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Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Arizona Cardinals updated mock draft: Training camp edition
The Arizona Cardinals are one of those teams that look better on paper than they ever seem to be on Sundays. Led by quarterback Kyler Murray, the offense made strides in 2024 in yards and points. The Cardinals are set to kick off training camp on July 22 and hope they have the pieces in place to compete in a crowded NFC. We have updated our three-round Cardinals mock draft with an eye on adding another playmaker for Murray as well as strengthening the defensive secondary and the offensive line. First round - WR Antonio Williams - Clemson We would love to see Marvin Harrison Jr. and Antonio Williams on the field together with Kyler Murray throwing them the football. Second round - CB Zeke Berry - Michigan Berry is one of those multi-taskers at cornerback who can work inside or outside and give the Arizona secondary a ton of scheme versatility. Third round - OT Spencer Fano - Utah The Cardinals have a pair of quality offensive tackles but we project Fano as more of an inside/outside player who is an immediate starter at guard. This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Arizona Cardinals updated mock draft: Training camp editiona
New York Times
11-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Fantasy football draft steals include ADP afterthoughts Trevor Lawrence, Jaylen Warren
During this magazine mock draft and early best ball season, I'm taking players based on my sense of what the rankings will ultimately be come late August. We're in July, and ADP for high stakes events like NFFC drafts have set in. I've now done all my preseason research and ranked the players I consider relevant before training camp starts later this month. In many cases, my opinions of players have changed in light of the objective data I use to rank players: When the data changes, I change my mind. I don't care what I believed yesterday, I only want to be right tomorrow. I've already looked at early-round picks who give me pause, though those weren't yet filtered through all my rankings research — I'll revisit those players and have more to say once training camp starts. Today I'm looking at players I like after ADP pick 100 — the later-round bargains. I note positional ADP even though all these guys are going after pick 100 in July NFFC drafts. Advertisement I think overall rankings are pointless. As I've written previously, if you play in formats that start two WRs and a flex (Flex 9), you have to prioritize RBs; and if you play in formats with three WRs and a flex (Flex 10), you have to prioritize WRs. Across the industry, leagues are nearly evenly split between Flex 9 (BOO!) and Flex 10 (golf clap). So you can't square this in one set of overall rankings. Positional ADPs are always relevant to all formats. The same goes for SuperFlex formats and positional QB rankings (vs. overall). Trevor Lawrence (QB19): He's my QB9. This comes down to whether you believe Travis Hunter was drafted to supercharge the offense. Based on what they paid, the Jaguars must think Hunter is a better prospect than Marvin Harrison Jr., who was WR8 in ADP last year (a value I hated and advised strongly against). With Brian Thomas, Lawrence could have two top 20 fantasy WRs. 'But Mike,' you say, 'Lawrence is a bust. How can you have him at QB9?' Well, he already was QB7 in our game for a whole year (2022). He can run. He can score rushing TDs. The market seems to be saying Lawrence is not as good as head coach Liam Coen's 2024 QB, Baker Mayfield (QB5 last year). Come on! Wait as long as you can on Lawrence. But guys with his floor in this year's very exciting Jacksonville passing environment is why you wait at QB. Jaylen Warren (PIT — RB34): He was good everywhere in 2024, but not great anywhere. My RB27 has a career yards per carry of 4.8 on 346 attempts. His success rate has always been above average (I use yards gained as a percentage of those needed relative to the down, not EPA). He's earned at least a James Cook-like workload. Like 2023 Cook, Warren hasn't scored many TDs, especially from the goal line (1-for-3 last year, 2-for-8 for his career). On short yardage for his career, Warren has a 64% conversion rate (average is 71%), so it's not like he can't do it. He isn't small and he worked hard this offseason to keep his No. 1 spot on the depth chart. Jaylen 'Bowling Ball' Warren. THIS. IS. WHAT. I. AM. TALKING. ABOUT. Work when NO ONE is watching. LFG. — Jared Kane (@BaddestBearJew) July 3, 2025 Warren is playing his age 27 season with low mileage. He should get a massive uptick in targets with Aaron Rodgers as his QB. He's a bargain at his ADP. (Note Kaleb Johnson is my RB35.) Zach Charbonnet (SEA — RB35): My RB26 beat Kenneth Walker in every objective statistical way in 2024 (it was close though, admittedly). Why is Charbonnet being drafted so far behind Walker (RB15)? I know the consensus is Walker is more talented, but if that's true, shouldn't the stats show he's objectively better? I think pass blocking grades for RBs are pretty unstable, but Charbonnet beat Walker there, too. Charbonnet started four games for the often-injured Walker, combining for 75 fantasy points in those contests (18.8 per game). Of course, never draft Charbonnet before Walker … but don't draft Walker. Try to steal Charbonnet close to his positional ADP. Advertisement Rashod Bateman (BAL — WR58): My WR37 had nine TDs and got paid for it — three years, $38 million with more than half guaranteed. Bateman had 11.3 yards per target, which is a crazy good number (average for a WR is about 9.0, and teammate Zay Flowers was about average). Flowers outsnapped Bateman, but only by a small margin (91% to 84%). Bateman received 13% of the targets in the red zone to Flowers' 11%. But Bateman converted five of those eight targets compared three of seven for Flowers. This is like Charbonnet vs. Walker. Why is Bateman currently WR58 and Flowers WR27? How is Flowers so much better? Based on what? Quentin Johnston (LAC — WR64): He's my WR43. Johnston is a touchdown maker — four of his 11 targets in the red zone were touchdowns, including both of his targets inside the 10. Johnston averaged under 8.0 per target, which is bad. And he dropped 7.7% of his targets (average for a WR is 4.7%). Drops are not predictive, but there was a lot of noise with Johnston's foibles since one drop famously cost the Chargers a game. He's undoubtedly big and fast, with a top radar speed of nearly 21 mph (67th percentile). So he can use his 6-foot-4 height in close and, theoretically, score from a distance. I have no confidence Mike Williams, who returned to the Chargers, will supplant Johnston, who has draft capital, elite traits and also had a mild breakout last year despite a Week 6 ankle injury that sidelined him for the next two games. His July ADP is stupidly low. But obviously I want you to pay market prices. Tucker Kraft (GB — TE12): I'm very bullish on Kraft, who's my TE7. He has excellent speed (88th percentile at the position, according to the radar), is great at yards after the catch (No. 1 in YAC over expected per catch at 2.7 yards, also according to NGS) and excellent in the red zone (21% of team targets there, converting 6 of 11). But the Packers are 24th in rate of targets to TEs, about four points below average. Why? Their WRs aren't great. This seems to be a major inefficiency. If the Packers wise up, Kraft could be a league winner relative to cost at his position. No Green Bay receiver since Davante Adams has had 100 targets (hat tip: Yahoo's Scott Pianowski). Kraft deserves that kind of market share at a minimum — admittedly, he's probably not going to get it. (Photo of Trevor Lawrence: Mike Carlson / Getty Images)
New York Times
08-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Team Clark or Team Collier? Our experts draft their WNBA All-Star squads
Who will Caitlin Clark pick? Who will Napheesa Collier take? The WNBA All-Star Game captains will select their rosters in a draft at 7 p.m. (ET) Tuesday, airing on ESPN's 'WNBA Countdown.' Choosing their season-long teammates or optimizing their rosters with a balance of guards and bigs? Lots of interesting decisions await. Our WNBA experts at The Athletic, Sabreena Merchant and Ben Pickman, joined 'No Offseason' host Zena Keita to take on the task in a mock draft. Based on a coin flip, Pickman represented Team Clark, and Merchant represented Napheesa Collier. (The transcript has been edited for length and clarity.) Pickman: I'm going to take the other best player available. Before I get into the positional weeds, I will go with A'ja Wilson. We know Caitlin Clark is going to take Aliyah Boston first, but I personally, as Ben Pickman, will be taking A'ja Wilson. Advertisement Merchant: I'm going to take (Breanna Stewart). Pickman: Give me Sabrina Ionescu. Guards have won the WNBA All-Star MVP every year since 2013. … Give me Sabrina for some more shooting. Merchant: We'll keep the UConn train rolling here. I'll take Paige. Keita: Staying within the lineage. Geno would be proud, Phee. Ok, Caitlin, you're up. Pickman: Paige was going to be my next choice, so I have to reevaluate this draft. I am going to take Allisha Gray. Keita: Oh my gosh, just guard heavy over here. Pickman: All-Star Game performer. Keita: Whether she shows up in the game or the skills or anything, you know she's got a good track record coming in from last year. So far Caitlin only has one big. Phee, you've got two bigs and Paige. Where do you want to go next? Merchant: There's no more guards left in this pool, so we'll just keep choosing bigs. That's fine. I'll go with Nneka (Ogwumike) Keita: Going across the country to Stanford. Merchant: No more UConns left. What are you going to do? Keita: They'll take the Cardinal in nicely. Ok, Caitlin, who do you want next? Pickman: Again, because I am playing the role of myself, I am taking Satou Sabally. That means Aliyah Boston will get assigned to Sabreena's Napheesa Collier team. The WNBA All-Star draft with Caitlin Clark and Napheesa Collier is tonight — but will air tomorrow. Clark said 'I think there's a high chance that Kels and AB are on my team.' That's the goal. — Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) July 7, 2025 Keita: We've got Caitlin's team so far: A'ja Wilson, Sabrina Ionescu, Allisha Gray, Satou Sabally. This is a solid starting lineup.I really like this balance here. And then Napheesa Collier, I'll tell you what, you've got some size. Some big bodies. Merchant: This is the issue with the that way the pool is assigned, where the guards also include threes. So I'm just basically picking from fours and fives. Advertisement Keita: Pretty much. Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart, Paige Bueckers, Nneka Ogwumike and Aliyah Boston. Ok, Phee, now we are going to go into the reserves. You've got first pick, so you've got a chance to maybe bolster your perimeter. Merchant: Yeah, I think that's going to be necessary. I'm going to have to take some guards here. Very good guard group in the reserve selection. We can have some fun here. I do think .. I kind of want some shooting. Let's go Kelsey Mitchell. I've got two Indiana people in Indiana at least, trying to make up for the fact that Caitlin's on the other team. Keita: That's OK. Caitlin will have to be on the sideline watching her pick-and-roll executed right in front of her. All right, Caitlin, what you want? Pickman: Before I make a total strategy shift, I'm going to take Kelsey Plum, and just continue to load up on guards. Kelsey Plum, a former All-Star Game MVP. Reunite her with A'ja Wilson in this game. Keita: There's a lot of size over here on the Phee size. Merchant: I feel good about it. It's all very versatile size. Stewie played the five over the weekend. She could easily play the one or the two for this particular roster. Keita: You pretty much have a team that can take the ball off the rim and go, outside of Aliyah Boston maybe. Let's keep going, Phee, what do you want? Merchant: Speaking of players who can take the ball off the rim and go, I'm tempted to take Alyssa Thomas here, but she has not shown a lot of interest in All-Star Games before. So I'm not sure if this is the play that I want to take her. Let's just get a little more ballhandling. I'm going to go with Skylar Diggins. Keita: Love that choice. Skylar Diggins and Nneka getting to play again together. I like it. Caitlin, what's the rebuttal? Pickman: I'm going to take Angel (Reese). A little size, frontcourt presence and rebounding. Keita: Also somebody who can take the ball off the rim and go. There you go. ⭐️2x ALL-STAR BARBIE⭐️ Angel Reese is officially a 2025 WNBA All-Star🤩 — Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) July 6, 2025 Merchant: All right, in terms of getting some more players on the same team who are teammates, we'll go with Courtney Williams here. Keita: You're getting a lot of buckets. I like the quick foot speed on this side. Pickman: Sabreena called it out. Alyssa Thomas, not really a fan of All-Star Games, not really a fan of putting up big numbers in them, I should say. But I will take AT. Advertisement Keita: Let's pause real quick and see how we're looking. Caitlin team's … let's go guards. You've got Caitlin, but Caitlin's still dealing with that groin injury. Kelsey Plum, Allisha Gray, Sabrina Ionescu. That's some solid (guard play). Alyssa Thomas and Angel Reese both two players who can give you that frontcourt size but also the ability to take the ball and go and distribute. … You've got some versatility. And then Satou Sabally, of course, that can play three, four, two, whatever you want. OK, Caitlin's team's looking solid. And of course, A'ja Wilson, you can never doubt her. Then Phee's team: You've got Napheesa Collier, Paige Bueckers, Nneka Ogumike, Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, Skylar Diggins, Courtney Williams. I like this veteran presence in the guards. This is cool. I like this. You've got some veterans that know how to be All-Stars, know how to play the game, know how to entertain us in the All-Star Game, and are also very competitive. I feel like this game might get spicy the way you have this broken out. Let's round out. You each have three more picks. Merchant: I am going to take Jackie Young. Pickman: I will keep a reunion together. I will take Rhyne Howard of the Atlanta Dream, pairs with Allisha Gray. Keita: Very nice. Big guard energy. Phee, who do you want next? Merchant: We can keep all the Storm together. I'll take Gabby Williams. Pickman: We have three players left: Sonia Citron, Kayla Thornton and Kiki Iriafen. All three first-timers. Who is going to have the best game in an All-Star Game context? These are all good teammates, can be unselfish players at times. It'll be interesting to see if any of them have big games when the actual exhibition kicks off. I am going to take Kayla Thornton. I think repping for the Valkyries, wanting to show out for the expansion fans in this game. Advertisement Keita: Now, Phee, you have a choice between two rookies. The Mystics. You've got to break them up regardless. Which one do you want? Merchant: I think I'm going to take Citron. I'm a little worried about leaving all of the really good offensive rebounders on Team Caitlin, but every time I see Citron guard Paige Bueckers, I don't think Paige likes it, so we're going to keep Citron. Keita: That means Caitlin / Ben, you're rounding out with Kiki Irafen. You 've got some solid size presence. You had me in the first half a little concerned, but now you've rounded out nicely with your reserves. Phee, I was a little concerned that you couldn't get the ball up the floor, but now you've got really good guard presence. (Photo of Paige Bueckers and A'ja Wilson: Stacy Revere / Getty Images, Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders get defensive help in ESPN's 2026 NFL mock draft
It's July, which means NFL training camps open for all 32 teams this month. It's also nearing time for college football teams to open fall camp in preparation for the upcoming 2025 season. So, before training camp kicks off, ESPN's Matt Miller revealed a pre-training camp 2026 mock draft. Miller has the Washington Commanders picking 26th in his mock draft, using ESPN's Football Power Index, which projects thousands of games using simulations for the 2025 season. FPI has the Cleveland Browns picking No. 1 overall. Advertisement Miller has Washington selecting Penn State cornerback A.J. Harris at No. 26. The Commanders traded for Marshon Lattimore last season and picked Trey Amos in Round 2 of the 2025 draft but still have a need at corner, especially when considering Lattimore's age and injury history. At 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, Harris has the length Dan Quinn loves in his corners. Harris has shown ball-hawking skills and loves to press and jam receivers. He's still a bit green, having started only one season, but last season's tape -- along with Penn State's track record in developing defenders -- makes Harris one of the most promising corners in the country. It's way too early to project the Commanders selecting a first-round cornerback. Currently, edge rusher remains Washington's most significant need. At cornerback, the Commanders have Lattimore under contract for two more seasons and just drafted Trey Amos with a 2025 second-round pick. Mike Sainristil, Washington's 2024 second-round pick, has one starting spot locked down. Much of this depends on Lattimore. If Lattimore remains healthy and resembles his former Pro Bowl self, Washington is set at cornerback. Sure, the Commanders will continue adding depth, whether in later rounds of the draft or free agency, but they'd likely use their first-round pick on another position. However, general manager Adam Peters is a BPA (best player available) guy. If a cornerback is the top-rated player on Washington's board, he'd be the pick, barring a trade down. Harris began his career at Georgia, appearing in seven games during the 2023 season before transferring to Penn State last year. Harris quickly became a starter for the Nittany Lions and earned third-team All-Big Ten honors. At 6-foot-1, 193 pounds, Harris has good size and length. He was the No. 1 cornerback recruit in the country in the 2023 recruiting class. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders select Penn State cornerback in 2026 NFL mock draft
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NHL mock draft 2025: Who's taken after Matthew Schaefer?
The following mock draft comes from Red Line Report, an independent scouting service. Note that the mock draft has a number of significant differences from Red Line's own value board. Red Line Report is a pure scouting service and ultimately ranks prospects in the order we would select available players if we lived in a vacuum where needs and other outside forces never entered the equation. Advertisement This mock draft represents an exercise in scenarios that we think might happen on draft day. Erie (Pennsylvania) Otters defenseman Matthew Schaefer, projected to go No. 1 overall, is one of the top defense prospects in the last five years. But depth is lacking in this draft beyond the first half of the first round. Defenseman Matthew Schaefer, Erie Projects to be a complete top pairing performer. He's an exceptional skater who can be a difference-maker off therush and an effective 1-on-1 defender. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder has many tools and uses them in a mature, smart playing style. 2. San Jose Sharks Center Michael Misa, Saginaw The Sharks also could be considering Porter Martone at this spot, but it would be difficult to pass on Misa. With Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith already on the roster, the addition of another elite skilled forwardmakes perfect sense. You can sort out their positions later. 3. Chicago Blackhawks Right wing Porter Martone, Brampton This is a good fit for Connor Bedard because Martone has a physical presence to go with his scoring ability. He can create some space for Bedard and take advantage of his creativity while playing a Tkachuk-style game. He has the size and desire of a prototypical power forward. 4. Utah Mammoth Center James Hagens, Boston College This guy was top ranked at the start of the year and rest assured the Mammoth will remind fans about that. He's an imaginative playmaking center with elite skating ability. Dynamic. 5. Nashville Predators Center Anton Frondell, Djurgardens (Sweden) Big center already has NHL strength. The best pure shooter in the draft is fierce on the forecheck and a load for defenses to handle. 6. Philadelphia Flyers Center Caleb Desnoyers, Moncton Desnoyers perfectly fills the Flyers' need for a top two-way center. Terrific details in his game and makes all his linemates better. 7. Boston Bruins Center Jake O'Brien, Brantford Two-way center, smart player, creative playmaker, understands how to play the right way, the kind of player who makes an NHL roster early because of his hockey IQ. 8. Seattle Kraken Defenseman Radim Mrtka, Seattle He's a 6-foot-6 defenseman who can skate and jump into the rush. How many players like that are currently playing in the NHL? Teams trying to move up probably are doing it to draft the massive Czech blue-liner. Right wing Roger McQueen, Brandon There's a chance the Sabres may trade this pick in a deal for immediate help. Kevyn Adams needs to get this team in the playoffs this season or else. If they don't trade the pick and McQueen is available, he could be the Sabres' guy. At 6-foot-5 with dynamic offensive skill, he's the closest thing to Tage Thompson. 10. Anaheim Ducks Defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson, Barrie He scored 26 goals this season and plays a heavy game. Has been compared to Jacob Trouba in terms of playing style, and the Ducks could use plenty of that attitude. 11. Pittsburgh Penguins Defenseman Jackson Smith, Tri-City Smith's skating is his best asset. The 6-footer has a blend of size and mobility that every NHL GM wants on his blue line, plus an emerging offensive game. 12. Pittsburgh Penguins (from New York Rangers via Vancouver Canucks) Right wing Victor Eklund, Djurgardens (Sweden) The younger brother of Sharks winger William Eklund, Victor will match his accomplishment of being a first-round NHL draft pick. Scouts love his compete level. He's a smallish, skilled player who can handle physical play. 13. Detroit Red Wings Left wing Carter Bear, Everett Bear is a hard-working 40-goal scorer in the Western Hockey League who offers skill and a tenacious attitude. He's average-sized, but plays bigger on the forecheck and competes hard every shift. 14. Columbus Blue Jackets Goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen, Prince George Goaltending is an issue for the Blue Jackets. It's time for the organization to start getting some talent in the pipeline by drafting 2025's best goalie. 15. Vancouver Canucks Center Brady Martin, Sault Ste. Marie He is a relentless beast who plays with overflowing energy. You win with players like Martin. He can help a team in a variety of roles and is a very safe pick. 16. Montreal Canadiens (from Calgary Flames) Left wing Lynden Lakovic, Moose Jaw He's the nephew of the late former NHL tough guy Sasha Lakovic, but Lynden doesn't play like his uncle. Theyoung Lakovic is an offensive force with size, speed, slick hands and a scoring touch. 17. Montreal Canadiens Right wing Justin Carbonneau, Blainsville-Boisbriand Considered one of the most skilled players in the draft. If he played a more varied game with a consistent performance level, he'd be a top 10 pick. But he makes enough "wow" plays to score 77 goals in the last two Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League seasons. 18. Calgary Flames (from New Jersey Devils) Left wing Malcolm Spence, Erie He's a pro-style winger who scored 32 goals in the Ontario Hockey League this season. He can skate and competes big time. 19. St. Louis Blues Center Braeden Cootes, Seattle Hard-working, smart, energetic, penalty-killing scorer. Put up 26 goals and can do whatever you need in order to help the team. 20. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota) Left wing Jack Murtagh, U.S. National Team Development Program He's a physical north-south winger who was the best goal scorer for the U.S. program. He's a bulldog who competeslike every game is a Game 7. 21. Ottawa Senators Center Jack Nesbitt, Windsor Big bodied, 6-foot-4 center sees himself as a Jamie Benn-type player. Enhanced his draft status this season by scoring 25 goals. Raw but a good skater with strong net front presence. 22. Philadelphia Flyers (from Colorado Avalanche) Defenseman Cameron Reid, Kitchener An elite skater who is smart defensively and instinctive offensively. Puck-moving power play quarterback put up 54 points in the OHL. 23. Nashville Predators (from Tampa Bay Lightning) Right wing Ben Kindel, Calgary Not big, but quite comfortable taking the puck to the net. Gritty and has outstanding speed and offensive skills. 24. Los Angeles Kings Defenseman Logan Hensler, University of Wisconsin Words like 'steady,' and 'effective' describe Hensler. He has potential for growth in his offensive game. The 6-foot-2-inch Badgers blue-liner scored 12 points in 32 games as a freshman. 25. Chicago Blackhawks (from Toronto Maple Leafs) Center Cullen Potter, Arizona State Watching Potter jet up the ice like he's an F15 thundering across the sky is enough to catch your attention. He's adangerous performer who will become even more productive when he grows stronger. 26. Nashville Predators (from Vegas Golden Knights via San Jose Sharks) Defenseman Blake Fiddler, Edmonton The son of former NHLer Vernon Fiddler seems to have the NHL in his DNA. He understands how to defend and his puck movement is efficient. He's a shutdown defender and his offensive game is improving. 27. Washington Capitals Center Ivan Ryabkin, Muskegon The mercurial Russian rocket scored 19 goals in just 27 games after arriving in the United States Hockey League in midseason. Blends a heavy physical presence with exceptional hands. 28. Winnipeg Jets Right wing Cameron Schmidt, Vancouver He's an elite game-breaker with tremendous speed and goal scoring ability. The issue is he's 5-foot-7. If he were taller, he'd go in the top 15. 29. Carolina Hurricanes Left wing Bill Zonnon, Rouyn-Noranda All-out effort guy whose feet are always in motion and constantly applies pressure on the puck. 30. San Jose Sharks (from Dallas Stars) Center Cole Reschny, Victoria Smallish and highly versatile. He's one of the most intelligent players in this draft and a proven winner. 31. Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton Oilers) Center Milton Gästrin, MoDo (Sweden) Physical center controls the middle of the ice. Strong skater who wins puck battles and already plays an NHL style. 32. Calgary Flames (from Florida Panthers) LW Will Moore, U.S. National Team Development Program The U.S. NTDP's purest offensive skills guy scored 27 goals but his effort away from the puck is questionable. Kyle Woodlief is the publisher and chief scout of Red Line Report. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NHL mock draft: Matthew Schaefer projected No. 1; who follows?
