No Minnesota Vikings fan knows for sure how Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft will shake down; that’s what happens when a franchise has no official general manager and the roster holes are arguably plentiful.
These are the clearest paths to Pick No. 18.
But here’s a look at the leading candidates to join the Vikings in 10 days. Minnesota has the 18th overall pick.
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8 Prospects Emerging as Minnesota’s Most Realistic 1st-Rounders
Ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely Round 1 draft picks), this is the field for Minnesota.
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee defensive back Colton Hood (8) celebrates with teammates after a key defensive stop against New Mexico State during NCAA action, Nov 15, 2025, as the Volunteers defense swarms following a momentum-shifting play in front of a home crowd at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images
8. Colton Hood | CB, Tennessee
Hood just turned 21, and the Vikings haven’t connected on a rookie cornerback in about 10 years. For now, he lives at No. 35 on the Consensus Big Board, but he’s included on this list because in 2025, Donovan Jackson ranked No. 39, and Minnesota picked him anyway.
It’s also worth noting that Hood is an outside corner, which the Vikings could put to immediate use.
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7. Kenyon Sadiq | TE, Oregon
T.J. Hockenson reworked his contract last month, now scheduled to hit free agency in March 2027. If Minnesota believes Sadiq is the best player available at No. 18, there is absolutely no reason not to draft him and prepare for life after Hockenson.
Sadiq is a pass-catcher and a blocker; he’s the total package. He’s considered a physical freak and just turned 21.
6. Kayden McDonald | NT, Ohio State
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If the Vikings desire a “safe” draft selection after perhaps trading down 5-12 spots, McDonald is perfect. He’s a run-stopping nose tackle, and Minnesota hasn’t employed a genuine version of one of those since Linval Joseph and Dalvin Tomlinson.
McDonald is the No. 31 rookie on the Consensus Big Board. Minnesota, for example, could trade with the Miami Dolphins at No. 30, add two 3rd-Rounders, and draft McDonald.
5. Jermod McCoy | CB, Tennessee
McCoy would be higher on this list, but his recent draft momentum suggests he’ll be gone by the time Minnesota is called to the podium. He’s considered CB2 behind LSU’s Mansoor Delane, who will be picked somewhere in the Top 15 — probably Top 12.
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McCoy is 20 years old and recovering from a torn ACL that cancels his 2025 season at Tennessee. Like Hood, McCoy usually plays on the outside.
NFL Draft Buzzon McCoy: “McCoy belongs in the conversation as one of the most complete corners in this class, and the Pro Day removed the last real caveat attached to his evaluation. The 4.37 forty and 38-inch vertical, turned in on a surgically repaired knee, confirm the closing burst and recovery speed that his 2024 tape suggested but never got to prove against NFL-caliber testing.”
4. Keldric Faulk | EDGE, Auburn
Pretend the Jonathan Greenard trade rumors come true; the Vikings trade him to an EDGE-needy team for a 2nd-Rounder. Well, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski can somewhat easily draft Faulk minutes later.
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Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk (15) participates in position drills during the program’s pro day at the Woltosz Performance Center, Mar 24, 2026, as NFL scouts and team personnel evaluate his athleticism, movement skills, and readiness for the next level. Mandatory Credit: Jake Crandall-Imagn Images
Faulk is almost a forgotten man behind rookie EDGEs David Bailey, Arvel Reese, Rueben Bain, and Akheem Mesidor. But his current draft slot aligns with the Vikings’ long-term OLB need if they trade Greenard.
The best way for Minnesota to get McNeil-Warren is probably a trade down a handful of spots, adding a 2nd- or 3rd-Round pick and still filling the safety void that will be evident if Harrison Smith retires.
McNeil-Warren has the prototypical safety size, he’s rangy, and he forces turnovers. Drafting safeties in Round 1 may not be totally ideal, but the Toledo product might just be worth it.
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2. Peter Woods | DT, Clemson
One month ago, the Vikings ended the one-year stays of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. They don’t work here anymore. Combined, those two played over 1,300 defensive snaps at DT for the 2025 Vikings.
One might think that a rookie defensive tackle is on the way; Allen and Hargrave leaving is sufficient evidence.
If Minnesota sticks-and-picks at No. 18 and wants a young defensive tackle, Woods is the pick.
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1. Dillon Thieneman | S, Oregon
If you’re reading an article like this, you’ve probably scanned at least 10+ NFL mock drafts by now. There’s a decent chance that Thieneman landed with the Vikings in 90% of them.
Thieneman reminds everyone of Harrison Smith, and Smith could retire at any time. Therefore, probably needing a safety as early as now, Thieneman has morphed into Minnesota’s mock-draft darling.
Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Texas Tech running back J’Koby Williams (20) is brought down by Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) during second-half action of the Orange Bowl playoff quarterfinal, Jan 1, 2026, as both teams battle for field position in a high-stakes postseason matchup. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler on Thieneman: “With his open-field athleticism, Thieneman has a lot to offer in the NFL because of his versatility making plays over the top in coverage or downhill versus the run. He shows impressive range and anticipation from the deep half of the field, as well as the intelligence to understand what opponents are trying to do.”
“Although he doesn’t always play up to his testing numbers, he can guard both sidelines and sort through routes. He can clean up some things in the run game, too — he has a nose for the ball and doesn’t hesitate flying to the contact point.”
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Draft heads perceived him as a 2nd-Rounder two months ago, but he balled out at the Combine, and now the world believes he’ll be a Viking.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has won the 2026 NBA MVP race, edging superstars Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic. On Sunday, ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news to the community in an X post.
SGA has won the award for the second time in its career. He is a back-to-back MVP award winner and the only 14th player in league history to achieve that feat.
Thanks for the submission!
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Fans swarmed Charania’s post’s comments section with their opinion on the Thunder star’s win.
“They trying to piss Wemby off before morning shoot around,” one fan said.
They trying to piss Wemby off before morning shoot around.
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“This bum really got backpacked to another Mickey Mouse MVP. Sad to see!” another fan said.
“NBA giving the MVP to a free throw merchant over actual hoopers 😭 Wemby deserved to win it,” another fan commented.
Here are more reactions:
“NBA really gave the MVP to a free-throw merchant over actual hoopers 😭,” one fan commented.
“Wemby will use it as gasoline to burn past the Thunder and coast to his first championship ring! Shai is talented, yes, but Webenyama is a once-in-50-100-year talent. Shai is a once in every 25 years IMO!” another fan commented.
“It’s ok, Wemby will get an MVP…Finals MVP 😈,” another fan commented
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had one of the most efficient seasons of his career. He averaged 31.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game on 55.3% shooting. He made 10.8 shots in 19.4 attempts this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander joins rare club with back-to-back MVP awards
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has joined an elite club featuring basketball greats with his back-to-back MVP win. The OKC Thunder guard became the only fifth guard in NBA history to have won the MVP award consecutively.
The only players to do it apart from the Thunder star are Steph Curry, Magic Johnson, Steve Nash and Michael Jordan. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s season was marked with dominance in various aspects of the game.
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The Thunder star finished first in the clutch points leaderboard, grabbing the 2025-26 Clutch Player of the Year award on April 21.
“To win this award, you have to help your team win games late,” SGA told NBC’s in-studio crew on Tuesday. “That’s what I’m after more than anything, winning games.”
According to The Athletic, SGA received 96 first-place votes in addition to a second-place and a third-place vote. He totaled 484 points for a resounding win over his peers, Anthony Edwards and Jamal Murray, who were the other finalists in the voting.
Not too long ago, the Philadelphia Phillies looked like one of the worst teams in baseball. They had suffered through a 10-game losing streak and were 9-19 when manager Rob Thomson got fired. Since then, they’ve been nearly unstoppable, even by the best pitcher in baseball.
Paul Skenes took the mound for the Pirates on Sunday against the Phillies and succumbed to the buzzsaw that the Phillies have become under new manager Don Mattingly. Skenes didn’t allow a hit until there were two outs in the fourth inning, but then the Phillies started getting to him. They eventually scored five runs on six hits in five innings off the 2025 National League Cy Young winner.
That would be more than enough support for Zack Wheeler. In his fifth start since returning from a thoracic outlet procedure during which a rib was removed, Wheeler was brilliant. He tossed seven scoreless innings, striking out eight against just one walk. He is now 3-0 with a 1.99 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and looks an awful lot like the True Ace he was before going down with to a blood clot late last season.
With the 6-0 win, the Phillies have now gone 15-4 since Mattingly took over. That puts them at 24-23 and back over .500 for the first time since April 7, when they were 6-5. They were 10 games under .500 heading into action on April 28. It took them less than three weeks to climb all the way out of that hole they dug for themselves.
Bryce Harper is doing Bryce Harper things, as he homered for the second straight game Sunday. Kyle Schwarber leads the majors with 20 homers. Brandon Marsh is hitting .329. Cristopher Sánchez is pitching like an ace, giving the Phillies two, alongside Wheeler. Jhoan Duran is locking down the ninth inning. And on and on we could go.
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The Phillies are generally a bit old as a team and the roster is pretty top-heavy, but their talent level has shone through during this run to get them back above .500. The playoff fixture from the last several years isn’t quite ready to roll over and die just yet.
Colt Emerson, the No. 6-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, has been called up to the majors, per a team announcement.
In a corresponding move, infielder Brendan Donovan was placed on the 10-day injured list.
Emerson, a 20-year-old shortstop, is slashing .255/.347/.469 with seven home runs and 26 RBIs over 38 games for the triple-A Tacoma Rainiers this season.
Selected 22nd overall in the first round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of high school, Emerson has steadily risen through the minors and prospect rankings despite being limited by various injuries.
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The Mariners signed Emerson to an eight-year, $95-million contract on April 1, the largest deal for a prospect yet to make his major league debut.
The contract starts in 2026 and includes a team option for 2034. It exceeded Jackson Chourio’s eight-year, $82-million deal with the Milwaukee Brewers when he was still a minor leaguer in 2023.
The Mariners are currently third in the AL West at 22-25, one season removed from winning the division. Seattle hosts the San Diego Padres on Sunday night.
Riyan Parag did not hold back after Rajasthan Royals’ five-wicket defeat against Delhi Capitals in a crucial IPL 2026 clash at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, openly admitting that his side let the game slip from a winning position. RR were firmly in control at 160 for 2 in 14 overs, and looked set for a total in the 220–230 range, but a dramatic collapse triggered by Mitchell Starc’s four-wicket burst saw them finish at 193 for 8. Delhi Capitals then chased it down in 19.2 overs. Parag, who led from the front with a fluent 51, pointed to the middle and death overs as the turning point. “Pretty much everything, actually. We were in a pretty good space after 14 overs. After I got out, we didn’t capitalise on that. It had to be 220-230, something like that,” he said. He also defended his tactical call to bring Donovan Ferreira into the attack during the middle overs, a move that did not yield results. “Ferreira wasn’t a gamble. I know on TV it looks like a gamble, but then you’ve got two left-handers. I’d rather bowl Donovan, take a chance, than get Shanaka to bowl another over. Didn’t really work out.” Parag was equally critical of RR’s overall execution, especially in the field. “Very poor. I feel if you want to win a trophy, if you want to be contending every single year, you’ve got to be better than what we’ve done today. Extremely disappointed.” He also pointed to a worrying dip in standards over recent games. “I feel we are a way better team than what we’ve played or shown in the last 4–5 games. But today… energy-wise, skill-wise, execution-wise, it is definitely not up to the mark. And if we keep on playing like this, we shouldn’t be in contention for the top 4.” With RR still in the playoff race but under pressure, Parag made it clear there can be no reliance on other results. “That is not how I like to lead… We’ve had the opportunity, we’ve not taken it. So if we do not qualify, it’s our fault. No one else’s.” Earlier, KL Rahul (56), Abishek Porel (51), Axar Patel (34*) and Ashutosh Sharma guided DC to victory after Starc’s match-turning spell had broken RR’s strong start.
DETROIT – One day after saying he might be one good swing away from turning things around offensively, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. put a great swing on a pitch from Jack Flaherty.
Once his line drive to left field sailed into the visiting bullpen at Comerica Park, the struggling first baseman had the chance to enjoy a home run trot for the first time in nearly a month.
Soon afterwards, he was shaking hands with Jesús Sánchez at home plate, donning the team home run jacket courtesy of Yohendrick Piñango and listening to Blue Jays fans chant his name. It was all rather familiar if long overdue for a player whose last home run trot happened 27 days ago.
That swing was also a sign of good things to come for the Blue Jays, as they scored four runs off Flaherty on the way to a 4-1 win that gives them a series win over the Tigers and a 21-25 record on the season.
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Starter Kevin Gausman did his part, limiting the Tigers to just four hits over six innings while striking out five. The dependable right-hander lowered his season ERA to 3.45 on a day he didn’t issue a walk.
After Gausman’s departure, the Blue Jays attempted to rest some of their most trusted relievers, turning instead to Yariel Rodríguez and Joe Mantiply, who covered the seventh and eighth while allowing one run before Tyler Rogers closed things out for his first save of the season.
In the course of three games at Comerica Park, the Blue Jays combined to allow just five runs – an impressive effort by a pitching staff that’s lost major contributors to the injured list including Cody Ponce, José Berríos, Max Scherzer, Shane Bieber and Yimi Garcia.
Of course the biggest questions for this team exist on offence right now. George Springer and his .566 OPS were on the bench Sunday with Piñango batting leadoff in his place. That bumped Guerrero Jr. to the No. 2 spot in the batting order for the first time this season.
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Historically, his numbers are far better hitting third, with a .774 OPS hitting second compared to an .898 OPS hitting third. While Guerrero Jr. has always been said to prefer hitting third, the switch worked for at least one game as he also singled to centre field.
The other offensive difference maker was Daulton Varsho, who doubled and tripled while scoring twice. That’s an encouraging development for a team that needs all the offence it can get, but the Blue Jays combined for just seven hits.
From here, the Blue Jays head to Yankee Stadium for their first visit to the Bronx since winning last year’ ALDS. It’s a tough assignment, but after a couple of hard-fought wins in Detroit the Blue Jays are finally trending in the right direction again.
TNT import Bol Manute Bol will be on top of Meralco’s concerns. —PBA IMAGES
TNT found the perfect blend of local and import contributions in its PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal series against NLEx.
Even so, Tropang 5G veteran Jayson Castro knows the challenge only gets tougher against Meralco.
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“For sure, it’ll be hard for us,” said Castro, who recently joined the PBA’s 10,000-point club.
“Hopefully, we get through, but knowing Meralco, they’re a defensive team. So let’s see how far we go.”
Fresh off adding another milestone to his decorated career in Game 1, Castro helped TNT close out NLEx with a 118-112 victory in their do-or-die quarterfinal clash at Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo on Saturday night.
But if there’s one person who truly holds the team’s fate in his hand, it is import Bol Bol, who has learned to strike a balance between scoring the ball and getting his teammates involved.
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“I give credit to Bol because he realized we need to play as a team and, at the same time, he has to share the ball,” Castro said.
The shifty guard finished with 14 points, eight assists and four rebounds. But he wasn’t the only one who got going for TNT.
“The locals also stepped up, which I think was big in supporting Bol,” he said.
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Roger Pogoy, who returned to the starting unit for the first time in the import-laden conference in the decider, once again proved his worth with 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Calvin Oftana, TNT’s most consistent local throughout the eliminations, also delivered with 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks.
The collective effort from the locals helped lighten the load for their NBA-caliber import, who still wound up with 35 points and 13 rebounds.
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For Castro, those contributions—along with that Game 1 win where Bol also got a lot of local support—prove one thing.
“I think we’re getting the team chemistry at the perfect time in these last few games,” he said. “In the eliminations, we may have lost a lot, but our game is coming together here in the playoffs.”
That kind of chemistry and local contribution will be crucial against Meralco during their semifinal duel that kicks off on Wednesday.
Bol’s ability to score is beyond question, but his ability to get his teammates involved will matter a lot against a team known for its ability to zero in on defensive targets.
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“The attention is almost always on Bol, so he’s been involving us in the offense. He can score anytime, but he’s sacrificed a lot to find us and make us threats as well.”
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TNT opens its semifinal duel with sister team Meralco on Wednesday, in Game 1 at the same venue. INQ
After squandering another early lead in a series finale, the momentum at the plate plateaued down the stretch for the Oregon Ducks on Saturday.
The Ducks had just three hits in extra innings, two of which came as the Ducks played small ball to rally and conquer USC for a 6-5 walk-off win. The hero? Oregon catcher Burke-Lee Mabeus, who put down a bunt after 14 innings in the squat.
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As the Oregon dugout emptied and chased Mabeus to the center field wall, there was a palpable feeling of shock and awe. What just happened?
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Assistant coach Jack Marder served as head coach for the Ducks on Saturday with Mark Wasikowski out of town for his daughter’s graduation. According to Marder, the play that sealed the crucial series win for the Ducks never should’ve happened at all.
“That was definitely not the plan,” Marder said after the game with a smile. “But, Burke’s a really good bunter. He’s proven that in his work. It’s a left-on-left matchup. Matson had been dominating us, and it’s a really tough angle for him. I actually thought Burke was going to find a way to do it, no matter what.”
Freshman first baseman Brayden Jaksa reached base on an infield single to shortstop and stole second base. After moving over to third base on a groundout, the Ducks had the winning run just 90 feet away with two outs.
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Bunting with two outs is always a risky play, and the roll has to be perfect. Oregon initially wanted Mabeus to show a bunt to draw the infield in and give Mabeus a chance to swing away.
“Worst case, if he shows (bunt) and it’s a ball, it puts a little bit of stress on them on the defensive side,” Marder said. “It opens up a hole where Burke’s flat and he can hit a ball to that backside, like he showed earlier in the game. I was good with all that.”
Mabeus squared to the pitch and laid the bunt down perfectly up the third base line. Jaksa crossed the plate, and USC pitcher Sax Matson couldn’t field the ball and make the throw cleanly from an awkward angle. After the chaos dispersed, Mabeus was told one key detail that he had missed.
“I had a drag sign on my wrist, and apparently, I missed the wipe off,” Mabeus admitted. “I wasn’t supposed to drag. But I went for it. I kind of blacked out. I was just in the moment. We work on it every day at practice, and thankfully, I was able to pull that one off for our guys.”
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In a big spot, calling for a bunt can be frustrating for a hitter as hot as Mabeus is at the plate. Fortunately, Oregon’s backstop for all 34 innings in the biggest series of the season was ready for the moment.
“I was excited for it,” Mabeus said after the game. “I take some pride in my bunting skills. I’ve had a couple of bunt hits this year (and) last year. I just told myself to go for it. No pressure in a situation like that, and I was able to get it down.”
That moment represented Oregon’s ability to finish as a team. The bullpen faced adversity late in the game, but closer Devin Bell and reliever Jonah Barkoff combined to strike out 10 Trojans and toss seven shutout innings into extra innings. Collin Clarke, the typical Saturday starter for the Ducks, came out of the bullpen for the second day in a row and earned the win.
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Although the offense cooled off in extras, the Ducks found a way by adjusting and playing differently. The ball never left the infield in the 14th inning, but the Ducks managed to manufacture their own offense, thanks to Jaksa’s savvy baserunning and Mabeus laying down a timely bunt.
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“In this game, it’s like chess,” Marder said. “Baseball’s different than other sports. You’ve got to relax, you’ve got to stay calm … I was pumped that our guys kept saying, ‘We’re going to find a way to get this thing done,’ and we did, doing things we don’t normally do.”
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It was the paramedics at the scene who gave given her a very slim chance of surviving.
She was put in a coma but despite severe brain injuries and multiple bone fractures she returned to the golf course just seven weeks later.
A year later and she won the National Women’s Amateur title, going on to win several amateur titles before she moved to the US to study biochemical and biophysical Sciences at the University of Houston.
In 2018, Harm was the first German to win the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship – the world’s oldest women’s golf tournament.
Her debut major appearances followed and she turned professional in 2020.
But then came the Covid pandemic and while sport was put on hold, Harm worked as a intern at a company developing a vaccine candidate against the coronavirus.
On Sunday, she finally broke her professional title drought at her home tournament at Green Eagle Golf Courses, just south of Hamburg with a birdie on the last to beat South Africa’s Casandra Alexander.
Harm improved on her second place finish at the tournament in 2022 as she finished on 10-under-par having shot a course record eight-under-par 65 in the first round.
“I’m really happy I got it over the line this time after coming close in 2022 and just out here with all the German fans,” she said.
Harm added: “Resilience is a good thing, and I have shown this at times, but I believe right now I’m in a good spot mentally and for it to then be paired with success in golf is such a great feeling because I didn’t have to be miserable.
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“I could’ve been happy this whole time and it would have worked with a lot of the times where you get impatient and to be more forgiving to yourself.
“A good takeaway there is to be your own best friend eventually and hopefully then be successful in working with yourself rather than against it which I’ve done for probably most of my life.”
Two members of the Denver Broncos‘ staff are set to participate in the NFL’s accelerator program at the Spring League Meeting in Orlando this week.
Broncos special teams coach Darren Rizzi and co-director of player personnel Cam Williams are on the list of participants, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
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Rizzi, who joined Denver’s coaching staff last year, has experience as an interim head coach from his time with the New Orleans Saints. Rizzi has interviewed with four NFL teams for head coach openings in recent years, and he could be a candidate to land a HC role down the road.
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Williams, who joined the Broncos’ front office in 2025, served as a director of college scouting with the New England Patriots before getting a promotion in Denver. He could be a candidate for general manager openings in the future.
As NFL clubs seek head coach and GM candidates in the coming years, Rizzi and Williams will be names to watch.
Pretend you’re Jalen Brunson for a minute … Hey, it’s not all that unrealistic.
I mean, the guy claims to be 6-foot-2. Yeah, in pumped-up Shaq shoes.
He’s left-handed, which gives you an intellectual advantage.
His mom played college volleyball. Which means she’s tall and can jump, two things her son isn’t and can’t do.
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And he’s been a basketball player all his life. Which means if you need a sub for your slowpitch softball team, a fourth for your golf scramble or, heck, you’re looking for a partner for beginner’s pickleball, he’s not your man.
Make no mistake, Jalen Brunson is a great basketball player. Well, half of one.
There’s a reason opponents circle the Knicks on their calendar. And it’s not to get an autograph from Spike Lee or a selfie with Kylie Jenner.
It’s because Brunson, one of the shortest and slowest guards in the NBA, has to guard somebody. And if you play poorly enough the game before facing the Knicks, maybe you win the matchup lottery and get Brunson assigned to you.
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I know what your Brunson persona is thinking: Man, I’m a loser. Why can’t I be Donovan Mitchell for a minute?
Sorry, but for this exercise, we have to be realistic.
As you (as Brunson) sit down to watch tonight’s Cavaliers-Pistons game, the one that will determine the Knicks’ opponent in the Eastern finals, you have to be a bit conflicted.
On one hand, it would be nice to draw the Cavaliers, meaning you would have the home-court advantage. But here’s the problem with that: There is no worse backcourt matchup for you than the Cavs.
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You’re too short to guard James Harden. He’s your speed, but he would shoot right over you.
And you’re too slow to guard Mitchell. He’s about your size, but he would dribble circles around you.
You’re going to get torched either way.
You don’t have that problem with the Pistons. In fact, of all teams in the NBA, they might provide you the best defensive matchup, being that Ausar Thompson is arguably the worst shooting guard in the league. You live to guard guys like that.
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But be careful what you wish for, because Thompson is one of the best defensive guards in the NBA. He’s been doing a number on Mitchell in the Eastern semis, and he’s certainly capable of doing the same to you.
So who you rooting for …
The team that hands you the home-court advantage and a chance to put up big numbers, all while getting embarrassed defensively?
Or the team that gives you a chance to rest on the defensive end, which would allow you to put maximum energy into your favorite part of the game – offense – while being draped nonstop by the Human Bearhug?
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Tough one, huh?
I’m guessing you – and Brunson himself – would opt for the Cavaliers. After all, he’s achieved elite status in the NBA by scoring a ton of points against tough defenders and, most importantly, hitting more clutch shots than anybody in recent history.
And who wouldn’t want more of that?
If Brunson scorches the Cavs for 34 points, like he did in a Christmas Day win, nobody’s going to notice that Mitchell also scored 34, like he also did on Christmas.
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Brunson aside, neither potential matchup in the NBA Final Four is a good one for the Knicks. They were, after all, designed to beat the Celtics, and neither the Cavaliers nor Pistons resemble the traditional Eastern power.
When the Knicks imported OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, it was with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown in mind. The Cavaliers and Pistons don’t have anything close, rendering the defensive aces somewhat useless.
Unlike the Celtics, each has a quality big man. Which means foul trouble and a lot of unwise 3-point shooting for Karl-Anthony Towns.
And only the Pistons have a Jrue Holiday, a limited offensive player who Brunson could adequately defend.
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Bottom line: You might think those dreadlocks would look good on you. And being left-handed could be kinda cool.
But, trust me, you don’t want to be Jalen Brunson right now.
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