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De’Von Achane, the New GM, Jadarian Price

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De’Von Achane is tackled by Grant Delpit while running the ball during a game in Cleveland.
Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane pushes forward with the ball as Cleveland Browns safety Grant Delpit wraps him up low during first-quarter action at Huntington Bank Field, with the play unfolding on Dec 29, 2024 in Cleveland. The sequence captures early-game physicality as both teams battle for control at the line of scrimmage. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images.

Every week, we flag the “Nopedy Nopes” around the Minnesota Vikings — the takes that veer off course, stretch logic, lose footing, or collapse under scrutiny.

Three rumors. Three rulings. Draft week brings bluster.

This round focuses on trades, the future at general manager, and a downward-trending draft theory.

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These Latest Vikings Rumors Fall Apart under Scrutiny

The Vikings Nopedy Nopes just a few days before the draft.

Dolphins running back De’von Achane reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Jets in the second half. Vikings rumors
Miami Dolphins running back De’von Achane (28) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the second half, Sep 29, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, celebrating with visible emotion as he turns toward teammates following a breakaway run that extended the Dolphins’ lead in a key AFC East matchup. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Nopedy Nope: Dolphins RB De’Von Achane is in play for the Vikings via trade.

Because the Vikings now employ Frank Smith, Achane’s offensive coordinator over the last three years, Minnesota made sense as a trade destination — if the Dolphins were willing to offload him.

But Miami has no interest.

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Talking to the media on Wednesday, Miami general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan touched on Achane trade rumors, stating, “He’s not available for trade. Things are going good. We’ve had some positive conversations over the last couple of days, trending in the right direction.”

“Obviously, he’s very important to what we’re doing. It’s part of professional sports. We’ll get where we need to be one way or another, but things are trending in the right direction.”

NBC Sports Josh Alper added, “While there might be an offer that changes the Dolphins’ view of holding onto Achane for the long term, it doesn’t sound like there’s much reason to believe he will be anywhere but Miami come the fall.”

Achane in Minnesota would be electric, but Sullivan isn’t selling.

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The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Achane as a Vikings trade option. Not happening.

The Nopedy Nope: George Paton is a frontrunner to eventually replace Kwesi Adofo-Mensah as general manager.

Some rumors claimed the Vikings could tab Paton for general manager duty after Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was fired on January 30th. That idea appears to be toast.

Broncos GM George Paton speaks to media at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Vikings rumors
Denver Broncos general manager George Paton speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine, Feb 25, 2025, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, addressing reporters at the podium while discussing roster strategy, draft preparation, and team outlook during one of the league’s most important offseason evaluation events. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote earlier this month: “Some thought that Zygi and Mark Wilf were clearing a path for the return of former assistant general manager George Paton, who has spent the past five seasons as general manager of the Denver Broncos and is entering the final year of his contract.”

“Others assumed Brzezinski would eventually be promoted to the permanent role and that the Wilfs’ public neutrality on the question was mostly a function of the NFL mandate to conduct diverse search processes for every open GM job.”

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The Vikings employed Paton for 13 years from 2007 to 2020.

Seifert continued, “Based on conversations in Phoenix, it’s clear that neither scenario has begun materializing — raising the real possibility that the organization will go through a second change of direction in a matter of months.”

“There are no indications that Paton is on his way out in Denver or wants to leave. ESPN senior national NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler reported that Paton appears set to return, and Broncos coach Sean Payton has expressed hope that Paton will sign a contract extension.”

It seems Paton will stay on as the Broncos’ general manager.

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The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Paton as an Adofo-Mensah replacement plan.

The Nopedy Nope: Jadarian Price could be the Vikings’ next RB1.

Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton analyzed a handful of players who could sneak into the 1st-Round later this week, and Price qualified, the only RB to do so.

He wrote, “NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport believes Jadarian Price will be the second tailback off the board and may sneak into the first round within a shallow class of ball-carriers.”

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“Jeremiyah Love, a projected first-rounder, and Price played together through three terms with the Fighting Irish. The former took on the featured role after Audric Estime’s departure to the NFL, while the latter served in a complementary role.”

Price has usually been considered a safe 2nd-Round pick.

Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price returns a kickoff for a touchdown against USC, sprinting down the sideline in open field. Vikings rumors
Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price returns a kickoff for a touchdown against Southern California during the second half, Oct 18, 2025, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, sprinting down the sideline with open field ahead as the play shifts momentum in a high-profile college football matchup. Mandatory Credit: Michael Longo-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.

“Although Price didn’t rack up more than 746 yards in a single collegiate term, he averaged at least six yards per carry and scored 18 touchdowns over the last two years. After a couple of seasons as Notre Dame’s No. 2 running back, Price may have more to offer a team that wants a decisive early-down ball-carrier who can also contribute on special teams,” Moton continued.

“He returned three kickoffs for touchdowns in college. Most of the league’s clubs featured multiple running backs, so don’t discount one of them taking Price on Day 1.”

Some think the Seattle Seahawks could use their 32nd pick on Price, mainly because they just won the Super Bowl and seem like they have a house-money roster.

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Minnesota doesn’t pick again after No. 18 until No. 47, diminishing the hopes of Price turning purple.

The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Price in the Vikings’ organic draft range.


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Lookman Scores but Atletico Madrid Lose Copa del Rey Final on Penalties

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Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman was on target for Atlético Madrid, but they suffered a painful penalty shootout defeat to Real Sociedad in the final of the Copa del Rey.

Atleti started the match as slight favourites under coach Diego Simeone, but they were shocked early on. Ander Barrenetxea gave Real Sociedad the lead in the opening minute, heading home a fine cross from Gonçalo Guedes.

Lookman responded in style in the 18th minute. The Nigerian attacker calmly controlled a pass from Antoine Griezmann before firing a low shot past goalkeeper Unai Simón to level the score at 1-1.

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The 26-year-old remained lively and nearly turned provider in the 31st minute, but Griezmann failed to hit the target from a good position. Lookman also came close again before the break, narrowly missing the post after another neat exchange with the Frenchman.

Despite Atleti’s efforts, Real Sociedad regained the lead just before half-time. Mikel Oyarzabal converted from the penalty spot after Guedes was fouled in the box.

Atletico Madrid pushed hard in the second half, with Lookman again going close in the 60th minute, but his effort drifted wide. Shortly after, Simeone replaced him with Nicolás González.

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Atleti eventually found an equaliser in the 83rd minute through Julián Álvarez, sending the match into extra time. However, neither side could find a winner after 120 minutes.

The final was decided on penalties, where Real Sociedad held their nerve to score four spot-kicks, while Atletico Madrid managed only three.

Despite the defeat, Lookman made history with his goal. He became the first Nigerian to score in a Copa del Rey final since Finidi George achieved the feat in 1997.

However, the result means Atletico Madrid must now turn their attention to the UEFA Champions League as they continue their search for silverware this season.

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‘I’ve been grinding’: Blue Jays’ Lukes delivers solid effort amid vertigo issues

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PHOENIX — Nathan Lukes has quietly grinded through the first three weeks of the season in more ways than one. So, when his pinch-hit single snuck through the right side Friday night to end an 0-for-23 slide, and the Toronto Blue Jays outfielder saw his teammates in the dugout happy for him as he reached first base, “it was just what I needed,” he said. 

“I looked at Bud (first base coach Mark Budzinski) and I go, ‘I kind of want to hug you,’” Lukes recalled. “And he was like, ‘We can hug.’ It was good. I feel like I’ve been due for a cheap one. Hopefully they keep coming.”

Three more did in Saturday’s 6-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, one leading to a first-inning run, and he added a sixth-inning outfield assist, throwing out Geraldo Perdomo trying to stretch a single. It was the type of outing by the 31-year-old the Blue Jays became accustomed to last season, and the kind of effort Lukes aims to deliver more regularly now that he has a handle on the vertigo that’s dogged him since the middle of spring training.

Lukes visited with a Phoenix-area vertigo specialist Friday morning and doubled down on some head-movement exercises that can help alleviate the symptoms, which include dizziness, unsteadiness and nausea. Since arriving in Arizona, he’s had a couple of “the better days with my vision that I’ve had in the past month,” which played a big role in him getting better results. 

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“I don’t know where (the vertigo) came from and how it happened, but it’s hard to hit when the world is spinning and when you feel like you could throw up at any second,” said Lukes. “I never want to take myself out of the game, whether I’m feeling good or feeling bad. So, I’ve been grinding.”

As have the Blue Jays, of course, who lost their fourth straight game when Jeff Hoffman, pitching in the eighth inning of a 2-2 game to ensure he got some work in, allowed singles to Ildemaro Vargas and Alek Thomas and a Ketel Marte walk before Corbin Carroll cleared the bases with his third home run of the season. 

It was the second straight poor outing for Hoffman, who allowed two earned runs during a messy ninth in Tuesday’s 9-7, 10-inning win at Milwaukee and adds yet another concern to a roster filled with them, even if manager John Schneider insisted there are no changes in role coming.

“If there’s a situation to close out of game, I’ll take Jeff Hoffman,” said Schneider, adding later: “There may be people that don’t want to hear this, but I’ve got a lot of trust and a lot of confidence in Jeff Hoffman. And I’ve said that for as long as he’s been here.  He’s going to continue to be a big part of our team. And my job is to find spots to put him in and have success. I’m very confident that he will continue to have success, so we’ll just make the best decisions going forward.”

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That’s what the Blue Jays are also trying to do with Daulton Varsho, who left Friday night’s 6-3 loss after two innings with left knee discomfort and sat out Saturday, Schneider noting that “with the way we’ve been rolling,” they are simply “trying to just be extra careful.”

“I don’t think there’s any need for a roster move or anything,” Schneider added, noting that Varsho had been checked out and there wasn’t any concern about anything structural.

Max Scherzer steadied after two short outings tied to his forearm tendinitis with six innings of two-run ball — “I’m definitely better, I’m fighting through this. I felt like the ball can come out of my hand a little bit cleaner, I’ve got to recover,” he said — but the ongoing offensive issues remained, despite 12 hits.

The Blue Jays went 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position, getting only Jesus Sanchez’s RBI single in the first, bringing home Lukes to open the scoring, and a Kazuma Okamoto RBI single in the sixth that made it a 2-2 game. 

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Then, as so often has been the case for the Blue Jays so far, the key blow belonged to their opponent.

“We’ve got to make our own luck,” said Scherzer. “We’ve got to find a way to go out there and take it to some teams and find a way to punch through. This can happen in July, but it’s happening to us now, so we have to respond to it. … Everybody can be reflective. And that’s what it takes. It takes a total team effort to win one ball game. I know we can. Obviously, it’s going to be great when we do. Right now, we’ve just got to find that winning recipe.”

One a healthy Lukes can be a big part of, as he showed Saturday.

“Nate’s a damn good baseball player,” said Schneider. “And when he’s at his full capabilities, that’s the kind of game he can have.”

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Corbin Carroll slam extends D-backs’ win streak, Jays’ skid

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MLB: Toronto Blue Jays at Arizona DiamondbacksApr 18, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Corbin Carroll (7) steals secondbase under the tag by Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Andrés Giménez (0) in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Corbin Carroll broke a tie with an opposite-field grand slam in the eighth inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks extended their winning streak to four games with a 6-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in Phoenix on Saturday.

Ildemaro Vargas singled off Jeff Hoffman (1-2) to open the eighth, extending his season-opening hitting streak to a franchise-record 14 games.

Alek Thomas singled and Ketel Marte walked to bring up Carroll, who hit his fourth career grand slam on a 3-1 fastball.

The D-backs, who have won eight of 10, lead the majors with 10 comeback victories.

Geraldo Perdomo had three singles and an RBI and Thomas had two hits and an RBI for the Diamondbacks, who had eight hits.

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Nathan Lukes had three hits, Kazuma Okamoto had two hits and an RBI and Ernie Clement and Eloy Jimenez had two hits apiece for the Blue Jays, who have lost four straight, six of seven and 12 of 15.

Juan Morillo (1-1) struck out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on a 100 mph fastball with a runner on first to end the seventh and keep the game tied at 2. He allowed one hit and struck out two over 1 1/3 innings of relief.

Toronto starter Max Scherzer gave up two runs on five hits in six innings, with one strikeout and one walk.

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Arizona starter Zac Gallen permitted two runs and nine hits, leaving after Okamato’s single tied the game at 2 with two outs in the sixth. He struck out three with no walks.

Lukes, Guerrero and Jesus Sanchez singled in the top of the first, with Sanchez’s one-out single driving in Lukes for a 1-0 lead. Guerrero has a nine-game hitting streak.

The D-backs tied it in their half of the first when Carroll walked, stole second and scored on Perdomo’s single. Thomas grounded a two-out double inside the bag at first to drive in Jose Fernandez, who had singled, to give Arizona a 2-1 lead in the fifth.

Toronto tied it in the sixth after an apparent double play was changed after a review. Jimenez singled with one out, and Gallen appeared to get out of the inning when Andres Gimenez grounded to Fernandez to start what originally was called an inning-ending double play.

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Perdomo was ruled to have missed the bag on the play, leaving Jimenez at second, and he scored on Okamoto’s single to tie the game.

–Field Level Media

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5 Reasons why Gunther defeated Seth Rollins at WWE WrestleMania 42

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One of the matches that actually delivered on the first night at WWE WrestleMania was Gunther vs Seth Rollins. The Ring General and The Visionary delivered a banger show and impressed everyone in the crowd.

However, the match concluded when Bron Breakker returned to WWE and destroyed Seth Rollins. This attack allowed the Career Ki**er to defeat the Architect and secure the victory.

Following the match, the new Big Dog continues his domination and spears the former Vision leader again. Meanwhile, in this article, we will be looking at five reasons why The Ring General defeated Rollins at Showcase of Immortals Night 1.


#5. To continue Gunther’s undefeated streak

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Over the past few months, Gunther continued his domination in the squared circle. In the last few months, the former Imperium Leader retired Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles.

Not only this, but he also has an impressive winning streak in the squared circle in singles matches. The last time Gunther suffered a loss in a singles match was at SummerSlam 2025, where CM Punk defeated him to become the new World Heavyweight Champion.

Since then, The Ring General has defeated everyone in his match in singles bouts. So, it seems WWE wants to keep Gunther’s undefeated streak going. As a result, he defeated The Visionary at ‘Mania on Saturday.


#4. To set up a WWE rematch down the road

Gunther defeating Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 42 opens the door for a potential rematch in the near future. If The Visionary had defeated the Career Ki**er at ‘Mania, it would have concluded their rivalry as Rollins stopped his threat amid a feud with the Vision faction.

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However, this doesn’t happen, and the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion put The Architect in a sleeper hold after Bron Breakker’s interruption. Now, WWE can use this angle to set the stage for a rematch between them later this year.

If the Ring General mocks Rollins for beating him at Mania 42, Seth will indeed seek revenge for this loss, setting the stage for another bout. The chances are likely if Seth manages to win the world title later this year.


#3. Paul Heyman now owes Gunther a favor

If Seth Rollins had defeated Gunther at the Grandest Stage of Them All, it might have created a hindrance for the Ring General to redeem his favor from Paul Heyman. After saving the Oracle on Monday Night RAW, the former Imperium Leader confirmed that Heyman owed him a favor.

After defeating the Visionary at Shows of the Shows, Gunther can firmly claim his favor from the Advocate anytime he wants. Many predicted it might lead to a Gunther vs. Brock Lesnar dream showdown, considering that the Hall of Famer is still working with the Beast Incarnate.

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So, this appears to be another major reason behind the loss of Seth Rollins at Mania 42.


#2. To heat things between Seth Rollins & Bron Breakker

One of the primary reasons why Gunther defeated Seth Rollins at Showcase of Immortals was Bron Breakker. The WWE comeback of Bron and his attack on the Visionary gave the Ring General a major advantage to put the ex-Vision leader into a sleeper hold.

So, to heat things between Breakker and Rollins could be another potential reason why the Career Ki**er defeated Seth on Mania Saturday. Now, in the aftermath edition of Monday Night RAW, Rollins will indeed call Breakker out and punish him for his actions.

This will lead to the much-anticipated match between Seth and Bron in the Stamford-based promotion.

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#1. It doesn’t hurt Seth Rollins’ momentum post-Mania

BRON BREAKKER SPEARS SETH ROLLINS AGAIN!!! #WrestleMania OH MY 😱

It’s crucial to note that Gunther indeed secured victory at WrestleMania 42. However, this only happened when the Visionary passed out from the sleeper hold. The Ring General failed to secure a pinfall victory over the Architect.

Even the Visionary never tapped out from Gunther’s submission. The match ended when the referee checked Rollins, and he faded out from that choke. Also, the former World Heavyweight Champion only managed to put this submission move tight on the beloved WWE star after Bron Breakker’s disruption.

Overall, this doesn’t hurt the Architect’s momentum post-WrestleMania 42, and it’s another reason WWE booked Gunther to defeat Seth at the Shows of the Shows.

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Despite this loss, Rollins will still appear strong in his forthcoming feud against Bron Breakker. Meanwhile, if Seth had defeated the Ring General, it would have not only ended his undefeated streak but also impacted his momentum post-WrestleMania.

So, these are all the potential reasons why Gunther defeated Seth Rollins at WWE WrestleMania 42 on Saturday. The RAW after Mania show will be interesting to witness, particularly after Bron Breakker returns to the Sports Entertainment juggernaut.

Also, it remains to be seen what’s next for the WWE Career Ki**er after his massive victory over the Visionary.