All along, the discussion had been between opting for the best player available versus filling a need. Think of these details as the quick jabs or maybe the body blows.

What wasn’t expected was the uppercut punch.

The Vikings’ front office opted for DT Caleb Banks at No. 18 in the 2026 NFL Draft. Doing so happens to fulfill both criteria above — best player available and filling a roster need — and yet there’s a tangible sense of shock (and disappointment, depending on who gets asked). Why is that the case?

The Vikings’ Front Office Rolls in with a Slobberknocker

Understanding the Banks selection requires reframing the discussion.

Indeed, a single axis isn’t sufficient to capture the rationale behind Minnesota’s decision. As mentioned, the selection looks like a terrific decision if the sole criteria rests in exploring best player available, sinking the pick into a need, or finding a balance of both. Fully fulfilling each end of the spectrum means people should be elated by the Caleb Banks decision.

Rob Brzezinski, the long-time executive tasked with filling the GM position after the firing of Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, was quite adamant that Banks was Minnesota’s highest-ranked player. Filling a glaring roster need was basically a happy accident.

“So, as we’re analyzing Caleb and we’re stacking our board,” Brzezinski explained, “we just stack the board based on the way we see the talent. You’re analyzing everything and including everything, and we just felt really comfortable where he was on our board. The board fell, and he was the best player on the board and we took him, and it was pretty easy.”

Later on, Brzezinski doubled down with an adamant declaration, “he was the best player there when we selected him, and we feel outstanding about [the] selection.”

The executive says things were easy. Others see things differently. The reason is due to the risk of the pick. Mr. Banks has had a pair of foot injuries, creating questions about his ability to contribute in 2026 and onward from there.

Check out the benefit of adding another axis within the explanatory criteria. Look at this somewhat clunky chart:

In the all-too-simple schema above, the BPA v. Need debate has been brought into harmony. Taking Brzezinski at his word means seeing that Banks was the BPA; just a basic understanding of the roster means realizing that he fills a need. Success?

Not so fast. There’s the risk/reward proposition that’s taking place.

To be sure, the risk/reward dynamic was worked into the mix in Brzezinski’s presser. He knows that there were medical issues. Likewise, he knows that there is massive potential. Many words were said covering these realities.

What appears to be catching many people off guard is that Minnesota followed a restrained, patient free agency with a huge swing in the draft. Playing it safe was assumed, but the reality that arrived was one that is welcoming huge risk. Onlookers are therefore wobbling a bit after getting clobbered with the surprise development.

As of Friday, April 24th, nobody knows with complete certainty whether choosing Caleb Banks was the correct decision. Only the future can offer that kind of knowledge. What isn’t up for the debate is that the BPA/need binary was insufficient within the pre-draft prognosticating since it didn’t adequately corral the possibility of a risk/reward decision.

The 2026 NFL Draft continues later on tonight. The Vikings are sitting atop picks No. 49, No. 82, and No. 97.

We’ll see if the Vikings’ front office keeps hitting onlookers with unexpected decisions.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

A London teacher, who underwent heart surgery 10 weeks ago, is set to run the London Marathon this Sunday to honour her daughter who died after being diagnosed with a heart syndrome.

Sophie Martin, 31, aims to complete the race with her recently healed heart, hoping to demonstrate to her pupils that resilience can be found even in the face of profound grief.

Mrs Martin described her heart feeling “broken in more ways than one” after losing Olive. Her daughter was diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart syndrome – where the left side of the organ is underdeveloped – during Mrs Martin’s 12-week scan.

Born in autumn 2024, Olive was “really strong” but suffered a cardiac arrest and died two days later.

This devastating loss left Mrs Martin, her husband, and their four-year-old son, Arthur, with “a lot of grief, sadness and shock”. She stressed the importance of discussing Olive for her own healing.

The Christian family explains difficult times to Arthur using a book about “the moon is always round”, symbolising that goodness persists even in darkness.

Coincidentally, Mrs Martin was diagnosed with heart arrhythmia during Olive’s labour, undergoing corrective surgery just 10 weeks before the marathon. Running, which she took up during the Covid pandemic, became an outlet for processing her grief.

Mrs Martin, PE lead at St James’ Roman Catholic Primary School, is among 39 educators running for Team TCS Teachers.

Last year, nearly a year after Olive’s death, she ran the Royal Parks marathon, raising £5,000 for Demelza Hospice, which supported her family.

“For me, this marathon is a new chapter,” Mrs Martin said. “Running with a newly healed heart is my way of honouring Olive and showing my students, and myself, that even after immense grief, you can find strength and joy. It’s a reminder that life keeps going and I’m ready to see how much further I can go.”

“I never thought I’d get in (to the marathon),” Mrs Martin told the Press Association.

“I honestly was really surprised when the email came in. I’d just had my heart surgery, and then it must have been about two weeks later I found out that I’d got in and I thought ‘I don’t know if I can even physically do this’.”

Despite the significant challenge, she hopes her journey will inspire her students, teaching them that even the hardest tasks are not impossible.

The star midfielder said he was ‘feeling like 05’

Manchester United star Kobbie Mainoo was seen enjoying himself at a Manchester venue as he celebrated his 21st birthday.

The Stockport midfielder joined the Red Devils four years ago and has built up a reputation with fans for his technique on the pitch. Mainoo also plays for the England national team and became the youngest England player to ever play a semi-final of a major tournament during the UEFA Euro 2024 semi-finals against the Netherlands.

This week, Mainoo, who is the brother of model and former Love Island contestant Jordan Mainoo-Hames, celebrated his 21st birthday by booking out renowned Manchester pasta spot Onda, on Circle Square off Oxford Road.

Click here for the latest on Manchester’s food & drink scene, gigs and more in our CityLife newsletter

The restaurant opened its doors in 2024 and became the first permanent venue for the concept, which had previously served as a pop-up in the Northern Quarter. Known for its pizza, pasta, and focaccia – all made fresh in front of customers each day – its current menu includes the likes of Cavatelli pasta with anchovy butter, chicken stock, chilli and pangrattato, Vodka sauce lumache with ‘Nduja, and a beef shin ragu mafaldine.

Onda has also gone viral in the past over its Tiramisu, which is served from its own designated drawer. Being shared around the world, even by the likes of Hollywood actress Florence Pugh, love for the dessert saw the restaurant booked out for months in advance.

Earlier this week, the venue catered to Mainoo and his friends and family for the private event which featured live DJs, platters of food and even rounds of BuzzBallz cocktails. Supposedly taking on a throwback theme, the event saw Mainoo attend in an oversized fur coat and a New York Yankees baseball hat.

One clip shared on social media also showed Mainoo singing a rendition of JAY-Z and Kanye West’s Otis with friends, whilst the event also featured a performance from Mainoo’s favourite rapper Asco. Rumours online have suggested the artist was paid a five-figure sum for his appearance.

The party, which was attended by numerous celebrities and footballers, also saw Mainoo take part in a nostalgic-themed photo shoot with his fellow players including Bryan Mbeumo, Ayden Heaven, Patrick Dorgu, Leny Yoro, and Joshua Zirkzee. Posting the shot on Instagram, Mainoo wrote ‘Feeling like 05’.

Posting on social media of the group shot, fan account Risingballers wrote: “This is cold… Kobbie Mainoo was throwing it back to ’05 with the United team on his recent Insta dump. The United ballers came out to show love to Kobbie on his birthday whilst he was “feeling like 05”… the fit checks out.”

Responding to the photo, one fan wrote on Reddit: “MU-Tang Clan.” Another said: “I love this picture so much!” One other said: “Look like 90′ rap group cover album.” Another said: “The fact that they’re throwing it back to 05 is wild. That’s not that old.”

It has been recently reported that Mainoo is gearing up to sign a new five-year contract with United, with the MEN’s Senior Manchester Football Writer Tyrone Marshall describing the player as ‘a key member of the side going forward.

It is understood Mainoo is ready to put pen to paper on a long-term deal worth £120,000-a-week, which will keep him at Old Trafford until 2031. Just a matter of months ago, the midfielder had been on the verge of departing United on a six-month loan until the end of this season, but managed a reversal of fortunes.

When Michael Carrick was appointed as interim replacement, he restored Mainoo to the starting line-up, and the midfielder has since played a pivotal role in helping United climb to third in the table.

Sky Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 8 NRL game between New Zealand Warriors and
Dolphins. The game kicks off at 6:05 pm with New Zealand Warriors heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the New Zealand Warriors vs.
Dolphins
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday April 25, 2026 at 6:05 pm

Where: Sky Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins Odds

New Zealand Warriors vs Dolphins Preview

The Warriors return home with a clear blueprint built around ruck control and disciplined ball movement. Wayde Egan’s influence at dummy-half is central to that approach, giving their halves time and space to attack. The Dolphins showed encouraging signs last week but continue to struggle for sustained control through the middle. If New Zealand dominate possession, they should create enough opportunities out wide to get the job done.

A draftee celebrating with his family and friends after hearing his name called is one of the best parts of the NFL Draft. But few get to celebrate with a new teammate, and even fewer get to celebrate with a new teammate who’s also a family member.

That’s the case for cornerback Avieon Terrell, though: The Falcons took him with the No. 48 overall pick Friday, pairing him with older brother A.J. Terrell in the Atlanta secondary.

Brothers playing together isn’t super rare — Cameron and Connor Heyward did it last year for the Steelers, as did Quinnen and Quincy Williams for the Jets — but two playing the same position for the same team is.

A.J. has been a constant for the Falcons ever since they drafted him No. 16 overall in 2020. He was a second-team All-Pro in 2021, and he signed a four-year, $81 million extension ahead of the 2024 season. Now, he’ll be lining up alongside his brother. Interestingly, though, A.J. previously said he hoped not to play with his little brother.

“I want to play against him and see him walk on the sideline,” A.J. told ESPN a few weeks ago. “I want to see him play and I want him to have his own story somewhere else. I don’t want the narrative to be the Terrell brothers.”

If it can help the Falcons’ defense improve, though, A.J. should be all for it. Avieon, like A.J., starred at Clemson, and he started 31 straight games to finish his career. He has inside/outside versatility, and he forced eight fumbles over the past two seasons. Though he doesn’t have the size of his brother (Avieon is 5’11” and 180 pounds; A.J. is 6’1″ and 200 pounds), Avieon has earned plaudits for his tackling, aggressiveness, transition skills and ability to diagnose plays quickly. CBS Sports NFL Draft analyst Mike Renner had Avieon as the No. 10 overall prospect in his prospect rankings.

“I would say he was competitive as a mentor,” Avieon said of his brother, per ESPN. “He’s been a mentor my whole life. So, somebody I can look up to, been looking up to since I’ve been knowing football, first since I was 5. And then the competitive part, we’re still competitive to this day. I want to do everything he does. We got that type of relationship.”

Already brothers and a mentor/mentee pair, they now add NFL teammates to their connections.

The NFL has already seen 32 picks come down the wire during the first round of the draft on Thursday. Now, it’s time for even more action to unfold as Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off from Pittsburgh on Friday night. 

Over the course of the opening round, trades were the major storyline as eight deals went down over the course of the evening. As we transition to Day 2, the wheeling and dealing is expected to continue, if not amplify, as this area has been circled as the true meat of this year’s draft. 

The second round will also see over a handful of teams finally enter the fray, as there were eight clubs that did not make a first-round selection on Thursday. That includes the San Francisco 49ers, who are slated to pick first at No. 33 overall. 

Be sure to refresh this page throughout the weekend to get all the latest grades. If you want to do all that plus track the best available prospects and get access to every pick in the draft on one page, you can in our draft tracker. And follow along with each pick and every trade in our live blog.

This year, my pick-by-pick grades are being used to create real-time team report cards, so keep this page open throughout the weekend. 

Grades: Round 1 • Round 2 • Round 3 • Round 4 • Round 5 • Round 6 • Round 7

33. 49ers: De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss

Grade: C+

The 49ers tab Stribling as their Jauan Jennings replacement. He’s one of the better blockers in the class and will do the dirty work in the offense. Stribling will add a stronger vertical element than Jennings did. The Ole Miss receiver just isn’t nearly the route-runner that Jennings was in the offense.

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34. Cardinals: Chase Bisontis, G, Texas A&M

Grade: A

After taking Jeremiyah Love in Round 1, the Cardinals come back and give him someone to open up running lanes. Bisontis is also a physical presence in pass protection where he thrives cleaning up pockets whenever he can. Without any options to fill their tackle need, this was the next best option.

35. Bills: T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson

Grade: B-

The Bills were in desperate need of pass-rushing help and add just that at the top of Round 2. Parker is a physical edge rusher who’s been a plus run defender and pocket-collapser since Day 1 at Clemson. He would have gone much higher than this after his sophomore year, but his lackluster 2025 tape drops him to Round 2.

36. Texans: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

Grade: A+

If there was any weakness on this Texans defense, well, it just got fixed. McDonald is nothing short of an elite run-defending nose tackle prospect. His ability to envelope double teams and make plays in the run game will allow DeMeco Ryans to dedicate more resources to the back end in coverage – a scary thought.

37. Giants: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

Grade: B+

New defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson gets himself one of the better press-corners in the class. Hood is physical at the line of scrimmage and has top-end speed to make up ground deep. While he can get a little overly aggressive, he’s still one of the younger corners in the class, just turning 21, with room for development

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38. Raiders: Treydan Stukes, S, Arizona

Grade: A

Stukes was college football’s top slot corner in coverage last season. He has the length and athleticism to play man as well as the quick processing for zone. He could end up at either slot, outside corner, or safety for Las Vegas – that’s how versatile he is. A tremendous influx of talent for a secondary in need.

39. Browns: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

Grade: A

The Browns double up at receiver a year after doubling up at running back. It’s an indictment of their current room, for sure, but also indicative of the loaded receiver class. Boston is a distinctly different type of receiver from KC Concepcion as he’s more of a possession receiver with a big wingspan and catch radius. He also has some of the best hands in the entire class.

40. Chiefs: R Mason Thomas, EDGE, Oklahoma

Grade: A

Thomas represents a distinct departure from the bigger-bodied edges that Steve Spagnuolo has coveted in the past, and I like it. He’s a speed rusher with one of the more refined toolboxes in this class. He may not be much of a run defender, but the Chiefs won’t have to use him on run downs to get their money’s worth.

41. Bengals: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

Grade: A+

If you can do what Howell did this past season to SEC tackles, you can rush the passer in the NFL. Short arms be damned. He’s a twitchy mover who sets up tackles with his pacing extremely well. He goes to the perfect spot on a Cincinnati team that needs edge-rushing help and can also afford to let him be a specialist.

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42. Saints: Christen Miller, DT, Georgia

Grade: B+

Miller is one of the safer run defenders in the class. He has prototypical 3-4 defensive end traits, although he could probably even kick into nose if you really wanted him to. He may never be an elite pass-rusher, but he can at least walk back guards occasionally.

43. Dolphins: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

Grade: A

The Dolphins continue their strategy of drafting high-floor football players. Rodriguez was the best linebacker in all of college football last season. He may not have the prototypical frame, but he’s got great range and has the best instincts in the class. He’ll be an extension of Jeff Hafley on the field.

44. Lions: Derrick Moore, EDGE, Michigan

Grade: A-

Moore is nothing if not a culture fit for the Lions. The man treats every rep like he’s upset at the offensive lineman in front of him. While he’s a middling athlete, he maximizes his traits through sheer force and effort.

45. Ravens: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri

Grade: C+

Young is somewhat reminiscent of former Missouri defensive end Darius Robinson in that he’s a bit of a tweener. He’s a jumbo defensive end, but his athletic testing numbers are closer to those of a defensive tackle. The problem is, we never really saw him play on the interior in college. He’ll, at minimum, be a hard edge-setter who can spell Trey Hendrickson on early downs.

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46. Buccaneers: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri

Grade: A

Trotter is the perfect linebacker for a Todd Bowles defense. He’s a tremendous blitzer who plays on the opposite side of the line of scrimmage better than any other linebacker in this draft class. The Bucs front seven just got a couple of butt-kickers.

47. Steelers: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

Grade: A+

If the Steelers wanted to come away with a tackle and receiver in this class, they did about as well as they could have expected, given their draft capital. Bernard is a nuanced route-runner who can create on his own after the catch. While he lacks the juice to be a true downfield weapon, he can get open at the intermediate level consistently.

48. Falcons: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

Grade: A+

The Terrell brothers are reunited once again. I say again, but being six years apart, they’ve likely never played on the same team until now. Avieon is the shorter, scrappier version of his brother AJ. He has the same smooth coverage skills, with a little more edge from being the younger brother.

49. Panthers: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

Grade:

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50. Jets: D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana

Grade: 

51. Vikings

52. Packers

53. Colts

54. Eagles

55. Chargers

56. Jaguars

57. Bears

58. 49ers

59. Texans

60. Bears

61. Rams

62. Broncos

63. Patriots

64. Seahawks

AAMI Park will play host to Saturday’s
Round 8 NRL game between Melbourne Storm and
South Sydney Rabbitohs. The game kicks off at 8:10 pm with Melbourne Storm heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Melbourne Storm vs.
South Sydney Rabbitohs
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Saturday April 25, 2026 at 8:10 pm

Where: AAMI Park

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Odds

Melbourne Storm vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Preview

Saturday night shapes as a genuine contest, with South Sydney carrying strong attacking form into Melbourne. The Storm, traditionally dominant at AAMI Park, have shown vulnerability around the ruck and edges in recent weeks. The Rabbitohs boast plenty of strike power, led by Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, and will look to exploit any defensive lapses. If the game opens up, South Sydney have the firepower to challenge the hosts.

The 2026 Zurich Classic of New Orleans continues on Saturday, April 25, with the third round at TPC Louisiana. You can find full Zurich Classic tee times for Saturday’s third round at the bottom of this post.

Featured tee time for Round 3

Matt Fitzpatrick — and his brother, Alex — are currently on an incredible run.

Matt is now No. 3 in the world after claiming his second victory of the season at the RBC Heritage last week. Meanwhile, his younger brother Alex recently claimed his first DP World Tour title at the Hero Indian Open.

Now, the two are competing together as partners for the fourth time at the Zurich Classic, and find themselves just one shot behind leaders Alex Smalley and Hayden Springer (-16) heading into the weekend.

The Fitzpatricks, alongside Smalley and Springer, will tee off in Saturday afternoon’s final grouping at 12:50 p.m. ET.

You can watch Saturday’s third round of the 2026 Zurich Classic from 1-3 p.m. ET on Golf Channel, followed by the CBS broadcast from 3-6 p.m. ET. PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will provide exclusive early streaming coverage starting at 9 a.m. ET on Saturday, in addition to featured group and featured hole coverage.

Check out the complete Round 3 tee times and groupings for the Zurich Classic below.

Hoping to wager on the Zurich Classic? Sign up for Fanatics Sportsbook with code “SUBPAR” to receive a special welcome offer.

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2026 Zurich Classic tee times for Saturday: Round 3 (ET)

Tee No. 1

10:58 a.m. – Erik van Rooyen, Christiaan Bezuidenhout; William Mouw, Takumi Kanaya
11:12 a.m. – Aaron Rai, Sahith Theegala; Matt Wallace, Marco Penge
11:26 a.m. – Ben Martin, Trace Crowe; Matti Schmid, Seamus Power
11:40 a.m. – Brice Garnett, Lee Hodges; Adam Svensson, Adam Hadwin
11:54 a.m. – Kristoffer Reitan, Kris Ventura; Sam Stevens, Zach Bauchou
12:08 p.m. – Doug Ghim, Jeffrey Kang; Nick Dunlap, Gordon Sargent
12:22 p.m. – Eric Cole, Hank Lebioda; Matt McCarty, Mac Meissner
12:36 p.m. – Davis Thompson, Austin Eckroat; Billy Horschel, Tom Hoge
12:50 p.m. – Alex Smalley, Hayden Springer; Matt Fitzpatrick, Alex Fitzpatrick

Tee No. 10

10:58 a.m. – Matthieu Pavon, Martin Couvra; John Parry, Dan Brown
11:12 a.m. – A.J. Ewart, Casey Jarvis; Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Davis Chatfield
11:26 a.m. – Karl Vilips, Michael Thorbjornsen; Wyndham Clark, Taylor Moore
11:40 a.m. – Davis Riley, Nick Hardy; Chandler Phillips, Carson Young
11:54 a.m. – Ryan Gerard, Sudarshan Yellamaraju; Luke Clanton, Blades Brown
12:08 p.m. – Keith Mitchell, Brandt Snedeker; David Lipsky, Rico Hoey
12:22 p.m. – Lanto Griffin, Ben Kohles; Chad Ramey, Justin Lower
12:36 p.m. – Ben Griffin, Andrew Novak; Max McGreevy, Kevin Roy
12:50 p.m. – Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Jacob Skov Olesen