The Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets and Cleveland Browns have been awarded top marks for their roster-building selections in a frantic 2026 NFL Draft.
A remarkable 41 trades were completed across the three-day event, including eight blockbuster deals during Thursday’s opening round.
Four franchises received the highest possible ‘A’ grade from draft experts following their impressive manoeuvring of the selection board.
Conversely, the Los Angeles Rams drew widespread criticism after making a highly questionable reach for quarterback Ty Simpson midway through the first round.
Browns secure crucial offensive reinforcements
The AFC North franchise entered the annual recruitment event requiring urgent assistance on their offensive line and at the wide receiver position.
Armed with two first-round selections at number six and 24, they successfully secured highly-rated offensive tackle Spencer Fano.
That marquee acquisition was swiftly followed by the addition of dynamic receiver Austin Barber to bolster their perimeter attacking options.
Complete overhaul of the protection unit
Cleveland fielded an astonishing 14 different offensive-line combinations last season due to a severe injury crisis.
The Ohio-based outfit have since seen key stalwarts like Wyatt Teller depart for Houston, while Joel Bitonio and Jack Conklin currently remain unsigned.
In response, the front office aggressively pursued veteran reinforcements by trading for Tytus Howard and signing former Green Bay standout Elgton Jenkins.
The vital drafting of Fano now provides a long-term solution at left tackle to protect the quarterback in the upcoming campaign.
Minnesota Timberwolves guards Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo suffered game-ending injuries during a costly Game 4 playoff clash against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
Edwards had to be helped to the locker room late in the second quarter after appearing to hyperextend his left knee.
The explosive scorer leaped to contest a drive by Denver wing Cam Johnson but landed awkwardly, causing his joint to bend backward.
Unable to put weight on his leg, the franchise cornerstone slammed the floor in visible pain before being officially ruled out shortly after halftime.
Double blow for Minnesota
The hyperextension compounded what was already a disastrous first half for the hosts.
Starting shooting guard DiVincenzo lasted just 79 seconds of the contest before sustaining a non-contact lower right leg injury.
The sharpshooter planted his foot to chase an offensive rebound following a missed attempt, only for his leg to suddenly give out.
He immediately reached for his lower ankle area and required assistance from trainers to leave the court.
Ongoing fitness concerns
These latest setbacks threaten to derail Minnesota’s promising postseason run, as they currently hold a 2-1 lead over Denver in this first-round series.
Fitness issues have plagued the Timberwolves’ talisman recently, with Edwards missing 11 of the team’s final 14 regular-season fixtures due to a persistent right knee problem.
He had been wearing a protective sleeve on his right leg and was listed as questionable heading into the opening three games of the playoffs.
Meanwhile, DiVincenzo’s absence leaves a significant void in the starting lineup following a stellar campaign of durability and production.
Crucial playoff impact
The reliable guard started all 82 regular-season games, sinking the sixth-most three-pointers in the NBA while averaging 12.2 points per night.
He had also been instrumental in establishing the early series advantage, contributing double-digit scoring figures in each of the first three matchups.
Medical staff will now nervously assess both players as Minnesota faces a critical juncture in their postseason journey.
Matt Boldy deflected home a crucial overtime winner as the Minnesota Wild secured a 3-2 victory over the Dallas Stars on Saturday to level their NHL first-round playoff series.
The American forward tipped a shot from Jared Spurgeon past goaltender Jake Oettinger with just 28.9 seconds remaining in the first extra period.
It was a moment of immense relief for the 23-year-old, who had already seen two previous strikes controversially ruled out during the contest.
The vital triumph means this best-of-seven Western Conference quarter-final is now finely balanced at 2-2 ahead of Tuesday’s pivotal Game 5 in Texas.
Special teams disparity threatens Wild
Dallas have consistently punished their opponents’ indiscipline throughout the matchup and capitalised on both of their regulation power plays on Saturday.
Jason Robertson opened the scoring by burying a rebound off Matt Duchene’s initial effort, before Miro Heiskanen rifled a spectacular shot into the top corner.
Conversely, the hosts struggled significantly with the man advantage, failing to convert on four opportunities to continue a dismal run of just one power-play goal in 15 attempts.
The St. Paul franchise clearly felt the absence of first-line winger Mats Zuccarello, who remains sidelined with an upper-body injury sustained in the opening fixture.
Even-strength dominance keeps Minnesota alive
Despite their glaring special teams woes, the home side has consistently dictated play at five-on-five, outscoring the Stars 9-4 in those situations across the series.
Rookie defenseman Brock Faber netted their first equaliser with a precise wrist shot that glanced off Heiskanen’s glove.
Later, veteran forward Marcus Foligno forced the game into overtime by poking in a loose puck from a frantic goalmouth scramble with just over five minutes left in the third period.
Swedish goaltender Jesper Wallstedt was instrumental in keeping the hosts afloat throughout the tie, delivering a sensational 43-save performance.
The Stars will now return to their home ice hoping to regain control of a compelling series, though they may be without defenseman Nils Lundkvist who departed in the second period after taking an inadvertent skate to the face.
Reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored a career playoff-high 42 points to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 121-109 victory over the Phoenix Suns and a commanding 3-0 series lead.
The defending NBA champions are now just one win away from completing a post-season sweep in Monday’s Game 4.
The Canadian international’s dominant performance arrived just days after being branded “frail” and accused of foul-baiting by Phoenix forward Dillon Brooks.
Answering the critics
Despite the pre-match hostility, the Thunder talisman let his basketball do the talking at the Mortgage Matchup Center.
He connected on an astonishing 15 of his 18 attempts from the floor, joining an elite group of just five players in NBA history to score 40 or more points on 80% shooting in a playoff game.
The dynamic playmaker was particularly lethal off the dribble, making 14 of 16 attempts while completely dismantling the Phoenix defence.
Thunder overcome Williams injury
Oklahoma City’s task was made significantly harder before tip-off following news that star wing Jalen Williams would be sidelined by a left hamstring strain.
However, the absence of their crucial secondary scorer simply prompted the team’s primary offensive weapon to shoulder even more responsibility.
After scoring through heavy contact late in the final quarter without receiving a whistle, the usually reserved superstar animatedly shouted to his bench that he did not need the referee’s help.
“I just think they missed the call, but I scored anyway. It’s OK, don’t worry about it.”
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Suns search for answers
Phoenix had specifically adjusted their defensive schemes to load up against the Oklahoma City guard, but their efforts proved entirely futile.
Even when double-teamed, the Thunder star remained flawless, converting all three of his attempts against multiple defenders.
Suns head coach Jordan Ott admitted his team had simply run out of ideas against the relentless offensive barrage.
“We tried different matchups, tried to take it out of his hands. Give him credit. He had us spinning tonight.”
Jordan Ott, Phoenix Suns head coach
Thunder power forward Chet Holmgren, meanwhile, was wholly unsurprised by his team-mate’s historic efficiency.
“I don’t think we saw anything different tonight than we normally do, except he was 15-of-18. It seemed like a pretty normal night, I guess.”
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
The Carolina Hurricanes became the first team to advance to the second round of the NHL playoffs after completing a 4-0 series sweep of the Ottawa Senators with a 4-2 victory on Saturday.
Logan Stankoven scored the decisive go-ahead goal in the third period to break a 1-1 deadlock.
Sebastian Aho then secured the victory by burying two empty-net goals in the dying minutes, despite a late consolation strike from Dylan Cozens.
Goaltender Frederik Andersen was crucial for the visitors, making 25 saves to stifle a desperate Ottawa attack.
Stankoven strikes on the power play
Following a physical and scoreless opening period, veteran forward Taylor Hall broke the deadlock for Carolina.
Hall managed to beat Linus Ullmark through the five-hole late in the second period, shortly after Mark Jankowski executed a vital shot block at the opposite end of the ice.
The hosts finally found a response when Drake Batherson tipped a Tim Stutzle one-timer, temporarily breathing life into the Canadian Tire Centre crowd.
However, Stankoven restored the Hurricanes’ advantage nine minutes into the final frame, pouncing on a rebound off the end boards during a power play.
‘The best hockey he has played’
Carolina’s defensive resilience was heavily reliant on Andersen, who matched Ullmark save-for-save in a tense goaltending duel.
Head coach Rod Brind’Amour was quick to praise his Danish netminder following the hard-fought series clincher.
“It was a goalie matchup, and they were going save for save. Freddie, it’s probably the best hockey he’s played for us since being a Hurricane.”
Brind’Amour also commended his squad for maintaining their ruthless edge despite holding a commanding 3-0 series lead heading into the fixture.
Anemic offense ends Ottawa’s season
The Senators managed a paltry five goals across the four-game series and never once held a lead against the Eastern Conference quarterfinal winners.
Their special teams proved to be a fatal flaw, entering Saturday’s contest zero-for-12 on the power play before Batherson’s second-period breakthrough.
A late penalty for too many men on the ice derailed Ottawa’s final push for an equaliser, allowing Aho to ice the game with his late brace.
Despite suffering a second consecutive first-round exit, Ottawa head coach Travis Green insisted his side had shown growth.
“We probably played a lot better than last year, and even though we lost four in a row, it’s a different series.”
The Boston Red Sox have dismissed manager Alex Cora and three senior coaches following a disappointing 10-17 start to the Major League Baseball season.
The 50-year-old departs Fenway Park in his eighth season at the helm, leaving behind a 619-541 managerial record.
Hitting coach Peter Fatse, bench coach Ramon Vazquez and game-planning coach Jason Varitek have also been relieved of their duties.
World Series heights to early exit
Cora’s managerial tenure in Massachusetts began with spectacular success as he guided the franchise to a World Series championship during his debut 2018 campaign.
However, the current campaign has fallen drastically short of expectations for the historic organisation.
A sluggish opening month left the American League East side languishing with a 10-17 win-loss record, prompting the front office to make a decisive change.
Search begins for new leadership
The simultaneous departure of three key backroom staff members indicates a comprehensive restructuring of the club’s coaching hierarchy.
Varitek, a legendary former catcher and beloved figure for the franchise, represents a particularly notable casualty in the sweeping dugout overhaul.
Ownership will now begin an immediate search to fill the sudden vacancies and attempt to salvage the remainder of their challenging campaign.
Caitlin Clark returned from a nine-month injury absence to help the Indiana Fever secure a 109-91 preseason victory over the New York Liberty on Saturday.
The standout guard finished with seven points, four assists and three rebounds in just under 17 minutes of action.
It marked her first WNBA appearance since a severe injury curtailed her sophomore season after only 13 games.
The former Iowa collegiate star received a rapturous ovation from the crowd during the starting lineup introductions in New York.
Playing with joy after injury nightmare
Clark immediately made her presence felt by scoring the opening basket before sinking her trademark step-back three-pointer moments later.
However, rust naturally showed as the USA international missed her final eight shots from the field.
“This isn’t a real game, I understand that, but that’s how we treat it, like a real game,” said Clark.
“I think anytime you get to put on your uniform and lace up your shoes you don’t take that for granted, especially after coming off last year when I didn’t get to do that very much.”
Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White highlighted a noticeable shift in her star player’s demeanour compared to previous campaigns.
“I think that’s the thing, watching her play with joy,” White observed.
“In practice her energy is different, carrying herself in a different way.”
Recent international success and missing stars
While this was her first franchise appearance since last July, the playmaker is not entirely devoid of recent match fitness.
She recently represented USA Basketball in a World Cup qualifying tournament last month, earning Most Valuable Player honours for her performances.
“She was itchy and antsy before training camp started,” added White.
“Glad she had those games with USA Basketball and came into training camp having played.”
Both teams fielded depleted rosters as they manage early-season fitness and wait for overseas commitments to conclude.
Indiana rested key personnel including Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull, who are nursing minor leg and hamstring issues respectively.
Meanwhile, the Liberty were without marquee free-agent signing Satou Sabally alongside several European stars.
France kept their Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam hopes alive by battling past Ireland with a 26-7 victory in a breathless encounter in Clermont.
The hard-fought triumph ensures the hosts remain on a collision course with England for a final-day title decider.
Meanwhile, the visitors’ agonising wait for a first victory on French soil continues after squandering several golden first-half opportunities.
Early confidence unrewarded
The away side had been highly vocal about seeking revenge for their heartbreaking World Cup quarter-final exit last October.
“We owed them one,” stated back-rower Aoife Wafer prior to kick-off.
Centre Stacey Flood shared that belief by suggesting the French camp had reason to be fearful.
“They should be worried, if I was them,” Flood remarked.
TMO frustration for spirited visitors
That early confidence translated perfectly onto the pitch as Scott Bemand’s squad dominated the opening physical exchanges.
However, three separate Irish tries were controversially chalked off by the Television Match Official during a pulsating opening period.
Cliodhna Maloney-MacDonald eventually breached the home defence from a rolling maul to reward that spell of intense dominance.
That narrow lead proved incredibly short-lived as Ambre Mwayembe struck back swiftly for the tournament contenders.
Clinical finishing proves the difference
Following a tense 7-7 deadlock at the interval, the French outfit showcased exactly why they are chasing championship glory.
Fly-half Carla Arbez converted her own brilliant solo effort to give the home side an advantage they would never relinquish.
Late scores from Anais Grando and Lea Champon ultimately put the scoreboard beyond any lingering Irish doubt.
Streak extended to nine matches
This latest triumph extends a relentless French winning streak over their opponents to nine consecutive matches dating back to 2017.
The Irish squad must now regroup during the rest week before hosting Wales in Belfast.
In contrast, the unbeaten French side will travel to Scotland ahead of their highly anticipated finale against the all-conquering Red Roses.