Sep 12, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) after a reception against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings have signed one external free agent so far this cycle: cornerback James Pierre from the Pittsburgh Steelers. The club has somewhere between $20 million and $30 million to spend after player releases and contractual restructures, so the money has to go somewhere — soon. These are five free agents that Minnesota should target.
The Vikings still have room to make a few smart additions.
Most of the heavy-hitting free agents have found new teams, but Minnesota can strike on these players.
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Numerous Logical Targets Remain for Minnesota in Free Agency
It’s the quietest Vikings free agency to date since 2020.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) rushes through traffic while Indianapolis Colts defenders Zaire Franklin (44) and Nick Cross (20) close in during third-quarter action, with Dec 7, 2025 marking the matchup at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. Jacksonville secured a 36–19 victory as Etienne powered the ground attack. Mandatory Credit: Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union.
**Note: This list does not contain Kyler Murray because he’s technically not a free agent.
1. Nick Cross | S
At 24 years old, Cross is projected to command $6–8 million per season on his next contract. While Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of only 59.8 in 2025, with a 50.4 in coverage and a 72.0 against the run, his earlier performance suggests greater potential.
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Cross is a popular name in IDP fantasy football due to his knack for accumulating tackles and splash plays. Although his production dipped in 2025 as he adapted to a new defensive coordinator and shared the secondary with Camryn Bynum, his previous seasons offer a more encouraging outlook.
From 2022 to 2024, Cross earned PFF grades of 56.5, 71.8, and 70.3, respectively. This upward trend indicates that the right defensive scheme could unlock his previous form. Brian Flores, known for favoring aggressive safeties who quickly attack downhill and excel with straightforward reads, could be the key to maximizing Cross’ strengths.
Flores has a track record of revitalizing similar careers, as demonstrated by Eric Wilson’s resurgence in 2025 within his system. Give Cross a whirl.
2. Christian Kirk | WR
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Kirk has missed 35% off all games in the last three seasons; he is not known for durability, at least not as of late.
However, not long ago, the Arizona Cardinals employed Kirk, and he cooked with Kyler Murray, who may be the Vikings’ next quarterback. The 29-year-old logged 77 receptions for 982 yards and 5 touchdowns with Murray’s Cardinals in 2022, the springboard season and event that landed Kirk big money in Jacksonville the following season.
He won’t cost much during the next wave of free agency — probably about $5 million per year — and Minnesota should onboard him for WR3 duty to replace Jalen Nailor, who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.
As a matter of fact, Murray and Kirk are best friends. See: here.
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3. Rachaad White | RB
White is a pretty steady halfback — nothing too fancy, and his struggles are never long-lasting. He’s 6’0 and 215 pounds with 4.48 speed. He can catch the ball out of the backfield. White can also block against the pass, ranking as a Top 20 tailback in the trait last season.
In 2023, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, before the arrival of Bucky Irving, White produced 1,539 yards from scrimmage and 9 touchdowns. That’s not very long ago, nor is White old at age 27. Irving later took over more of the workload, but White’s recent output suggests that he would be a fine RB2 in Minnesota.
4. Ethan Pocic | C
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Pocic is 30 and has an estimated market value of $8–12 million per year. PFF gave him an overall grade of 63.8 in 2025, with scores of 62.2 for pass protection and 63.2 for run blocking.
Cleveland Browns center Ethan Pocic (55) walks off the field following a loss to the San Francisco 49ers, with Nov 30, 2025 marking the game at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Pocic headed toward the sideline as players exited the field after the late-season matchup. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images.
The veteran center entered the NFL as a second-round pick in 2017 — the same draft that brought Dalvin Cook to Minnesota — and played out his first contract with the Seattle Seahawks before signing with the Cleveland Browns in 2022. His durability has been a concern throughout his career, though, as he tends to miss games each season due to injuries.
If this trend continued in Minnesota, the Vikings would have sufficient depth to rely on, with players like Blake Brandel and Michael Jurgens available as replacements.
5. Trevon Diggs | CB
Diggs’s value has diminished after brief stints with the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers in recent months, making him a potential low-risk acquisition for a team seeking depth. Diggs has shown flashes of strong play since 2020, as reflected in his passer rating against.
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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (7) celebrates with teammates after recording an interception during second-quarter action against the Philadelphia Eagles, with Nov 10, 2024 marking the matchup at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Diggs and the Cowboys defense reacted following the momentum-changing takeaway. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images.
In 2020, opposing quarterbacks had an 85.8 rating when targeting Diggs, which improved to 55.8 in 2021, before rising again to 86.1 in 2022. Injuries plagued his 2023 season, and while his rating was 85.3 in 2024, it spiked to 154.2 in 2025, albeit on only 22 targets. His PFF grades follow a similar trend: 62.7 in 2020, 58.5 in 2021, 67.6 in 2022, a 2023 season affected by injury, 56.6 in 2024, and 58.7 in the limited 2025 sample size.
Entering 2026, the Minnesota Vikings boast a respectable cornerback unit comprised of Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, and newcomer James Pierre. Their collective health last season contributed to the defense’s strong performance under Flores, ranking third in EPA per play. Nevertheless, depth remains a concern, and Diggs could immediately provide valuable experience to the secondary.
Signing Diggs would also ensure that Minnesota isn’t forced to select a corner in Round 1 or 2 of April’s draft.
Rory McIlroy is an investor in Whoop, wears one of the company’s wristbands while playing, and allows the brand to share his data periodically.
Here are some of his Masters highlights:
• 24,000+ steps on Sunday • 91,000+ steps during the tournament
Rory’s heart rate spiked to 135 BPM during his tee shot on 18, dropped to 121 BPM during his approach shot, fell further to 105 BPM during his winning putt, and then jumped back up to 150 BPM during his celebration.
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His resting heart rate for the week was 47-49 BPM.
Rory says he follows a strict routine during the PGA Tour season to ensure proper rest and recovery:
• No caffeine after 2 PM • Last meal at least 2 hours before bed • Magnesium and theanine for sleep quality • Blue-light-blocking glasses in the evening • Sauana or Epsom salt bath when available • Cool room temperature for sleep
He follows the same three-hour routine before every round: arrive at the course → warm up in the gym → eat breakfast → hit balls on the range → putting green.
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Rory says he believes his focus on longevity will help him play another 10+ years at a high level, and his physiological age on Whoop is now 1.5 years younger than his actual age.
Plus, it turned out to be a pretty good investment.
Rory initially invested in Whoop in 2020 when the company was valued at $1.2 billion. While we don’t know exactly how much he invested, Whoop recently raised another round at a $10.1 billion valuation.
Apr 13, 2026; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) competes for the puck against Nashville Predators defenseman Roman Josi (59) and center Ryan O’Reilly (90) during the third period of their game at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images
Macklin Celebrini scored two goals and the visiting San Jose Sharks held on for a 3-2 win against the Nashville Predators on Monday night.
Igor Chernyshov had a goal and an assist for the Sharks (38-34-8, 84 points), who have two games remaining and kept their slim Stanley Cup playoff hopes alive. Alex Nedeljkovic made 25 saves.
Luke Evangelista scored two goals for the Predators (38-33-10, 86 points), who have one game remaining, against Anaheim on Thursday. Ryan Ufko had two assists, and Justus Annunen made 20 saves.
Both teams were eliminated from playoff contention with the Los Angeles Kings’ 5-3 win over the Seattle Kraken on Monday night.
Evangelista pulled the Predators within 2-1 at 15:39 of the third period. A perfect pass from Nick Perbix sent Evangelista in behind the defender and he beat Nedeljkovic with a wrist shot into the short-side top corner.
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The Predators pulled Annunen and the Sharks nearly bungled a 3-on-1 rush before Celebrini scored into an empty net at 18:15 to make it 3-1.
With Annunen pulled again, Ufko’s shot deflected in off Evangelista at 18:50 to cut the deficit to 3-2.
The Sharks converted their only power-play opportunity; the Predators were 0-for-1.
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San Jose outshot Nashville 11-6 in a scoreless first period.
Chernyshov gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead with a power-play goal at 9:53 of the second period. William Eklund got a rebound in the slot and passed to Chernyshov for a one-timer from the left face-off dot.
Celebrini made it 2-0 at 3:04 of the third period. After a disputed icing call forced a face-off in the Nashville end, the Predators cleared the zone, but Will Smith took the puck away and passed to Cheryshov, who skated down into the left circle, pulled up to draw the defender over and passed to Celebrini, who scored on a one-timer from the slot.
Nashville’s Filip Forsberg hit the post with about 14 minutes remaining.
Norwood Oval will play host to Sunday’s
Round 5 AFL game between Geelong Cats and
West Coast Eagles. The game kicks off at 12:30 pm with Geelong Cats heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Geelong Cats vs.
West Coast Eagles
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Geelong returns to more familiar territory after a narrow loss to Hawthorn, with Bailey Smith continuing his strong form and Ollie Henry providing a reliable scoring option. The Cats now face a West Coast side that struggled badly against Sydney, particularly with ball movement out of defence. The Eagles’ inability to handle pressure was exposed, and that shapes as a major concern against Geelong’s well-drilled system. With a strong record at home and superior structure, the Cats are well positioned to bounce back emphatically.
Coolmore Stud and master trainer Aidan O’Brien have once again demonstrated why they remain the gold standard in global horse racing — not just in breeding and training, but in branding.
The latest batch of two-year-olds to be named showcases a blend of elite pedigree, clever storytelling, and marketable identity. In a sport where first impressions matter, these names are doing serious early work.
Powerful Pedigrees, Even Stronger Names
Among the standout names is Abraham Lincoln, a son of Wootton Bassett out of a Group-winning daughter of Invincible Spirit. Purchased for €2.3 million, the name carries immediate authority and presence — exactly what you’d expect from a top-tier prospect.
Book of Kells is another striking entry. By Dubawi and out of a Galileo mare, this colt is a half-brother to multiple Group 1 winner Auguste Rodin. The name cleverly ties Irish heritage with class and legacy — a perfect fit for a horse with serious expectations.
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Then there’s Capability Brown, linking art and prestige with racing excellence. As a half-brother to Saxon Warrior, the name reinforces a sense of refinement and stature.
Raging Bull brings a different energy — aggressive, memorable, and built for headlines. Meanwhile, Shakespeare and Opera continue the cultural theme, both reflecting depth, class, and timeless appeal.
Why Naming Matters in Horse Racing
In modern racing, a name is more than a label — it’s a brand. Before a horse ever sets foot on the track, its name shapes perception among punters, media, and owners.
Memorability: Names like “Raging Bull” stick instantly
Heritage: “Book of Kells” connects to Irish identity
Prestige: “Shakespeare” and “Opera” signal class
Marketability: Strong names drive media coverage and betting interest
Coolmore understand this better than anyone. They consistently produce names that feel like future Group 1 winners — and more often than not, they are.
The Coolmore Formula
The naming strategy aligns perfectly with their overall model:
With Aidan O’Brien preparing these horses for Ballydoyle, the expectation is clear — many of these names will soon be seen in Group races across Europe.
What Comes Next?
As the flat season unfolds, all eyes will be on these two-year-olds when they debut. History suggests that when Coolmore name a horse this well, it’s rarely by accident.
Don’t be surprised if Abraham Lincoln, Book of Kells, or Opera are making headlines before long.
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Final Word
In an era where branding matters more than ever, Coolmore and Aidan O’Brien continue to set the standard. These aren’t just racehorses — they’re future stars with names to match.
Italy’s Jannik Sinner celebrates with the trophy after winning the Monte Carlo ATP Masters Series Tournament final tennis match against Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz on Court Rainier III at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, south-eastern France on April 12, 2026. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP via Getty Images)
Jannik Sinner is back at world No. 1 after winning the Monte Carlo title, overtaking Carlos Alcaraz in the latest ATP rankings.
The Italian now has 13,350 ranking points, the first time he has crossed the 13,000 mark in his career. Alcaraz follows closely behind with 13,240 points.
Between them, Sinner and Alcaraz now have more ranking points than the rest of the ATP Top 8 combined.
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Sinner’s return to the top also marks his 67th career week as world No. 1, moving him ahead of Alcaraz in the all-time list.
Valentin Vacherot has also broken into the Top 20 for the first time after his run in Monte Carlo.
On the women’s side, Lilli Tagger also made a breakthrough, reaching the Top 100 after her run in Linz.
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Right now, it’s Sinner and Alcaraz, then everyone else.
Dave McGinnis, a former Arizona Cardinals head coach and Tennessee Titans assistant coach, died on Monday. He was 74.
The Titans announced the death of McGinnis, who died after being hospitalized for an illness in early March. The Titans’ news release said that he passed away at Ascension St. Thomas Midtown Hospital with his family by his side.
“My heart aches with the loss of Coach Mac, who was so much more than a coach and broadcaster – he was family,” Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk said in a statement.
Head coach Dave McGinnis of the Arizona Cardinals watches from the sideline during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pa., on Nov. 9, 2003. The Steelers defeated the Cardinals, 28-15.(George Gojkovich/Getty Images)
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwell also released a statement on McGinnis.
“As Dave often said, he was a ‘ball coach’ through and through, and no one ever filled that role with more passion, enthusiasm and charisma,” Bidwell said. “Coach Mac truly loved the game and everything – and everyone – associated with it, especially his players. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.”
McGinnis found himself in an interim head coaching role during the 2000 season with the Cardinals, the team for which he served as defensive coordinator in 1996. He was retained in the head coaching post from 2001-03.
In 57 career games, McGinnis went 17-40 with the Cardinals, ultimately being fired after a 4-12 season in 2003.
After he was fired, McGinnis landed with the Titans as a linebackers coach under head coach Jeff Fisher. He would become a mainstay in Nashville, holding that role and eventually being promoted to assistant head coach until 2011.
Coach Dave McGinnis of the Arizona Cardinals walks the sideline against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, on Nov. 16, 2003. The Browns won the game, 40-6.(Tom Pidgeon/Getty Images)
“Coach Mac gave so much of himself to this organization over the years, and his passion, loyalty and love for the Titans never wavered,” Strunk added. “He cared deeply about the people around him, and that kindness and authenticity left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. He held a very special place in our family, and his presence in our lives and within this franchise will never be forgotten. We will miss him dearly, and we will always be grateful for the legacy he leaves behind.”
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McGinnis’s coaching career began in 1973 when he was an assistant with TCU. He also held posts with Indiana State, Missouri and Kansas State until the 1986 season when he broke into the NFL with the Chicago Bears.
McGinnis served as linebackers coach for Chicago from 1986-95 before getting a promotion with the Cardinals. He also held roles with the St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams before leaving coach after the 2016 campaign.
McGinnis returned to Nashville to join Titans Radio in 2017, where he served as a color announcer for games.
Arizona Cardinals head coach Dave McGinnis stands on the sideline during a game against the Oakland Raiders at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Dec. 2, 2001.(Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport)
“I love Dave McGinnis, and I don’t know that I’ve met anybody who was created for football, and a football life, more than Coach Mac,” said Burke Nihill, president and CEO of the Titans. “He just loved the game. Obviously, he played it for a long time and coached it for longer, and with everything he has done for us over the years as color commentator and a Titans personality. He lived such a special football life. He was such a special guy.
Optus Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 6 NRL game between Cronulla Sharks and
Sydney Roosters. The game kicks off at 5:30 pm with Sydney Roosters heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Cronulla Sharks vs.
Sydney Roosters
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Cronulla enters this contest with renewed confidence after back-to-back wins, pushing back into finals contention. Nicho Hynes continues to steer a dangerous attack, while the Sharks’ recent success against the Roosters — including a finals victory — offers further encouragement. Sydney, however, returns refreshed from a bye and boasts a formidable spine led by James Tedesco and Sam Walker. With both sides evenly matched, this shapes as one of the round’s most intriguing contests, likely to be decided by execution in key moments.
Just like Michael O’Neill, McArdle will be based in Scotland during his tenure as Northern Ireland manager.
McArdle, who took charge of Scotland for four matches last year on an interim basis, will remain in Glasgow – a decision he believes will help NI.
“The benefit is because a lot of girls are playing in the domestic game in the UK, I am in a good position to stay in Scotland and watch some of the girls play,” McArdle said.
17 players of the last NI squad play their football in England or Scotland with just five based in Northern Ireland, four from Glentoran and one from Linfield.
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However, he added he will also make effort to watch those who play in the Irish Premiership as well.
“I’ll be around NIFL [Women’s Premiership] quite a lot on a Friday evenings, and also speaking to players a lot in between camps as well.”
The athletic Duck was featured within a recent ESPN update. The premise of the article involves highlighting the “draft risers.” Jeff Legwold, the author, writes, “With the 2026 NFL draft less than two weeks away, we identified seven players who have gained the most ground since the beginning of the 2025 season.” Coming in quite high is the defensive back who boasts insane speed.
ESPN Update: Dillon Thieneman Generating Hype & is Rising
To begin, there’s some clarity about how Thieneman has ascended.
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The assessment from Legwold: “There are a few players in every draft with an extensive enough body of work to make league evaluators comfortable. Then there are the players who shake things up a bit at the Senior Bowl or the combine, forcing evaluators to take another look. Thieneman fits into the latter bucket and has likely moved from a mid-to-late Day 2 pick into the first round as part of a sturdy safety class.”
Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders running back J’Koby Williams (20) is tackled by Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) during the second half of the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Despite playing plenty of football, a situation that allows for ample room to assess the safety’s abilities, Thieneman’s testing prompted NFL people to reconsider what had previously been thought: “he uncorked a 4.37-second 40-yard dash and a 41-inch vertical at the combine at 6-foot, 201 pounds. That makes folks circle back.”
Not too long afterwards, there’s commentary on Dillon Thieneman having “excellent instincts” alongside being someone who boasts “plus-level athleticism.”
If he had been a sleeper, Thieneman is no longer someone who could be described in those terms.
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Sitting at No. 18, the Vikings appear likely to offer Brian Flores a new player to work with from 2026 onward. Basically all levels of the defense could use an infusion of young talent, but few would quibble with opting for a corner or safety. The days of Mike Zimmer’s elite 2017 secondary feels like a very long time ago.
Thieneman looks like somebody who could get worked into the mix quite easily. He’s not huge but is wicked fast, is only 21, and coming out of a major college program. Most commonly, Thieneman has either been a deep safety or a box safety, meaning he blends some of Camryn Bynum with some of Harrison Smith.
Nov 29, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) intercepts a pass against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Connecting the dots between Dillon Thieneman and the Vikings isn’t very difficult. Simply note that missing on another 1st-Round selection would be a brutal gut punch for a franchise that is desperate for draft success.
The concern is twofold.
Maybe Thieneman is good but not great, bumped up late in the process even though he didn’t fully deserve it. That’s not a catastrophic scenario since he’s still a good player, but he would bring back memories of Garrett Bradbury. Once upon a time, a highly-athletic center got looped into the Minnesota mocks so commonly that anyone and everyone could predict the future. Close to a decade later, the pick looks average or below average. He, too, got drafted at No. 18.
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Worse yet, there could be another Lewis Cine scenario. A young, physical, and highly-athletic safety coming out of a major college program would be perfect, especially with Harrison Smith on the cusp of retirement. Does that rationale sound at all familiar?
Add it all together and the argument isn’t that Dillon Thieneman is a bust waiting to happen. Nor, for that matter, is the argument that he doesn’t deserve the hype that has arrived late in the evaluation process. Rather, the idea is to take a sober look at what’s taking place. Doing so helps us to understand that the spotlight is shining brightly on the Oregon defender but that it’s not a foregone conclusion that he will become a success story.
Former Minnesota Vikings tight end Stu Voigt announces the team’s third-round selection at the NFL Draft, with Apr. 25, 2025 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin capturing the on-stage moment as fans reacted to the No. 102 pick during the second night of draft festivities. Mandatory Credit: Tork Mason-USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Everyone will get clarity on how things unfold in less than two weeks. Reality will arrive, allowing the rumor and speculation to cease. Afterwards, analysis will take place to assess how the Vikings (and the league more broadly) did in the high-stakes event.
Opting for Dillon Thieneman appears quite likely at No. 18; seeing him morph from a Duck into a Viking has plenty of common sense appeal. Whether all of the late hype has been justified remains to be seen.
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