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Week 9 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire: Prospect parade continues with Colt Emerson
The Mariners gave Colt Emerson a chance to win a job out of Spring Training. And then they gave him a $95 million contract back in early April. They’ve wanted him on the major-league team for a while, and we’ve been waiting for him to get the call.
And now he’s finally here.
Emerson is the Mariners top prospect and a consensus top-20 guy across baseball, and he’ll be making his MLB debut Sunday, nearly two months shy of his 21st birthday. If you know nothing else about Emerson except that he’s about to make his MLB debut as a 20-year-old, you should already be pretty excited about him. And, of course, the skill set is plenty exciting in its own right.
Emerson has nine homers and 11 steals in his first 44 games at Triple-A, showcasing a very Fantasy friendly skill set already. And there’s room for him to grow into some more power as he ages, though he’s already registering close to average exit velocity readings as a 20-year-old, which isn’t bad. If it all comes together, Emerson could be one of the best hitters at the position – Scott White hit him with a lofty Corey Seager comp in his preseason top-100 prospects list, which had Emerson No. 10 overall.
Emerson is hitting just .255 at Triple-A, you may notice, with an elevated 27.2% strikeout rate. But this isn’t a case of a young player struggling with contact against minor-leaguers who is about to be exposed by big-leaguers – his contact rate on pitches in the strike zone is 86.5% and he’s showing at least average power to go along with it. The issue is that he tends to be a bit overly aggressive, but he makes enough contact and does enough with it when he does that scouts don’t think it’ll be something he can’t overcome.
It might be too much to expect Emerson to be a true superstar from Day One, of course, but that kind of outcome is possible from any top prospect. The Mariners are calling him up because they need a spark, and he’s likely to open his career as the team’s everyday third baseman for as long as Brendan Donovan is on the IL — and he could shift over to either shortstop or second base if he’s good enough to force the issue. The best-case scenario here could look something like recent top prospect JJ Wetherholt‘s first season, where the batting average has been a bit of a drag, but he’s doing enough else well to be viewed as a must-start Fantasy option. It’ll be easier to make that call for Emerson once he gains third base eligibility, though he would still certainly rank below another top prospect, Kevin McGonigle, there.
But Emerson is the kind of prospect worth adding in all leagues just in case he hits his high-end outcomes, especially at a third base position where few teams have no need for an upgrade. Emerson’s aggressive approach at the plate could hold him back, but if he makes enough contact, he could play his way into top-12 status at third in short order.
Here’s who else we’re looking to add when waivers run for Week 8:
Week 9 Waiver Targets
Catcher
Gabriel Moreno, Diamondbacks (43%)
After it looked like he might have taken a step forward last season, it’s been a frustrating season for Moreno so far. Injuries haven’t helped, but he’s also hitting just .228/.276/.354, with both a career-high strikeout rate and career-low walk rate on his ledger. If you’re looking for a hot-hand play, in other worse, you won’t find it with Moreno (though he does have multiple hits in his past two games entering play Sunday). But if you’re looking for something with a little more long-term outlook, I still believe Moreno can get right and get back to being a productive hitter like we saw last season.
Deep league option: Jesus Rodriguez, Giants (15%) – Here’s an interesting question for you: How much does Buster Posey‘s faith in Rodriguez matter to you? Rodriguez had only been in the majors for about a week before the Giants opted to move Patrick Bailey, a show of faith in their young catcher … who has gone hitless over the past week entering play Sunday. If you’re looking for another longer term play with some upside, Rodriguez qualifies, even if he hasn’t shown much so far. The larger track record of his minor-league career, where he hit .311/.396./.452 with 20-steal potential is still intriguing.
First Base
Casey Schmitt, Giants (60%)
There are some widely available first basemen who have some long-term upside but aren’t doing much right now, like Spencer Torkelson. But if you need immediate help, Schmitt has played well enough that the Giants have changed many of their infield plans to accommodate getting him in the lineup regularly. He was slowing down a bit early in May, but then he went off for a four-hit, two-homer game Saturday, so he isn’t fading out just yet. Helping his case: He’s eligible to play every infield position except shortstop right now, so you probably have somewhere to play him.
Deep league option: Dominic Smith, Braves (9%) – Smith basically only plays against right-handed pitching, even then, not always. But with Sean Murphy going back on the IL, Smith looks like he’ll continue to get reps against righty starters, and the Braves are set to face five this week, so Smith could be a viable streamer for deeper leagues.
Second Base
Sam Antonacci, White Sox (39%)
Antonacci is going to get on base. Both because he has a good approach at the plate with excellent contact skills and because he loves to take a hit-by pitch, something he’s already done 11 times in 42 games between the majors and minors this season. That doesn’t show up directly in Fantasy production in Roto leagues, but it gives him added chances to run, something he’s doing more of lately, going 3 for 4 on steal attempts in his past 10 games entering Sunday. With a strong skill set for batting average and increased aggressiveness on the basepaths, Antonacci’s Fantasy appeal is starting to come into focus. I think he’ll matter in all formats.
Deep league option: Brice Matthews, Astros (16%) – Compare that to Matthews, who is basically just a hot-hand play for Roto leagues. Matthews has legitimate talent, and it is shaped in a very Fantasy friendly way, with power and speed. He’s also the kind of player who is going to be a big drain on your batting average when he isn’t running hot, so you’ll have to decide if chasing some homers and steals is worth the hit to your average.
Third Base
Zack Gelof, Athletics (37%)
You’ve heard the Gelof hype before. Maybe you even fell for it once before. You should be skeptical about him suddenly re-emerging as a viable Fantasy option. But you should be open to it! He’s always had an interesting, Fantasy-friendly skill set that was held back by an inability to make consistent contact. Well, we’re only about 90 plate appearances into his season, but we have seen Gelof cut almost 10 points from his career strikeout rate, and when you check under the hood you’re seeing a significantly more patient approach overall (including cutting his chase rate from 28.4% to 19.9%, an elite mark) and adding a few points to his overall contact rate. And he’s doing that while adding a few ticks to his average exit velocity. It might all fall apart – in fact, I’d probably bet on that. But Gelof is young enough that he may just have figured something out here, and it’s worth taking a chance on him, especially with eligibility at second, third, and the outfield.
Deep league option: Vaughn Grissom, Angels (5%) – It started out with Grissom only starting against lefties, but now he has started eight of the past 11 against righties, too, including one Friday where he hit leadoff – something he has also been doing against lefties lately. Even the best-case scenario probably only sees Grissom emerging as a mild help in batting average, but given a seeming everyday role with some valuable lineup real estate, he’s an interesting hot-hand play with eligibility at second, third, and first base.
Shortstop
Franklin Arias, Red Sox (15%)
With Trevor Story mulling undergoing surgery, the Red Sox may have a long-term hole at shortstop, and so far, they aren’t showing any willingness to move Marcelo Mayer there – in three games without Story to date, Andruw Monasterio has started at short, with Mayer staying at second base. Monasterio can’t be a real long-term answer for a team that presumably still wants to compete this season, so I wonder if this might not bump Arias’ timetable up? He’s a top-20 prospect in baseball who hasn’t looked challenged at Double-A this season, hitting .343/.429/.630 with almost as many walks as strikeouts. Will they be willing to push the 20-year-old’s timetable up? Probably not if it’s just a short-term absence for Story. But if he opts for surgery? That could open the door to an aggressive promotion.
Deep league option: Braden Shewmake, Astros (3%) – Shewmake was, at one point, a pretty interesting prospect, though he has bounced around a few organizations since and hasn’t made much of an impact in the majors before the past few weeks. But he’s playing regularly for the Astros right now with Jeremy Pena on the IL and could be a short-term fill-in for some batting average help.
Outfield
Ewing isn’t quite on Emerson’s level as a prospect, but he might be just as well suited for an immediate impact in the majors. He’s a patient hitter with excellent contact skills and while power will likely never be a big part of his game, he has already shown there is legitimate pop in his bat if he ever tweaks his swing. For now he’s content to spray the ball all over the field and let his elite speed take care of the rest. In a best-case scenario, he could be what we were hoping Jakob Marsee might be – a high-OBP, prototypical leadoff man with enough pop to not be a total zero. And he’s shown enough in his first week that he’s going to have a long leash for the Mets. I don’t think he’s going anywhere any time soon.
If you want more thoughts on Bleday, I went deep in Friday’s newsletter in case you missed it. Here’s the short version: It’s reasonable to be skeptical about Bleday’s sudden, age-28 breakout, but I think it’s also reasonable to act as if the breakout is for real. The underlying numbers all back it up, and it’s not like this is entirely new – he reported to Spring Training with a significant increase in average bat speed, and has dominated in spring, Triple-A, and now the majors. It may all fall apart before long, but for now, I think Bleday should just be added in all leagues just in case.
Carson Benge, Mets (65%)
Sometimes it takes a little while to figure it out, and at least Benge looks like he’s figuring it out sooner than Bleday did. After finishing April with a season-long OPS of just .525, Benge has looked a lot more like he belongs, hitting .333/.390/.463 since the start of May with just nine strikeouts to four walks in 59 trips to the plate. We’d like to see a little more impact beyond the batting average – he has just one homer and two steals during this hot streak – but the upside is there for him to be a 15-homer, 25-steal kind of guy.
Ryan Waldschmidt, Diamondbacks (59%)
This time last week, Waldschmidt looked like the top target among outfielders. And while he hasn’t been overwhelmed in his first nine MLB games, he hasn’t been great, either, hitting .280 but with just two extra-base hits (neither a homer). But this is still a top prospect who performed in the minors and should have a relatively long leash in a good Diamondbacks lineup, so I’m not ready to give up on him yet. I might prioritize some of the other names ahead of him, but if Waldschmidt is available in your league, he’s probably the low-priced alternative with similar upside this week.
Austin Martin, Twins (14%)
Martin is going to get some real everyday run, and it’s going to test him – before this, he’s been a part-timer against righties while racking up hits against lefties. He has a high-contact approach that has led to a .280 expected average over the past two seasons, with enough speed to matter in any Roto league. The question is whether he’ll do enough else besides line singles all over the place to truly be a worthwhile option in all Fantasy formats. For now, I’m content to add him in Roto leagues for an injection of speed and average and take anything more as a bonus.
Starting Pitcher
Logan Henderson, Brewers (74%)
There’s no reason Henderson shouldn’t be 100% rostered at this point. He’s made nine starts at the major-league level and has a 2.49 ERA and 32.9% strikeout rate. The Brewers have been hesitant to commit to him in the past, but at this point, with the way he’s pitching, he has to be forcing their hands. It’s still a small sample size of success, but the underlying metrics mostly back it up and he’s been plenty productive in the high-minors, too. He won’t remain a sub-3.00 ERA guy for long, I would bet, but I don’t see much reason to doubt him at this point, either.
Bryce Miller, Mariners (66%)
Miller was solid in his return from the IL this week. Not incredible, but solid – you’d like to see more missed bats from him, especially with his fastball velocity up several ticks to a career-high 97.2 mph in his first start back. I think Miller might benefit from simplifying his approach a bit – his four-seamer was key to his success early in his career, and if he’s going to sit 96-97 with it, I’d like to see what he could do by really prioritizing it. But he’s been an effective pitcher in the past with less velocity, so I’m interested to see what he can do moving forward. I think he should also be rostered pretty much everywhere.
Connor Prielipp, Twins (33%)
There are going to be bumps in the road along the way, and the Twins have already said they will try to limit his workload when they can, primarily by keeping him on an every-sixth-day pitching schedule. But Prielipp’s stuff clearly plays at the MLB level, and he just put the finishing touches on a two-start week where he struck out 14 while giving up two earned runs across 11 innings. In points leagues, I think the shorter outings and limiting workload will make it tough to trust Prielipp outside of two-start weeks, but I like him as a strikeout target for Roto leagues, at least.
Jared Jones, Pirates (62%)
Jones is nearing a return from an Internal Brace procedure on his right elbow, and he has looked about as good as you could hope on his rehab assignment, sitting a tick or more up across his entire arsenal with one earned run allowed in 10 innings entering Sunday’s start. But general manager Ben Cherington was non-committal about Jones’ role when he spoke with the media last week, saying the team views him as a starting pitcher in the long term, but that they are open to using him in different roles. Which brings up an interesting question: Could Jones be the answer to the Pirates’ ongoing closer questions? Gregory Soto has been fine enough, but he has a pretty mediocre recent track record, and Dennis Santana seems to be out of the picture. Could Jones emerge as a late-inning weapon for them? I think it’s at least possible if they don’t stick with him in the rotation!
I still have my questions about how this whole thing is going to work out in the long run for Brown, who still has a very limited arsenal that could become an issue against lefty-heavy lineups, especially when he has to start trying to go deeper into games. But he has been exceptional both out of the bullpen and in his two abbreviated starts so far, so it’s worth considering the possibility that he may just be able to make this work. With 10 strikeouts to two walks over eight shutout innings in his two starts, I’m at least intrigued enough to consider Brown worth adding at this point.
Relief Pitcher
Gregory Soto, Pirates (62%)
Until and unless the Pirates do decide to move Jones into the bullpen, I think this is probably going to remain Soto’s job. I don’t have a ton of faith in him – and after he blew a save Friday, the team might not either – but he’s been consistently better than Dennis Santana, who struggled in multiple outings yet again this weekend. As long as Soto can avoid losing grip of the rope, he should be a fine closer for Fantasy.
Rico Garcia, Orioles (50%)
How’s this for a wild stat: Garcia allowed his second hit of the season Sunday. It wasn’t a save as the Orioles won by four, and he hasn’t had a save since May 10, over a week. However, the Orioles have only had one save since then, so I’m not too worried about Garcia’s role. He may not be the solitary closer for the Orioles, but I think he’s the most likely option to get whatever the next save chance is here, given his success in high-leverage work this season.
THE FUTURE KICKING IN A virtual taekwondo competitor performs a high kick during a competitive event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on June 20. —Associated Press
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — When Vietnamese athlete Nguyen Thanh Hien Linh stepped into her first virtual taekwondo competition in Singapore in 2024, she had little idea what she was doing.
“I was just kicking into the air,” recalled the 21-year-old. Despite her background as an elite national taekwondo champion, she struggled in the virtual arena with no clue on strategy, skills or how the technology worked.
Two years later, she won a gold medal at a recent virtual taekwondo competition in Malaysia and was part of a growing community of the gamified combat sport across Southeast Asia.
Once unfamiliar and experimental, virtual taekwondo is now emerging as a structured competitive discipline. Co-developed by World Taekwondo and Singapore-based technology company Refract Technologies, it combines virtual reality technology with traditional taekwondo techniques to woo tech-savvy young athletes.
Competitors wear VR headsets that transport them into a digital 3D arena, and strap motion-tracking sensors on their spine, thighs and shins. They use their bodies to control digital avatars in noncontact virtual matches, where every fast and well-timed strike depletes the opponent’s virtual health bar.
Unlike conventional taekwondo where competitors are separated by age, weight and gender, virtual taekwondo places everyone in the same digital arena.
READ: Will virtual competition become the new normal in the world of sports?
It was showcased at Singapore’s Olympic Esports Week in 2023 and held its first World Championships in Singapore in 2024. This year, the sport will make its debut at the Asian Games in Japan, and it is expected to be included in the 2027 Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia.
Reshaping perceptions
During last month’s Malaysian competition, athletes and coaches described how the discipline is reshaping perceptions of both martial arts and gaming.
Singapore national athlete Brian Peh, 46, said he was not into gaming but joined the 2024 championship with his son out of curiosity. Both won gold and have since participated in many other local and regional games.
Peh now also trains students in virtual taekwondo in his dojang, or training hall.
READ: De los Santos bags 6th gold in virtual meet
“I always tell parents: your kids love games. Do you want them using their hands to play, or using their legs?” he said. “When they put on the headset and start to fight, wow, their energy is so high. They can play and play and they love it.”
Cambodian coach Vandy Yiv said more children and parents in his country are showing interest due to the low risk of injury. In a local tournament earlier this year, he said there were more participants for virtual taekwondo than traditional segments.
Disorienting
Many initially thought it was a video game but quickly realized it was a physically grueling combat sport. “Your whole body is moving. There is action, but no injury,” he said. Vandy said he hopes virtual taekwondo can become a medal event in the Olympic Games in the near future.
Some athletes described their initial experiences as disorienting, reporting dizziness before they adjusted to the virtual environment. Many teen players, however, were immediately attracted to the gamified experience. Matches consist of intense and fast-paced rounds, only a minute for each bout, and requires continuous offensive pressure.
For Nguyen, success came after she learned that virtual taekwondo requires far more than simply throwing kicks. “You have to guess first where your opponent is and move” before they do, she said.
While matches take place in an immersive arena, coaches say success depends on physical conditioning as much as technical ability. Athletes still execute front kicks, turning kicks and spinning techniques, with success hinging on speed of execution rather than impact force.
“So our training is first stamina, muscle endurance, flexibility. Then we go toward the skills, the strategies, how to fight,” Malaysian coach Henry Lee said during a recent training session at a club. “Strength … is about how fast your leg can lift and strike. Speed becomes your power.”
Lee, who is also an elite national taekwondo athlete, said he scouts for players with a strong physique and a good “game sense”—the ability to read movement and make split-second decisions inside the virtual environment.
Game feels like a dream
One of his students, Victoria Siow, 12, said the challenge lies in judging space she cannot physically see.
“You have to work on your mind—when to kick, how far to move,” she said during a training session. “It feels like a game and like a dream at the same time.”
For Raja Mardiah Idris, 45, who trains at the same club, virtual taekwondo has opened doors that traditional sparring no longer could. It allows older athletes and women to compete safely and on equal footing, she said her young daughter has also embraced the sport, in a healthy alternative to digital device.
“When you wear the VR, everybody is the same,” said Raja, a member of a state royal family. “You win through your technique, your strategy and your fitness.”
Raja said she plans to quit full-contact kyorugi sparring to focus on virtual taekwondo. She runs and trains in the gym to stay strong, and hopes to represent Malaysia in virtual taekwondo in the SEA Games next year.
Malaysia’s national virtual taekwondo coach Tony Lee, said the sport is still in its infancy. While equipment cost is high and access may be limited in the region, he said growing interest will push clubs to invest. Malaysia has national programs and coaching certification courses now in place.
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“Virtual taekwondo is our future because young people like gaming,” he added. /cb
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Donovan Mitchell got quite a payday from the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday, agreeing to a four-year, $273 million maximum extension, which includes a full trade kicker and player option for the 2030-31 season.
While Mitchell could’ve waited one more year to get a potential five-year, $353 million deal, the 29-year-old wasted no time signing an extension on the first day he was eligible to do so this summer.
It’s hard for Cleveland not to want to build its team around Mitchell now and for the foreseeable future. He has been an All-Star seven straight seasons, which includes three with the Utah Jazz before he was traded to Cleveland during the 2022 offseason.
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Donovan Mitchell (45) of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks to pass the ball during a game against the Memphis Grizzlies Feb. 2, 2023, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland. (David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
He has averaged 26.7 points in four seasons with the Cavaliers, including 27.9 last season, and has made an All-NBA team in three of his four years.
Mitchell also noted having “unfinished business” after the team got swept by the eventual NBA champion New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals.
Mitchell was heading into the 2026-27 season on the last guaranteed season of his previous contract before a 2027 player option kicked in.
CAVS NEED LEBRON JAMES ‘TO RETURN HOME TO SAVE THE DAY,’ ESPN STAR STEPHEN A SMITH SAYS
Now, the bigger question for the Cavaliers: Does Mitchell’s contract extension hurt or help their chances of yet another reunion with LeBron James?
The 41-year-old has made it clear he will be playing elsewhere for the 2026-27 NBA season, marking the end of his eight years with the Los Angeles Lakers.
James, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer, hasn’t indicated where he might be heading, but reports have indicated his agent, Rich Paul, is actively looking at specific teams.
LeBron James (6) of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a foul call during the second half of a game against Dallas Mavericks at Crypto.com Arena Jan. 12, 2023, in Los Angeles. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Among them is the Cavaliers, as the man from Akron, Ohio, has played a significant role in the franchise’s history, including an NBA title in 2016. If this is James’ final NBA run, why not do it where it all began, where he returned after his successful stint with the Miami Heat and where he can close the book on a one-of-a-kind career?
However, other teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors have been rumored and debated about.
Of course, the salary cap and staying within its parameters is a big deal for NBA teams. While a Cavaliers fan could view Mitchell’s max extension as a bad thing for James to land back in Cleveland, it is not believed it will affect their chances at signing him.
As for James’ NBA title chances, the Cavaliers did reach the Eastern Conference finals, and the 41-year-old wouldn’t have to be the center of attention in terms of offensive playmaking. Mitchell and Evan Mobley can lead the way there, while Jarrett Allen protects the rim down low.
The Cavaliers and James Harden, whom they acquired before the trade deadline last season, are reportedly negotiating a team-friendly deal as well to keep their salary cap at bay.
Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the fourth quarter against the Detroit Pistons in Game 7 of the second round of the NBA Eastern Conference Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on May 17, 2026 in Detroit. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Whether the big fish will be landed, bringing “The Chosen One” back to his roots one last time remains to be seen.
Mitchell has left no doubt, though, where his future lies in the NBA, and he will look to get that unfinished business squared away in Cleveland.
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Oleksandr Usyk and Muhammad Ali both ruled the heavyweight division during different eras and now Canelo Alvarez has revealed if he thinks the Ukrainian would have been able to overcome ‘The Greatest.’
Usyk has established himself as the best heavyweight of his generation after a number of impressive victories in recent years, notably defeating Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois all on two occasions each to twice become undisputed champion.
His achievements are all the more remarkable due to the fact he initially campaigned at cruiserweight, becoming undisputed champion in that division before moving up in weight and deciding to test himself against fighters that were naturally much bigger than him.
He weighed just 221lbs when he first became world heavyweight champion, and while that is much lighter than some of the other world heavyweight champions in the past, it is similar to what Ali would campaign at throughout his illustrious career.
Ali first claimed world honours in February 1964, and would finish his career as a three-time world heavyweight champion, earning memorable wins in the ‘Rumble In The Jungle’ against George Foreman and the ‘Thrilla In Manila’ against Joe Frazier.
The success of both Usyk and Ali has led to discussions amongst fans about who would have triumphed in a fantasy clash between the two fighters, and now Mexican superstar Canelo has weighed in with his own take.
Speaking to Daily Mail Boxing, four-weight world champion Canelo was asked about several hypothetical fights between past and present heavyweights, and had no doubt about his answer when quizzed about Usyk and Ali.
“Muhammad Ali.”
Canelo isn’t the only big name to predict a fight between the two heavyweights, with former Ali foe Larry Holmes also recently sharing his thoughts.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. will embark on Year No. 3 in the Twin Cities in 2026, and according to ESPN, he’s one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks, believe it or not. Jeremy Fowler from that website surveyed coaches, executives, and scouts in his annual rankings series, and Murphy Jr. was considered an “honorable mention” among the league’s top corners.
Murphy Jr. isn’t typically included in such lists, so this one is noteworthy.
A Little Praise for Brian Flores’s Trusted CB1
Murphy Jr. an Honorable Mention in NFL’s Best CBs
Fowler described his CB pecking order process: “The pantheon of elite cornerbacks has a high barrier to entry. Nine players from last year’s list made this year’s top 10, and the one debut needed a first-team All-Pro season to grab the last spot. That’s serious competition, and the game’s best all jockeyed for position.”
“Seven cornerbacks appeared on at least 85% of ballots. While the top two carried over from 2025, spot Nos. 3-10 were all reconfigured. A pair from the first round of the 2023 draft made a major move, and the No. 1 player appears to be on a path to Canton.”
Fowler then revealed additional votes for Honorable Mention: “Also receiving votes: DJ Turner II, Marlon Humphrey, Alontae Taylor, DaRon Bland, Kool-Aid McKinstry, Travis Hunter, Tyson Campbell, Byron Murphy Jr., Deommodore Lenoir, Riq Woolen.”
The same series also published the NFL’s top running backs this week, and no Vikings whatsoever were mentioned.
The Production in 2025
Murphy Jr. has quietly built a remarkably solid NFL career.
Over seven seasons, he’s played 104 games, starting 96 of them. His career totals include 438 tackles, 16 interceptions, and 68 passes defended. This is notable production for a cornerback who has adapted to various teams and schemes while remaining highly effective.
His standout year was undoubtedly the 2024 season. Murphy started all 17 games for the Vikings, recording six interceptions — including a pick-six — and earning a Pro Bowl selection. Opposing quarterbacks targeted him 110 times, completing 70% of those passes, but Murphy limited the impact, holding them to a 79.3 passer rating. Pro Football Focus acknowledged his strong performance with an overall grade of 73.4 and a 73.5 in coverage.
The 2025 season presented a more mixed outcome. Murphy again started every game, finishing with 71 tackles, two interceptions, and seven passes defended. His coverage statistics showed some improvement, as he allowed only 45 catches on 76 targets for 448 yards. However, PFF’s overall grade dropped to 58.5, indicating a more unstable performance throughout the year.
Despite some fluctuations, Murphy remains a reliable starting cornerback in Brian Flores’ demanding defense, where corners bear substantial responsibility.
Another Year Lined Up as Vikings’ Main CB
Murphy Jr. enters Year No. 3 as Minnesota’s primary cornerback, and truth be told, the team defense has flourished along the way. Over the last two seasons, the Vikings rank No. 1 in the NFL per EPA/Play, and that’s precisely when Murphy Jr. came aboard, at the start of 2024.
Flores, the Vikings’ defensive coordinator, has proven that he doesn’t need utterly elite cornerback performance to cook, evidenced by men like Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Stephon Gilmore, Shaquill Griffin, and Fabian Moreau on the roster.
While Minnesota will eventually use a high-round draft pick on a cornerback of the future, the group, headlined by Murphy Jr., certainly isn’t hurting anything. It’s tough to decry the cornerbacks from the NFL’s best defense since 2024.
Pat Surtain Is the Top Dog
Surtain II in Denver took home the top prize, and Fowler wrote, “Surtain held a convincing grip on the process, eliciting more than 75% of the first-place votes. Surtain is the prototype, with the ideal combination of size (6-foot-2, 202 pounds), lateral agility, downfield speed and instincts.”
“The 2024 Defensive Player of the Year missed three games due to a shoulder injury in 2025 but still deflected 12 passes. From the nit-pick file: A few coaches and scouts thought he got handsy in 2025 (finished the season with 10 penalties) and didn’t always show an extra gear to close gaps for interceptions.”
Few onlookers will disagree with the ranking.
“But when lined up against the game’s best — Cincinnati’s Ja’Marr Chase in Week 4 — Surtain allowed one reception for 8 yards across 13 coverage matchups. And his 12 interceptions over five seasons are a reminder that ball production is not a problem,” Fowler added.
“Surtain is one of seven NFL cornerbacks to win Defensive Player of the Year. Four are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.”
The Vikings will see Surtain II when the Broncos roll into U.S. Bank Stadium in 2027.
Lionel Messi once again showed why he is regarded as one of football’s greatest players after inspiring Argentina national football team to a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt national football team in the FIFA World Cup.
Argentina looked to be heading out of the tournament after falling 2-0 behind with less than 20 minutes left at Atlanta Stadium. Egypt took control through goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico, while goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir produced a brilliant performance to frustrate the defending champions.
Messi also had a difficult night early on. The 39-year-old saw his first-half penalty saved by Shobeir, adding to his list of missed World Cup spot-kicks. At that stage, Argentina appeared to be on the verge of a shocking exit.
However, the South American giants refused to give up.
With 11 minutes remaining, Messi delivered a perfect cross for Cristian Romero, who headed home to make it 2-1 and give Argentina hope.
Just over four minutes later, Messi produced another moment of magic. The veteran forward fired a powerful left-footed shot that flew past Shobeir and went in off the crossbar to level the score at 2-2.
As Egypt struggled to recover from the late pressure, Argentina completed the turnaround in stoppage time when Enzo Fernández headed home the winning goal, sealing an incredible 3-2 victory.
The final whistle sparked emotional scenes. Messi, who had looked heartbroken when Argentina were two goals down, was left in tears as he celebrated with his team-mates. The Argentina players lifted him into the air while their fans filled the stadium with songs long after the match ended.
The victory keeps Argentina’s hopes of defending their World Cup title alive. Messi and his team will now face either Switzerland national football team or Colombia national football team in the quarter-finals as they continue their bid for another world title.
Sports
Taylor Twellman goes off on USMNT after disastrous 4-1 loss to Belgium: ‘Can’t miss fundamentals’
The US Men’s National Team entered Monday night’s game against Belgium in Seattle with the highest expectations of any U.S. World Cup team in decades.
They had a mostly “golden generation” of players in their peaks, like Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman, and Sergino Dest. Folarin Balogun, arguably the best striker the US has had in recent memory, was also available for the must-win match after FIFA controversially postponed his red card suspension with some involvement from President Donald Trump.
Belgium was widely viewed as a “beatable” opponent. They’d trailed Senegal 2-0 in the 86th minute in the round of 32, before a ferocious, fortunate comeback led to a 3-2 victory deep in extra time after a questionable penalty allowed Youri Tielemans to slot home the winner. Their defense was seen as questionable, at best, and their “golden generation” had aged past their primes. Star forward Jeremy Doku was also out of the starting 11, seemingly giving the US back line an advantage.
Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku (9) kicks the ball past the United States’ Chris Richards (3) to score his team’s fourth goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Washington. Monday, July 6, 2026. (Lindsey Wasson/AP Photo)
As it turns out, not only did the USMNT not have an advantage, they were hopelessly outplayed and outclassed by an organized, composed, aggressive Belgian attack. They created few good chances, facing a much better defensive structure without Kevin De Bruyne on the pitch. After tying the match on another fantastic free kick from Tillman, they conceded again in less than 70 seconds. There was a humiliating goalkeeper error when Matt Freese kicked the ground instead of the ball, leading to the third goal that effectively put the match away. 4-1 defeat, and little to show for it.
All that might be more forgivable, after all, Belgium is still a very good international team, if the USMNT had a clean match and were simply beaten by a better team. But they didn’t just get beaten. They embarrassed themselves on the biggest stage they’ve ever had. Literally. And soccer analyst Taylor Twellman went off on the players and staff for the many, many, inexcusable mistakes.
Tim Ream (L) #13 and Sebastian Berhalter #14 of the United States lament after a 4-1 loss in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 6, 2026 in Seattle, United States. (Photo by Al Sermeno/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) (ISI Photos via Getty Images)
He discussed what happened with Yahoo Sports! “The Cooligans” podcast after the loss, saying the team failed their first “real test.”
“That was the first real test of the World Cup,” he said. “What’d we get? Yeah, I mean, what’d we get?
“And listen, we’ve done stuff, right? We did stuff…[but] you can’t make mistakes at the highest level. You can’t miss fundamentals. The first two goals from Belgium. They make you want to…it’s not an easy watch guys. That’s not an easy watch…That’s a 50-50 ball inside the 18 that Dest just looks around, lets it bounce. Run through it.”
He continued, saying that he’d rather have players ready to “run through the wall” instead of being passive or unsure of themselves.
“And listen, everyone on social media talks about, oh, Sebastian Berhalter this…Give me 10 Sebastian Berhalters,” he said. “They’ll run through the wall, at least. You cannot forget fundamentals. The little things, that is gonna be, for that group of players, the most difficult pill to swallow. Because when you watch the tape, when you watch, the tape, it’s not my experience, I watched it, that’s a difficult one to swallow. Those are simple fundamentals and we missed all of them tonight. All of them.”
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Not much to argue with there. Just look at the lack of defensive effort on Belgium’s first goal, in the 10th minute. When the ball goes into the air, there are literally four US players around one Belgian player. Plus three more defenders nearby or in front of the goal. Somehow, that one Belgian player got by all of them, before threading a pass into an unmarked Charles De Ketelaere for the easiest shot of his life.
Belgium’s Charles De Ketelaere (17) celebrates after scoring his side’s opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Belgium in Seattle, Washington. Monday, July 6, 2026. (Maddy Grassy/AP Photo)
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Freese’s error was compounded by Ream jumping to try and deflect an open shot on goal by Hans Vanaken, only to mostly whiff and see the ball roll directly into the net. On the second goal, De Ketelaere just outjumped two US defenders, while two other stood around helplessly.
These are fundamental problems that cannot happen at this level. Inexcusable, indefensible mistakes. There’s a focus on managers and coaching in the international game, when managerial importance pales in comparison to having better players. Right now? The USMNT simply doesn’t have enough good ones.
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Bill Belichick may be the University of North Carolina head football coach, but there was almost a plan to get him back in the NFL thanks to a fellow head coach he has great ties with.
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton and Bill Belichick go back years. Both served on Bill Parcells’ staff, albeit at different times, before crossing paths as NFL head coaches.
In a detailed story about Payton and the Broncos’ playoff appearances last season, which ended with an AFC Championship Game loss to Belichick’s old New England Patriots, ESPN reported that Payton had the idea of going to Broncos owner Greg Penner with a plan to hire Belichick as the team’s temporary head coach until he reached 15 wins.
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North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick on the sidelines in the first quarter at Kenan Stadium on Sept. 1, 2025. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
That exact win total would’ve had Belichick pass the great Don Shula for the all-time coaching wins record.
The report indicated that Payton would’ve still been on the staff as the assistant head coach, and once Belichick reached the win total, Payton would take back over as head coach.
Ultimately, Payton didn’t officially make the offer to Penner, deciding it would’ve been too complicated and Belichick would’ve also had to agree on his end.
There hasn’t been anything like it in football, but it brings about the question again regarding Belichick’s history in the league, which has been a hot topic since he and the Patriots parted ways.
Belichick’s impact on football is second to none, though it became clouded during the most recent Pro Football Hall of Fame voting as he found himself at the center of controversy.
Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos reacts during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Belichick wasn’t a first-ballot Hall of Famer, with the likes of Tom Brady and others dumbfounded by the fact the coach with the second-most wins in history wasn’t getting his bust already made for the halls in Canton, Ohio. But some voters considered the controversy that swirled around Belichick during his time in Foxborough, which included Spygate, and believed he wasn’t worthy of the honor yet.
Since he left the NFL, many have wondered whether Belichick would ever pass Shula’s win total. That question remained even after he took North Carolina’s vacant job, his first as a college head coach.
And it still hovers over Belichick’s legacy, especially after his firm stance that he will be seeing his role with the Tar Heels into his second season despite murmurs that he would entertain NFL head coaching vacancies following the 2025 season.
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick greets a recruit on the sidelines before an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
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As of now, Belichick is content leading the way in Chapel Hill, while Payton aims to get back the Broncos back to the Super Bowl in 2026.
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Sports
England thrash India by 125 runs to take unassailable 2-0 lead, visitors suffer worst-ever T20I defeat | Cricket News
England produced a ruthless all-round performance to crush India by 125 runs in the third T20I at Trent Bridge on Tuesday, taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the five-match series after the opener was washed out.The defeat was one India will want to forget in a hurry. Chasing 202, the visitors were bundled out for just 76 in 11.4 overs, registering their biggest defeat by runs in men’s T20I history and their second-lowest total in the format. For Shreyas Iyer, the loss also extended his wait for a maiden victory as India’s full-time T20I captain.
Salt, Curran lay the foundation
Asked to bat first, England overcame a quiet start to post an imposing 201/7, thanks largely to Philip Salt’s fluent 70 off 44 deliveries.India’s new-ball attack, led by Arshdeep Singh, began with discipline, but Jos Buttler shifted the momentum with a counter-attacking 32. Debutant Prince Yadav then made an immediate impact, dismissing Buttler with a pinpoint yorker off his very first delivery before sending captain Harry Brook back soon after.Harshit Rana kept India in the contest by removing Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton in successive deliveries, but Salt continued to anchor the innings with controlled aggression. The opener brought up a composed half-century before Axar Patel eventually ended his stay.Sam Curran provided the finishing touches with an unbeaten 41 from 24 balls, ensuring England crossed the 200-run mark despite India’s late fightback. Prince Yadav (2/30) impressed on debut, while Harshit Rana (2/40) also picked up two wickets.
Archer, Tongue rip through India
India’s chase never gained any momentum as England’s pace attack tore through the batting order. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi entertained briefly with two towering sixes but was caught behind off Jofra Archer for 13. Ishan Kishan soon followed, edging Josh Tongue to Jacob Bethell, before Archer struck the decisive blows by dismissing captain Shreyas Iyer and Axar Patel.India’s innings unravelled at alarming speed as they lost their first five wickets inside six overs for the first time in T20I history. The visitors found themselves in complete disarray against Archer’s pace and Tongue’s relentless accuracy.Will Jacks joined the party by stumping Tilak Varma, while Tongue removed Shivam Dube and Harshit Rana to finish with outstanding figures of 4/28. Archer returned 3/29, and Adil Rashid wrapped up the innings by bowling Varun Chakravarthy to seal a crushing victory.
India’s UK tour goes from bad to worse
The defeat continued India’s miserable run on the tour. Having already been whitewashed 2-0 by Ireland before arriving in England, Iyer’s men are yet to register a victory since lifting the T20 World Cup. Tactical errors, fragile batting and an inability to absorb pressure have all contributed to a worrying slide in form.With two matches still to play, England have already secured the series, while India will now look to salvage pride and avoid a complete whitewash.
Brief Scores
England: 201/7 in 20 overs (Philip Salt 70, Sam Curran 41*; Prince Yadav 2/30, Harshit Rana 2/40)India: 76 all out in 11.4 overs (Vaibhav Sooryavanshi 13; Josh Tongue 4/28, Jofra Archer 3/29)Result: England won by 125 runs.Series: England lead the five-match series 2-0 (first T20I abandoned due to rain).
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