By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports
Sports
Hot-Shooting Utah State Looks to Roll Villanova in Dance
Utah State enters its First-Round matchup in San Diego as a slight favorite over Villanova, despite being the lower seed.
A big reason for that is the high level of play the Aggies have shown down the stretch. USU is also a much healthier squad than the Wildcats at the moment.
But let’s not lose sight of the fact that Utah State also enters the national tournament as a team that can score with almost anyone.
The Aggies also play enough defense to beat opponents on the other end of the floor.
Here is my preview of Friday’s NCAA Tournament matchup.
No. 9 Utah State vs No. 8 Villanova
Friday, March 20
1:10 pm PT, TNT
San Diego, CA
The Aggies are averaging 82.8 points per game on 49.8% from the field, the 15th-best shooting team in the nation.
On the defensive side of the ball, Utah State is limiting opponents to 70.4 points per game, slightly better than Villanova’s 70.8.
But the Aggies score the ball a lot better than the Wildcats.
What makes Utah State so difficult to contain is the combination of Mason Falslev and MJ Collins. The two have combined to knockdown 38.1% of their 328 three-point attempts this season.
Falslev, the MW player of the year, is also connecting on 41.1% of his triples.
When the Aggies get a good look at the basket, they are deadly on offense. USU is 14th in the nation, shooting 65.9% on non-blocked two-point shots this season.
Villanova has allowed opponents to shoot 45% from the floor this season, ranking 203rd in the country, while opponents are connecting on 54.8% of their clean two-point FGs.
The Wildcats rely heavily on the three-pointer to score; 37.4% of Villanova’s points this season have come from distance, the 39th highest rate in the nation.
Utah State has done a decent job of limiting opponents on deep shots, allowing opponents to connect on 33.8% of their three-point attempts.
The Aggies cannot afford to allow Villanova to get hot from beyond the arc.
The ‘Cats have a plethora of shooters led by Tyler Perkins and Bryce Lindsay, while Devin Askew is a threat off the bench.
Askew earned Big East Sixth Man of the Year accolades with his 10.0 points per game off the bench. The transfer from Grand Canyon is eighth in the nation with 4.03 offensive rebounds per game.
The biggest key for Utah State on defense might just be limiting the offensive put-backs by Nova’s center, Duke Brennan. The big man’s 10.3 boards per outing ranks 11th-best in the country.
The Aggies are not allowing a ton of extra possessions per game this season, as they are 31st nationally with 3.5 more scoring chances per game than their opponents.
Villanova is getting 2.8 more scoring chances per game than their opponents.
If the Wildcats can get hot from distance, they will be able to keep this one tight. If the shots are not falling, it could go south in a hurry for the third-place team from the Big East.
Look for the Mountain West champs to move on to the Second Round behind a balanced attack.
writes about various topics for SuperWest sports, including stats and records, college sports, and motorsports. He also founded and runs the Sports and Entertainment Research Center (SERC).
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Former India player Aakash Chopra has highlighted the Mumbai Indians’ (MI) selection conundrum heading into their IPL 2026 clash against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He noted that the five-time champions have multiple choices to make in the bowling department, pointing out that virtually all their bowlers have proved very expensive.
MI will host RCB in the 20th game of IPL 2026 in Mumbai on Sunday, April 12. While the home team is placed eighth on the points table with two points from three games, the visitors have garnered four points from three matches and are third in the standings.
In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra,’ the former India opener noted that MI have struggled with their bowling, with Jasprit Bumrah being the only bowler to have an economy of less than 10 in IPL 2026, and would have to choose between Trent Boult and Corbin Bosch and between Deepak Chahar and Ashwani Kumar in the seam-bowling department.
“Plenty of questions. A good team, but you (MI) have lost two of the three matches. It’s not a good story. Will you stay with Trent Boult? If you want to stay with Trent Boult, you will have to bowl him more overs with the new ball. Do you want to stay or go? You will have to answer that question,” Chopra said.
“Do you want to keep Deepak Chahar or play Ashwani Kumar? You will have to answer that question as well because the bowling is struggling. Only one bowler has an economy in single digits. Everyone else, who has played two or more matches, is in double digits,” he added.
Aakash Chopra also wondered whether the Mumbai Indians would want to try Raghu Sharma as a spinner, urging them to stick with Allah Ghazanfar ahead of Mitchell Santner. He added that MI might consider playing Will Jacks in place of Sherfane Rutherford if the England all-rounder is available.
“I have a suggestion for you” – Aakash Chopra on a potential change in RCB’s playing 12 for IPL 2026 clash vs MI
In the same video, Aakash Chopra wondered whether RCB should bring in Jacob Bethell at Phil Salt’s expense for their IPL 2026 clash against MI.
“If you (RCB) lose this, your situation will be like Delhi’s, with two wins and two losses. I have a suggestion for you. Do you want to play Jacob Bethell in place of Phil Salt? Phil Salt doesn’t keep in any case. Jitesh Sharma is doing the keeping,” he said.
The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that Bethell had scored a blazing century in the T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final against India at the same venue.
“I am thinking about Jacob Bethell because of how well he batted at this ground. He was absolutely brilliant in the T20 World Cup semi-final. Would you want to play him? Phil Salt is not scoring runs. You can make Devdutt Padikkal open. Bring Bethell in place of Phil Salt, and keep him at No. 3,” Chopra observed.
Aakash Chopra pointed out that Jacob Bethell will also give RCB another left-arm spin option. He highlighted that MI have many right-handers in their batting lineup.
Get real-time updates on IPL 2025, live scores, IPL Prediction, match schedule, points table,Result & squad –CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS
Edited by Kartik Iyer
Graveyard Keeper is a very interesting simulation game where you have to do some shady graveyard work to make money and unlock new technologies to progress.
There are many tasks at hand such as expanding your church and spreading your influence that requires a lot of paperwork in Graveyard Keeper. Doing the paperwork also requires a lot of writing supplies and ink, and crafting ink can be confusing if you are starting out.
While you can buy ink from the Astrologer early on, crafting it yourself is essential to avoid spending money on something that is very important in the gameplay. Here is a straightforward, step-by-step guide to producing your own ink from scratch in Graveyard Keeper.
Guide to making ink in Graveyard Keeper
Before you can start mixing ingredients, you must unlock the necessary workstations in your technology tree:
- Writing supplies: This technology node allows you to craft ink and paper at the church workbench.
- Alchemy: You must navigate the swamp and speak to Clotho the witch to unlock the alchemy tech tree. This allows you to build the alchemy workbench (tier I), which is mandatory for mixing dyes.
The biggest hurdle in making ink is obtaining black paint. There are a few alchemical recipes, but two methods are great for players who have just started Graveyard Keeper or progressed a little ahead. These methods are mixing ash with oil and adding graphite powder with water.
- Ash: Easily obtained by cremating corpses on pyres instead of burying them.
- Oil: You can buy “seed oil” from Dig (the vendor east of the tavern) or press it yourself from hemp seeds.
- Note: You cannot put a glass bottle of “seed oil” directly into the alchemy bench. You must open your inventory, select the seed oil, and click “Use” to extract 10 drops of usable oil. Combine the ash and oil at the tier I alchemy workbench to create your paint.
The other method involves mixing graphite powder with water and it is not recommended for early gameplay. Here’s how you can make ink using this method.
- Graphite powder: Mine coal, smelt it into graphite in a furnace (level 2 or higher), and grind it down using an alchemy mill.
- Water: Draw a bucket from the well near your house and “Use” it in your inventory to get water droplets. Combine the powder and water at the bench.
Once you have your black paint, you need two final components to thin it out and store it:
- Water (1x): Sourced from your home well.
- Conical flasks (1x): Crafted at a furnace using glass (smelted from river sand and water) or purchased directly from the Astrologer.
Head down to the church basement and interact with the church workbench. Combine your 1x black paint, 1x water, and 1x conical flask. This recipe is highly efficient, yielding 5x ink per craft. To turn your newly crafted ink into a usable writing tool, combine it with feathers (purchased from the village egg vendor) to make pen and ink.
If you have not set up your alchemy lab yet and just need to finish an early quest, like making flyers for the Inquisitor, do not panic. The Astrologer sells ink and feathers once a week. Buying a single bottle of ink to craft three sets of pen and ink is a great way to avoid the early grind until your graveyard economy is fully operational.
Are you stuck on today’s Wordle? Our Wordle Solver will help you find the answer.
Edited by Pranay Mishra
Bred more for speed than endurance, Single Choice still holds strong prospects to hand trainer Matt Cumani a breakthrough Group One in the South Australian Derby.
A product of Anders, celebrated for explosive sprint ability, Single Choice asserted superiority to win the Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield over the weekend.
Originally the standout favourite, he drifted to $5 third choice at the jump with Jamie Mott steering, settling the runner outside the frontrunners.
The race unfolded with a lethargic start before quickening, enabling Single Choice to burst clear for a 1-1/4 length margin over Arabian Prince ($3.70) as $2.90 favourite Amazake endured severe checking midrace around the turn.
Having secured Cumani’s first Group 2 Autumn Classic earlier this campaign from his Ballarat base, the trainer confirmed the run justifies targeting the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) on May 2nd.
“I was very nervous about whether he’d get the trip, but he got a beautiful ride by Motty,” Cumani said.
“No speed early, but they went pretty solid from the 800 (metres) out, even earlier than that and he had to sustain a pretty hard run.
“But he’s got to be of that turn of foot and that’s really valuable for a horse that can get a bit of a trip.
“I think we’ve got to go to Adelaide off that. This race was a bit of a test to see if he might get a derby distance, and even though it might not have been a solid run 2400 throughout, I think it’s provided enough of a test to say that we can go there and give it a go.”
Rider Jamie Mott was impressed by Single Choice’s adaptation, particularly after the horse’s wide trip to victory in the Autumn Classic two runs previous.
“It was bit of a new scenario for him, and he adapted well, and I think if he takes his form today to the Derby, they’ll know he’s there for sure,” Mott said.
Visit premier betting sites to find the keenest racing odds on the upcoming South Australian Derby.
Sports
Ayush Shetty vs Shi Yu Qi Badminton Asia Championships Final Live Score: India’s giant killer on the cusp of history vs World no.2
Badminton Asia Championships Final Live Score: Ayush Shetty vs Shi Yu Qi Badminton Asia Championships Final Live Score: India’s emerging badminton talent Ayush Shetty is on the cusp of a historic achievement as he gears up to face China’s Shi Yu Qi in the men’s singles final of the Badminton Asia Championships on Sunday.
The 20-year-old has been the breakout star of the tournament, putting together an impressive run against some of the world’s best. Now, just one victory separates him from a landmark title that would mark a defining moment in his young career and a significant milestone for Indian badminton.
Semifinal heroics: Shetty stuns world No. 1
Shetty delivered a performance of immense character in the semifinal, overcoming reigning world No. 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn in a gripping three-game encounter. After a one-sided opening game, the Indian showed resilience and tactical maturity to fight back, turning the match around with aggressive shot-making and improved control in the rallies.
Shi Yu Qi cruises into final
In contrast, Shi Yu Qi had a far more straightforward passage to the final. The Chinese star produced a dominant display in his semifinal, winning in straight games with authority. His control over rallies, sharp net play, and ability to dictate tempo ensured he rarely allowed his opponent any foothold in the match.
On Saturday, the 20-year-old Ayush dethroned Kunvalut 10-21, 21-19, 21-17, while world No.2 Shi outclassed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei 21-9, 21-13 in the semifinals of Badminton Asia Championships.
When and where to watch live
Date: Sunday, April 12, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM IST
Live Streaming: Available on Badminton Asia’s official Facebook and YouTube channels
TV Broadcast: No live telecast in India
China’s Shi Yu Qi leads the head-to-head record against India’s Ayush Shetty 2-0 . The two shuttlers are scheduled to meet for the third time today. While Shi Yu Qi has won both previous encounters, their last meeting at the Malaysia Open in January was a closely contested three-game battle, suggesting Shetty is closing the gap.
Head-to-head and challenge ahead
Shi Yu Qi currently leads the head-to-head 2-0, but their most recent meeting at the Malaysia Open earlier this year was a closely fought three-game encounter. That match suggested that Shetty is steadily closing the gap against one of the world’s best.
Shetty will also draw inspiration from fellow Indian Lakshya Sen, who defeated Shi Yu Qi at the All England Championships last month, a result that proved the Chinese star can be beaten.
Apr 11, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; Vancouver Canucks right wing Brock Boeser (6) and San Jose Sharks defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin (85) battle for control of the puck during the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images Macklin Celebrini tallied his 109th and 110th points of the season, but the San Jose Sharks couldn’t win their home finale of the season, falling 4-3 to the Vancouver Canucks in a shootout on Saturday night.
Jake DeBrusk and Linus Karlsson found the back of the net for the Canucks in the shootout, which went to six rounds.
DeBrusk, Teddy Blueger and Marco Rossi scored in regulation, and Kevin Lankinen made 28 saves for the Canucks (23-48-8, 54 points), who had lost four straight games and nine of their last 10. Vancouver has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Igor Chernyshov scored twice, Celebrini had two assists and Yaroslav Askarov made 38 saves for the Sharks (37-34-8, 82 points), who have lost three straight. Saturday’s loss keeps the Sharks five points behind the Los Angeles Kings, who are in the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference playoff standings.
Chernyshov put San Jose ahead 1-0 at 16:19 of the first period. Celebrini won a faceoff in Vancouver’s zone and fell as he fed the puck to Chernyshov, who scored on a backhand shot in front of the net.
Rossi tied the game 1-1 at 5:56 of the second period. Askarov went to play the puck behind the net, then tried to adjust before Rossi’s shot caught him out of position. The netminder pulled the net down on the puck, but officials called the goal good for Vancouver.
Tyler Toffoli gave the Sharks the 2-1 lead at 9:02. Sam Dickinson broke up the ice and set Toffoli up with a drop pass. The veteran center scored on a wrist shot.
DeBrusk tied the score back up 2-2 on a power play at 17:37. Askarov stopped a shot by Filip Hronek, and DeBrusk successfully scored on the rebound. San Jose challenged the goal for goaltender interference, but the call stood. It was DeBrusk’s 20th goal of the season, and 17th on the man advantage.
Chernyshov’s second goal of the night put the Sharks up 3-2 at 12:44 as Celebrini set him up for a wrist shot. Blueger tied the game 3-3 with 3:00 left in regulation with a wrist shot.
–Field Level Media
Apr 11, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego FC midfielder Onni Valakari (8) shoots against the Minnesota United FC during the first half at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Abe Arredondo-Imagn Images Kelvin Yeboah scored his fourth goal of the season just before halftime and visiting Minnesota United held on for a 2-1 victory over 10-man San Diego FC on Saturday night.
Kyle Duncan also scored in the first half and Owen Gene had assists on both goals for the Loons (3-2-2, 11 points), who completed a second straight away win.
They were aided by a third red card received by a San Diego player in as many games, when defender Christopher McVey received his second booking in the opening minutes of the second half.
It was also McVey’s second ejection in as many appearances.
Luca Bombino, 19, scored his second career MLS goal and first of the season on a thunderous early volley for San Diego (3-2-2, 11 points), which is winless in its last five matches across all competitions.
Before that slide, the second-year club had won five out of its first six between MLS and CONCACAF Champions Cup play.
Duncan pulled Minnesota level in the 15th minute, eight minutes after going behind.
After a nice sequence of passes on the left attacking half, Gene picked out Tomas Chancalay on the left flank. Chancalay lofted a left-footed cross to the back post, where Duncan met it with a firm header past Duran Ferree.
Next, Yeboah punished some reluctant San Diego defending to give the Loons the lead in the 40th minute.
This time it was Gene sending in an early cross from the right to the back post, where Anthony Markanich met it with a downward header.
Defenders reacted slowly, and Yeboah reached the loose ball to stab it across the line from close range. It got worse for the hosts in the opening seconds of the second half when McVay fouled Minnesota’s Nicolas Romero.
For the second time, referee Victor Rivas produced a caution in McVey’s direction. His previous dismissal late in a 2-2 draw against Real Salt Lake on March 22 also resulted from multiple bookings.
The hosts still applied pressure for a leveler, coming closest when Anders Dreyer forced Drake Callendar into a leaping save late in second-half stoppage time.
–Field Level Media
In a captivating Group One spectacle, Idle Flyer has overshadowed a highly competitive field, handing trainer Matthew Smith his second Queen Of The Turf Stakes success.
The pace-setting Pride Of Jenni rolled freely as predicted, pulling the pack apart for a demanding 1600-metre affair.
Zac Lloyd kept Idle Flyer poised in fourth, and as Lady Shenandoah mounted her bid to catch the frontrunner for second, Lloyd timed his move perfectly to score by three-quarters of a length.
Treasurethe Moment filled third, three-quarters farther adrift, prompting Smith to reflect that a feature win over The Championships made his early alarms and long shifts rewarding.
“It’s what you get up in the mornings for. It means everything,” Smith said.
“I just can’t believe she’s won. I knew she was going good, but I didn’t think she’d win that. We’ll take it.”
Smith targeted the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m) for Idle Flyer post her spring Angst Stakes conquest at the venue over the same trip.
She overcame an initial campaign glitch, rebuilding momentum via her Emancipation Stakes (1500m) performance last out.
“Every now and then one lands, and she landed today,” Smith said.
“She has run a strong mile here, and you need to run a strong mile to win these good mile races. You need to be able to run further, probably.
“When she won last time in over the mile we thought this is the race for her, it was just a matter of getting her here fit and well.”
Lloyd’s partnership with Idle Flyer is exceptional, with seven victories from eight rides.
The Golden Slipper hero navigated Saturday’s race masterfully, following Cox Plate performer Treasurethe Moment before striking true.
“Fantastic to win on her. I love her as a horse, and that shows in our record together,” Lloyd said.
“For her to go into that race, it was a proper horse race against the best milers in the country, they’ve got a proper horse on their hands.
“I got a lovely run today in behind Lady Shenandoah and Treasurethe Moment, and I was in the perfect spot at the 600, and my horse delivered.”
Idle Flyer could venture north to Brisbane, where a Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) tilt in June is under discussion, Smith revealed.
Smith’s earlier Queen Of The Turf Stakes winner was Nimalee, four years back.
Visit premier betting sites to access betting markets for the race like the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
There is no such thing as a “sure thing,” whether you’re talking about gambling or the NFL Draft. A horse race begins with a guess about the winner, and in a few minutes, you have confirmation.
When it comes to the draft, you may not know if a player is a winner or a bust until years later. Some get labels prematurely all the time. On draft day, teams can only do the best with the information they have from the combine and what they see on film.
These Top Prospects Could Force Minnesota’s Hand on Draft Night
With that knowledge in hand, there will be players that teams can’t pass on, no matter the need to shore up other positions. That doesn’t mean the Vikings will have the chance to draft them unless they take a tumble down the draft boards as other teams shore up positions of need. The chance is always there.
The argument over drafting for “position of need” versus “best player available” is a long, arduous one with no perfect answer.
The Vikings could be viewed as operating in either mode: drafting Justin Jefferson and Christian Darrisaw when they needed to fill those roles, or drafting Randy Moss and Adrian Peterson when they already had a great receiving duo in Cris Carter and Jake Reed, or a 1,000-yard rusher in Chester Taylor. The best scenario is when it fits both aspects.
Last year, there was a glut of running backs, which could allow teams to wait until later rounds to draft one. There were still some players who, if they came to their team’s draft position, would have to take, or think long and hard about passing them up.
There were also many players in the top end of the 2025 draft that every team had to think a bit before changing those players’ and the team’s destiny. That all made it possible for more top players to slide down draft boards and cause chaos with picks most weren’t expecting. It’s a new year, and the team has new needs. This year’s draft is top-heavy but has some good depth. So, which players should the Vikings take without thought at pick 18 and a little beyond?
Sonny Styles
LB Ohio State
Linebacker isn’t in dire need of help, but there is a definite lack of depth. Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson have been very solid at the position the last few years, with the defense struggling when Cashman was out 2 seasons ago, and Wilson was on the Packers.
When he was out in 2025, Wilson really held everything together until he got back into the lineup. Styles is more athletic than both of them and has the potential to become a player like Micah Parsons, with his speed and ferocity at the position. The term “freak” gets thrown out at some players too often, but Styles is in that realm of possibly meeting those expectations.
With Cashman’s injury history and Wilson past 30, a youthful infusion and great upside in skill would make the defense even more dangerous, with a speedy blitzer coming from any angle. He could most likely move outside on passing downs and spell Johnathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel at times. Styles can hit, tackle, and drop into coverage and never have to leave the field, no matter the down or situation. He probably won’t slip all the way to 18, but if he does, the Vikings should use a Corvette to hand in the card.
Chances: 5%
Jeremiyah Love
RB Notre Dame
“Running backs are a devalued position in today’s NFL.” You can’t escape that statement in the off-season. However, I don’t think it’s as strong a statement as it has been. The last great running backs that teams built around were LaDainian Tomlinson and Adrian Peterson, and it’s been about 10 years since they were viewed that way.
When the Super Bowl rolls around, it always seems the two teams have strong defenses and running backs that can keep the sticks moving. Kenneth Walker III was the MVP this year. Love may be in the vein of past running backs, with some experts saying he could be a generational player. He can do it all with the ball in his hands, whether the quarterback places it there with a handoff or a pass.
Once he gets loose, you can’t catch him, and if you do, he is hard to bring down. He also does a good job with pass protection, which head coaches love when they have a great or premier passer. Kevin O’Connell definitely rates that trait highly. Regardless of who quarterbacks the Vikings, Love would make the offense a headache for defensive coordinators.
Teaming him up with Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason gives the room depth like never before, with the trio capable of wearing the opposition down by sprinting and grinding out yardage. He has a good chance of slipping down due to his position, but there isn’t the depth of backs like last year, meaning teams will snatch them up earlier. The Vikings should ignore other positions if he is sitting there waiting to run rampant on the NFC North.
Chances: 50%
Carnell Tate
WR Ohio State
Do the Vikings need wide receiver depth? Do they need to take a receiver this early? On the first question, yes. The depth at receiver is questionable at best. On the second question, no, but it doesn’t hurt if the best is available. Tate is the prototypical wide receiver coming out of “THE” Ohio State: he is tall and can catch anything in his orbit.
Adding him to Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson would make the passing game frightening should they all remain on the team. He is also immediate insurance should there be an injury, an off-field incident, or should Addison be traded or released in the future. Tate has the size, the hands, and the precise route running to put defensive backs on skates.
The only thing he lacks is top-end speed, but it doesn’t really matter. Cris Carter wasn’t known for his speed, and he seemed to do just fine in the NFL. His quickness off the line gets him in position quickly, and his athleticism to make difficult catches in and out of traffic makes him a threat all over the field. He’s fast enough. You can never have too much of a good thing, especially at the wide receiver position.
Chances: 25%
Kenyon Sadiq
TE Oregon
Tight end is also pretty shored up on the Vikings roster. Hockenson is back with a revised contract, and if the offensive line stays healthy, he can get back to what he does best: catch the football. Josh Oliver is known more for his blocking, but he has had solid receiving games since coming to Minnesota 2 years ago.
Ben Yurosek is a combination of the two, and I feel could be an impact player if he gets more time on the field. Sadiq is being seen as a bit of a “unicorn” at tight end with the combination of size and speed that goes with him. He can get down the field quickly, is tough to tackle, and can make athletic catches and runs if he doesn’t just bully his way through a tackle. His highlight tape has him not only running over tacklers but also hurdling their attempts.
Like Hockenson, a team could line him up outside at a wide receiver position, putting more pressure on the defense to maintain coverage. What I keep hearing is that he’s also a “willing blocker,” meaning it isn’t necessarily his strength, but he will do it and can be good enough. Whether J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray is at quarterback, having a tight end like him would be a godsend in targeted routes or if they need to get creative. He is a matchup nightmare for most linebackers and safeties in the league.
While this draft seems deep with tight ends, there is a significant drop from him to the next ones on the list. There’s a fair chance he will be available at the 18th pick, and the Vikings may need to pause if Sadiq and the next prospect are on the board.
Chances: 70%
Dillon Thieneman
S Oregon
15 years ago, the Vikings made a move back into the bottom of the first round for a safety named Harrison Smith. He was a rangy, smart, hard-hitting player on the Notre Dame squad that had few question marks coming into the draft.
He spent the next 14 seasons (so far?) wreaking havoc on opposing offenses in the run and pass game. Aaron Rodgers named him specifically as the one player he hated facing. Being that good and staying with one team your entire career is tough in today’s NFL. While safety isn’t seen as a high-priority position to fill, occasionally one or two players who are can’t-miss prospects garner attention in the 1st round.
Thieneman isn’t seen as the best prospect in the 2026 Draft at safety, but he’s the one most likely to be available at pick 18. Caleb Downs would be the guy if they were both sitting there. So why don’t I list him if anything is possible, and he falls to 18? This is more along the lines of taking a guy who will fill the void left by Smith, while others argue for taking a different position or player, or even trading down. In other words: don’t overthink it.
Yeah, just about every mock you see has him landing with the Vikings at 18 with just a few outliers. You know why? Because it makes sense. If he and Downs are both there at 18, I still take Thieneman because of what Lance Zierlein said in his analysis, “Thieneman is an extension of his defensive coordinator, aligning and adjusting the secondary to motion and pre-snap shifts.” Exactly like Smith with Brian Flores.
The choice would be razor thin, but this puts him over the top and could make him the higher of the two taken come draft day.
Chances: 80%
The NFL Draft is 11 days out for the Minnesota Vikings, and the second wave of weekend rumors has arrived.
Three more Vikings rumors are making the rounds as the draft gets closer.
We publish two rumor rounds each weekend, tracking the latest chatter as things pick up speed around the purple orbit. Here’s a look at Sunday’s batch.
Purple Weekend Chatter Swings to Defensive Line, Wide Receiver, and Running Back
A look at the Purple Rumor mill just a week and a half before the draft.
Rumor: Dexter Lawrence is for sale via trade, and the Vikings make sense as a landing spot.
Lawrence formally requested a trade this week, starting the John Harbaugh era in New York on a sour note. It didn’t take long for the trade packages to emerge,
SI.com’s Will Ragatz wrote about Minnesota as a destination, “Vikings get: DT Dexter Lawrence. Giants get: 2026 second-round pick (No. 49), 2027 fifth-round pick. The biggest barrier for the Vikings is the financial side. They’d have to do some serious cap maneuvering to add Lawrence’s contract and give him a raise to top-of-the-market DT money.”
“The only way it really works is if they end up trading Greenard in a separate deal, which would free up some cap space and also presumably get them a new second-round pick. Lawrence may be a better fit within the Vikings’ current roster construction, but the easier move would be to simply pay Greenard instead of executing two different major trades.”
VikingsTerritory offered this alternative on Twitter (X), a proposal quickly panned by Giants fans as outrageous.
Giants Get —
No. 18
No. 82
Vikings Get —
Dexter Lawrence
No. 37
Regardless, the idea is out there. The Vikings just offloaded two of their starting DTs in Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. A team that did that should at least be mentioned in the Lawrence trade sweepstakes.
Rumor: Stefon Diggs, a free agent, should realize Minnesota is his best landing spot.
Diggs is available on the open market, and he was finally linked to the Vikings this week.
CBS Sports‘ Garrett Podell explained the fit, “Diggs’ legal trouble is likely why he remains available. He pleaded not guilty to felony strangulation and other criminal charges following an alleged assault of his personal chef. Diggs’ attorney, Mitchell Schuster, claims his client is ‘completely innocent.’”
“If Diggs’ legal process is resolved, a homecoming to the Minnesota Vikings makes plenty of sense. Jalen Nailor departed for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency, so there’s an opening at Minnesota’s WR3 spot after 2022 NFL Offensive Player of the Year Justin Jefferson and former first-round pick Jordan Addison.”
Diggs left Minnesota six years ago but remains a keynote figure in the franchise’s lore because of his role in the Minneapolis Miracle of 2017 (2018).
Podell added, “Kevin O’Connell wasn’t the coach in Minnesota when Diggs departed to the Buffalo Bills via a 2020 trade request, and he needs to get Minnesota back to the playoffs in 2026 after a disastrous 2025 with J.J. McCarthy at quarterback. Providing Kyler Murray with three high-caliber wideouts would certainly be helpful toward that cause.”
“Plus, Diggs wouldn’t have to work as hard to get open as he ages playing alongside Jefferson and company. Ideal landing spot: Minnesota Vikings.”
If Minnesota does not leave the draft with a serious WR3 candidate, expect Diggs rumors to pick up further.
Rumor: The Vikings could trade for Dolphins RB De’Von Achane.
Fox Sports‘ Ralph Vacchiano rolled out one trade idea per franchise week, and according to him, it’s Achane to the Vikings.
He explained the swap, “Acquire: RB De’Von Achane from the Miami Dolphins. Cost: 2026 third-round pick (82nd), fifth-round pick (163rd). The Vikings brought back Aaron Jones, but he’s 31 and constantly battling injuries. And while he’s a good receiver out of the backfield, Achane is a great one, a much faster and more dynamic player overall and seven years younger (24).”
“The Dolphins say they want to keep him after he ran for 1,350 yards and caught 67 passes for 488 yards last season. But they have the look of a team undergoing a fire sale, so surely they have their price. Achane will need a contract extension, so maybe a third-round pick and change will do it. The Dolphins would be crazy to say no for a second-rounder.”
Achane skipped the Dolphins’ voluntary workouts this week, setting the stage for a summer holdout if no extension is met.
And remember: the Vikings now employ Achane’s offensive coordinator from the last three seasons: Frank Smith.
Trainer William Haggas from Newmarket is mounting a British challenge, entering Dubai Honour and Caviar Heights in the $5 million Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick.
Both horses tackle Saturday’s flagship race, key to The Championships, extending Haggas’s strong Aussie legacy.
Off a gritty second behind Aeliana in the Tancred Stakes (2400m), Dubai Honour led long before fading near the finish.
At 2000m for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, he’s in the mix, Tom Marquand sticking on from barrier five of eight.
Marquand led in Tancred but James McDonald on Aeliana surged perfectly to claim it on the line.
Blinkers are coming for Dubai Honour’s sharpening in the repeat.
“Hopefully they’ll sharpen him up,’’ said travelling assistant trainer Issy Paul.
“He’s an older horse now and was bounced out of his run, but I’m happy where he’s at so we’ll give it a good crack.”
“He’s a phenomenal horse, he rarely runs a bad race ever and we’ve got him in a really good place.”
Paul highlighted weather and rivals as factors.
“Sometimes the ground might not suit them, and it’s looking like a quick track on Saturday, but you can’t duck and dive. We’ve flown halfway across the world and it’s important we run.”
Dubai Honour hunts sixth elite win from 36 goes: 10-12-2, close to $10m in earnings.
Caviar Heights, Haggas’s $125 hope, showed promise with a placing in Neville Sellwood Stakes debut here.
The Sea The Stars five-year-old has Zac Lloyd from gate four, beside stablemate.
Foreign raiders heighten drama around perfect Autumn Glow.
$1.45 favourite trained by Chris Waller, James McDonald up, barrier two for win 12 straight.
Steve McMahon, Australian Turf Club interim CEO, described the moment.
“History isn’t something you watch later. It’s something you show up for,” McMahon said.
“This week at Royal Randwick, Autumn Glow chases her place in racing folklore. Be there. Feel it. Be part of it.”
“Racegoers are starting to embrace Autumn Glow like none other since Winx, and she can create her own history on Saturday if she remains unbeaten.”
Find the top racing betting markets ahead of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
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