The 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and that just means the mock draft community can pivot to 2027. While doing so, one of the most accurate mock drafters in the industry has already connected South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers to the Minnesota Vikings.

That projection would mean something went sideways with the current plan.

Indeed, we’re 51 weeks away from the event, but Sellers is evidently already a draft darling for the purple team.

Sellers Would Signal a Total Quarterback Recalibration

Get to know Sellers — just in case.

Brendan Donahue: Sellers to MIN in 2027

Donahue for Sharp Football Analysis got the ball rolling on the 2027 mock draft process this week, with the Vikings owning the 14th pick.

On Sellers to the Vikings, he explained, “The 2026 season feels like a make-or-break year for both the quarterbacks currently on the Vikings roster. I don’t think head coach Kevin O’Connell will hesitate to move on from either or both if they miss the playoffs again in 2026 and replace them with someone who seems to be more of his prototype at the position.”

“Many scouts believe Sellers has as much upside as any quarterback at the college level if he can just put it all together.”

It’s worth noting that Sellers was the fifth quarterback off the board in Donahue’s estimation. Arch Manning to the Arizona Cardinals headline his mock.

The Scouting Report

Norris is 6’3″ and 240 pounds — with 4.55 speed. Yes, he’s huge and fast. His arm strength is fantastic, deep-ball accuracy is on point, the size is obviously to die for, and he’s one of the best scramblers in college football. On the flip side, he takes too many sacks, his ball security is suspect, and his passing accuracy dipped in 2025.

NFL Draft Buzz on Sellers: “The deep-ball ability is real. He can put the ball 55 yards downfield with accuracy, and his size and rushing ability give an offensive coordinator another dimension to work with in the run game and on designed movement plays. When things are clicking, he looks like a quarterback who can win from the pocket and hurt you with his legs when the structure breaks down. The concern is how often he creates his own problems.”

“The sack totals are not all on the offensive line. Sellers holds the ball, gets stuck staring down his primary target, and too often turns what should be a throwaway into a negative play. The 2025 season, even accounting for a bad supporting cast and a scheme that didn’t fit, showed a quarterback who hadn’t yet figured out how to lift the offense around him when things weren’t going well.”

It’s worth noting that quarterbacks’ draft stock can swing wildly in a year. By next April, Sellers could project as the first overall pick — or he could be a 3rd-Rounder. Stay tuned.

NDB added, “That matters at the next level. The right landing spot is a team willing to invest time in his development, ideally one with a strong offensive line and a play-caller who will use his athleticism while building structure around his reads. He fits best in a system that incorporates RPOs and bootleg concepts to simplify his progressions early on.”

“The ceiling is a productive dual-threat starter. The floor, without continued growth in processing speed and pocket discipline, is a backup whose athleticism keeps him on a roster but never translates to consistent quarterback play.”

Would Imply That Murray and McCarthy Are No Good

The sad implication about Donahue’s mock is the fate of the 2026 Vikings. If they pick 14th next year, it will mean they missed the postseason, probably need a new head coach, and are in the market for a full quarterback facelift.

That isn’t the worst thing ever, but life will just be much easier if Kyler Murray unlocks Kevin O’Connell’s offense or if J.J. McCarthy finds his way into the starting lineup and never looks back. Fans would assuredly get excited about Sellers or another rookie quarterback next April, but the fact remains that a productive Murray or McCarthy means a full-scale upheaval isn’t needed.

Drafting Sellers would likely point to Murray or McCarthy nowhere near the Vikings’ 2027 roster.

A Long Way to Go until April 2027

The 2027 draftboard will shift seismically between now and April 2027. The Vikings have a full season in their sights — one with pretty intense stakes if O’Connell wants to remain the head coach for years to come. Murray hasn’t taken a single snap as a Viking yet. And McCarthy, at age 23, hasn’t gotten a crack at redemption.

Whether Minnesota will need a quarterback in 2027 remains to be seen, but what is clear is that 17 regular season games will play out before then. If the Vikings reach the playoffs and win a game, two, three, or four, picking another rookie quarterback will be moot.

But just in case, keep an eye on Sellers. He’ll be all the rage in about eight months when the 2027 draft buildup formally begins.

Sellers will turn 21 this summer.

According to Will Hayes, a series of favourable circumstances have come together enabling talented filly Rohesia to regain her victorious touch.

Hanseatic-sired Rohesia has notched successive 1400m wins, her newest at stakes level, which has seen the camp opt to stay in Adelaide for this Saturday’s Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m).

Having tackled sprint journeys early on, the filly saw off a quality Class 3 line-up at Ballarat before backing up her $3 status as favourite in the Listed Nitschke Stakes (1400m) conducted at Morphettville Parks April 18th.

Hayes mentioned that blinkers have transformed her, particularly noting her calm acceptance of the gear during her recent double.

“We’re going to look at the mile in the Adelaide Guineas,” Hayes said.

“She was so strong through the line the other day, we thought we’d give her the chance to add another stakes victory.

“I think that the defining moment is when we got the blinkers on, she’s very genuine, but they really have improved her.

“So it’s really good that she’s tractable, and she’s relaxed in them and she keeps finding the line, so we’ll definitely get a good guide on her out to the mile.”

Rohesia’s time in Adelaide these past two weeks has highlighted her amenable character as essential to her development.

“She’s stayed here with Stuart and Lizzy Gowers and she loves it,” Hayes said.

“She’s very straightforward, Ash Alford who’s travelling our horses has done a great job and says she hasn’t missed a beat since her last win.”

The Adelaide Guineas has attracted 16 acceptors including Rohesia from post three aboard which Daniel Stackhouse is confirmed, with odds of $6 trailing Gold Coast Belle on $2.15.

Head to the betting sites for competitive betting markets for the race.

In the NFL, we’ve seen teams change their fortunes instantly with one great pick or one great draft class. Teams that looked good but not great elevated their play thanks to standout rookies. 

Just last year, first-round left guard Grey Zabel and second-round safety Nick Emmanwori helped the Seahawks win the Super Bowl, and the year before that, cornerbacks Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell helped the Eagles lift the Lombardi Trophy.

This season, several rookies landed in ideal spots to contribute right away, and their talent plus fit could help solidify teams looking for a boost. Here’s one player from every round who can make an instant impact. 

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Bain slid down the draft board Thursday night, but he landed in the perfect spot for his talent to shine under a defensive playcaller who’ll unleash him. 

The Buccaneers’ defense fell below its usual standard in 2025, largely because it couldn’t convert pressures into sacks. While Tampa Bay finished 12th in the NFL in pressure rate, its sack rate tied for 22nd (per TruMedia). Remove blitzes, and that pressure rate drops to 20th. 

Injuries up and down the line prevented the Bucs from finding the right combination up front, and they lacked anyone who could consistently win without blitzing. 

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Adding Bain gives this defense another sawed-off, full-speed maniac off the edge that Todd Bowles can deploy in multiple alignments. Bain’s superpower is gaining leverage instantly while playing with power and excellent hand usage, and in Bowles’ scheme, he’ll line up all over the formation. Whether Bowles uses him to dent pockets in a Rolodex of pass-rush games or eases up on the blitz dial, Bain can become the versatile edge winner Yaya Diaby hasn’t yet developed into. 

I’ll be curious to watch whether Bowles blitzes as heavily now that he has even more hellraisers on defense. 

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I’ve said before that the Chiefs need to diversify their body types and personnel on the edge. For the longest time, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo leaned on bigger, longer EDGE defenders to compress the pocket while Chris Jones created cleanup sacks. 

But as Jones begins to slow down, the rest of the EDGE room hasn’t been able to win consistently without him. According to NFL Pro, no Chiefs defensive lineman posted a pressure rate above 14%, and Jones led the team in both quick pressures (20) and average get-off time (0.85 seconds). 

Kansas City needed another player who could win quickly and force quarterbacks up into Jones instead of the other way around.

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Enter Thomas, who brings electrifying speed and burst off the edge. Though undersized, Thomas finished 12th in college football in sacks across the 2024 and 2025 seasons combined while posting a 15.4% pressure rate. He brings a different flavor to the Chiefs’ EDGE room with his lightning-quick first step and bend around the corner. 

I was a big fan of Thomas entering the draft, and I think this landing spot will help unlock his full potential while allowing him to grow into a three-down threat for Kansas City. 

Prisco’s Better-Than Team for 2026 NFL Draft: The 20 prospects he’s higher on than scouts

Pete Prisco

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“Big Citrus” in Minnesota is a great fit for both player and team, even after Caleb Banks went to the Vikings in Round 1. I think both players complement each other well, but Orange has a chance to instantly elevate Minnesota’s run defense. 

The Vikings struggled last season when opponents deployed bigger personnel packages. According to TruMedia, Minnesota ranked 25th in defensive success rate against runs out of 12, 13, 21, and 22 personnel. 

As fun as Brian Flores’ defense can be, it’s hard to consistently ask defensive backs to fit the run against 300-pound offensive linemen because the front was simply too small. 

Orange combines great size (322 pounds), power, and run-game awareness to hold the point as a nose tackle, just as he did at Iowa State. In Minnesota, he’ll get the chance to do the same. A player like Orange not only eats double teams to free up the second level, but he can also shed blockers and make plays at or behind the line of scrimmage. 

He may not offer much pass-rush juice, but if he consistently helps force second- and third-and-long situations, that’s a win.

Anytime your future offensive coordinator says he’ll take his shirt off in the draft room if they pick you, you belong on an instant-impact list. 

With Mike McDaniel bringing his Need for Speed offense to Los Angeles to pair with Jim Harbaugh’s Big Mean Machine foundation, the Chargers needed a true floor spacer. 

Ladd McConkey thrives in intermediate areas, but adding someone who can stretch the field vertically will create more room underneath while further unlocking Justin Herbert as a downfield passer.

Thompson is instant juice. He was the fastest player at the NFL Scouting Combine, running a 4.26-second 40-yard dash. He’s not just a straight-line burner, either — he can stop, sink his hips, and change direction better than many speed specialists. 

Thompson is diminutive at 5-foot-9 and 164 pounds, but he won’t have to play on the outside. He can truly be the “three-point shooter” in the Chargers’ offense. 

While Carolina’s offensive line appears built for both the present and future after signing tackle Rasheed Walker and drafting left tackle Monroe Freeling, Hecht might be the biggest steal of Round 5. 

Luke Fortner currently projects as the starting center, which would mark a major step back for a run game that performed well in 2025. 

With Cade Mays and Austin Corbett gone, the Panthers need a dependable center to keep things moving efficiently.

Hecht is a reliable player even without elite physical tools. I thought he displayed the best technique and hand placement among centers in this class and showed solid explosiveness, evident by his 5.10-second 40-yard dash at the combine.

He knows how to win leverage, and between road graders Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt, he could quickly become a stabilizing presence for a team trying to maximize Bryce Young’s supporting cast. 

I’m a big fan of Hecht’s game, and I think he can start from Day 1. 

The Lions have searched for pass-rush juice opposite Aidan Hutchinson for *checks notes* about three years now. 

According to Sports Info Solutions, Detroit’s pressure rate with Hutchinson on the field is 42.2%, which would lead the NFL. Without him, that number plummets to 21.1%, which would rank dead last by a wide margin.

Finding anyone who can provide complementary pass-rush juice would dramatically help this defense, especially if the secondary gets healthy.

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Skyler Gill-Howard

DET • DT

Career: Former Division II walk-on who transitioned from Northern Illinois linebacker to Texas Tech defensive tackle

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Gill-Howard was an unsung hero on Texas Tech’s interior defensive line. While I’m not saying he’ll start immediately, he can provide pass-rush pop from the interior. 

He has impressive quickness and can cross blockers’ faces, which could be useful when the Lions run pass-rush games up front. He also offers effective secondary moves when his first rush stalls, helping him win late in reps. 

With Tyleik Williams and Alim McNeill handling early downs, Gill-Howard could carve out a valuable third-down role.

Nine words and a dream: Inside Skyler Gill-Howard’s improbable road to the NFL combine

Ryan Wilson

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I’m not sure how Burks lasted until Round 7, but it benefits the Colts because he provides a second gear not many in the draft class possess. Burks ran a 4.30-second 40-yard dash, posted a 42-inch vertical and broad-jumped 131 inches at the combine. 

That athleticism absolutely shows up on tape. He’s a field-tilter who can take the top off a defense, but he’s more than just a vertical threat. His body control and ball tracking — especially along the sideline — impressed me.

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Indianapolis already paid Alec Pierce handsomely and still has Josh Downs, but the depth behind them remains thin. Players like Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Anthony Gould don’t meaningfully move the needle for a team trying to win now.

Burks’ speed is a game-changer, and despite his draft fall, if there’s any Day 3 player who can make an instant impact, it’s him.

A double-digit longshot won the Run for the Roses every year from 2021-24, but that trend stopped in 2025 when Sovereignty won at 5-1. Still, he was not the favorite in that race, and the morning-line betting favorite has only won the first jewel of the Triple Crown 18 times in the race’s existence. That’ll be the challenge for Renegade at the 2026 Kentucky Derby as he’s going off at 4-1 ahead of Saturday’s 6:57 p.m. ET post time at Churchill Downs.

His half-brother Commandment and Further Ado are close behind at 6-1, with a half-dozen total Kentucky Derby 2026 horses at 15-1 or lower on the odds board. How should you formulate your 2026 Kentucky Derby betting strategy? Before making any 2026 Kentucky Derby picks, be sure to see the 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions from SportsLine’s elite horse racing expert Jody Demling.

Bet the Kentucky Derby with the latest TwinSpires offer code CBSSPORTS to claim up to $400 in bonus bets here:

A fixture in the horse racing world who has been writing about, talking about and betting on races for years, Demling has nailed the Kentucky Oaks-Derby double 12 times in the last 17 years. He also predicted the top three 2025 Kentucky Derby finishers in the correct order and hit a $1,682 supefecta, and then went on to nail the exacta in last year’s Preakness. Anyone who has followed him on horse racing betting sites could be way up. 

Now, with the 2026 Kentucky Derby approaching and horse racing futures odds on the board, Demling is sharing his 2026 Kentucky Derby betting picks and 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions over at SportsLine. Go here to see them.

Top 2026 Kentucky Derby predictions, expert analysis

One of Demling’s surprising 2026 Kentucky Derby picks: He’s completely fading Renegade, the morning-line favorite at 4-1. In fact, Demling says Renegade will barely finish inside the top 10 on Saturday. Renegade comes to Churchill Downs off wins at the Arkansas Derby and the Sam F. Davis Stakes. He drew the challenging inside rail position, however, and 1986 was the last time a horse won the Kentucky Derby breaking from Post No. 1. The favorite also hasn’t won the Kentucky Derby since 2018, so Demling sees too much working against Renegade this year. See who to back at SportsLine.

Demling also locked in his 2026 Kentucky Derby prediction for Commandment, who is the half-brother of Renegade and is listed at 6-1 in the Kentucky Derby odds. Commandment comes to Churchill Downs on a four-race winning streak, including winning back-to-back graded-stakes races: the Florida Derby and the Fountain of Youth Stakes. The Florida Derby has produced more Kentucky Derby winners than any other prep race, but it’s been nearly a decade since the most recent one, so that’s a trend to keep in mind when betting on Commandment. Bet the Kentucky Derby with the latest FanDuel Racing promo, which lets users bet $5 and get $25 in bonuses:

Demling has also locked in his 2026 Kentucky Derby picks for Further Ado (6-1). Further Ado was a longshot in the Kentucky Derby futures throughout the early spring, but he’s surged up the board after three wins in his last four races, including a victory at the Blue Grass Stakes on April 4. If there’s a question about Further Ado, it might involve his level of competition. His win at the Blue Grass Stakes wasn’t against a loaded field. “Is he really improving that much?” Demling said to SportsLine. “Hard to tell, so I can’t throw him out.” See which other horses to back at SportsLine, and you can make 2026 Kentucky Derby bets at TwinSpires here with the offer code CBSSPORTS:

How to make 2026 Kentucky Derby picks, bets

Demling is also high on a longshot who “demolished the field” in his last start. Anyone who backs this colt could hit it big. Demling is sharing which horse it is, along with his entire projected 2026 Kentucky Derby leaderboard, over at SportsLine.

Which horse wins the Kentucky Derby 2026, and which longshot is a must-back? Check out the latest 2026 Kentucky Derby odds below, then visit SportsLine to see Demling’s picks for the Kentucky Derby, all from the expert who has nailed 12 Derby-Oaks doubles.

2026 Kentucky Derby odds

RCB’s Jacob Bethell and Virat Kohli run between the wickets (PTI Photo)

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has raised concerns over Jacob Bethell’s form ahead of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s clash against Gujarat Titans on April 30, suggesting the youngster could be feeling the heat after a quiet start to his stint this season.Bethell, who came into the side for the injured Phil Salt, has featured in the last two matches but hasn’t managed to convert his starts. Scores of 14 off 10 and 20 off 11 have shown glimpses, but Chopra believes that won’t be enough to satisfy expectations within the camp.Speaking on his YouTube channel, Chopra said the team combination does not necessarily need a change, but added that Bethell’s performances will be under scrutiny. He also referenced Alastair Cook’s earlier remarks about the youngster’s playing time, pointing out the irony of him getting opportunities but failing to make a strong impact.“Don’t change anything, although there will be slight pressure on Jacob Bethell because some time back, Alastair Cook was asking him to return if he was not being played. He is playing, but he isn’t scoring runs. He is playing cameos. That’s not good enough. So that is one thing they would want to change,” Chopra said.Chopra also questioned how RCB are utilising Romario Shepherd, noting a lack of clarity around his role. He highlighted that Shepherd has been expensive with the ball and hasn’t had enough chances to contribute with the bat, making his presence somewhat ineffective in the current setup.“They still don’t know what Romario Shepherd’s role is because he gets hit a lot when he comes to bowl, and he is not getting to bat at all. This is another incredible part that all teams are playing with 12, they are playing with 11, and are winning despite that,” he observed.Turning his attention to Gujarat, Chopra identified two major concerns that could hold them back. The first, he said, is their heavy reliance on the top order, particularly Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler. According to him, the team’s fortunes are closely tied to whether this trio delivers.“GT, you have two issues. It includes your dependency on the top three, which will remain. You cannot do anything about that. Sai Sudharsan scored runs that day (away game against RCB) and needs to score runs today as well, or else Shubman Gill or Jos Buttler should score runs,” he said.The second issue Chopra flagged was Gujarat’s struggles at the death. He pointed out that their scoring rate in the final four overs has been underwhelming, with 42 being their highest return in that phase so far.“Your problem is that you don’t score runs in the last four overs. The highest you have scored is 42. If 42 is a team’s highest in the last four overs, it means you have a problem. You will have to address that problem. How will you progress if you don’t address that?” he added.With both teams carrying specific concerns into the contest, the upcoming clash could hinge on whether individuals like Bethell step up and whether Gujarat can fix their finishing issues in time.

David Pfieffer is recreating the strategy that succeeded with Oh Diamond Lil in springtime to bag the pretty mare an additional stakes conquest in the Hawkesbury Crown.

On her fresh start in September, the five-year-old set the pace all the way to capture the Group 3 Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle, and Pfieffer is optimistic of replication over the same span at Hawkesbury this Saturday.

“She looks good, and her first-up record is quite good,” Pfieffer said.

“She won first-up at Scone last year, and when she won the Tibbie at Newcastle she was first-up.

“I think she is well placed.”

Oh Diamond Lil, by So You Think, has been masterfully prepared by Pfieffer for seven wins across 17 races.

Complementing her stakes success at Newcastle, she trailed Group 1 star Stefi Magnetica by fewer than three lengths in The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick in October, and was fourth past the post to Verona Rose in the Inglis Bracelet (1600m) at Flemington subsequently.

Pfieffer is certain she has reported back in fine fettle or superior and is keen for her to boost her achievements from Hawkesbury onwards.

Plans include the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone on May 16 as her next engagement, before a Queensland winter carnival slate possibly featuring the Magic Millions National Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 6.

“She’s got a lovely string of races coming up for her,” Pfieffer said.

With his Warwick Farm outfit, the trainer has produced superb results: 11 winners and 16 placings from 50 recent runners, featuring debut winner Call Me Zeus at Kembla Grange on Wednesday.

His last 20 have yielded five triumphs and eight further minors.

“Everything is racing well. If they’re not winning, they’re running placings,” Pfieffer said.

“Probably too many seconds for my liking lately.

“But as long as they’re racing well, running up to their mark and winning prizemoney, they’re keeping their owners happy.”

Oh Diamond Lil leads Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) wagering at $3.60 favourite, from Surfin’ Bird ($4.60) on NSW debut post four Victorian wins from six, and Chidiac ($5) from the Country Championships Final.

Secure the best betting sites promotions ahead of the Hawkesbury Crown showdown.

Two English Premier League foes do battle on Thursday, April 30, in the UEFA Europa League semifinals when Nottingham Forest hosts Aston Villa in the first leg of their tie. Forest ranks just 16th in the EPL table, five points ahead of the relegation zone, but they have their eyes on a prize if they can advance to the May 20 final in Istanbul, Turkey. Villa are fifth in the EPL table entering Thursday. The Villans demolished Bologna by a 7-1 aggregate in the prior round, while Forest topped Porto by a 2-1 aggregate score. You can catch Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa on Paramount+.

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET at City Ground in West Bridgford, England. Forest are +160 home favorites on the 90-minute money line (wager $100 to win $160) in the latest Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa odds at DraftKings Sportsbook. Villa are +185 underdogs (wager $100 to win $185) and a draw is priced at +225. The match total is set at 2.5 goals (Over +100, Under -130). Before you place any wagers on the UEFA Europa League or Aston Villa vs. Nottingham Forest, make sure you see what SportsLine soccer expert Jon Eimer is wagering for the contest.

Bet on Aston Villa vs. Nottingham Forest using the latest DraftKings promo code

Eimer finished 2023 as SportsLine’s No. 1 soccer expert, posting a 248-234-12 record (+25.93 units) on SportsLine article picks. Eimer has been red-hot in 2025, posting a profit in multiple leagues, including the Premier League, Champions League, La Liga and more. Anyone following his soccer betting picks could have seen huge returns at sportsbooks and on betting apps. 

Here are Eimer’s best bets and analysis for Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa on Thursday, April 30.

Nottingham Forest vs. Aston Villa best bets

• Nottingham Forest draw no bet (-125, 1 unit)
• Forest first team to score (-110, 1 unit) 

Nottingham Forest’s absurd change in form

Nottingham Forest have had an absolute roller coaster of a season. They’ve gone through struggles both on and off the pitch as they’ve rotated through managers and dealt with injuries. While they’ve had their troubles this season, their form over the last couple months has been their saving grace. 

Forest are unbeaten in their last eight matches across all competitions, picking up some massive points to help avoid relegation, while also taking down Midtjylland and Porto in Europa play to advance to this stage. Morgan Gibbs-White continues to perform and help this team advance, and especially when playing at home, Forest should have enough to get at least a draw out of Aston VIlla in this first leg.

Use the latest BetMGM promo code to wager on Aston Villa vs. Nottingham Forest and other Europa League matches.

Aston Villa’s struggles on the road

This is a classic matchup between two sides that should get the best of each other specifically on their home legs. Nottingham Forest have been great at home, as has Aston Villa. The big problem for Aston VIlla though, is their poor away form. This team is an almost unstoppable force at Villa Park, but it struggles on the road. 

Villa lost to Fulham in an extremely important EPL match, drew with Forest last time on the road, lost to Man United and Wolves. I can’t back VIlla on the road, and expect them to try to keep this close with the goal of winning in the second leg.

CHICAGO — Twenty-three days ago, Angel Reese was still a member of the Chicago Sky. On Wednesday night, she was playing against them. 

Most preseason games pass without fanfare, but there was a large and enthusiastic crowd inside Wintrust Arena for Reese’s return to Chicago, which doubled as her unofficial debut with the Atlanta Dream after a stunning April 6 trade. Reese finished with eight points, seven rebounds, two assists and three steals in 13 minutes in the Dream’s 87-78 victory, but the result hardly mattered. 

This was a night for Sky fans to pay their respects to their former star, and for Reese to close a chapter of her career. 

“Angel, when you’re back in Chicago we love you!” read one fan’s sign. There were other signs sharing the same sentiment, and dozens of Reese jerseys and shirts scattered throughout the crowd. One kid was even rocking a Washington Wizards jersey bearing Reese’s brother Julian’s number 15. 

At the first timeout, the Sky played a tribute video for Reese on the jumbotron, which drew a standing ovation. 

“Just being grateful for my opportunities that I did have here my first two years, a lot of positives,” Reese said. “The fans came out and showed a lot of support for both teams. I’m really happy and grateful, and happy to be here with Atlanta now.”

After the final buzzer, Reese shared a hug with Sky coach Tyler Marsh on the court and waved to the crowd as she made her way to the visitors’ locker room for the first time. 

“It was honestly the first time seeing her since the trade, so I was just telling her to ‘go be great, go kill it,’” Marsh said. “She’s with a championship-caliber team, so you saw some of her talents and things that she can do with them tonight. She fits in perfectly and she’ll be great.”

Reese, the No. 7 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, spent her first two seasons with the Sky. She quickly established herself as the best rebounder in the league — her 13.1 rebounds per game as a rookie remain a league record — and the face of the franchise. But while Reese was an All-Star in each of her first two seasons, the Sky went a combined 23-61 and missed the playoffs in both seasons. 

Why Angel Reese trade is great for her, the Dream, the WNBA… and her rivalry with Caitlin Clark

Lindsay Gibbs

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Near the end of last season, Reese gave a controversial interview to the Chicago Tribune in which she publicly criticized the front office, coaching staff and her teammates. 

“I’m not settling for the same s— we did this year,” Reese said in September. “We have to get good players. We have to get great players. That’s a non-negotiable for me.

“I’m willing and wanting to play with the best. And however I can help to get the best here, that’s what I’m going to do this offseason. So it’s going to be very, very important this offseason to make sure we attract the best of the best because we can’t settle for what we have this year.”

She eventually apologized and was suspended for half a game. Between that suspension, a league suspension for accumulating too many technical fouls and a back injury, Reese missed Chicago’s final four games. 

During Team USA training camp in December, Reese said she would not request a trade and planned to return to the Sky, but the two sides eventually agreed to part ways. On April 6, the opening day of the WNBA’s free agency period, the Sky traded Reese to the Dream for their 2027 and 2028 first-round picks — a return that was widely panned as too little for a player of Reese’s caliber. 

“I think it was just best for me to move on, and I think it was helpful for both of us,” Reese said at shootaround early on Wednesday.

Now, Reese will team up with All-Stars Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard and Brionna Jones on a Dream squad that won a franchise-record 30 games last season, but lost in the first round of the playoffs. Atlanta hopes Reese will be the missing piece that helps them become a true title contender. 

The early signs are promising. 

“Everybody keeps asking me how I feel, but we’ve been practicing for a week and a half, and it feels like a month, it feels like two months,” Reese said postgame. “It’s been super seamless as I think everybody can see and an easy adjustment for me because I think my teammates and my coaches put a lot of confidence in me.”

“They want me to take the shots that sometimes I’m not confident maybe to take,” Reese continued. “But I was able to come out tonight and take shots that I was not comfortable taking and they still patted me on the back for it and still uplifted me in ways that I probably didn’t have before, so I’m just really grateful for all of it.”