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2 Last-Minute Mock Drafts Go against the Grain for Vikings

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Wide view of the 2025 NFL Draft stage and logo at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
Apr 23, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; A wide-angle view captures the official 2025 NFL Draft logo displayed prominently on the main stage at Lambeau Field, highlighting the event’s setup and atmosphere as teams prepared to make selections during the league’s annual draft event. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

If you’re an intense follower of Minnesota Vikings-themed mock drafts, you’ve probably gleaned that the frontrunners to turn purple on Thursday night are two Oregon Ducks: Dillon Thieneman (safety) and Kenyon Sadiq (tight end). But down the stretch of the mock draft cycle, don’t rule out Clemson defensive tackle Peter Woods.

The mock tide shifted late. Woods entered the mix.

Woods has wiggled into a couple of last-minute mocks; he could the guy for Minnesota.

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A Clemson DT Emerges as a Real Minnesota Match

Don’t rule a DT for Brian Flores’s defense.

Peter Woods speaks to media at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Peter Woods Vikings
At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Feb 25, 2026, Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods (DL29) addresses reporters at the Indiana Convention Center, discussing his college production, testing performance, and transition to the pro level while scouts and media evaluate his presence and communication during the pre-draft process. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.

Todd McShay’s Mock

McShay, formerly of ESPN, works for The Ringer now, and he revealed Woods as his Vikings’ mock draft prediction on Wednesday.

He explained, “Woods has been catching a lot of buzz in conversations I’ve been having recently—full circle from earlier in the process—and the league seems to be coming back around on his traits despite a quieter 2025 season. The Vikings run a one-gap scheme under Brian Flores, and Woods fits well there. Plus, they released Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.”

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And you know what? You really can’t fault the logic there. After all, during Flores’s first draft in Miami seven years, he made defensive tackle Christian Wilkins his first pick, a very Woods-esque selection.

PFSN, Too

McShay wasn’t alone. Pro Football Network‘s Cameron Sheath joined him with the Woods pronostication, writing, “Having been beaten to Thieneman, the Vikings pivot to another area of need. Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen both left in free agency, and Peter Woods immediately steps into one of those vacant spots as the first defensive tackle off the board.”

“Brian Flores will continue to cook up different disguises and play calls to keep quarterbacks guessing, but he’ll need a strong anchor up front, and Woods certainly provides that.”

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Interestingly, Sheath published a 3-Round mock, and this was the Vikings’ haul:

  • Peter Woods, Clemson | DT
  • A.J. Haulcy, LSU | S
  • Logan Jones, Iowa | C
  • Devin Moore, Florida | CB

The Case for Woods

If you’re new to the 2026 draft process, Woods is considered the best or second-best defensive tackle in this class, depending on one’s thoughts on Kayden McDonald, a nose tackle from Ohio State. This rookie crop isn’t necessarily known for DT majesty, but Woods and McDonald should find their way off the draft board in the first 40 picks, perhaps both on Thursday night in Round 1.

During his final two seasons at Clemson, Woods recorded 5 sacks and consistently disrupted plays before they could develop. Film analysis reveals him as a disruptive interior defender, utilizing a violent swipe move to shoot gaps and penetrate the backfield with exceptional quickness.

His testing numbers further highlight his impressive movement skills. Woods’ 4.75-second forty-yard dash is remarkably fast for a defensive tackle, aligning perfectly with the quick first step and leverage evident on film.

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Peter Woods on the field before Clemson plays Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Peter Woods Vikings
Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods (11) stands on the field during pregame warmups ahead of a marquee matchup in Atlanta, Georgia, on Aug 31, 2024, as the Tigers prepare to face the Georgia Bulldogs at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, capturing a calm moment before kickoff in a high-profile early-season contest. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images.

The burst is contained within his 6’2,” 300-pound frame, making him exceptionally agile for his size.

Bleacher Report‘s Matt Holder on Woods: “Good size with impressive movement skills and quickness for a defensive tackle. Plenty of upper body strength and pop in his hands to stand up offensive linemen and gain control of the block.”

“Also is quick to shoot his hands and keeps his hands tight to protect his chest. Very good at getting off blocks, stack-and-shedding looks easy for him and has a hump move to escape, too. Has the combination of power and movement skills to develop into a quality pass-rusher down the line.”

Holder also issued Jeffery Simmons as Woods’s NFL comp. Not bad.

First DT since Sharrif Floyd?

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It’s time for the Vikings to pick a defensive tackle early in a draft. They never do it.

The last time was 13 years ago, when Rick Spielman chose Sharrif Floyd, whose career was cut short by a nasty injury. Since then, Minnesota signed Linval Joseph for six seasons and vacillated between a hodgepodge of defensive tackles.

Sharrif Floyd celebrates a sack against the Chicago Bears at TCF Bank Stadium. Peter Woods Vikings
Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Sharrif Floyd (73) celebrates after recording a sack during the third quarter in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Dec 20, 2015, against the Chicago Bears at TCF Bank Stadium, highlighting a dominant defensive moment as the Vikings controlled the game en route to a convincing 38-17 victory. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.

Most teams take DT swings in the draft more frequently than every 13 years. Minnesota should get with the program and leave this year’s draft with an interior defensive lineman before the end of Friday, especially with Allen and Hargrave off the roster.

Woods will turn 22 next offseason. The guy has youth on his side. There’s also a small chance that the Vikings can trade down from their 18th spot on Thursday night and still draft Woods. His stock is near the end of Round 1, per draft pundits, putting a trade and Woods pick in play.


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BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, potential top pick, declares for draft

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NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament First Round-Texas at Brigham YoungMar 19, 2026; Portland, OR, USA; BYU Cougars forward AJ Dybantsa (3) shoots against Texas Longhorns forward Dailyn Swain (3) in the first half during a first round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

As expected, BYU forward AJ Dybantsa declared Thursday for the 2026 NBA Draft.

He made the announcement in his hometown of Brockton, Mass., at the Davis School, which he attended as a child.

The 6-foot-9 Dybantsa likely will be one of the top three picks in the draft. Fellow freshmen Darryn Peterson of Kansas and Cameron Boozer of Duke join Dybantsa as potential No. 1 picks.

The top-ranked player in the high school Class of 2025, Dybantsa won numerous national postseason awards as he broke 19 BYU freshman season and single-game records.

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A consensus first team All-American, he also was named to the All-Big 12 first team and was the conference’s Freshman of the Year.

He started 35 games for the Cougars and led the nation with 25.5 points per game. His 894 points were the third-most by a freshman in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history.

He added 6.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 51.0% shooting from the field and 33.1% from 3-point territory.

Dybantsa became one of two players in Big 12 history with a 30/10/10 triple-double when he had 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Eastern Washington on Dec. 22, 2025. David Harrison also had a 30/10/10 triple-double for Colorado in 2002.

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The top draft candidates will watch the NBA Draft Lottery with interest as the selection order is determined. That is scheduled for May 10 at 3 p.m. ET in Chicago, with the draft to be held June 23 and 24.

–Field Level Media

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Delhi Capitals Sign Rehan Ahmed As Replacement For Ben Duckett

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DC have signed Rehan Ahmed as a replacement for compatriot Ben Duckett for the remaining season.© ECB




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Delhi Capitals have signed England’s bowling all-rounder Rehan Ahmed as a replacement for compatriot Ben Duckett for the remainder of the Indian Premier League this season, the organisers said on Thursday. Duckett withdrew from the IPL 2026 primarily to focus on his international career with England and manage his physical and mental workload. “Delhi Capitals have picked Rehan Ahmed as a replacement for Ben Duckett for the remainder of IPL,” the IPL said in a statement.

“Rehan, a right-arm leg-spinner, has played 5 Tests, 9 ODIs and 13 T20Is for England and has scalped 49 international wickets.

“He will join DC for Rs 75 lakh.” Rehan became the youngest man to play a Test England when he made his debut at 18 years and 126 days old in Karachi in December 2022.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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50-goal sensation is coming to Liverpool

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Liverpool might just have a future version of Erling Haaland on their hands and if he keeps going he will be in the first-team very soon.

The football world first took notice of Manchester City’s prolific striker when he scored nine goals in a single game at the U20 World Cup.

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From that moment, it was clear a generational talent had arrived. Since then, the Norwegian has developed into one of the most feared forwards in world football.

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Haaland is a phenomenon. At times, he barely seems human, more like a goal-scoring machine built with a single purpose. The way he overwhelms defenders with sheer intensity is astonishing.

But his game isn’t just about physical dominance. Beyond his strength and speed lies a clinical edge that sets him apart. His finishing is on another level entirely.

Left foot, right foot, headers, long-range efforts, he scores with calm precision in every situation. His movement inside the box is equally elite, always finding the right space to convert even the smallest chance.

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Put simply, he’s the most complete striker in the modern game.

According to Anfield Watch, Liverpool once had the opportunity to sign him during his early days in Norway, when he was offered to several clubs before Molde gave him his breakthrough.

Now, however, the Reds’ academy could be nurturing a player in a similar mould, and if his development continues at this pace, a first-team breakthrough may not be far away.

Harrison O’Brien is attracting a lot of attention lately for Liverpool’s academy. He scored a hat-trick in the U15 Merseyside Cup against Ferencvaros earlier this season and he just scored another hat-trick in the final of the U15 Premier League Cup to help Liverpool’s U15 side win the tournament.

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If that wasn’t enough, he’s also scored a double hat-trick this season.

He netted six goals in Liverpool’s U15 side’s 7-1 victory over Stoke City.

So, the kid is talented and he loves to score goals – just like Haaland. What’s impressive that O’Brien’s goals are not all the same. He’s got a nice range, capable of scoring from long distance and from short distances. He’s quick, powerful and deadly in front of goal in and around the box.

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On top of that he is an industrious forward who can also play on the wing and works really hard.

The inner circles of the club are starting to get excited by O’Brien’s potential.

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That is according to the Daily Mail which claims that one expert source connected to Liverpool’s academy said the following about the young forward:

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‘He is scary good, like a young Erling Haaland’

With the long-hair and the ability to score goals for fun, it’s easy to see where those comparisons come from.

He’s only 15-years-old but he’s been playing a few age-groups above his own and he has netted a whopping 50-goals already this season at academy level.

In total as per The Talent Hunter on Instagram, O’Brien has 74 goal contributions this season, including 51 goals and 23 assists.

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But that was a few months ago now, he’s already scored a few more since then.

The dynamic forward has already been spending a lot of time with the club’s U16 team and he could follow in the path of Luca Eden by making his U18 debut very soon – maybe even before the season ends but definitely next season.

From the U18s, it’s only a short path to the first-team and if he scores this many goals there too, it won’t be long until O’Brien is working alongside Arne Slot’s team – especially considering the lack of depth in those attacking positions at the club.

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Liverpool haven’t had much luck with producing academy strikers in recent years. Many have come but so far many have failed to make their mark.

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The likes of Adam Morgan, Rhian Brewster, Jerome Sinclair and Krisztian Nemeth were all prolific at youth level but then never quite broke onto the scene in the first-team.

Jayden Danns will be hoping to break that trend and O’Brien is definitely a name worth keeping a close eye on, too.

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He’s another big talent coming through the ranks at the academy, which is now looking very strong.

Liverpool’s future is definitely in safe hands. And soon they may have the next Haaland joining the first-team – if he keeps his performances up.

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Tsitsipas battles back to end losing Run in Madrid

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Stefanos Tsitsipas came from a set down to beat Patrick Kypson 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 in Madrid.

Tsitsipas lost the opening set 6-3 and was pushed all the way in the next two, needing back-to-back tiebreaks to get over the line.

The result ends a three-match losing streak for the Greek, who had been struggling coming into the tournament. He had lost six of his previous eight matches.

  • Aryna Sabalenka extends Winning run in MadridAryna Sabalenka extends Winning run in Madrid

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Madrid could be an important turning point. Tsitsipas has a good record on clay and has reached semi-finals and finals on clay before.

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MI vs CSK Live Score, IPL 2026: Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma Fight Back For 3-Down Mumbai In Chase vs Chennai Super Kings

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Mumbai Indians Squad: Quinton de Kock(w), Danish Malewar, Naman Dhir, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya(c), Sherfane Rutherford, Mitchell Santner, Krish Bhagat, Jasprit Bumrah, AM Ghazanfar, Ashwani Kumar, Raj Bawa, Corbin Bosch, Mayank Rawat, Raghu Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Deepak Chahar, Trent Boult, Shardul Thakur, Will Jacks, Mayank Markande, Ryan Rickelton, Robin Minz, Mohammed Salahuddin Izhar.

Chennai Super Kings Squad: Sanju Samson(w), Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Matthew Short, Sarfaraz Khan, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Jamie Overton, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Matt Henry, MS Dhoni, Akeal Hosein, Shreyas Gopal, Rahul Chahar, Spencer Johnson, Urvil Patel, Aman Khan, Zakary Foulkes.

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How does Jinx find out about Margot’s job?

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Margo’s job in Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4 continues to follow her journey towards adulthood as she struggles to find financial stability amidst motherhood and a growing dependence on an unconventional source of income. In the first three episodes, viewers see the level of desperation that Margo is experiencing and her relationship with her best friend Susie, as well as the tricky presence of her absentee father, Jinx.

Disclaimer: The following article contains spoilers for the show. Reader’s discretion is advised.

In Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4, the action gets slower, yet the tension builds when Margo chooses to take up OnlyFans. The main conflict revolves around the moment when Jinx discovers Margo’s new source of employment. This moment of discovery comes in the form of him walking into Susie’s room, where Margo is in the middle of a photoshoot. Initially, there is some misunderstanding, which soon turns into judgment.


How does Jinx find out about Margo’s job in Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4?

A still from the series (Image via Instagram/@appletv)A still from the series (Image via Instagram/@appletv)
A still from the series (Image via Instagram/@appletv)

Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4 establishes Margo’s employment revelation by using a humorous misunderstanding at first and then shifting to the realm of emotional conflict.

Jinx is still adjusting to the reality of his daughter’s life as he moves into her house. When he enters Susie’s room, he discovers Margo being photographed in a manner that leaves him confused. Initially, Jinx had assumed that Margo and Susie might be romantically involved. The confusion clears when Margo tells him that she is photographing herself to sell images on OnlyFans. The response from Jinx is quick and negative, showing how he cannot accept what his daughter is doing as well as how his attitude towards such work is influenced by his problems.

He does not even ask any questions, stating right away that the work is dishonorable; the scene shows his lack of understanding as well. Margo confronts him about this, showing her frustration and how hypocritical his attitude towards her job is, considering his career history and her mother’s profession as well.


How does Jinx get injured in Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4?

A still from the series (Image via Instagram/@appletv)A still from the series (Image via Instagram/@appletv)
A still from the series (Image via Instagram/@appletv)

In Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4, Jinx’s narrative undergoes a drastic shift as soon as the action shifts to the wrestling convention, with nostalgia rapidly turning into worry. Although the place seems familiar and comfortable at first, while his ex-coworkers such as Lace make him feel more at ease, Jinx soon encounters difficulties and collapses in the ring after performing his demonstration.

The issue does not have a straightforward solution since it is caused by a combination of factors that include years of physical strain, as well as an unresolved addiction problem and depression. This latter factor becomes especially clear after the viewer learns about Margo’s suspicions concerning Jinx’s mental well-being.

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Jinx’s unwillingness to share his experience of dealing with addiction with doctors adds additional stress to the situation and underlines the extent of the trauma and self-blame. His injury becomes a symbol to restore the past life’s image that he cannot maintain anymore. Even though he eventually makes concessions and shows some remorse towards Margo, it is not entirely clear whether he is ready to accept his problems.


Other highlights from Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4

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Notably, in Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4, viewers see Margo’s career move towards something more strategic as far as building her profile on OnlyFans is concerned. Choosing to work with experienced artists such as Wang and Rose, and signing an NDA, it demonstrates how she has now started taking calculated risks in her journey to achieve her goal.

In contrast, the arrangements for Shyanne’s wedding hint at some hidden emotions. For instance, being unable to calm down Bodhi and responding angrily when Jinx suggests how she should parent makes it evident that Shyanne harbors some animosity towards having raised Margo single-handedly.

The episode’s closing moments add further complexity, as Jinx learns the truth about Bodhi’s father and quietly leaves, later confronting Mark off-screen.

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Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episode 4 is available to stream on Apple TV+.