The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected offensive tackle Max Iheanachor from Arizona State with the 21st overall pick in the NFL Draft to address injury concerns.
Former running back Jerome Bettis announced the unexpected first-round pick to a home crowd twirling ‘Terrible Towels’ in Pittsburgh on Thursday night.
The host franchise opted to reinforce their protection after the Philadelphia Eagles traded ahead of them to secure wide receiver Makai Lemon.
Addressing offensive line uncertainty
General manager Omar Khan admitted the organisation trusted their draft board after the available receiver options diminished.
“You trust your board, but the way it shook out, it brought us to tackle, and it was the right pick for us,” Khan said.
This marks the third time in four seasons that the six-time Super Bowl champions have used their opening selection on an offensive tackle.
Khan previously traded up for Georgia’s Broderick Jones in 2023, before drafting Washington product Troy Fautanu the following year.
However, Jones is currently recovering from a season-ending neck injury and subsequent surgery, leaving his immediate future murky.
Untapped potential from the Sun Devils
Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed the coaching staff recently held a video call with the Arizona State prospect.
The highly-rated rookie started playing American football relatively late in life, having previously focused on soccer and basketball.
“His biggest thing when you watch lineman play, you want to see him strike and stick,” McCarthy explained.
The Pittsburgh head coach added that the rookie’s balance and footwork stood out to the scouting department during evaluating sessions.
The promising blocker spent two seasons at East Los Angeles College before transferring to the Sun Devils in 2023.
He secured the full-time starting right tackle role in 2024, demonstrating the positional flexibility that appealed to the Steelers’ front office.
Khan remains confident that the team’s newest addition possesses significant room for athletic growth.
“He hasn’t played a lot of football in his life, and he’s only going to get better.”
CJ McCollum hit a fadeaway jumper with 12.5 seconds remaining to secure a 109-108 victory for the Atlanta Hawks over the New York Knicks in Game 3 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday.
Following his stellar performance in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden, the veteran guard delivered again by sinking a 15-foot shot to finish with 23 points.
The hosts had controlled the majority of the contest at State Farm Arena, establishing a commanding 18-point advantage in the first half.
Late drama seals dramatic finish
However, the visitors mounted a fierce comeback, edging ahead 108-105 when Jalen Brunson completed a crucial three-point play with just over a minute left.
Jalen Johnson, who top-scored for the Georgia franchise with 24 points, subsequently closed the gap with a composed finish inside the paint.
A missed three-point attempt by Josh Hart gave the home side an opening, and despite securing the offensive rebound, the away side committed a costly shot-clock violation.
Kuminga impact stunts Knicks revival
Following McCollum’s decisive strike, Jonathan Kuminga stripped the ball from Brunson to ensure time expired before a final response could be launched.
Kuminga proved instrumental off the bench, contributing 21 vital points to halt the momentum of the recovering New York roster.
OG Anunoby was the standout offensive performer for the losing team with a game-high 29 points, while Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns added 26 and 21 respectively.
First-half dominance establishes foundation
The foundations for the narrow victory were laid early, as the home team outscored their opponents 27-12 over the final seven minutes of the first quarter.
That commanding stretch featured three consecutive shots from beyond the arc, initiated by little-used center Mouhamed Gueye.
The defensive prowess of the match-winner was also on full display, notably blocking a clear drive to the basket by Hart to regain possession during a crucial exchange.
Game 4 of this tightly contested postseason battle will take place on Saturday in Atlanta.
The result leaves the Eastern Conference challengers facing a crucial weekend clash to avoid falling into an almost insurmountable 3-1 series deficit.
The Philadelphia Eagles have traded up with NFC East rivals the Dallas Cowboys to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th overall pick in the NFL Draft.
To secure the 20th selection, Philadelphia sent the 23rd overall pick alongside two fourth-round choices to Dallas.
In return, the Eagles also received a 2027 seventh-round pick from the Texan franchise.
Brown departure looms over Philadelphia
The arrival of a highly-rated collegiate prospect adds further weight to reports suggesting AJ Brown will soon depart Lincoln Financial Field.
Sources indicate the prolific receiver is likely to be traded to the New England Patriots on or after 1 June.
A delayed agreement allows Brown’s substantial $40m (£32m) salary cap hit to be spread out across the next two seasons.
Offseason receiver overhaul
Lemon joins a rapidly evolving offensive roster following a busy period of recruitment by the Eagles’ front office.
Philadelphia has already signed free agents Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore to bolster their attacking options.
The franchise also acquired Dontayvion Wicks via a trade with the Green Bay Packers earlier this offseason.
A prolific collegiate career
The former Trojans standout arrives in the NFL on the back of an exceptional final year in college football.
The All-American pass-catcher recorded 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season.
Over his collegiate career, the dynamic playmaker amassed over 2,000 receiving yards and found the endzone 14 times.
The Las Vegas Raiders have selected highly rated prospect Mendoza with the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh on a night dominated by Ohio State.
The widely anticipated decision saw the AFC West franchise secure their preferred target early on Thursday evening.
Mendoza had been the overwhelming favourite throughout the pre-draft evaluation process.
Further down the board, the Arizona Cardinals made a historic move by drafting running back Love at number three overall.
The dynamic prospect becomes only the third player at his position to be taken in the top three over the past two decades.
He joins elite company alongside former early selections Saquon Barkley and Trent Richardson.
Buckeyes dominate top selections
The opening round of the annual selection event was heavily influenced by collegiate powerhouse Ohio State.
Three former Buckeyes prospects, Reese, Carnell Tate and Sonny Styles, were all drafted inside the top 10.
This remarkable achievement marks only the second time the illustrious programme has reached that specific milestone in the modern era.
It is also the first occasion any university has boasted three top-10 picks since Alabama achieved the feat in 2021.
Record-breaking youth and depth
The historic night for the Columbus-based team continued just outside the top 10.
Standout prospect Caleb Downs was selected 11th overall.
That move made Ohio State just the third school in history to have four players taken within the first 11 picks.
Meanwhile, the draft class also featured remarkable youth among its premier collegiate graduates.
One highly touted talent became the third-youngest player picked in the top five since 2000 at just 20 years and 236 days old.
He trails only Kyle Pitts Sr and Jamal Lewis in the historical youth rankings according to draft analysts.
The Los Angeles Rams have selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the NFL Draft to eventually succeed veteran Matthew Stafford.
The 38-year-old Stafford is entering his 18th professional season and recently claimed the league’s MVP award in 2025.
Despite his continued elite performance, the experienced signal-caller has not publicly confirmed how much longer he intends to play.
McVay communicates long-term vision
Head coach Sean McVay personally informed his current starter of the franchise’s decision on Thursday.
The organisation reportedly made it entirely clear that the rookie arrival is strictly preparation for whenever their Super Bowl-winning veteran decides to retire.
Speaking at the annual league meeting in March, the Rams boss acknowledged that the team must carefully balance both short-term ambitions and long-term stability under centre.
A standout career at Alabama
During his final collegiate campaign, the highly-rated prospect threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns while completing 64.5% of his passes.
The former Crimson Tide standout entered the evaluation process widely regarded as the second-best passer in his class.
He sat just behind Indiana prospect Fernando Mendoza, who was taken first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders earlier in the evening.
Rams execute revised strategy
Los Angeles had originally eyed their new offensive talent for the 29th selection before altering their overall draft capital.
That later first-round pick was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in early March as part of a blockbuster package to acquire All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie.
The incoming rookie now joins a quarterback room that also features Stetson Bennett IV.
The 2023 fourth-round selection has served as the third-string option in California over the past two seasons.
The New York Giants have bolstered their roster by selecting linebacker Arvell Reese with the fifth pick and offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa at number 10 in the first round of the NFL Draft.
The NFC East franchise focused on both sides of the ball during a busy opening night.
Reese was widely projected to be chosen as high as second overall by the New York Jets before unexpectedly falling to their cross-town rivals.
Adding firepower to the defensive front
The former Ohio State standout joins an already formidable defensive unit.
He will line up alongside established pass rushers Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Despite drafting a premium linebacker, the Giants have no intention of trading Thibodeaux to make room.
Reports indicate the disruptive defensive end remains firmly in the organisation’s long-term plans.
Rebuilding the offensive trenches
Just five picks later, attention turned to protecting the quarterback with the acquisition of a highly-rated Miami prospect.
Mauigoa is expected to begin his professional career seamlessly slotting in at right tackle.
The powerful rookie will bookend the line opposite established left tackle Andrew Thomas.
This crucial 10th overall selection was secured last Saturday following a blockbuster trade.
That significant deal saw defensive cornerstone Dexter Lawrence depart New York for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves has been upgraded to questionable for Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets following an oblique injury.
The 27-year-old has been sidelined since 2 April when he suffered a Grade 2 left oblique strain during a heavy defeat by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
His potential return offers a significant boost for the Californian franchise, who currently lead the best-of-seven series 2-0.
Durant doubt compounds Houston concerns
The Rockets are facing their own major injury concerns with veteran forward Kevin Durant listed as questionable due to a sprained left ankle.
The 37-year-old missed the series opener with a right knee contusion before returning to lead his team in scoring during Game 2.
However, the forward struggled in the second half of Tuesday’s 101-94 loss, committing a post-season career-worst nine turnovers.
Doncic remains sidelined for Lakers
While Reaves nears a return, the visitors will remain without star playmaker Luka Doncic.
The Slovenian international sustained a Grade 2 left hamstring strain in the same regular-season fixture that claimed Reaves.
Without their starting backcourt, L.A. slipped from the third seed to fourth in the Western Conference standings to set up this clash with Houston.
Reaves ramps up recovery
Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed that Reaves had begun his return-to-play programme earlier this week.
The dynamic guard enjoyed a stellar regular season, averaging a career-best 23.3 points alongside 5.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game.
Meanwhile, backup forward Jake LaRavia will be available for Friday’s clash in Texas despite suffering an ankle sprain in Game 2.
Redick described LaRavia’s issue as a very low-grade, minor sprain, noting that an MRI scan returned clean results.
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens is signing his franchise tender on Thursday after the team confirmed they will not negotiate a long-term contract this year.
The star wideout is set to earn a fully guaranteed $27.3m for the 2026 NFL season under the agreement.
It follows a definitive stance from the Dallas hierarchy to suspend extension talks ahead of the mid-July deadline.
Patience required for long-term deal
Cowboys executive vice-president Stephen Jones revealed the franchise informed the player’s representatives of their decision last week.
Despite the halted negotiations, the organisation remains enthusiastic about the dynamic playmaker’s future in Texas.
“We’re so fired up to have George on this football team,” Jones stated.
“Obviously, he’s been here for a year, we gave up a third-round pick for him, and certainly he’s made tremendous progress.”
A breakout season in Dallas
The former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver enjoyed a career-best campaign after arriving in Dallas last May via a blockbuster trade.
He established new personal benchmarks across the board, recording 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns.
That elite production instantly justified the initial trade investment, which saw Dallas part with a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection.
Future plans and offseason uncertainty
Owner Jerry Jones previously expressed that the team harbours long-term ambitions for their prime offensive weapon.
However, the current arrangement only secures his services through the conclusion of the 2026 campaign.
Dallas retains the option to apply a second franchise tag in 2027, which would cost approximately $32.7m, or they could resume extension negotiations next year.
Attention now turns to the start of the team’s voluntary offseason programme next week.
It remains unclear whether the recently tagged star will be in attendance when team activities commence.