need an edge rusher because their pass rush (33 sacks) was terrible. They should be able to find that with at least one of their two first-round picks (9, 29). A cornerback is a necessity too, since both of last year’s starters — Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson — are gone. If the Chiefs can give Spagnuolo better pass-rushers and coverage, he’ll have that unit back in the top five soon enough. Then they’ll have support for an offense with Mahomes and new running back Kenneth Walker III, and maybe their dynasty won’t be dead after all. 2. Philadelphia Eagles2025 record: 11-62026 picks: 1.23, 2.54, 3.68, 3.98, 4.114, 4.137, 5.178, 6.197 Even if the Eagles trade receiver A.J. Brown (and they might), they still have plenty of offensive weapons, and they’ve got a defense that has plenty of talent in the back, especially at linebacker and cornerback. But what got them off their game last season is their lack of dominance in the trenches. That should, and likely will, be the focus of their four picks in the top 100. In fact, it would be a shock if GM Howie Roseman doesn’t use one of the Eagles’ first two picks (Nos. 23, 54) on an offensive lineman. They need better play in the interior and some depth at tackle, too. If their line gets stronger, it’ll do wonders for running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts. And on defense, they know they need an edge rusher too, after they failed to bring back Jaelan Phillips. They’re strong inside with Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, but need a lot more off the edge. If they can disrupt opposing quarterbacks a little more and return to their dominant running style, they’ll be a lot better equipped for a long postseason run. 1. San Francisco 49ers2025 record: 12-52026 picks: 1.27, 2.58, 4.127, 4.133, 4.138, 4.139 They were 12-5 last season, so it’s really a short leap to being in the run for a championship, which they were for most of last season. They still have more than enough weapons on offense, especially after signing receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk. But they can guarantee their status among the NFC’s elite if they can strengthen their pass defense. To do that, they need two things: a better pass rush and at least one playmaker in the secondary. Pass rush might be the bigger need, even if Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams are healthy. They didn’t have a single player with more than four sacks last year. Alas, they didn’t have a single corner who picked off a pass, either. They have only two selections in the first two days — Nos. 27 and 58 — but those are their two obvious positional targets. They need to strengthen those areas to compete in the loaded NFC West anyway. And if they can survive that division, a Super Bowl run definitely won’t be out of reach.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

There is always baseball happening — almost too much baseball for one person to follow themselves. Don’t worry, we’re here to help you by figuring out what you missed but shouldn’t have. Here are all the best moments from last night in Major League Baseball: Orioles-Royals got wild You might think, looking at the final score of 7-5 in the Orioles-Royals game from Monday, that this one was fairly offense-centric throughout. The truth is that all but two runs were scored from the ninth inning onward — everything changed as the game approached its original endpoint, and escalated from there. Observe! In the bottom of the second, with the game still scoreless, Royals’ right fielder Jac Caglianone hit his first homer of the year, off of starting pitcher Kyle Bradish. Despite giving up 10 hits and walking three, Bradish gave up just that one run in his 5.1 innings of work: the next four Orioles’ relievers would allow just one hit and no runs combined. Seth Lugo went seven shutout innings against Baltimore, and then Matt Strahm pitched a scoreless eighth for a hold. Closer Lucas Erceg got the O’s down to their last strike, with Kansas City up 1-0… and then he blew it. Catcher Samuel Basallo tied things up, 1-1, and the two teams headed to extras in what had been, to that point, a pitching-focused battle. While the 10th was scoreless and continued that trend, it was also the end of it. With two outs and the only baserunner on Blaze Alexander, who was placed there to start the 11th, DH Dylan Beavers managed a single to put the Orioles ahead for the first time all night. The lead did not last. Center fielder Kyle Isbel bunted Isaac Collins to third to kick off the bottom of the inning and put the tying run for Kansas City 90 feet away. Shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. then singled Isbel home to make things even once more. The Royals wouldn’t score again, however, bringing Baltimore back to the plate, where Basallo once again made his presence felt with an RBI single to give the O’s another lead. This wouldn’t be a one and done like every other inning in the game for both sides, however. Baltimore poured it on from here. Second baseman Jeremiah Jackson followed Basallo’s single with one of his own, then third baseman Weston Wilson — who had entered as a pinch-runner earlier — drew the walk to load the bases. Center fielder Leody Taveras would then hit his second homer of the year, clearing the bases with a grand slam; 7-2, Orioles. Cameron Foster came on in relief for Baltimore to try to close out this five-run lead, and it looked like he might falter in that. DH Salvador Perez led off with a single, then right fielder Lane Thomas walked to load the bases. Nick Loftin, who was playing second after coming in as a pinch-hitter earlier in the game, doubled in three runs, making it 7-5 with no outs. That was all Kansas City could manage, though: the next three batters were retired by Foster in order, with a backwards K to wrap it up against Isbel. The Orioles now sit just one game under .500 and 2.5 back in the AL East, which is collectively off to a slow start. The AL Central isn’t looking much better off, but the Royals have managed to sink to the bottom of it, anyway, thanks to losing what is now eight-straight. MLB’s strikeout leader is Dylan Cease There were some understandable questions about why the Blue Jays would be willing to give Dylan Cease a seven-year, $210 million deal this offseason, given the right-hander posted a 4.55 ERA in 2025 with the Padres. Teams are looking at far more than a basic stat like ERA when they make these decisions, though, and something no one could question was Cease’s ability to throw swing-and-miss pitches. Whatever Toronto saw that made him worthy of a franchise-record deal for a pitcher seems to be on display for all now, as Cease struck out 12 Angels on Monday in a 5-2 Blue Jays’ W, tying his own earlier mark for the most in a game so far in 2026, and now leads the majors in strikeouts with 44 on the season. Cease is also the fastest Blue Jays pitcher ever to 44 strikeouts, per Blue Jays Nation; whatever little adjustment Toronto thought he needed to unlock his best self seems to have taken hold already. Of course, this is five starts and 25.2 innings, so no need to hand the righty the AL Cy Young Award just yet, but still: this is one hell of a start. Both referring to last night and 2026 as a whole for Cease. Big Dumper dongs Cal Raleigh bashed 60 homers for the Mariners in 2025, a record for the team, for catchers and for switch-hitters. He hasn’t been nearly as powerful out of the gate in 2026, but he has shown some flashes of that pop. We got another example that it’s still there yesterday, when Big Dumper went the other way on a sinker to the outside part of the zone, sending it 382 feet into the bullpen. That’s Raleigh’s third homer of the year; through 24 games last season, he had nine. Still, Raleigh always being a 60-homer guy — or even a 50-homer guy — wasn’t an automatic just because it was done once. There have been just 10 such seasons in MLB’s long history, and all. The more important thing are the signs that Raleigh can get out of his slump, which has impacted more than just his power. Hitting a ball 382 feet the other way is one such sign that Raleigh will bounce back, maybe sooner than later. Rodriguez’s awkward adjustment Nintendo used to have majority ownership of the Mariners, but now, the video game developer and publisher is just a minority investor. Apparently that’s all that’s needed for center fielder Julio Rodriguez to have some video game-esque reactions and adjustments to a fly ball hit at him, though. Look at this weirdo — the play, not Rodriguez. That ball just kept hooking, which Rodriguez did not account for, but he still made a ridiculous change in direction himself for a catch that looked like a buggy animation from a baseball video game instead of a real one. No not Honkbal, Honk Ball The square footage of a baseball field is immense, the probabilities for where a ball in play could land impacted by everything from the ability of the hitter and pitcher themselves to where the ball is in the zone and where the bat meets it and how hard. Somehow, this ball was struck in such a way that it landed near a goose that had otherwise been unbothered, and that bird took flight as a result. Everyone was unharmed, that’s the important thing. Except for this baseball that Cubs’ shortstop Dansby Swanson had crushed an inning before, anyway. And also the psyche of Phillies’ fans, that’s probably not at its strongest at the moment. Philadelphia dropped its sixth game in a row here, managing just one run against the Cubs. That’s just one more than the goose recorded. Ohtani makes it 52 Dodgers’ star Shohei Ohtani did not make everyone wait long to see if he could extend his on-base streak to 52 games, tying the longest such streak of the last decade. In the third inning against Rockies’ starter Jose Quintana, the DH hit a liner to right for his first hit of the game. While Ohtani had reached earlier on an error, those do not count for on-base streaks, but even this hit didn’t prove necessary, either, since he picked up a pair of walks later in the game, as well. He is now a single game away from moving into the top 25 for longest on-base streaks in MLB history. The top of the mountain is still a ways away, however: that Ted Williams guy was quite the hitter himself, and he made it on in 84-consecutive games back in 1949. Still! Ohtani can rocket most of the way up the list before he even runs out of April — the top few spots aside, history’s longest on-base streaks are mostly clustered together — fewer have reached where Ohtani is now, and even fewer have gone much further than this. D’aww No babies were harmed in the making of this catch. Listen, you don’t have anywhere to go — there’s a baby in your hands. The ball is coming right at you, so your options are to attempt to catch it or at least deflect it from the direction of the child, or let the ball hit you, which hey, might hurt enough to make it tough to hold onto the baby. The right call was made here. The better call? Giving the baseball to the baby afterward. The rest of this Dodgers-Rockies game wasn’t quite so cute for Colorado fans — they lost, 12-3 — but hey. Foul ball baby! Friends don’t rob friends of hits Elly De La Cruz and Junior Caminero were happy to see each other prior to the Reds-Rays tilt. The two early 20s Dominican-born infielders are close friends — Caminero described De La Cruz as his “brother” postgame, even, per MLB — so it was no surprise to see them embrace before they faced off on Monday. Then the game started, though, and De La Cruz showed no mercy to Caminero on this ball hit to the shortstop’s right. Make sure you watch through for the reaction by Caminero. In that exchange where he called De La Cruz a brother postgame? Caminero also joked through an interpreter that, “I’m not going to give him any food tomorrow. We were talking about exchanging something, but I’m not going to give him anything.” Man, baseball is a rough game. Red Sox win early Patriots’ Day matchup The Red Sox played their traditional Marathon Monday early game on Patriots’ Day, this time to wrap up a four-game series against the Tigers. Boston was attempting to even things up and not drop the series to Detroit, which had won the previous two games, and sent Sonny Gray to the mound to do it. Gray had to be lifted after 2.2 innings with hamstring tightness, however, so the bullpen had to hop in early. In the fourth, 23-year-old rookie third baseman Hao-Yu Lee picked up his first career hit and RBI with a single off reliever Zack Kelly to tie things up 2-2. A couple of innings later, pinch-hitter Jahmai Jones subbed in for Kerry Carpenter and delivered a hit to left-center to drive in the go-ahead run. Boston’s bats would wake up from here on. With the game tied in the bottom of the seventh, Ceddanne Rafaela pinch-hit and drove in two runs — nearly three — with a single to right, to put the Sox up 5-3. That was not going to be enough to win, but the Sox drove in another before the inning ended when backstop Carlos Narvaez singled in a run, and then Boston added two more in the eighth. And good thing, too, because the Tigers made it 8-6 against relievers Ryan Watson and Aroldis Chapman before running out of outs in the ninth. Boston needed this W badly, to avoid dropping alone into fifth place in the AL East. The Tigers could have used it, too, in the way all teams need a win, but Detroit is at least just half-a-game out in the AL Central, not staring up from the bottom like the Sox. Boston gets the Yankees next, starting Tuesday, while Detroit takes on a Brewers team that is in last place, sure, but is also 12-9 while doing it — a better record than the Tigers have.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

There’s been a lot of criticizing and bemoaning and maligning the 2026 NFL Draft. I’m not here to name names (mostly because I’m as guilty as the next guy). But we can all be honest that the NFL world has focused on what this draft has lacked — rather than what it has to offer. So let’s highlight some prospects, from Day 1 to Day 3, who are likely to have an impact on their new teams. If you want to talk about positional value and salary-cap percentage and advanced statistics and the deep stuff, then maybe pop over to Sound Smart. This is about taking note of some of the fun rookies to follow in 2026 — and beyond. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame Do me a favor: Just watch his highlights. Watch the way he bursts through the line of scrimmage in ways that remind me of Derrick Henry. Watch the way he makes guys miss at the second and third level like Jahmyr Gibbs. Watch the way Love moves in open space as a pass-catcher like some of the best screen receivers in the game, including Khalil Shakir. Watch the way Love hurdles defenders unlike basically anyone I’ve ever seen before. There are complications around drafting running backs in the top five picks — namely the $50 million price tag that instantly makes them one of the highest-paid players at their position. I get it. But when you’re simply watching the player, Jeremiyah Love, it’s hard not to fall in … love. Caleb Downs, safety, Ohio State I keep going back to a conversation that I had with a scout before the pre-draft process really got rolling. The scout told me that Downs is the guy that you can pick and rest easy — more so than any other prospect in this class. And I’m in firm agreement. If positional value and financial value had nothing to do with the draft, the board would go Love at No. 1 and Downs at No. 2. Downs has the production, with 68 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and one sack. Alongside Fernando Mendoza, he’s probably the smartest and hardest-working prospect in this class. Downs is going to be a stud. Vega Ioane, OG, Penn State You’ve gotta love a mauler — the kind of offensive lineman who makes you think of demolition equipment. That’s Ioane. Someone will select him in the first 16 picks, and there will be the detractors who say something to the effect of, “Don’t like taking a guard there.” But at that exact same moment, that team’s running back (and quarterback) will be thanking their higher powers for the selection. It’s not going to sell tickets. It’s going to boost the offense. Eli Stowers, TE(/WR), Vanderbilt There are some offenses that can find ways to avoid asking their tight end to block. That’ll be one of the offenses where Stowers lands. Because if you can accept the fact that he is a receiver who plays tight end, you can turn him into an extremely productive matchup threat in your offense. Stowers has an awesome blend of production (769 receiving yards, four touchdowns in 2025) and athleticism (4.51-second 40-yard dash, 45.5-inch vertical, 11-foot-3-inch broad jump). He’s large (6-foot-4, 239 pounds) and he’s explosive. He just needs an offense that’ll preserve those tools as he transitions to the NFL (which will likely involve some weight gain). Gennings Dunker, OL, Iowa You really don’t need to know anything about him on the field, where he should be a starter in the interior over the next year or two. It’s all about the mullet. He is a gigantic goofball, who will consume 10,000 calories on gameday — and crush 36 ounces of coffee on the bus to the game. He’s a huge Culver’s fan. He’s a Midwest icon. His name *dramatic pause* is Gennings Dunker. He’s far from the best offensive lineman to come out of Iowa, but he is a caricature of an Iowa offensive lineman. Aiden Fisher, LB, Indiana He averaged more than 100 tackles in his final three seasons at Indiana, and was at his best in 2025 when he was the cornerstone piece at the middle of the Hoosiers’ defense — and that included logging two sacks in their final two games. The last one, as you may remember, was a national championship victory. Fisher is the kind of player where his size (“too small”) and his athleticism (“not explosive”) will land him on either Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft. But it feels inevitable that, in three years, he’ll wear the green dot for a defense and will be a beloved leader in a locker room. Drew Allar, QB, Penn State I’m not usually a fan of the but-what-about-his-potential prospects. But in the case of Allar, I’m here for it. Because I really do wonder: But what about his potential?! It’s a tough class for the quarterbacks. You can go the route of Ty Simpson or Garrett Nussmeier, who profile similarly: coach’s son, undersized, struggled at the end of the year due to injury. But Simpson in Round 1? That’s a bit rich for my taste. And Nussmeier, in general, concerns me because of his lack of physical tools. So that’s where Allar comes in. He strikes me as a developmental talent with awesome upside. He’s got the physical tools. He just never put it all together in college. But he looks like a Day 3 prospect —  with a Round 4 grade from NFL.com — and so I love the idea of teams investing in him as a flier. He’s 6-foot-5 and 228 pounds. His arm is very impressive. He was once the No. 1 QB prospect in high school. None of that necessarily makes a good pro QB. But if you put this guy under Sean McVay, he would have as good of a chance as anyone in this class to be a top-tier starter someday. [Rankings, Best Team Fits for Top-12 Quarterbacks] Eli Heidenreich, WR/RB, Navy I am cracking up at the one-for-one athletic comparisons between Heidenreich and Christian McCaffrey. They’re physical clones. Admittedly, they’re not comparable when you put on the film. Not even close. McCaffrey went eighth overall in 2017. Heidenreich will be happy if he lands in the sixth round. But there’s something enticing and deeply entertaining about a weapon like Heidenreich, who last season had 941 receiving yards and six touchdown catches and 499 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He played in Navy’s spread triple-option and therefore is not prototypical in any way. He played two positions after all, and was more of a receiver in college — but he figures to be more of a running back in the pros. If Bill Belichick were still an NFL head coach, he’d risk it all for Heidenreich. Of course, no one will have to. He’s a Day 3 pick. It’ll be fun to see what a team can do with his athleticism and versatility, likely starting with a special teams role.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Barring a trade down or a trade of a player (Brandon Ayiuk, anyone?), the San Francisco 49ers will have their fewest number of picks in a single draft since 2020 in the 2026 NFL Draft. But the 49ers have shown an ability to make the most out of their picks in the past. Of course, San Francisco took quarterback Brock Purdy as Mr. Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL Draft. Five years earlier, it landed All-Pro tight end George Kittle in the fifth round. So, what do 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have up their sleeves this April? Well, they have some obvious areas they need to address. They grabbed defensive end Mykel Williams in the first round of last year’s draft, when they had a league-high 11 picks.  However, Williams and perirenal All-Pro Nick Bosa both finished 2025 with season-ending knee injuries, so improving the pass rush remains a priority for San Francisco. Along with adding to their pass rush, finding an eventual replacement for future Hall of Fame left tackle Trent Williams should also be high on the list. The 37-year-old Oklahoma product was recently involved in another contract stalemate with the front office before reaching a resolution on Monday. So, with that in mind, let’s map out what the 49ers should do with a seven-round mock draft. Round 1 (No. 27 overall): Denzel Boston, WR, Washington The 49ers finished 12-5 last season and believe they are still in a Super Bowl window, but San Francisco could use more reliable, young playmakers on offense. Mike Evans and Christian Kirk were signed in free agency, but those two are veteran stop gaps and do not serve as a long-term answer for the receiver room. At 6-foot-4 and 212 pounds, Boston is a big, physical receiver in the mold of Jauan Jennings who can win contested catches down the field. And with 20 receiving touchdowns over the last two seasons, Boston would help in the red zone. The 49ers have a good mentor for Boston on the roster in Evans, and the Washington product could eventually take over that role once he retires. San Francisco brought Boston in for a pre-draft visit. Round 2 (No. 58 overall): Malachi Lawrence, DE, Central Florida The 49ers finished with a league-low 20 sacks last season and need help off the edge with both Bosa and Williams recovering from knee injuries. Lawrence finished with 20 career sacks in college, so the production off the edge is there. And at 6-4 and 253 pounds with long arms and explosive traits, Lawrence provides the skill set new San Francisco defensive coordinator Raheem Morris is looking for in an athlete mover coming off the edge. He posted a 4.52-second 40 time, along with recording a 40-inch vertical jump and a 10-foot, 10-inch broad jump at the NFL Scouting Combine. Lawrence was used to drop in coverage at Central Florida, so he offers versatility in a scheme where Morris will use a variety of defensive looks. The 49ers brought Lawrence in for a pre-draft visit. Round 4 (No. 127 overall): Jakobe Thomas, S, Miami (Fla.) A fifth-year senior for the Hurricanes, Thomas offers physicality and playmaking skills for a San Francisco defensive secondary looking for more athletic bodies. Thomas finished with five interceptions and 11 pass breakups in his final season at Miami. At 6-1 and 211 pounds. Thomas has good size for the position. Thomas is a willing tackler in the running game, and while his 4.57-second 40 time will not wow scouts, he shows decent football instincts and can make plays in space. Thomas also showed the ability to develop into a good blitzer at the next level and can contribute on special teams. Round 4 (No. 133 overall): Alex Harkey, G, Oregon At 6-5 and 308 pounds, Harkey’s versatility is his strong suit. Harkey has the skill set to play all five offensive line positions and played tight end in high school, but he tracks to play guard at the next level. San Francisco offensive line coach Chris Foerster excels at getting the most out of developmental projects and will value Harkey’s unique skill set. The 49ers could use help in the interior of the offensive line, along with a contingency plan should an aging Williams deal with injuries again. Harkey could be part of that development strategy. San Francisco had a pre-draft visit with Harkey and met with him at the NFL Scouting Combine. Round 4 (No. 138 overall): Travis Burke, OT, Memphis Burke would be another developmental prospect for the 49ers to mold into a polished product that can play winning football on game days. At 6-9 and 325 pounds with long arms, Burke has the tools to grow into a consistent contributor along the offensive line for the 49ers. With San Francisco once again in contract negotiations with Williams, Burke would provide another option down the line as a player who could play in a pinch with a couple years of seasoning while working in an NFL facility. Round 4 (No. 139 overall): Darrell Jackson Jr., DT, Florida State At 6-5 and 312 pounds with long arms, Jackson has the physical profile to serve as a two-gap defensive tackle who can eat up blocks in the middle of San Francisco’s defense front. He also showed some pass-rush ability two years ago, finishing with 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble in 2024. The 49ers are thin up front defensively and could use a rotational player at defensive tackle. Jackson’s uncle is Dexter Jackson, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety and MVP of Super Bowl XXXVII. Jackson was a teammate of San Francisco GM John Lynch with the Bucs.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

As NFL talent evaluators put the finishing touches on their scouting reports of the 2026 draft class, they’ll look at current pros with similar traits as another data point to project how the prospects might perform in the pro game. Most scouts utilize pro comparisons to paint a picture for NFL decision-makers who make the calls when on the clock. With the 2026 draft approaching, here are my pro comps for the top prospects in this year’s class. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana The Heisman Trophy winner is a lock to come off the board as the No. 1 overall pick on Thursday. Mendoza has impressed scouts with his intelligence, toughness and management skills, while also flashing pinpoint accuracy and touch as a rhythm passer. The combination of skills and a winning pedigree makes it easy to envision the Indiana standout thriving as a QB1 for a team running a system that prioritizes mistake-free football and clutch playmaking. Although Mendoza lacks elite physical tools, his superpowers as a high-IQ game manager could result in better performance and production than his natural talent would suggest. Pro comparison: Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State The silky-smooth pass-catcher checks all the boxes as a potential No. 1 receiver. Tate can impact the game as a three-level playmaker, displaying big-play potential as a vertical threat or catch-and-run specialist. Additionally, the Ohio State star shows elite route-running skills by twisting defenders into knots with his electric stop-start quickness and ballerina-like body control. With Tate also flashing ridiculous ball skills and body control as an acrobatic pass catcher, the 6-foot-2, 194-pounder is a dominant weapon on the perimeter with “take over the game” potential as a pro. Pro comparison: Rams WR Davante Adams Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State It is hard to find a safety with a high IQ, positional flexibility, ball skills and a “hit stick” mentality that enables him to play as a center fielder or hybrid linebacker in a multi-faceted scheme. Downs not only excels as a jack-of-all-trades, but he has mastered the art of playmaking in a “see ball, get ball” defensive scheme. While skeptics dismiss his impact potential due to his modest physical traits, the evaluators who love “ball players” easily identify the game-changing skills the Ohio State star brings to the table. Considering how championship-level defenses thrive with a game changer in the middle of the field, Downs’ versatility and adaptability give him a chance to emerge as a star as a designated playmaker in a creative defensive scheme. Pro comparison: Cardinals S Budda Baker David Bailey, EDGE, Texas Tech The energetic speed rusher took college football by storm during his lone season with the Red Raiders. Bailey terrorized opponents with his speed, quickness and burst, as he showcased a “dip-and-rip” maneuver and slick spin move to harass quarterbacks in the backfield. The persistent pressure and constant chaos created by his relentless approach force offensive coordinators to alter their pass-protection plans when facing the dynamic pass rusher. As Bailey acclimates to the pro game and elite pass protectors, the shifty sack artist could produce double-digit sacks annually as a speed-rushing specialist. Pro comparison: Giants OLB Brian Burns [How One Key Question Changed David Bailey’s NFL Future] Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama The pinpoint, quick-rhythm passer operates like a coach on the field, with his instincts, awareness and anticipation enabling him to pick apart coverages with surgical precision. Simpson’s flawless pocket mechanics and footwork make him a quarterback coach’s dream at first glance. With his strongest supporters citing the 2025 Crimson Tide’s sizzling start and his ridiculous numbers as proof of his franchise quarterback potential, the polarizing quarterback must overcome his inexperience, lack of size and arm talent deficiencies to defy the odds as a lightweight quarterback prospect. While teams have gambled on “newbies” in previous drafts (Mark Sanchez, 2009; Cam Newton, 2011; Kyler Murray, 2019; Trey Lance, 2021; Mac Jones, 2021; and Anthony Richardson, 2023), the disappointing hit rate will require Simpson to play above and beyond expectations to justify his draft day status. In a league in which scheme and play calls matter as much as the supporting cast, Simpson must find his way to a team that features a system that makes the game easier for the quarterback. Pro comparison: 49ers QB Brock Purdy Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State After successfully transitioning from safety to linebacker at Ohio State, Styles could flourish as a designated playmaker dominating the game between the hashes. As a fast-flow linebacker who can stuff running backs in the hole or run with tight ends and slot receivers down the middle, the 6-foot-4, 243-pounder exhibits rare traits as an off-ball linebacker in a passing league. With his size, length and athleticism, which shrink passing lanes down the middle of the field, Styles is a potential difference-maker for a defense employing a “vision-and-break” scheme designed to create more turnovers. Pro comparison: 49ers LB Fred Warner [Will Ohio State Have Four Top-10 Picks in the 2026 NFL Draft?] Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami The disruptive edge defender is a violent butt-kicker with heavy hands and a nasty temperament. Bain outworks and outlasts blockers, showcasing an alpha-dawg mentality reflected in his relentless approach and competitive stamina. With a rugged game that complements his explosive first step and all-out effort, the Miami standout is the junkyard dog no one wants to face on a critical down. In a league where sack production can lead to blind spots for some evaluators, Bain’s energy, effort and physicality make him an essential piece of any defensive puzzle. Pro comparison: Eagles DE Brandon Graham Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson The transformation of the NFL into a pass-centric league has forced coaches and scouts to view the “Nickel” cornerback as the 12th starter. As a high-IQ defender with outstanding ball skills and a devastating knockout punch (forced fumbles), Terrell is the prototypical slot defender every defensive coordinator covets in the starting lineup. While some scouts question his top-end speed and burst, old-school coaches prefer instincts and awareness over athleticism. Terrell’s knack for making plays on the ball and smothering routes as a zone-based cover corner should result in rave reviews from teams seeking a plug-and-play option on the perimeter. Pro comparison: Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Here’s what’s happening this week Inside The Garage: Long Beach, Calif. — There are 10 days left in April. But as far as the INDYCAR world is concerned, the Month of May has pretty much started. With Long Beach in the rearview mirror, drivers and teams will now focus on the next five weeks in Indianapolis. Yes, some teams could have a test at another track, but for the most part, preparations for the Indianapolis 500 have begun. Drivers and teams have a week to get ready for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway open test being held April 28-29. For many, this will be their first laps on the oval since last May. A little more than a week later will be the Indianapolis Grand Prix weekend on the IMS road course and then practice for the Indianapolis 500 begins May 12. The test next week will be pivotal in many ways. Will Power, who changed teams in the offseason, will get his first laps in the Andretti Global No. 26 car after 17 seasons at Team Penske. The Penske team prides itself on its Indy 500 prowess. “That will be an important test,” Power, who won the 2018 Indianapolis 500, told me and other reporters last weekend at Long Beach. “We’ve got a lot of things to try. That will be interesting, too. I think about [my] 17 years in a Penske car. “It’ll definitely be something new, but I’m looking forward to it. I think we’ll be good. We’ve got some good stuff happening and hope to be competitive when it comes time.” Power’s replacement at Team Penske, David Malukas, will also get his first laps in a Penske car at IMS. “Just getting comfortable right before the big month of May [is the goal],” Malukas said. “The Indy 500 and knowing Team Penske’s success there, … [I’ll] just try to get comfortable, take things nice and slow because we have a lot of time for it and see how things play out.” There is a new patch of pavement between Turns 1 and 2 where the speedway took care of a bump by removing the previous asphalt before pouring new asphalt. Some drivers got a chance to test tires there after the patchwork and don’t believe it will be an issue. ECR No. 20 car driver Alexander Rossi, who was among the drivers at that test, had totally forgotten about the patchwork in that area. “They asked me afterwards, ‘How’s the repave?’ I was like, ‘What? … Oh it was fine,” Rossi told me and other reporters this past weekend at Long Beach. Defending race champion Alex Palou is looking forward to getting back on the track at Indy. He’s been to the speedway for many events since that defining moment in a career that has included four INDYCAR titles in the No. 10 car for Chip Ganassi Racing. [INDYCAR TAKEAWAYS: Alex Palou Earns First Long Beach Win] Palou did the tire test last fall. He said he didn’t feel much difference at the test, knowing he had won in May. “It doesn’t really feel different,” the Chip Ganassi Racing driver told me and other reporters last weekend at Long Beach. “I think it’s going to feel different when the fans are there and maybe they call you ‘Champion’ for the first time.” As with any test, the key isn’t just to find out what works well — it’s to find out what doesn’t. “You’re not reinventing the wheel, and you’re kind of just seeing is there any dramatic things that need to be addressed,” Rossi said. “And assuming not, you’re kind of just getting used to being back at the speedway and getting running traffic.” Will Talladega Stage Change Work? NASCAR is changing the stage lengths for the Cup race at Talladega, making the first stage 98 laps and the final two stages 45 laps. Typically, the final stage is the longest. But by making the final two stages less than the length of a fuel run, NASCAR is hopeful drivers won’t be saving fuel. In recent races at Daytona and Talladega, the drivers have saved fuel so they could spend less time on pit road fueling their car in order to get to the end of the stage. NASCAR doesn’t see this as the grand solution to the issue and plans to have a test at Daytona next January to work on ideas to encourage drivers to race at full throttle. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who won at Talladega in 2024 and has two victories there, said drivers still might save fuel so at the stage break they only need nine seconds on pit road to change tires and fill the tank. “I don’t know if you’re going to spend a lot of time saving, but you’re still going to save fuel,” said Stenhouse, who drives for Hyak Racing, during his media availability earlier this month at Bristol. In The News — Abel Motorsports confirmed its entry into the Indianapolis 500 with Jacob Abel, who will be driving the No. 51 Chevrolet. Abel was the lone driver to get bumped from the field last year in his rookie INDYCAR season, but he should make the race this year with there being an expected 33 entries for 33 spots. Abel has been without a full-time open-wheel ride this year but has been competing in sports-car racing. — INDYCAR had a failure in its push-to-pass software that did not disengage the system on the drivers’ cars for the one restart at Long Beach. The system, which gives the drivers a boost in speed, is supposed to be disengaged until the driver hits the alternate start-finish line on the first lap of green. INDYCAR said 12 drivers used it before reaching the alternate start-finish line but won’t be penalized because the system is not supposed to be operable at that time. Only Marcus Armstrong made a pass during that time. Both Armstrong and the driver he passed, Santino Ferrucci, used about the same amount of push-to-pass (drivers got 200 seconds for the entire race) before the system was supposed to be operable. — INDYCAR has hired Chip Ganassi Racing engineering executive Mike O’Gara as the INDYCAR Vice President of Competition for race engineering. He will be heavily involved in the development of the new car for 2028 as well as the technical portion of the rulebook. — Lee White, a former team executive whose stops included Roush Racing and Newman Haas Racing before he served as president of Toyota Racing Development for 15 years, died earlier this month at age 78. White played a pivotal role in Toyota’s entry into NASCAR. Social Spotlight They Said It “This kid is on fire. I don’t know if I can cool him down.” — 23XI Racing owner Michael Jordan on Tyler Reddick after Reddick earned his fifth win of the season with Sunday’s victory at Kansas. In Inside The Garage, Bob Pockrass takes us behind the scenes of the motorsports world the way only he can.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Goalkeeper Jonathan Klinsmann, the son of former Germany striker Jürgen Klinsmann, is recovering from a broken neck sustained playing for second-tier Italian side Cesena on Saturday. He was stretchered off the field in a neck brace following a collision with a Palermo player and taken to a hospital in the Sicilian capital. The club said in a statement that initial tests revealed “a fracture to the first cervical vertebra” and a cut to the back of the head. He is set for further tests with a specialist neurosurgeon, the club added. The 29-year-old Klinsmann posted on Instagram to say his season was over and thanked Cesena and Palermo fans “for the warm wishes” as well as “friends and family who have supported me over the last few days.” Born in Munich, when his father was playing for Bayern, Klinsmann played briefly for the Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS and has represented the United States at youth level. Klinsmann has been called up twice by USA’s senior team, most recently in 2025, but has not yet made his debut for the Stars and Stripes. He joined Cesena, which is in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, two years ago and has made over 50 appearances. The Serie B club is currently coached by former Arsenal, Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole. The Associated Press contributed to this report.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The Orlando Storm — the only undefeated team after Week 4 — shut out the Birmingham Stallions by double digits this weekend, 16-0. It was a historic feat, marking the first time a team has been held scoreless in the regular season. Orlando’s defense, led by associate head coach and defensive coordinator Donnie Abraham, has been the key to the team’s success through the first part of the season. Specifically, Orlando has been effectively stopping the run, holding opponents to a league-low 61.3 rushing yards a contest and a league-best 13 points per game. Defensive end Keyshawn Banks leads Orlando with 4.0 sacks, while safety Josh Minkins tops the team with 21 tackles and two pass breakups. “We spend a lot of time talking about everybody else’s defense, and Donnie [has] stood the test of time,” Orlando head coach Anthony Becht said. “Donnie [has] got four years of film on the defensive scheme and what we’re doing.” Elsewhere in Week 4, two teams got their first victories of the season. The Louisville Kings (1-3) played their second consecutive overtime game, this time earning a narrow 24-22 victory over the Houston Gamblers (1-3). Head coach Ted Ginn Jr. returned to the sideline for the Columbus Aviators (1-3), providing a spark for his team, which handed the Dallas Renegades (3-1) their first defeat of the season, 28-14. It was the Renegades’ third game played in 11 days. Finally, the defending champion DC Defenders (3-1) kept rolling, earning their third victory in a row by avenging an opening-season loss to the St. Louis Battlehawks (2-2) with a 28-22 win. However, the big news over the weekend was two monster trades for quarterbacks. The Stallions moved on from struggling starter Matt Corral, trading the Ole Miss product and defensive end Amani Bledsoe to Orlando for backup Dorian Thompson-Robinson. In a separate transaction, the Defenders acquired Jason Bean from the Kings in exchange for Mike DiLiello. Here are my takeaways from Week 4 of the UFL: 1. Down and out in Birmingham, AJ McCarron makes a huge move In the team’s home opener this season, the Stallions suffered an embarrassing, humbling defeat to the visiting Storm — in front of 18,000 fans, nonetheless. Becht got the best of his former player, McCarron, in the first matchup between the two now-head coaches. The lone bright spots for Birmingham were a sideline appearance by former three-time spring football champion head coach Skip Holtz, who stepped away from the Stallions this offseason, and a halftime performance by Gucci Mane. The Stallions wore stickers on the back of their helmets honoring Holtz’s father, legendary Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz, who died at the age of 89 earlier this year. McCarron replaced an ineffective Corral in favor of backup and hometown product Michael Hiers. However, he didn’t fare much better, completing just 46.7% of his passes for 60 yards, with no touchdown passes or interceptions. Prior to this season, the Stallions had lost just four regular-season games in two years. However, Birmingham has lost three already in a disappointing 1-3 start. “Everything’s on the table,” McCarron said. “Trades to [quarterbacks] change — everything’s on the table.” McCarron stayed true to his word, making a move for Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round pick by the Cleveland Browns in the 2023 NFL Draft who also spent time with the Philadelphia Eagles. A dual-threat quarterback, the UCLA product finished his college career as the school’s all-time leader in total offense (12,536), completions (860), total touchdowns (116), touchdown passes (88) and passing yards (10,710). Still, Jack Plummer won the starting job over Thompson-Robinson in a close competition in Orlando ahead of the season. It’s a formula Birmingham has used with great success. J’Mar Smith, Alex McGough and Adrian Martinez were all athletic quarterbacks who led the Stallions to championships. We’ll see if DTR can turn Birmingham’s offense around. Giddy up! 2. Louisville goes with Chandler Rogers as starting QB The Kings moving Bean to DC allows Louisville head coach Chris Redman to elevate backup quarterback Rogers as the team’s starter. Bean has the third-most passing yards in the UFL through four games (819) but has only completed 47% of his passes. Rogers, a 6-foot, 200-pound product out of Cal, is a dual-threat quarterback who has thrown for 160 passing yards in three games this season. The Kings also get a competent backup in DiLiello, who threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns in 2025. 3. Battlehawks WR Hakeem Butler can still make big plays One thing that has not changed in St. Louis is Butler continuing to create jaw-dropping plays when it matters most. Despite the Battlehawks’ tough road loss to the Defenders this week, the 6-foot-5, 240-pound Butler put on a show, finishing with two catches for 109 yards on three targets. Those numbers included a 75-yard catch-and-run for a score on a screen pass, along with out-jumping three defenders on a Hail Mary throw at the end of the half. For the season, the former UFL Offensive Player of the Year has 10 receptions for 311 receiving yards and two touchdowns. 4. Houston’s Marcus Yarns becomes first 100-yard rusher this season Despite a tough, late-game loss that dropped the Gamblers to 1-3 on the year, Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin found a blueprint for moving the football on offense: running the football. The leader for that effort last week was Yarns, who finished with eight carries for 111 rushing yards, including a 68-yard run for a score. The Gamblers totaled a season-high 206 yards on the ground, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. Expect to see more of Yarns toting the rock for the Gamblers. 4 ½: What’s Next In Week 5, things are set to kick off on Friday evening with the Defenders facing the Stallions. There’s one game on Saturday night, with the Battlehawks facing the Storm. Things come to a close with a doubleheader on Sunday, with the Aviators taking on the Gamblers in the afternoon, followed by the Renegades hosting the Kings later on. [UFL 2026: Full Regular-Season Schedules, Results for All 8 Teams]​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

By year’s end, odds are we’ll be crowning Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge as the MVPs yet again. To this point, though, neither player has been his team’s best hitter. Ohtani is flashing his two-way prowess with a dominant 0.50 ERA and a respectable .915 OPS, but another Dodgers teammate leads MLB in hits and batting average and is well ahead of him in every slash-line category. Judge, meanwhile, is pacing the Yankees with nine home runs, but another Bronx Bomber has the highest OPS in MLB. So, who is every team’s early MVP? We’ll take a look as part of this week’s power rankings: We might have a new poster boy for three true outcomes: Munetaka Murakami is tied for the third-most homers in MLB and also has the fourth-highest walk rate and 11th highest strikeout rate. Hunter Goodman looks poised for another 30-plus homer season, but the bigger story is what Antonio Senzatela is doing in a new long relief role on the mound. The veteran righty allowed his first run of the season Sunday, but he also picked up the win and now sports a 0.63 ERA in six appearances (14.1 innings) while throwing harder than ever before. Perhaps lost among the shocking disasters around the league, the Royals have now lost seven straight games and have scored the fewest runs in MLB. Michael Wacha (1.00 ERA) and Seth Lugo (1.48) are doing their part on the mound to try to give their team a chance, though. Woof. The losing streak is up to 11. Since 2020, 11 other teams have lost 11 straight games at some point in a season; none of them made the playoffs. The Mets can’t seem to score runs with Juan Soto sidelined, but at least they have a chance to win every time Nolan McLean pitches. He has the lowest WHIP of any qualified National League pitcher and, as expected, looks like an early Rookie of the Year contender. If I told you Yordan Alvarez was leading MLB in home runs and fWAR, you’d probably assume the Astros were doing quite well. And you would assume incorrectly. They have two wins in their last 14 games — both against the Rockies, who also swept them during that stretch — and their pitchers have a 6.11 ERA. Yikes. The pitching is, as expected, a problem. The offense, however, offers plenty of intrigue. CJ Abrams, who has nearly doubled both his walk rate and barrel rate in the early going, ranks fourth among all qualified hitters in OPS. As a team, the Nationals are tied for second in runs scored with the Dodgers and Astros, just one run behind the Braves. With Logan Webb, Adrian Houser and Tyler Mahle all sporting ERAs over 5.00, the early work from Landen Roupp (2.38) has been needed in the Giants’ scuffling rotation. Roupp hasn’t allowed a home run, or even a barreled ball, through four starts. The Blue Jays rank in the bottom 10 in MLB in runs per game, which certainly wasn’t expected after they ranked fourth in the category last season. It could be a lot worse if it weren’t for Kevin Gausman and Dylan Cease, who get co-early-season-MVP honors here. The Blue Jays are 5-4 in games in which they’ve started, and they’ve held the depleted Toronto rotation afloat. Among MLB pitchers who’ve thrown at least 20 innings, Cease is third in strikeout rate while Gausman is third in strikeout-to-walk percentage. As bad as it has been overall in Boston, Willson Contreras is giving the Red Sox everything they’ve needed at first base. As a team, Boston first basemen last year ranked 27th in fWAR and 26th in wRC+. With Contreras this year, they rank in the top five in both categories at the position. MLB’s shortstop leader in fWAR? Nope, not Bobby Witt Jr., Gunnar Henderson or Elly De La Cruz. It’s Miami’s Otto Lopez, who’s hitting .338, the best mark of any player at his position. They have the worst run differential (-38) in all of MLB. No, not a typo. Yes, hard to believe. They’ve now lost five straight games and nine of 11, and they scored three runs total while getting swept by the Braves over the weekend. At least they have Cristopher Sánchez, who started three of the team’s eight wins and hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in any of his five starts. I would like to use this section to rave about Mike Trout, who leads all qualified AL center fielders in OPS as he turns back the clock to start the year… but this spot might need to be reserved for the Angels’ early Cy Young contender. José Soriano is 5-0 with a ridiculous 0.28 ERA. The Twins’ trade for 25-year-old right-hander Taj Bradley at last year’s deadline is looking like a huge win, especially with Pablo López out for the year. Bradley is 3-0 with a 1.63 ERA through five starts; Griffin Jax, the player Bradley was traded for, has a 7.04 ERA in Tampa Bay. On a team with so much offensive firepower, Shea Langeliers can sometimes get lost in the shuffle. But he has been the A’s best hitter this year, and he leads all catchers with six homers, including a 467-foot blast that is the longest by any player in MLB this year. (Marvel at it here.) Jeremiah Jackson is slashing .303/.319/.561 with five homers despite walking just once with a chase rate over 40%. It may not be sustainable, but considering the injuries around the Baltimore infield, his production to this point has been vital. The other contender for the early-season honor is Taylor Ward, who hasn’t provided the power many expected (he hit his first home run of the year Sunday) but leads MLB in doubles and has a career-high .388 on-base percentage. The Rangers have to be feeling good about their one-for-one swap of Brandon Nimmo for Marcus Semien. Nimmo has been the Rangers’ best hitter (.311/.386/.522), while Semien has played at a replacement level so far in Queens. Bryan Woo has looked the part of an ace with a 2.25 ERA through five starts, but the bigger story in the Mariners’ rotation is Emerson Hancock. With the help of his sweeper, it seems to all be coming together for the 26-year-old, who’s 2-1 with a 2.28 ERA and tied for the second-lowest WHIP (0.76) among all qualified MLB starters. The Rays rank 10th in OPS, thanks in large part to Yandy Díaz. He has the second-highest wRC+ of any qualified DH in MLB behind only Yordan Alvarez and is tied for the second-most hits of any player in baseball behind only Andy Pages. The early-season MVP award in Detroit can be split between arguably the best pitcher (Tarik Skubal) and rookie (Kevin McGonigle) in MLB. But it’s also worth giving some attention to Dillon Dingler, who has been tearing the cover off the baseball and leads all qualified catchers in OPS. They’ve been arguably the most surprising team in baseball this year, and the breakout appears to be here for 23-year-old Jordan Walker. He ranks first among position players in bWAR and is tied for third in MLB in home runs and fifth in OPS. After a slow start, the Cubs are starting to kick into gear. Only two teams — the Braves and Dodgers — have a better run differential than them. That may not be a surprise, but Nico Hoerner being the Cubs’ best hitter certainly is; he’s tied for the MLB lead with 21 RBI, and he already has three home runs after hitting just seven each of the past two seasons. Sal Stewart leads all National League rookies in hits, homers, RBI and slugging. In a rookie class loaded with talent, Stewart and Mets pitcher Nolan McLean currently look like the best in the NL. The answer is always Jose Ramírez, who’s back to doing his thing after a slow start, but Parker Messick needs a mention. He’s 3-0 with a 1.05 ERA, and he had to earn those numbers. His four starts — all of which ended in Guardians wins — came against the Dodgers, Cubs, Braves and Orioles. He’s emerging as a sneaky AL Rookie of the Year contender. Brandon Lowe leads all MLB second basemen with seven home runs and a .600 slugging percentage and leads his new team with a .975 OPS. There was some fear that Corbin Carroll might not look the same after returning from a broken hamate bone in the spring; instead, he has been even better than usual, slashing .300/.390/.600. Carroll ranks eighth in MLB in OPS and leads the league in triples. While Jacob Misiorowski continues to rack up strikeouts — he leads MLB in the category — the most valuable player on the team is WBC standout Brice Turang. With four homers and the sixth-highest OPS in MLB, Turang is demonstrating he’s a lot more than a Platinum Glove defender. The best hitter in baseball so far this year is a Yankee, but it’s not the one you might think. Ben Rice leads all qualified hitters in on-base percentage (.476), slugging (.800), OPS (1.276) and wRC+ (246). Meanwhile, on the mound, Cam Schlittler leads all AL starters in K/BB% and fWAR. It takes a lot for a closer to be singled out on this list, but Mason Miller is deserving — 11 appearances, two hits, no runs, 27 strikeouts, two walks. Just absurd stuff. He’s 8-for-8 in save chances and, at this overpowering pace, could end up getting Cy Young consideration. Matt Olson leads the Braves in on-base percentage, slugging and OPS and has more doubles (10 total) than any first baseman in MLB. Shohei Ohtani has a 0.50 ERA and a 51-game on-base streak that is the third-longest in franchise history, but he’s not the team leader in WAR. That honor belongs to Andy Pages, who leads MLB in hits and batting average and ranks third in OPS.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

You know that Fernando Mendoza is going first overall. You know that at No. 2, the New York Jets are deciding between Texas Tech edge David Bailey and Ohio State edge Arvell Reese. And you know that the bona fide superstars in this draft — running back Jeremiyah Love, safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Sonny Styles — do not play premium positions. That’s what we’re seeing and hearing at the surface level. But this is “Sound Smart,” where I try to spin forward, dive deeper and think outside the box. If I do my job, you’ll have a better understanding of what to expect ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. 1. MONDAY MORNING CONTROVERSY The Bengals won their trade for DT Dexter Lawrence. Period. At first glance, no one seemed to like the Dexter Lawrence trade for the Cincinnati Bengals. (I did, to be clear. But basically no one else liked it.) It was “a steal” for New York — supposedly. A Top 10 pick! For Dexter Lawrence? A 28-year-old DT? Why? How?! It’s actually really simple. Lawrence was a better player than whatever rookie the Bengals were going to get at 10th overall, even taking into account the financials, the age and the long-term planning. Would you rather have Dexter Lawrence or Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson? Would you rather have Dexter Lawrence or LSU corner Mansoor Delane? Lawrence or Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa? A top 10 pick sounds great. The reality of this year’s No. 10 is … not so great — unless maybe Ohio State safety Caleb Downs dropped that far. In this era of information, there are rare moments where we overthink a single transaction. But there are outliers that buck the greater trends, and I see clearly why the Bengals thought this was a win for their organization. Cincinnati is a team that needs to get better in a hurry. The job security for coach Zac Taylor isn’t so much my concern. It’s all about the Bengals’ relationship with veteran QB Joe Burrow. Listen to the way he sounded disenchanted with the game last year. He sounded like he could retire — or like he’d consider pulling a Matthew Stafford and demanding a trade. Cincy could lose Burrow as early as 2027. In December, I called this the most important offseason ever for the Bengals. This is not a drill, folks. This is one of the biggest issues an organization can face. The Bengals needed to address the issue. They’re starting to act like it, adding Lawrence to such offseason additions as edge Boye Mafe, safeties Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. I can see why — to some — that might make this move sound desperate. Or illogical. It’s neither. This 2026 draft isn’t very impressive at the top. There will be places on Day 2 when teams will get a third-round-graded player in the third round. Otherwise, I bet most teams will feel like they’re reaching, especially in Round 1. Some teams have fewer than 10 players with a first-round grade. It’s possible the Bengals are one of those teams. Which would lend more credibility to the idea that Lawrence was worth it. It’s a part of a bigger trend: an offseason where premium players have been especially scarce. Because the draft was so weak, teams didn’t let their free agents get to the open market. (There were, for example, virtually no good defensive tackles on the open market with the best free agent option being 39-year-old Calais Campbell, who is actually still available, though not especially enticing). Because the draft is so weak and free agency looked thin, teams got more aggressive in acquiring veterans in the trade market — like cornerback Trent McDuffie, edge Maxx Crosby and receiver DJ Moore. (And I know that the Crosby deal with Baltimore fell apart, but that happened, in part, because Trey Hendrickson presented a rare value that the Ravens didn’t seem to initially anticipate. They probably didn’t anticipate his availability because of the trends I’m mentioning.) When it comes to the Lawrence deal, the Bengals managed to secure him through 2028 — and without breaking the bank. It’s basically a three-year, $70-million contract after Cincinnati gave him a $28-million, one-year extension. That puts Lawrence on par with Quinnen Williams, Jeffery Simmons and DeForest Buckner in terms of average annual value. I suspect that’s a deal the Giants would gladly accept — but were not given the option to, because of a relationship that deteriorated. They’re now looking at a defense which, this season, will have to defend running backs such as Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, Christian McCaffrey and Jahmyr Gibbs, among others. It’s suddenly a ground-game league. And the Giants’ defense looks like it’s in danger of turning into ground meat next season without Lawrence. New York will probably draft inside linebacker Sonny Styles at fifth overall to help offset Lawrence’s departure. (At No. 10, it looks like maybe the Giants will take an offensive player, like ASU receiver Tyson.) But as terrific as Styles is, he’d be a whole lot better if he was playing behind Lawrence. The Bengals are a team in dire need of impact players. They didn’t see one falling into their lap on defense at 10th overall. So they moved that pick for a proven entity. If it works out, they might cure Burrow’s melancholia and keep him with the organization. Finally, it feels like the Bengals are taking action. 2. IF THERE’S ONE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW It’s OK to be thinking ahead to Arch Manning and the 2027 NFL Draft. Everyone else is. At the NFL Combine in February, a pair of NFL agents sat discussing the 2026 draft at a Starbucks near the convention center in Indianapolis. But the more they discussed this year’s class, the more they talked about next year’s class. Texas QB Arch Manning. Oregon QB Dante Moore. Ohio State QB Julian Sayin. South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers. LSU QB Sam Leavitt. That’s what 2027 might have to offer. There’s a lot of talent to get excited about — next year. There are enthusiasts who love this year’s presumed No. 1 pick, Fernando Mendoza, including — of course — the folks in Las Vegas. He is a very good prospect. After him, however, the quarterback class looks starkly undertalented and/or underdeveloped. After Mendoza, there’s a real lack of star potential at the top of the first round at just about every premium position. Quarterbacks Ty Simpson (Alabama) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) are compelling players, and they’re almost definitely going to be the QB2 and QB3 of this year’s class. Cole Payton (North Dakota State) figures to present strong value as a mid-round developmental prospect. But it’s a good thing these QBs came out this year, because they almost certainly wouldn’t rank as favorably in next year’s class. Arch Manning, for example, would’ve probably been the No. 1 overall pick this year. Dante Moore might’ve also pushed Mendoza for QB1, if the Oregon prospect had entered the draft. It seems highly likely that Simpson will land in Round 1 — but in a place where he won’t have to see the field in 2026. Even his father, Jason Simpson, told me that Ty wasn’t like Mendoza, who was interviewing for jobs in 2026. Simpson was interviewing for a starting job in 2027. Around the league, we have seen a few teams treading water at quarterback, most notably the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns. It’s not paradise in the quarterback rooms for the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers or New York Jets. Yet there is less urgency around the quarterback position this year than normal. And I think that’s because everyone is thinking about next year’s prizes. There’s an obvious risk, because this draft class was supposed to be better than it turned out to be. The highly-anticipated quarterbacks might return to the safety of NIL paychecks, which are — in some cases — higher than what a player might make in the NFL. Even considering all that, it’s almost a total certainty that next year’s group will be better than this year’s group. And so the 2027 draft class is looming — and to some degree lording — over the 2026 draft. 3. SHARING A NOT-SO-DIRTY DRAFT SECRET Is there a pattern around prospects who turn into busts? Chiefs GM Brett Veach thinks he’s found one. Why do some great prospects fail to pan out? If only NFL general managers knew for sure. And for executives who only get a few years in their decision-making chair, it’s even harder to get a sense of whether there’s even a pattern. That’s why Chiefs general manager Brett Veach’s answer to a question at his pre-draft press conference last week struck me as so interesting. This is Veach’s 10th year in his role. During that time, the Chiefs have hit on guys all over the roster, from QB Patrick Mahomes to center Creed Humphrey to defensive tackle Chris Jones to cornerback Trent McDuffie. They’ve also missed on some players, from running back Clyde Helaire-Edwards to receiver Skyy Moore to defensive end Breeland Speaks. But more often than not, the Chiefs have hit in the top three rounds, which is a major reason why they have made so many Super Bowls. But last season, we saw that while Mahomes can do a whole lot — he can’t do it all. “If you miss on a player, it’s probably the character and the love for football,” Veach said. “We all get enamored by what a player can do, and I think everyone has an element of, ‘Well, if he’s in our environment, it’ll be different.’ We do have a great environment here. If anyone’s going to get the best out of any player, it’s going to be here. But even [with] some of those players, it’s hard.” It’s one of the biggest clichés of the draft process — these discussions of character and love for the game. But that’s in part because it’s not quantifiable and in part because it comes off as coachspeak. There’s no easy measurement for either — or for how things might change once a player arrives in the NFL. But the more you speak with evaluators, the more you know that every prospect requires development. And you can’t help a guy who can’t help himself. “No one’s going to be perfect, and you’re not always going to get Pat Mahomes and Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith in regards to mental makeup,” Veach said. “The guys that you do roll the dice for, [you] plan the approach … and just work on that over the years. Again, I go back to the mistakes you make are guys that at the end of the day, they just don’t love football. Even though you thought you were going to change them, you didn’t. “We’ve tried to do better with that process, identifying those things and making sure that we’re looking for the right traits and characteristics that do lend itself to future change.” 4. WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS AFRAID TO SAY Hey Cowboys, stay the course. Dallas is putting together a solid defense. Maybe it’s not a spectacular one, but it’s a really good one. The Cowboys have taken the patient approach of spreading money around the defense — rather than investing in one unit with an unnecessary sense of urgency. This is the Micah Parsons effect, where they’ve sacrificed one elite pass-rusher in the name of having elite offensive playmakers and a well-rounded defense. Don’t lose sight of the plan, Dallas. “I’ve looked at that mirror a lot, about how to go up and down and trade and do those kinds of things,” owner Jerry Jones said in a press conference at the owners meetings in March. “And absolutely, we’ll entertain improving or an in-draft read on what gives us a better chance to get another player, and still have our pick and the red meat of top players. … With the kind of assets or the kind of ammunition we’ve got in this draft, you should look at all machinations.” There’s a growing sentiment that Dallas wants to trade up for Sonny Styles or Arvell Reese. Maybe into the top five picks. I can’t get behind either concept. It would derail what appeared to be the Cowboys’ strategy around the Parsons trade. From this draft, Reese is most like Parsons — but given how little playing time Reese got in his edge role at Ohio State, he’s a legitimately risky play for an investment that would likely require two first-round picks. The film is excellent, but there’s not that much of it. It’s an easier sell for Styles, who is (in my opinion) one of two clear-cut instant Pro Bowlers alongside Jeremiyah Love. But trading up for Styles is comparable to the plot of Draft Day — giving up multiple first-round picks to get a linebacker. It’s the most ridiculous plot point of the movie and that’s saying something. I don’t like the Cowboys doing it in real life. So here’s hoping if the Cowboys do move up, they don’t worry about getting into the top five picks. They jump up a few spots, if necessary, to snag Miami edge Rueben Bain or Caleb Downs … or even Styles, if he slips to seventh or eighth. But the whole idea was to use the Parsons trade as an opportunity to bring depth and balance to the defense. Don’t abandon that whole idea. Make sure you come away from the 2026 draft with two first-round picks. Make sure you preserve your first-rounders in the 2027 draft. For the love of all things good in the world, don’t write “Sonny Styles No Matter What” on a Post-it. 5. PEELING BACK THE CURTAIN The draft process has been complicated for Rueben Bain. The draft process is long, invasive and comprehensive. Just a month ago, Caleb Downs told me that he didn’t feel like the months leading up to the draft were one big interview because NFL teams are “doing background checks on your childhood stuff, so at this point, your whole life is sort of a job interview.” That’s why NFL teams knew about Rueben Bain’s car accident long before the public did. In March 2024, Bain rear-ended another vehicle, per a police report published on The Read Optional. Three of the four passengers were not wearing seat belts and 22-year-old Destiny Betts sustained injuries severe enough to put her in a coma. She died in June 2024. “We’ve known about it since last summer,” one scout told me regarding the accident. “I still think he goes in the top 10. Again, everyone has known about this in the NFL.” I sat down with Bain last month in Portland at the Adidas “Pro Day” — just after the NFL Combine — to talk about the pre-draft process. At the time, I didn’t know about the accident, which is important context for the interview. I asked him how his meetings with teams went. And he told me what it was like speaking with the Jets, who were his first interview at the combine and are picking at Nos. 2 and 16 in the draft on Thursday night. “It definitely was nerve-wracking,” Bain told me. “That first meeting, walking up to my first meeting, my heart was pounding — like literally beating on my chest. But once I sat down and got in the swing of things, I was actually just being myself, talking, being confident in my knowledge of the game.” One NFL scout confirmed that his team — and likely every team — checked in about the accident. So in all likelihood, Bain answered some hard questions from the Jets. Chiefs GM Brett Veach said his scouting staff spoke with Bain about it. The strange reality, in hindsight, was that Bain was one of the combine’s biggest talking points for different reasons. The discussion centered around his arm length (30⅞ inches), tied for the fourth-shortest for a defensive end since 1999. “I don’t really think about it,” he told me. “I don’t give no energy to it.” Bain looked back on his time at the combine with fondness. “I could’ve stayed in Indianapolis forever if we kept doing what we was doing,” he told me. “Everybody there was kind of complaining about it, dragging about it. But for me, my first two days was super fun, just talking football, interviewing with teams, stuff like that. Then the next three, four days, just watching guys compete, getting out there, seeing the whole experience of the combine.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports