Jul 16, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida State Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks answers questions from the media during the SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
Nearly a month after my first Vikings mock draft of 2026, and with the curtain pulled on the 2025 season and the Seattle Seahawks reigning supreme. It’s time to look again with my 2026 Vikings mock draft 2.0.
Adam New’s Post-Super Bowl Blueprint for the Vikings’ 2026 Draft
In my first mock draft, I concentrated on the defensive side of the ball early, and that trend remains. I firmly believe that’s how the Vikings should attack this draft, while making room for an RB, TE, and C at some point, depending on how the board falls on draft day. I have gone for a different position in round one this team, looking to add beef up front first, rather than boosting the secondary — that comes on Day 2. Here is my Vikings mock draft 2.0.
Round 1: Pick 18 – Caleb Banks (DI), Florida
There are a few areas of the Vikings’ defense that need to be addressed in this draft, and I start by finding a long-term partner for Jalen Redmond in the center of the Vikings’ defensive line. At 6’6″, 325 pounds, with arms over 35″, Caleb Banks has overwhelming size, length, and forklift power, to pair with inhuman burst and quickness at that size.
The only concern is a longer-than-ideal injury history, but the raw talent is there, and Banks can be the final piece to a completely dominant Vikings defensive line.
Round 2: Pick 49 – Keionte Scott (CB), Miami (FL)
Keionte Scott is a nickel CB who can have a big impact on a game. During Miami’s run to the national championship game in 2025, he amassed 13 tackles for loss, five sacks, and two pick-sixes. An explosive long-striding closer, with springy coverage and an elite processor with a fast-flowing style and relentless physicality, Scott should be a great fit in the Brian Flores defense.
Round 3: Pick 82 – Genesis Smith (S), Arizona
The Vikings need to replace Harrison Smith and never really replaced Camryn Bynum last season. Genesis Smith would be the Bynum replacement with rare range and long-strider speed as a center-fielder and single-high safety, and his playmaking instincts are elite. Smith is one of the best coverage safeties in this draft class, which is just what the Vikings need in their secondary.
Jadarian Price has been living in the shadow of Jeremiyah Love in the Notre Dame backfield. While you might need to spend a top 10 pick to acquire Love’s services, Price may be the better value pick on Day 2. An exciting draft prospect in his own right,
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Price is an explosive vertical threat with a great blend of vision, spatial instincts, and foot speed. He has a smooth running style, and he goes 0-to-100 in the blink of an eye when he sees a gap to exploit.
Round 5: Pick 156 – Jake Slaughter (C), Florida
The first player to land on the Vikings with the same pick as in my first Vikings mock draft. With the future of Ryan Kelly uncertain after a series of concussions, and in the last year of his contract. The Vikings need to think about the future at center.
The free agency addition of Tyler Linderbaum would be the dream scenario, but Jake Slaughter would make a good plan B, especially if Kelly does try to play on. Minnesota will need some insurance at center.
Round 7: Pick 234 – Drew Allar (QB), Penn State
This isn’t the draft to try again for a top QB, but taking a punt on one in the later rounds is always worthwhile, even if it’s for a guy whose ceiling is career backup. Drew Allar has the tools to be that and more potentially.
A former five-star recruit, standing at 6’5 “, 235 pounds, he has a rocket arm, and he has the nimble mobility and arm elasticity to work off-platform — as well as goodpre-snap command and post-snap processing. So why might he be available this late? Accuracy issues and poor mechanics will need much work for Allar to have any success in the NFL. At this point in the draft, it’s worth a gamble.
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Round 7: Pick 235 – Jeff Caldwell (WR), Cincinnati
Jeff Caldwell transferred to Cincinnati for a step up in competition in the 2025 season and reeled in 32 receptions for 478 yards and six touchdowns.
Nov 29, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Jeff Caldwell (9) comes off the field after scoring against the TCU Horned Frogs during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
I seem to suggest every off-season that the Vikings need a big physical wide receiver, and Caldwell brings this (6’4, 208 lbs) while also having the speed to be a vertical threat. An explosive talent that comes in at No. 29 on Bruce Feldman’s annual Freaks list, Caldwell would be a great get on Day 3.
Round 7: Pick 244 – Riley Mahlman (OT), Wisconsin
As the 2025 season proved, good depth on the OL is always valuable. Picking up a well-rounded if unspectacular OT prospect like Wisconsin’s Riley Mahlman, who is strongest in pass protection, would be an excellent use of a seventh-round pick — especially if the Vikings get back to the explosive passing offense that Kevin O’Connell wants.
Round 7: Pick 244- Jack Velling (TE), Michigan State
The second player to make it onto both of my Vikings mock drafts to date, though a few spots lower in the seventh round this time. The Vikings went TE-heavy towards the end of last season to help out their QB. If that trend continues, then a fresh face at the position makes sense.
Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
NEW DELHI: Two days after captaining India to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title, Suryakumar Yadav is still absorbing the magnitude of the achievement, which has placed him alongside greats like Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni, and Rohit Sharma, all of whom led India to ICC trophies.Soon after returning from Ahmedabad, where India national cricket team clinched a record third ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title on Sunday, Suryakumar reflected on the team’s successful campaign and its future ambitions.
Suryakumar Yadav receives grand homecoming after India’s T20 World Cup win
“It feels good to win 24 and 26 back-to-back. It is a very special feeling. When we won in 2024, we thought it would be so special to do this again at home in 2026,” Surya told PTI Videos at his residence.“The next target is to win the Olympic gold in 2028. The team has a good momentum. If India wins the T20 World Cup in the same year, it will be great.”On being compared to the likes of Rohit and Dhoni, he added: “It feels good to join that elite company. I am slowly feeling it. It is a very special feeling to be talked about among such great people. I will try to do the same in the future and help India more trophies.”Rohit was the captain when India ended an ICC trophy drought with victory in Bridgetown during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in June. Dhoni, meanwhile, led India to triumphs in the ICC World Twenty20 2007, ICC ODI World Cup 2011 and ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.Before them, Kapil Dev guided India to its first major global title when the team won the 1983 ODI World Cup.
A popular Man Utd X account dedicated to the club’s academy is fearing closure after being reported for a breach of copyright.
A social media account dedicated to covering Manchester United’s academy fears it could be closed down after videos of the Under-18s’ win against Nottingham Forest on Saturday were removed for copyright breaches.
The Academy Arena account has more than 68,000 followers on X and keeps people up to date on developments across United’s age-group sides. On Saturday, the account posted videos from the 5-2 win against Nottingham Forest, including both of JJ Gabriel’s goals, taken directly from MUTV.
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They have since been taken down and the owner of the account has received communication from the club that they believe will lead to its closure.
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Posting a message on X, the account said: “Today [Monday], I received communication from the club that leads me to believe that my account may be taken down due to DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) strikes.
“The correspondence also contained other comments unrelated to copyright, which I will not be sharing.”
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A DMCA strike is a formal penalty issued by an online platform, in this case X, when a user violates copyright law by using material they do not own. Many social media platforms have policies which mean three strikes in 90 days can lead to an account being permanently terminated.
A United source said the issue was a standard process related to the use of the club’s intellectual property, which in this case was the match footage. The videos of Gabriel’s goals were taken directly from MUTV coverage of the fixture at Carrington.
It is understood United are looking to take a stronger approach to such breaches, but insist it is not specifically related to a crackdown on academy footage or social media accounts focusing on the club’s academy.
In the message posted on X, the owner of the Academy Arena account said, “I didn’t want to disappear without saying thank you. The support I’ve received since creating this account in 2022 has been overwhelming. Thinking back to the start makes me feel very nostalgic and brings back good memories. Over the years, I think we’ve managed to build a positive community together and I am proud of that.
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“To this day, covering the academy remains a hobby of mine because I’m passionate about it. Hopefully I can continue doing so. This isn’t necessarily a goodbye, just a chance to show my gratitude to all of you.”
NEW DELHI: After India’s historic win in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced a massive cash reward of Rs 131 crore for the entire squad and support staff. The prize money will be shared among the 15 players, coaching staff, and other support members who helped the team secure the title.
Suryakumar Yadav receives grand homecoming after India’s T20 World Cup win
According to a report from PTI, the players will receive the biggest share of the reward. Each of the 15 cricketers is expected to get Rs 6 crore, while the remaining Rs 41 crore will be divided among the coaching staff and support team, depending on their roles and hierarchy.The reward is slightly higher than the Rs 125 crore bonus given to the team led by Rohit Sharma after India’s T20 World Cup win in 2024, showing the board’s continued appreciation for major international victories.BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia praised the team’s achievement and said, “The Board congratulates the players, support staff and selectors once again on this historic achievement and wishes them continued success in the future.”Before this, BCCI also announced Rs 58 crore for the winners of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Rs 51 crore for ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 champions, and Rs 7.5 crore for ICC U19 World Cup-winning side. In the T20 World Cup, India secured the trophy after defeating New Zealand national cricket team by 96 runs in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday. The victory was especially significant because the team successfully defended their title, becoming the first side in tournament history to retain the T20 World Cup.The triumph also made India the first team to win the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup three times, strengthening its legacy as one of the most dominant teams in the shortest format of the game.
The 2026 Horizon League Final takes place on Tuesday as the Detroit Mercy Titans face the Wright State Raiders. The Titans (17-14, 12-8 Horizon) are riding a three-game winning streak, most recently knocking off Robert Morris, 70-64, on Monday. The Raiders (22-11, 15-5 Horizon) have won four in a row, including a 103-90 Monday win over Northern Kentucky. Wright State leads the all-time series 27-10.
Tipoff is at 7 p.m. ET from the Corteva Coliseum in Indianapolis. The teams split their two regular season matchups, with the road team winning each. The Raiders are 3.5-point favorites in the latest Detroit Mercy vs. Wright State odds, while the over/under is 151.5. Before making any Wright State vs. Detroit Mercy picks, check out the men’s college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every college basketball game 10,000 times. It entered conference tournament week on a sizzling 14-2 run on its top-rated over/under college basketball picks dating back to last season, and is on a 28-21 run on top-rated CBB side picks. Anyone following its college basketball betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen strong returns.
SportsLine’s model has simulated Wright State vs. Detroit Mercy 10,000 times and is going Over on the total (151.5 points). The two regular season matchups between these two averaged 158.5 combined points. Over their last nine meetings overall, seven have gone over 151.5 points. Additionally, both teams’ offenses are far ahead of their respective defenses.
Detroit Mercy is 131st in the nation in scoring but just 300th in terms of points allowed per game. As for Wright State, it is 77th nationally in points per game but only 162nd in points allowed. Both teams are forecasted to both score more and allow more points in this contest than their season averages. That allows the Over to hit 61.5% of the time.
As the 2026 Cheltenham Festival gets underway this afternoon, the birthplace of steeplechasing is in the process of commemorating the race that created a sport.
The people of Doneraile in County Cork, where steeplechasing began, is erecting a monument to honour the steeplechase.
Commemorate the origins and heritage of chasing
A dedicated committee was established in June 2024 with the specific goal of creating a lasting monument to commemorate the origins and heritage of the first steeplechase. The committee brings together individuals passionate about preserving this important aspect of Ireland’s sporting culture.
The monument aims to serve as a tribute not only to the athletes who have participated in racing over the years but also to the community that has kept the tradition alive through events, storytelling and media.
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Limestone Monument
A limestone monument is set to be erected near St Mary’s Church in Doneraile, marking the historic site where the race finished in 1752.
The monument, designed to be of almost full scale will feature two horses and riders in period costume actively jumping a fence, mounted on a plinth. The total estimated cost for this ambitious project is €170,000
The chosen site for the monument is strategically placed on the approach to Doneraile, ensuring it is prominently visible to visitors entering the town, those frequenting Doneraile Park, as well as local residents and passers-by.
The committee has engaged Matthew Thompson, a renowned sculptor from East Cork, to take on this project. His expertise and artistic vision will ensure the monument is both historically accurate and visually striking.
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The project received planning permission from Cork County Council last year. Prior to obtaining planning approval, funding for the monument was sourced through private donations and proceeds from a successful golf classic.
Have your name inscribed on the monument
As a gesture of gratitude, those who donated €500 or more will have their names inscribed on the plinth beneath the monument, commemorating their support for generations to come.
Contact Details
For more information about the fundraising initiatives or to make a donation, the Doneraile Steeplechase Committee can be contacted on Doneraile Steeplechase Facebook page, or email jmcronin683@yahoo.ie.
Running back Rico Dowdle and the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed on a $12.25 million, two-year deal, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract can’t be finalized until the start of the league year on Wednesday.
Dowdle ran for 1,076 yards and six touchdowns last year in Carolina after surpassing 1,000 yards in Dallas in 2024. He’ll help replace Kenneth Gainwell, who agreed on a deal with Tampa Bay.
Pittsburgh opened the free agency period Monday by upgrading their wide receiver group, acquiring veteran Michael Pittman Jr. from Indianapolis for a late-round pick in this year’s draft.
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A person with knowledge of the deal told the AP the Colts are sending Pittman to Pittsburgh. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not official.
Pittman has 485 receptions for 5,254 yards and 25 touchdowns in six seasons, including 80 catches for 784 yards and seven scores in 2025.
NEW DELHI: When Lakshya Sen took on Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in the 2022 All England Open final, he could only take 10 and 15 points from the Dane, respectively. In 2024, after securing a long-lasting UK visa, the Indian shuttler joked he would win the title there 3-4 times and reach the finals at least eight times. Last Sunday, the 24-year-old added to the finals tally, but the titles column remained at nought as he went down 15-21, 20-22 to Lin Chun-Yi of Taiwan.A foot blister played a role, as did the fatigue of playing a 97-minute semi-final hours ago. In all, he had occupied the court for 91 minutes more than his vanquisher, Lin. Shoulder fatigue made it a physically one-sided affair even before the feather met the strings.
Suryakumar Yadav receives grand homecoming after India’s T20 World Cup win
“The semi-final I played took a toll on my body, with the cramps I had. I did everything I could to recover well and come back fresh for the final, but it was tough to get back to 100%,” Lakshya said on Tuesday during a media interaction.“The whole week had been demanding with long matches from the very first day, and the muscles got tired. Even during the semi-final, I was cramping a lot, and the fatigue was still there in the final,” Lakshya added. “Of course, my opponent was also playing his fifth match of the week, but I just tried to give it my all and do my best.”The 24-year-old repeated feeling “disheartened” to not walk away with the title while acknowledging the physical duress on his body. Yet, he did what any athlete does: accept that both players started on an even footing, having played five matches in the week.Sen’s week included wins over top seed and World No. 1 Shi Yu Qi; former World No. 6 Angus Ng Ka Long, and sixth seed Li Shi Feng with only one match, barring the final, finishing in two sets.The difference between the Lakshya Sen of 2022 and that of 2026 is in the level of expectations that he attaches to himself. The heartbreak of missing out on the 2024 Paris Olympics medal has made him a more resolute player, too.“I feel the first time when I played the finals of the All England, I was probably still dreaming that whole week that I am playing in such a big event and I have reached the finals. I was enjoying and playing without any expectation, but here when I could reach the closing of the tournament, the semi-finals, the quarter-finals. I was better prepared in certain ways to know what’s coming and how to play in these pressure matches where I have played big events now and was just trying to focus on playing my best.
This time I had that belief throughout the tournament that I can win the tournament
Lakshya Sen, Indian badminton player
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“This time I had that belief throughout the tournament that I can win the tournament. Having come this close, I am also proud and also a little bit disheartened that I couldn’t get the final win.“In 2022 it was a little bit different where I was just trying to see how far I can go. And was just enjoying a bit more without any expectation. But this time I had that belief and also a little bit of expectation with me that if I do certain things I can win the tournament,” said the shuttler.
Dec 30, 2023; Tucson, AZ, USA; Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (22) against the Wyoming Cowboys in the Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
This year’s safety class has become all about Caleb Downs.
Rightfully so as the Ohio State product has all the tools to become a starter at the NFL level. However, there is another defensive back prospect out of Toledo who has begun catching the eyes of many as the 2026 NFL Draft approaches. That player is Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.
Background
Oct 25, 2025; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars quarterback Zevi Eckhaus (4) is tackled by Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7) in the second half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images
Experience is not an issue for McNeil-Warren heading into the NFL. He began making starts during his sophomore season in 2023 before taking over the role fully during his junior year. While his 2024 season was cut short due to an undisclosed injury. That didn’t seem to hamper him in 2025 though as he bounced back and had another fantastic season for the Rockets.
Strengths
Sep 14, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (3) runs the ball against Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7) during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images
McNeil-Warren is an absolute demon at the safety position against the run. He is not afraid of contact and uses his size to deliver massive hits, hence why he forced nine fumbles over his four years in college, including a MAC-leading four during his sophomore year in 2023. His ability to drive downhill on running lanes in the box and bring some pop is a special trait that NFL defenses will crave.
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The athletic ability should not be slept on either. McNeil-Warren has an innate ability to pick the right lane through blockers and turn his hips to make seamless direction changes, sniffing out the football along the way. His ability to make open field tackles is extremely impressive.
On top of that, among FBS safeties with at least 200 coverage snaps in 2025, he was PFF’s top graded player with a coverage grade of 92.0. He was targeted just 15 times this season, and he gave up just six receptions for 116 yards with five pass breakups.
Weaknesses
Aug 30, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats running back Dante Dowdell (2) jumps over Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7) during the third quarter at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
Much like Quinyon Mitchell a couple years ago, many of the concerns stem from the level of competition McNeil-Warren went up against in college. It’s easier to make plays when you’re one of the fastest players on the field, but that speed will become the norm at the NFL level.
While tackling has been a strong suit throughout his career, there seemed to be some lapses in focus during his senior season. He more than doubled his missed tackle numbers from six in 2024 to 13 in 2025. H0pefully, that won’t become a trend as a pro.
2026 NFL Draft Projection
Sep 14, 2024; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (3) is tackled by Toledo Rockets safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (7) and Toledo Rockets safety Maxen Hook (25) during the second quarter at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-Imagn Images
NFL Draft Projection: Day 1-Day 2 (Mid-Round 1 to Early Round 2)
Team Fits: Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Pittsburgh Steelers
McNeil-Warren may end up falling a bit further in the draft because of where he played his college football, but at some point, talent is talent. The man is an extremely fun football player to watch, brings tons of energy and physicality, and he has the potential to be a cornerstone for a defense in the NFL.
Editor’s Note: Statistics from Pro Football Focus helped with this article.
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Josh Frey is a senior writer at both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com, with a fascination for the NFL Draft. To … More about Josh Frey
Impossible Difficulty datapack for Minecraft is a unique mod that drastically increases the game’s difficulty to bizarre levels. The hardest vanilla difficulty is the hardcore mode. In hardcore mode, you will lose the world once you die. While the Impossible Difficulty datapack does not feature the hardcore mechanic, it adds all kinds of other dangers that you cannot even imagine.
Here are more details about the Impossible Difficulty datapack for Minecraft.
Features and download guide for Impossible Difficulty datapack for Minecraft
What does the Impossible Difficulty datapack for Minecraft offer?
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When you enter a Minecraft vanilla world, you start by punching a tree to get some wood and create a crafting table to make basic tools. However, in the Impossible Difficult datapack for Minecraft, you will not even be able to punch a tree without danger.
When you try to punch a tree, the entire tree will explode and kill you instantly. If you manage to get wood and create a crafting table, the block will terrifyingly convert into a killing machine, with a bazooka and two cutting discs. If you finally defeat all the hostile mobs in a structure and open chests to loot, a custom shulker mob will appear from it and kill you with a laser gun.
Villages will not be safe as well, as villagers will turn into masked serial killers, running towards you with chainsaws. Creepers can randomly multiply all around you, trapping you in a massive explosion, furnace block will become a flamethrower while smelting items, and much more.
In various other bizarre and hilarious ways, the Impossible Difficulty datapack for Minecraft makes the game almost unplayable. Despite all this, the unique ways in which the modder has increased the game’s difficulty are worth checking out at least once.
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Below are some of the settings you can change using commands. Make sure to go into creative mode in order to use these commands:
/trigger difficulty set <1-3>
/trigger dragon_difficulty set <1-3>
/trigger toggle_armor_slowdown
/trigger toggle_chest
/trigger toggle_endermen
/trigger toggle_flashbang
/trigger count_features
How to download and install the Impossible Difficulty datapack for Minecraft?
Both the Impossible Difficulty datapack and resourcepack need to be installed (Image via CurseForge/McMakistein)
Here is a guide to download and install the Impossible Difficulty datapack for Minecraft:
Make sure you have Minecraft 1.21.1 installed from the official launcher. You can do so by going into Java Edition’s “Installations” tab, create new installation, and selecting 1.21.1.
