Some credible reports this week suggested that the 2026 NFL Draft will feature more trades than usual, so we decided it was time for a VikingsTerritory refresher on draft-night trades.

A few Minnesota draft deals aged extremely well once the picks turned into long-term starters.

The Vikings actually fired the guy who traded like a fiend in late January, but interim boss Rob Brzezinski has been around the franchise long enough — 27 years — to finagle some deals of his own.

Robison, Griffen, and Smith Turned Trade Capital Into Defensive Cornerstones

The NFL draft is the most popular forum in sports for all trades. The following is a list of the Vikings’ three best trades during the draft since 2006, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = top draft-night deal).

3. The 2007 Deal for DE Brian Robison

The Vikings moved up four spots in the draft for the cost of a 6th-Round pick and ended up with Brian Robison for 11 seasons. Jackson and Hayward stuck around the league for a bit, but neither came close to matching Robison’s output.

Robison later held down a starting job from 2011 to 2016 in Minnesota and piled up 60 sacks. Every snap of his NFL career came in Minnesota.

2. The 2010 Deal for DE Everson Griffen

Jahvid Best’s semi-productive stint with the Lions and Fox’s limited role (three starts) were just the beginning. The Vikings initially hoped Chris Cook would be the key acquisition in that trade, but the true value emerged later. When Mike Zimmer became head coach in 2014, Everson Griffen blossomed into a Pro Bowl-caliber player and ultimately became the defining piece of the exchange.

Meanwhile, Shuler never played a game for Minnesota, and Cook remained a low-impact backup. This trade down worked for Minnesota, as Griffen compiled four Pro Bowls with the Vikings.

1. The 2012 Deal for S Harrison Smith

After trading up six spots to re-enter the 1st Round and draft Smith, Minnesota saw an immediate return on their investment. Smith quickly solidified the secondary and has been a mainstay of the Vikings’ defense for 14 seasons. He’s forged a Hall of Fame resume, featuring longevity and staying where his feet were planted.

Although both Upshaw and Gradkowski played in Baltimore, neither received a second contract.

Smith, meanwhile, may or may not return in 2026. The Vikings technically cut him last month, though he has a rather binary decision to return for Year No. 15 or retire.

Star Tribune‘s Andrew Krammer wrote about Smith’s future and the Vikings’ budding safety need last month, “Safety Harrison Smith was celebrated in the finale of his 14th Vikings season as if it were the end. But nothing is official yet. If he’s released, the team will likely use a salary cap lever to free up a marginal amount of room.”

“Smith’s contract is scheduled to void, and releasing him with a post-June 1 designation, a maneuver that defers $7.6 million in remaining cap charges to 2027, frees an additional $1.3 million, according to OverTheCap.com. Smith’s absence would leave a massive hole on the roster.”

Since Krammer’s musings, Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman has morphed into the Vikings’ keynote draft darling.

Krammer added, “Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski’s shopping list this month may include a starting safety, of which there are many intriguing pending free agents. This seems like a good year to need help. The Vikings could use a centerfield type to cover deep zones in a way they weren’t able to quickly replicate when safety Cam Bynum got paid by Indianapolis last year.”

“Safety Josh Metellus rightfully got paid as a do-it-all defender, but he’s not at his best when backpedaling. Safety Theo Jackson’s role diminished under coordinator Brian Flores, who started giving late-season looks to safety Jay Ward.”

The Vikings could add to the draft-night trade list in two weeks, as draft pundits expect the event to feature more trades than usual. For example, Minnesota, equipped with the 18th overall pick, could swing a deal with the Miami Dolphins, obtaining the 30th overall pick and two 3rd-Rounders, which would balance on most trade calculators.

Smith wins the trade list. Six Pro Bowls speak for themselves. All with the same franchise.

Manny Pacquiao has made a powerful statement without uttering a single word, as he prepares for a highly anticipated rematch against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The boxing legend’s new Hollywood gym, once associated with his rival, is now being rebranded as ‘Pacquiao Prime Boxing’ and is set to open this summer. Inside, a large image of Mayweather is slated for removal, symbolizing a new era.

It comes as Pacquiao and Mayweather are scheduled to face off again on September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. The bout marks more than a decade since their record-breaking encounter in 2015.

However, the nature of the upcoming fight has become a point of contention, with Mayweather characterizing it as an exhibition, while Pacquiao insists on the terms he agreed to. Representatives for Mayweather have not responded to requests for comment.

“He knows what he signed,” Pacquiao, 47, said in an interview this week.

For the Filipino boxer, who ended a four-year retirement last year, the issue is one of principle. The undefeated Mayweather, 49, is returning to the ring nine years after his own retirement.

Pacquiao added: “Dignity. Integrity. That’s what matters.”

Three different agreements

Behind the scenes, the focus has shifted from how the fight is being described to how it moves forward.

Jas Mathur, CEO of Manny Pacquiao Promotions and a producer on the event, said the bout is anchored by multiple signed agreements, and that those terms remain clear. He said Mayweather was well aware.

“Not one, not two, but three different agreements,” Mathur said. “He signed all of them.”

According to Mathur, those agreements outline a professional fight, not an exhibition, and include financial commitments already in motion. His comments come amid broader questions surrounding Mayweather’s plans, including previously reported bouts with former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and against kickboxer Mike Zambidis — which could complicate the agreement.

“He took an advance on his purse,” Mathur said. “Everything is black and white.”

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Mathur described the situation as a breach of contract, pointing to public comments that differ from the signed terms. He added that the matter is now being handled through legal channels as both sides work toward a resolution.

“There are consequences that come with that,” Mathur said.

Pacquiao’s focus remains steady. But for him, the situation comes down to clarity and commitment.

“What we signed is a real fight,” he said. “I know that he knows what he signed. … We signed both, and I hope he honors it.”

’He’s a chicken’

When asked what it would signal if the bout does not move forward as planned, Mathur did not hesitate.

“He’s a chicken,” he said.

Standing beside him, Pacquiao responded in his own way, letting out a brief “bawk, bawk, bawk” while flapping his arms, drawing laughter from both.

Beyond the immediate stakes of the fight, Pacquiao also addressed the broader conversation surrounding legacy, including how greatness is defined in boxing. It’s a discussion that has long included both him and Mayweather.

“I don’t even claim myself as the greatest,” said Pacquiao, who noted he’s the only fighter to win titles across four decades. “I let the people say who is the greatest.”

Why take over Mayweather’s gym?

Taking over a space once associated with Mayweather, especially in the lead-up to a high-profile rematch, carries a natural layer of symbolism. But Pacquiao and his team framed the decision through a different lens.

While standing in front of Mayweather’s image — one that will soon be replaced — Pacquiao described a new direction for the space as one centered on performance rather than accessibility.

The facility will operate as a private training center for professional fighters, athletes and select guests. There are plans to expand the model across major markets.

Mathur pointed to location and visibility as key drivers behind the decision, noting the volume of daily traffic through the Hollywood corridor. At the same time, he suggested the opportunity reflects a broader shift in approach tied to the previous business connected to Mayweather’s brand.

“There was a chance to build something much bigger,” Mathur said. “We’re looking at this differently.”

Pacquiao said he wants to create opportunities for the next generation of fighters while expanding his footprint in the sport.

“This is our passion,” he said. “To build more boxing gyms and help develop fighters.”

Building beyond the ring

Beyond the fight, Pacquiao and his team are building with a broader vision in mind.

From fighter development under Manny Pacquiao Promotions to new training hubs through the Hollywood gym, the focus extends well past the ring.

Mathur, who partners with Pacquiao across multiple ventures, described a strategy centered on long-term growth, including efforts to bring Pacquiao’s established business footprint from Asia into the United States and beyond.

“Manny is actively involved,” Mathur said. “This is about building something bigger.”

That vision also includes ventures in financial technology, highlighted by Manny Pay — a digital wallet platform the team is working to expand internationally — along with media and consumer products tied to Pacquiao’s global reach.

In a space being rebuilt for what comes next, Pacquiao is moving forward with focus. He said the balance between business and boxing remains clear.

“Both,” he said, when asked what drives him now. “We’re focused on this fight, and building our own businesses.”

Man Utd have spent three days training in Ireland this week as they look to set up a strong finish to the Premier League season. This is the story of the camp.

06:00, 10 Apr 2026

They had a split-screen set up in the Manchester United team room at the opulent Carton House on Tuesday night. On one TV, Manchester United Under-21s were taking on their Real Madrid counterparts in the quarter-final of the Premier League International Cup.

Had Michael Carrick and his staff not been in County Kildare, they would have been at Old Trafford, casting an eye over some of the club’s talented youngsters as they underwent a technical test of the kind they don’t often face domestically.

Being across the Irish Sea wasn’t going to stop Carrick from continuing his support of the club’s academy, and staff made sure that MUTV was on after dinner on Tuesday, allowing those who wanted to watch United’s youngsters lose a good game 4-2 in extra-time.

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But that wasn’t the only entertainment available on Tuesday night. On the other screen, and attracting plenty of interest from players desperate to return to this stage themselves, was the Champions League quarter-final between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. A battle between European heavyweights and an open, end-to-end classic that looked nothing like some of the fare served up in the Premier League this season.

You can understand those players keen to watch that game. It is where United want to be themselves and this three-day jaunt to Ireland was about setting them up for one final push. A run of 23 points from a possible 30 under Carrick has moved United into third and they look on course to return to Europe’s blue-riband competition.

This was also a chance for the players to regroup after two weeks apart. The media were granted access to the first 15 minutes of the week’s first training session, and it was noticeable how buoyant the atmosphere was. The togetherness in the squad was noted by staff who saw them together at close quarters, and one felt it was a “nice reminder” of how tight-knit the players had become.

They trained on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning on the pristine pitches at Carton House, and were put through punishing gym sessions after being granted time off during the long break between fixtures. At times, the staff couldn’t drag the players off the training pitch, with the head tennis net proving a popular addition. Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha were declared the champions at the end of the week.

It wasn’t all work for the players, either. They had time off on Tuesday afternoon, with some hitting the venue’s two championship golf courses and others opting for clay pigeon shooting. Some just had a relaxing couple of hours in the hotel’s spa.

These days, Carton House is mostly used by the Ireland rugby team, but it has played host to football clubs including Real Madrid, Chelsea, Newcastle and Burnley in the past. United did their best to keep their use of the venue quiet, but a few hundred fans were there when they arrived at around 7pm on Monday, and numbers grew as the week progressed.

By the time training finished on Wednesday, it is estimated that at least 3,000 fans lined the road between the training pitch and the hotel. Every player spent at least 20 minutes signing autographs and posing for selfies, and one United staffer said they had seen Fernandes sign at least 1,000 items across the three days. The captain also spent time with the club’s Sligo supporters branch, who presented him with their player of the year award.

The geography of Carton House makes it an appealing venue for clubs. United players could use the gym in their own area of the hotel before making the short walk down a tree-lined road and then a slight hill to training. With fans lining both sides of the one-track road, some players said it felt like a matchday arrival at Old Trafford.

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United’s players weren’t the only head-turning attraction on site, however. Some members of the media were surprised to see Nicky Byrne from Westlife in attendance on Tuesday morning. As the wait for Amad and Bryan Mbeumo to arrive for their press conference ticked up towards 30 minutes, one remarked we were in danger of ‘filing without wingers’, offering a surprising knowledge of Westlife’s back catalogue.

Byrne was actually there for a meet-and-greet with the players, along with GAA star Carla Rowe and Irish influencer John Nellis. Also in attendance was nine-year-old Harry McCormack. The youngster is named after legendary United goalkeeper Harry Gregg, who survived the Munich air disaster. Young Harry is a lifelong patient at Crumlin Hospital after he was born with half a heart.

United’s presence in Ireland was partly to promote August’s pre-season friendly with Leeds, which will take place at the iconic Croke Park stadium, an 82,000-capacity GAA venue, which last hosted football 17 years ago.

It is a famous and historic site, and on arrival on Tuesday, striker Benjamin Sesko was whisked away for a photo opportunity. The size of the stadium shocked the Slovenian, who then shocked his hosts by showing some knowledge of GAA, having seen the sport on TV previously.

Back at Carton House, it was a different kind of football on the agenda. United staff were delighted with the focus and application in training after more than two weeks without a game, with the intensity levels cranked up following the return of Lisandro Martinez, who always brings an extra edge.

They checked out on Thursday afternoon and could return in the summer for a training camp around that Leeds fixture. But for now, Carrick and his staff will hope three days in Ireland and a round of golf or two have teed them up for a strong finish, and a return to playing in the Champions League, rather than watching it on TV.

Sky Sports, HBO Max, Netflix and Disney+ with Ultimate TV package

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Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.

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Seeking to snap their three-game losing run and secure their first win since mid February, Moreirense take on Famalicao at the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao in round 29 of Portuguese Primeira Liga on Friday. Hugo Oliveira’s men, meanwhile, will head into the weekend looking to extend their perfect home record in 2026, having won each of their five home matches since the turn of the year.

Famalicao picked up another impressive result in their push for a top-four finish last Saturday, when they netted a 99th-minute equaliser to snatch a 2-2 draw against league leaders Porto at the Estadio do Dragao.

Oliveira’s side have now gone six straight matches without defeat, picking up four wins and two draws since February’s 1-0 loss against Sporting Lisbon, a run that has seen them cement themselves as genuine contenders for European qualification.

Famalicao have picked up 46 points from their 28 Primeira Liga matches so far to sit fifth in the league standings, just three points off fourth-placed Braga in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying spot.

In stark contrast, Moreirense’s free-fall in the league standings continued at the weekend when they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Braga in front of their home supporters.

Vasco Costa’s men have now lost three games on the spin and are without a win in their last six matches (2D 4L) since a 2-1 victory over Rio Ave on February 16.

This poor run of results has seen Moreirense drop to eighth place in the Primeira Liga table, level on 35 points with ninth-placed Vitoria de Guimaraes.

Famalicao vs Moreirense Head-To-Head and Key Numbers

• With five wins from the last 15 meetings between the sides, Famalicao boasts a superior record in the history of this fixture.
• Moreirense have picked up three wins in that time, while the spoils have been shared on seven occasions.
• Costa’s men have won just one of their last five Primeira Liga visits to the Estadio Municipal de Famalicao, while losing twice and claiming two draws since November 2019.
• Famalicao boast a 100% home record in 2026, winning each of their five matches while scoring 10 goals and keeping four clean sheets since December’s 3-2 defeat against Estrela Amadora.

Famalicao vs Moreirense Prediction

High-flying Famalicao know they must avoid any slip-up in the run-in as they look to secure European football, and given Moreirense’s recent woes, we are backing them to extend their hot home streak with another impressive victory.

Prediction: Famalicao 2-0 Moreirense

Famalicao vs Moreirense Betting Tips

Tip 1: Result – Famalicao to win

Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals – No (There have been fewer than three goals scored in five of their last six meetings between the two teams)

Tip 3: Over 4.5 cards – Yes (There have also been at least five bookings in nine of their last 10 clashes)