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		<title>Latest Sports News from FOX Sports</title>
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			<title>Latest Sports News from FOX Sports</title>
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		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 04:51:31 -0400</pubDate>
		<copyright>Copyright 2026 FOX Sports</copyright>
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					<![CDATA[4 Takeaways From Alex Palou's First Long Beach INDYCAR Win]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/motor/alex-palou-first-long-beach-indycar-win</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/motor/alex-palou-first-long-beach-indycar-win</guid>
				<category>motor</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[INDYCAR champion Alex Palou has a lengthy resume, and he checked another milestone off his list on Sunday — winning in Long Beach.]]>
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				<pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 22:13:05 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[LONG BEACH, Calif. — Alex Palou entered the Long Beach Grand Prix having won 21 INDYCAR races and four series titles. But among the few things he hadn’t accomplished? A victory at Long Beach, arguably annually the second-biggest race on the INDYCAR calendar. That was until Sunday when Palau — driver of the No. 10 car for Chip Ganassi Racing — earned his 22nd career victory as he crossed the start-finish line by almost four seconds over second-place finisher Felix Rosenqvist. "Every win is so special," Palou said in his postrace news conference. "Obviously, the [Indy] 500 is always going to stay up top. "This probably ranks top-three. It's super, super cool. But we've been so lucky to have so much success." Here are my takeaways: 1. Palou Doing Palou Things Palou started third, quickly passed Pato O’Ward for second and then took advantage of a faster pit stop than pole-sitter Felix Rosenqvist in the race’s only caution to take the lead. Once he got out front, the Chip Ganassi Racing driver made no mistakes. That is the blueprint for a Palou win, and it was his third triumph in five races this year — and 11th in the last 22 events. The win also lifted Palou into the series points lead by 17 points over Kyle Kirkwood. "People think that we are not surprised of being here," Palou said. "We don't take it for [granted]." 2. Rosenqvist Needed Disappointing Second Felix Rosenqvist had not had a top-10 finish all year, so while the Meyer Shank Racing driver saw a potential win slip away, he’ll take a second-place finish. "I had such a poor start to the year, so I was always going to take a podium," Rosenqvist said in his postrace news conference. "It's very rare that you have a race like that, pace like that. "I don't honestly think I've ever had that. It’s a little bit disappointing when you cannot wrap it up." Rosenqvist did think he had a good chance of holding off Palou over the final 32 laps if he did not have the slow pit stop. [WATCH: Pit Crew Member Clipped By Will Power Car] 3. Kirkwood Repeat Denied Kyle Kirkwood was denied in his hopes of repeating at Long Beach and earning a third win overall. The Andretti Global driver, who had entered the race as the series points leader, started fourth and finished fourth. "It was just so hard to pass on this track," Kirkwood told a team representative after the race. "I’m not sure why it was like that this year. "You just get close, and then you don’t have enough traction to make a move. ... I can’t be too upset with the top-four." 4. Wonky Start Just Long Beach The cars in the front few rows at the start of the race did not remain double-file as they got strung out quickly as the green-flag waved. It appeared a little disjointed, but in the view of Scott Dixon, who started sixth and finished third, it was normal for Long Beach. "It was very Long Beach-esque," the six-time series champion said in his postrace news conference. "It just always is. "It's hard, especially [if you’re] fourth through eighth or 10th, if you catch the front two rows at the wrong spot, you have to brake and everybody behind you is accelerating." 4 ½: What’s Next There are two weekends off before the next race as the Month of May kicks off with the May 9 event on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. But the drivers will be on track sooner as they all will be testing April 28-29 for the Indianapolis 500. It is a pivotal test as they get ready for the biggest race of the year. You know who won that race a year ago? Yeah, Alex Palou.]]>
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					<![CDATA[2026 NFL Draft: Answering the Draft's Biggest Questions with 5 Bold Predictions]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2026-nfl-draft-answering-drafts-biggest-questions-5-bold-predictions</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2026-nfl-draft-answering-drafts-biggest-questions-5-bold-predictions</guid>
				<category>nfl</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[The Jets don't take Arvell Reese or David Bailey? Will A.J. Brown get traded? Who will draft Ty Simpson? We make five bold predictions for the 2026 NFL Draft.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 22:20:59 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[One of the fun things about the NFL Draft is that the possible outcomes are endless. Yes, the expectation is that the Las Vegas Raiders will select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick when the 2026 NFL Draft commences on Thursday. After that, however, things get interesting. There’s no clear favorite of whom the New York Jets will take at No. 2. The potential landing spots for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson remain up in the air, as we don't know if there'll be two quarterbacks taken in the first round. The New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals also added some intrigue on Saturday, with Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence going to the Queen City for the 10th overall pick. With the trade, the Giants are the only team in this year's draft with two top-10 picks. So, let's delve into five of the biggest questions entering the 2026 NFL Draft and answer each of them with a bold prediction. 5. Jets on the clock at No. 2: David Bailey, Arvell Reese … or a wild card? The New York Jets and head coach Aaron Glenn might be deciding which one of the draft's two best edge rusher prospects (Ohio State’s Arvell Reese, Texas Tech’s David Bailey) they want to take at No. 2. Reese, considered one of the best players available in this year’s draft, has better measurable and more upside. Bailey, meanwhile, is the more polished product, totaling 14.5 sacks in his final season for the Red Raiders. But is there a chance that another player is in the mix for New York at No. 2? The Jets canceled a pre-draft visit with Bailey at their facility this past week, adding some intrigue to their decision. That news led some NFL observers to wonder if New York had already made the decision to select the Texas Tech product because it knows enough about him as a person, or the Jets decided against taking Bailey, therefore canceling the visit. Positional value is a consideration, with teams angling to select premium players early in the draft because of the salary they will command as top picks compared to the value of the top players at their position. However, three of the top six overall players in this year’s draft — running back Jeremiyah Love, linebacker Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs — are elite talents at non-premium positions.  Further, history tells us that there’s a 50% hit rate on first-round picks. And if you’re the dysfunctional Jets, who hold the longest playoff drought in the league, you’re trying to improve those odds by taking the player most likely to have a productive NFL career, no matter that position. Prediction: The Jets stun everyone and take Downs at No. 2. Downs is a transformational player who can serve as a face of a franchise in a big market like New York, creating connectivity in a building that needs a culture upgrade. As a versatile safety who can line up at a handful of different positions, Downs fits the "Big Nickel" role teams covet being filled by players like Kyle Hamilton, Nick Emmanwori and Derwin James in some of the best defenses in the league. Also, the Jets have several other bites at the apple early in the draft to secure players from premium positions in the future. New York has nine first and second-round picks over the next two years, including three first-round picks in 2027. That means New York can be selective in how they use those picks at other positions, taking players with those picks or using the selections in a trade to obtain a premium player to improve their roster. The Jets already have a Pro Bowl running back, placing the franchise tag on Breece Hall earlier this offseason. Some NFL sources I spoke with consider Love to be the best player in the draft, but that would be redundant for the Jets. The next safest pick? Downs. So, Caleb, welcome to New York. 4. Is Chiefs GM Brett Veach correct that we'll see a trade-heavy first round? The 2025 NFL Draft was memorably light on trades. Entering draft night, no first-round pick had been moved, and there were only four trades involving a first-round pick on draft night. Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach expects that number to be higher this year. "It should be an entertaining night and there will probably be a lot of trades," Veach told reporters this past week. "That’s what I think a draft like this — when you don’t have two or three franchise quarterbacks and a Will Anderson Jr. or a Myles Garrett — it does lend itself to open up to a lot of fun, a lot of excitement. I think from a fan’s perspective, they should have a lot of fun next Thursday." Veach pointed to a lack of premium players at the top of this year’s draft, along with premium players at offensive tackle, defensive end and receiver being graded closely, leaving teams moving around the board to get in place to draft their guy. Also, six teams (Jets, Chiefs, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Dallas Cowboys) have two selections in the first round, giving them more ammunition to make moves. Six teams have no first-round selections, with the Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons all set to sit out the festivities on Thursday … for now. Prediction: There will be at least eight draft-day trades in the first round. We won't predict all of them, but there's one that I think will happen that I'll share in a moment. 3. Does an A.J. Brown trade materialize? Does any veteran player get moved? The Philadelphia Eagles are shopping A.J. Brown, with the Los Angeles Rams coming close to consummating a trade for their star wide receiver that potentially could have included moving Davante Adams, according to the team. The New England Patriots are also a prime destination for Brown because of his relationship with head coach Mike Vrabel. Some of the moves Philadelphia has made this offseason have also seemingly signaled that a trade involving Brown is on the horizon. The Eagles have traded for Green Bay Packers receiver Dontayvion Wicks and signed Marquise "Hollywood" Brown in free agency, signs they're preparing for life without Brown. However, one of the main reasons Brown remains with the Eagles is cap space. Philadelphia takes a $43.4 million dead money salary cap hit if they trade Brown before June 1. That lowers to just over $16 million if the Eagles move Brown after June 1, so Roseman is biding his time. There are a few other veteran players who are trade candidates this week. San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk, Colts defensive back Kenny Moore and quarterback Anthony Richardson are among the group of notable vets who have been dangled in trade rumors this offseason, but have remained put. Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said the team will not trade receiver Quentin Johnston, while star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence became unavailable after the Giants agreed to ship him to the Bengals for the 10th pick in one of the biggest trades of the offseason. So, will any of those players join Lawrence in getting traded this week? Prediction: No Brown trade during the draft, but Aiyuk will be traded by the 49ers. The 49ers voided all the guarantees in Aiyuk’s contract after he refused to rehab his knee injury at the team’s facility last season. Aiyuk wants to reunite with former Arizona State teammate Jayden Daniels in Washington. And with Commanders general manager Adam Peters’ familiarity with Aiyuk from his time in San Francisco, it makes sense for Washington to trade for Aiyuk now and get him into offseason work instead of waiting for his inevitable release. 2. How many receivers will be selected in the first round? While this draft class might not be deep at quarterback and lacks some star names, it's a good year for wide receiver-needy teams. FOX Sports NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang has seven receivers ranked in the top 60 of his 150-player big board. Getting a quality wide receiver on a first-round rookie contract might also be the second-most valuable contract in the sport, behind a quarterback on a first-round rookie contract. The franchise tag of $27.3 million for receivers is No. 2 in the league behind quarterbacks, as that number has continued to grow in recent years. Teams are now paying receivers like Alec Pierce nearly $30 million annually, taking up large portions of their cap space. So, in a draft that is short on blue-chip prospects but loaded with talented receivers with different skill sets, it makes sense to grab a plug-and-play receiver now instead of overpaying in free agency. Prediction: Seven receivers will be selected in the first round, which would tie an NFL record of seven selected in the 2004 draft. That was when the Arizona Cardinals took future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald with the third overall pick. Maybe Arizona can repeat history this year? 1. Where will Ty Simpson land? Much like last year, when Cam Ward was the consensus No. 1 pick and there were some questions about whether a second quarterback would be taken in the first round, this year it’s Mendoza at No. 1 and uncertainty if another signal caller will be selected among the top 32 picks. But if one is taken, it will be Alabama’s Ty Simpson. The Arizona Cardinals pick at No. 3 and had Simpson in for a visit this past week. The Cardinals will not take Simpson at three, but could trade back up at the end of the first round to get the fifth-year option on Simpson. Arizona has not named a starter for the upcoming season. Last year’s starter, Jacoby Brissett, is not attending offseason work in hopes of securing more guaranteed money as the frontrunner to start this season. Simpson fits what new head coach Mike LaFleur wants to do on offense. The Jets at No. 16 could also make sense, but Geno Smith has been brought in to start in New York. Prediction: The Arizona Cardinals trade with the Seattle Seahawks to move up to the end of the first round to select Simpson.]]>
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					<![CDATA[New York Mess: Mets' 11-Game Losing Streak By The Numbers]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/new-york-mess-mets-9-game-losing-streak-numbers</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/new-york-mess-mets-9-game-losing-streak-numbers</guid>
				<category>mlb</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[The New York Mets have lost 11 consecutive games, falling to 7-15. Here's their losing streak by the numbers.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 13:12:12 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[There has been nothing Amazin' about the New York Mets' start to the 2026 MLB season. Not only are the Mets in last place in the National League East, but they've lost 11 consecutive games and have fallen to 7-15 (31.8% winning percentage) on the year — the worst record in the sport. Here's New York's 11-game losing streak (April 8-19) by the numbers: 0: The Mets have been shut out in three of the nine games during this losing streak. 1: Over the past nine days, they've hit three home runs. 2: New York has lost three games with its opponents scoring no more than two runs. 5A: The first five losses in the skid came at home. 5B: Those initial five losses came against two teams that missed the playoffs last season: the Arizona Diamondbacks and Athletics. 6: Luke Weaver, whom the Mets signed to a two-year, $22 million deal in the offseason, has given up six runs over his past four appearances (3 1/3 innings). 6.2: Opponents have scored a combined 62 runs against the Mets over this span (5.6 runs per game). 7: The Mets have scored a combined 10 runs over their past seven games. 13: Right-hander Kodai Senga has been unable to escape the fourth inning in each of his past two starts, surrendering a combined 13 earned runs, 19 baserunners (14 hits and five walks) and four home runs across 5 2/3 innings. 22: The Mets' 11-game losing streak is their worst run in 22 years, with New York losing 11 consecutive games in 2004; they finished 71-91 and were managed by Art Howe in 2004.]]>
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					<![CDATA[What's Next: Giants Get a 'Steal' in Dexter Lawrence Trade, But Can They Replace Him?]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/whats-next-giants-get-steal-dexter-lawrence-trade-can-replace-him</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/whats-next-giants-get-steal-dexter-lawrence-trade-can-replace-him</guid>
				<category>nfl</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Multiple league sources told Ralph Vacchiano that the Giants got a "steal" in the Dexter Lawrence trade. However, they also wonder how good the Giants will be on defense as we learned about Lawrence's final days in New York.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 17:02:23 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[If the Dexter Lawrence trade was the true beginning of the John Harbaugh era, it opened to stellar reviews. The New York Giants’ haul was "huge," "stunning," and "unbelievable," several NFL sources told me. It was widely hailed as a "steal." But as the initial praise of the shocking trade wore down on Saturday night, and everyone began to digest the fact that the Giants traded a three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle in Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 10th overall pick in the draft, those same sources kept asking the same question: "What are the Giants going to do on defense now?" It’s a fair question, with no immediate answer. It’s also why they didn’t really want to make this trade. The Giants could have done this two weeks ago, a source told me, when the Bengals dangled the 10th overall pick almost as soon as Lawrence’s demand to be traded went public. Because as surprised and thrilled as the Giants were to find someone willing to give up a top-10 pick for their disgruntled star, they knew that the deal would leave their defense with a gaping hole. "He’s a top-five defensive tackle in the league, and at his best, he might be the best," one NFC scout told me. "Even in a down year, you see how other teams treat him. They constantly double- or even triple-team him. It doesn’t matter if it’s a run or a pass play either. His presence is the threat." Harbaugh knew that. He had praised the 6-foot-4, 340-pound Lawrence as "not really a cornerstone" of the defense, but "more like the stone." He insisted he needed Lawrence to fix a defense that ranked 28th overall and 31st against the run. So much of the hope and potential is wrapped in the edge-rushing trio of Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter. But even in what was widely considered one of his worst NFL seasons, Lawrence was at least the second-best defensive player on the team, and maybe the most important. That’s why Harbaugh and new Giants vice president Dawn Aponte were working so hard to try to convince Lawrence to stay. They were willing to sweeten his contract a little, a source told me. They also tried to make a direct appeal to Lawrence, but his agent, Joel Segal, insisted that all the talking would be done through him. But their full-court press didn’t work, so they felt they had no choice but to look at that top-10 pick "like a gift," a team source told me, even if it left their defense dangerously thin in the middle of the front. Veteran defensive tackles Roy Robertson-Harris and Sam Roberts aren’t in Lawrence’s class. Neither is D.J. Reader, who was brought in for a visit last week. They are professional, solid veterans who can get the job done. But none of them has Lawrence’s ability to change a game. [Dexter Lawrence Trade Grades: Why Big Move Could Have Huge Payoff for Giants, Bengals] And the team’s pre-deal concerns went deeper than that, too. The Giants are well aware of the public perception that they struggle to keep their own players. Fans are still stung from watching stars like Odell Beckham, Saquon Barkley, Julian Love and Xavier McKinney get shoved out the door, still in their prime, over the last decade. Internally, the Giants attribute that to too much turnover in the front office and with the head coach — too many changes in leadership and philosophy over the last 10 years. But Lawrence felt different to them, especially after general manager Joe Schoen signed the Dave Gettleman first-round pick to a four-year, $90 million deal in 2024. He was popular and valuable, no matter how bad the team struggled. They truly seemed to want him to stay. Lawrence left them with no choice, though. Yes, the Giants could have sucked it up and given him the extra one year and $28 million that the Bengals gave him on Sunday. But a team source told me the 28-year-old never asked for that, leaving the impression that he just didn’t want to be a Giant anymore. He had grown tired of all the losing and didn’t seem willing to give a fourth coach a chance entering his eighth season in the league— not even if that coach was Harbaugh. And with Harbaugh as intent on building a new culture and rebuilding the defense as he is, the last thing he needed was a disgruntled star who wanted to be someplace else. The deal was slightly easier to stomach because there are legitimate questions about what Lawrence still is. His stunning drop to just a half sack last season is often attributed to constant double-teams. But as one scout told me, "You know, he can beat those double teams, too." Meanwhile, there were internal concerns about his weight last season, a source told me, adding, "He’s a great guy, but his unhappiness was clear in everything he did." Still, the Giants understood that as good as the deal was, it wasn’t what was best for them in the short term. There is a league-wide belief that there isn’t likely to be a plug-and-play impact defender available with the 10th pick — if there was, the Bengals surely would’ve kept it. There might not even be a defensive tackle taken in the first round. The Giants will surely take one with their second-round pick (37th). And it seems like a lock one of their two first-rounders — picks No. 5 and 10 — will be used on a defensive player, perhaps Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. The pieces will be there for Harbaugh and new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson to build a defense that at least ranks in the top half of the league. That’s something the Giants did only once in the seven years with Lawrence on their team. So they were bad with him and can be bad without him, and now they at least have a chance to rebuild the defense with younger, fresher, and less expensive bodies. What they replace Lawrence with, though, might not be better. They understood that. That’s why this isn’t something they wanted. It just turned into something they had to do.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Ohio State Spring Game: Freshman Phenom and Veteran Stars Shine]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/freshman-phenom-veteran-stars-shine-ohio-states-spring-game</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/freshman-phenom-veteran-stars-shine-ohio-states-spring-game</guid>
				<category>college-football</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[The Ohio State Buckeyes concluded their annual spring game Saturday, with new faces and returning stars showcasing their talent.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 21:08:26 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Ohio State's impressive 2025 season provided momentum heading into their annual spring game. The defense, freshman wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. and multiple veteran contributors stood out — even in rainy conditions. Head coach Ryan Day split the roster into two separate teams: Scarlet and Gray. The Gray team took home the win, 35-26. Between the returning talent and the debut of their freshman class, the Buckeyes are shaping up to be a dangerous Big Ten competitor. Ryan Day and the Buckeyes finished the season 12-2, falling short of a College Football Playoff run to Miami (Fla.) in the quarterfinals. However, a returning Heisman finalist in quarterback Julian Sayin and superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith will help fuel what's likely to be another powerful Ohio State team. In a higher scoring game, the Buckeyes' offense thrived, but it was the defense that turned heads. Defensive lineman Beau Atkinson stood out early, finishing the day with a sack and interception. Cornerback Devin Sanchez's sole pass breakup against Smith was enough to remind fans of what he's capable of, and he'll be someone to watch this fall. Sayin's first season as Ohio State's starter lived up to the hype, and now has the tools to hit a very high ceiling in Year 2. Sayin's accuracy goes without saying, as he led the nation in completion percentage (77%). The 6-foot-1 signal-caller put his ground game on display, too, scoring a 4-yard rushing touchdown early. The receiving game continues to shine and advance, especially with the addition of five-star Henry. The No. 1-ranked wide receiver in his class was put to the test and did not disappoint. He hauled in four catches for 96 receiving yards, including a 40-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. Alongside Smith, a Biletnikoff finalist last season, the duo's combined yards‑after‑catch ability, route‑running and strength instantly elevate Day’s air-raid offense. Ohio State kicks off the 2026 college football season on Sept. 5 at home in Columbus against Ball State.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Dexter Lawrence Trade Grades: Why Big Move Could Have Huge Payoff for Giants, Bengals]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/dexter-lawrence-trade-grades-why-big-move-could-have-huge-payoff-giants-bengals</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/dexter-lawrence-trade-grades-why-big-move-could-have-huge-payoff-giants-bengals</guid>
				<category>nfl</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[The Giants got great and unexpected value for Dexter Lawrence, while the Bengals took a huge risk that could pay off with a Super Bowl run.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:09:21 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[The New York Giants and Cincinnati Bengals kicked off NFL Draft week with a blockbuster on Saturday night that was as big as it was rare. The Giants traded three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals for the 10th overall pick in this year’s draft. It was the first time a team traded a top-10 pick for a player that wasn’t a quarterback in 21 years, when the Raiders gave up the seventh overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft for Randy Moss. It's also the first time the Bengals have traded a top-10 pick for a player in the common draft era (since 1966), according to ESPN. So was it a fair deal, and how did each team do? Here are the early grades for both teams: New York Giants The 6-foot-4, 340-pound Lawrence was a tremendous player for the Giants for most of his seven seasons. He even had huge value last year, which was generally regarded as his worst in the league. He was often the focus of opposing offensive lines, and the attention he got freed up a lot of room for edge rusher Brian Burns. But Lawrence never appeared to be in shape or motivated last year, and his pass-rushing numbers fell off a cliff — just a half sack after he had nine in 12 games the year before. He’ll be 29 this season, was incredibly unhappy after years of losing New York and wanted a sizeable raise, too. The fact that the Giants got a top-10 pick for a player in that situation, heading towards his third NFL contract, is remarkable — especially considering they didn’t have to give anything else up. And the fact that they got it from the Bengals — a team that historically treats draft picks like they’re gold bullions in Fort Knox — makes the deal even more stunning. Maybe the Giants can’t find a player like Lawrence, but good defensive tackles aren’t a rare commodity. And in the right scheme, with the right players around them, that can be enough. But the grade here isn’t about what the Giants lost, especially considering that if Lawrence finds his happiness and his old form, he’s a top-three defensive tackle. It’s about the return. A top-10 pick for a team starting over with a new coach, trying to rebuild a program, isn’t just gold. It’s platinum. Yes, it matters what the Giants do with the pick. But on paper, they’re now getting two of the 10 best players in this draft. Grade: A- Cincinnati Bengals Maybe the most stunning part of this deal was the fact that the Bengals were involved. Big moves like this just aren’t what they do. No organization has been cheaper, more static or stubborn over the years. But there’s a sense in Cincinnati that the Bengals' Super Bowl window is starting to close, and they didn’t want another year to pass by. So give them credit for going for it all, adding a huge piece to a defensive line that lost Trey Hendrickson in free agency. They have one of the NFL’s best offenses as long as quarterback Joe Burrow and receiver Ja’Marr Chase are healthy. But they’ve struggled because of a terrible defense that was the worst in the league last year. Lawrence won’t change that by himself, but putting him inside the line with B.J. Hill, in a rotation with veteran Jonathan Allen and next to new edge rusher Boye Mafe has the potential to make them a force up front. Even if that line can make the Bengals’ defense mediocre, it could turn them into a playoff team at worst, and a Super Bowl contender at best. The reason they’re not getting more rave reviews for this bold move is the high value (financially and talent-wise) of a top-10 pick. And giving that up is a risk for a player who’s going to be 29, wanted more money (the Bengals had to tack on one year and $28 million to his existing contract), and is coming off a half-sack season that was one of the worst of his career. If that was the start of a decline, the Bengals made a huge miscalculation. But they believe a happy and motivated Lawrence will get in shape and return to his old dominant form. It also helps that, as a source told me, they were convinced that they couldn’t get a ready-to-go impact defensive player with the 10th overall pick of the draft. So they chose to use that pick in the hopes of finding that instant impact. It’s a gamble, but the payoff could be huge. Grade: B-]]>
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					<![CDATA[How INDYCAR drivers navigate the Grand Prix of Long Beach's unique 11-turn track]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/motor/indycar-analysis-james-hinchcliffe-long-beach</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/motor/indycar-analysis-james-hinchcliffe-long-beach</guid>
				<category>motor</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Long Beach has a lot of unique qualities for a street track. Our James Hinchcliffe breaks it all down.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:16:32 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[In Driver's Eye with James Hinchcliffe, the six-time INDYCAR winner will bring you inside the mind of a racer while breaking down the nuts and bolts of the sport for fans. I am itching to get back to the track, and I don't think I'm alone in feeling that way after INDYCAR's two-week break (decidedly not a vacation, though). And what a track we are going to… The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is the fifth stop for INDYCAR this season, and it is easily near the very top of the best race weekends of the year. In Southern California, it’s one of the longest-running races we have, and, after the Indianapolis 500, has to be at the top of the list of races drivers want to win the most. That is in equal parts because of the decades of history, the incredible crowds and atmosphere and the unique challenges of the race track itself. I was fortunate enough to have a lot of success at Long Beach. There, I got my first Indy NXT (then called Indy Lights) pole position and win, my first INDYCAR top-5 finish and podium, and I managed to take the checkered flag back in 2017. That win stands as one of the biggest of my career because of the status that this race holds in motorsports world. That said, let’s talk about what makes this track so much fun for drivers. THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE FAST: LONG BEACH Long Beach has a lot of unique qualities for a street track. Yes, it has walls, bumps and surface changes, which we see on pretty much all street courses. But there are a few standout attributes that make it different — and difficult — from behind the wheel. First, you have a decent amount of elevation for a street course. TV doesn’t always do it justice, but as soon as you head into Turn 4, the track starts to fall down quite a bit. That really affects the balance, as it has a tendency to make the front end wash out and lose grip, which pushes you closer and closer to the exit wall. We normally see a lot of drivers brush — or smash — the exit wall there. If you survive that, then you’re dealing with a quick change as the track shoots uphill on the brake zone for Turn 5, which totally changes how you approach that corner. Obviously, going uphill means the car stops faster for the same brake pressure (thanks, gravity!), so you have to recalibrate your brain a bit to make sure you get the braking just right. If uphill makes the car stop faster, you guessed it, downhill makes the car harder to slow down! Welcome to Turn 6. The track goes downhill aggressively on the entry, which means it is so easy to carry too much speed and end up very wide, or worse, in the run-off. Then mid-corner, it climbs again as you’re getting to power before falling away again on the entry to the next corner, Turn 8. Bit of a roller-coaster feeling in that section of track. Next, this track has a few important curb strikes — literally, purposely, hitting the curb — that are key for faster lap times. When you think of tracks like the streets of St. Petersburg or Arlington, the curbs are either painted on the track — so not an issue to drive over — or so big you can’t even think of touching them in an Indy car. Long Beach has two curb-strike opportunities, Turn 1 and Turn 5, that you can really use to pick up speed. Turn 5 is especially critical to nail. Too little curb means you don’t get the car turned enough and risk hitting the outside wall. But too much curb and the car bottoms out, lifts the front wheels off the ground and… you risk hitting the outside wall! It’s tough to be consistently fast through there, especially on cold or old tires. And finally, the geometry of the corners themselves stand out. Many street tracks feature a lot of 90- and 180-degree corners because you are pretty restricted by the literal streets you’re driving on, which tend to be straight roads. But Long Beach has a unique curved front straightaway and some great corners — like the 2-3 complex, Turn 6 and Turn 10 — that are unlike any other corners on the calendar. Oh, and let’s not forget the famous hairpin, Turn 11. It is the slowest corner of the entire season — slower than pit lane speed — at around 30 miles an hour. And it feels terrible. Indy cars are not designed to go 30. They are designed to go 230! So getting through one of the most iconic corners of the year is so tough and not friendly behind the wheel of one of these beasts. SOUND LIKE AN INDYCAR EXPERT On Sundays on the broadcast, you always hear us talking about the push-to-pass system — as long as we are on a road or street track, because we don’t use it on ovals! At a place like Long Beach, where passing is at a premium, there are a few different ways you can use this tool to help your race. The most obvious one is using it to make a pass. The run out of Turn 11, along Shoreline Drive, is the best place to use it and set up a pass into the first turn. But you have to be careful because you only get 200 seconds, and that’s a long run down the front straight. Get a little too eager, and you might not have enough left for the other times in a race where you need it. For instance, you might need some seconds banked to play defense when a car gets a good run on you or during your in-and-out laps of a green-flag pit stop. The time — and, as a result, positions on the track — you can gain back by having strong in-and-out laps is huge, so drivers will often spend a whole lap spraying the P2P on their way into the pits, and then again on the out lap to get back up to speed. But you don’t want to burn it all on the last pit stop of the day, just in case you have a late restart and need some to attack or defend before the checkered flag. Showing discipline on the button is harder than it looks, but it’s crucial. We’ve talked about the when and why of P2P, but let me quickly touch on the how. We say it a lot, we know it gives you a boost, but what is really happening to these 2.2-liter, twin-turbo V6s when a driver pushes the button? The extra power comes from two different areas. First, the rev limit goes up. Under normal conditions, the engines are limited to 12,000 rpm, which is already pretty impressive. Typical street cars don’t go much higher than 5,000 rpm most of the time! But on the P2P button, that limit goes up to 12,200 rpm. Might not sound like much, but every rev counts when you’re racing a stopwatch. To help get it up to that limit faster, the on-board computer that controls the engine, called the ECU, allows the amount of boost pressure from the turbocharged engine to sneak up ever so slightly. It delivers a rev increase and roughly 10% extra in boost pressure, which simply means more power from the turbocharger. These two things combined give the driver about 50 extra horsepower to play with. Your heart wants to hit it every lap! But your brain knows it will run out fast and that’s not the best way to win the race. 1 FOR THE ROAD I hate that we are doing this again, but I have to sign off this week by taking a moment to remember Jim Michaelian, the president and CEO of the Grand Prix of Long Beach. He died last month at 83 years old, but his impact will endure. Jim was due to oversee his last race this year, something he had done as president since 2001, at an event he had helped build for more than 50 years. So much of what makes this race so special — to the teams, drivers, fans and people of Long Beach — was because of the heart and soul that Jim put into this race. His legacy of creating the greatest street race on the continent will be remembered forever. Thank you, Jim. MORE DRIVER'S EYE:]]>
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					<![CDATA[LIV Golf Mexico City: Jon Rahm, Legion XIII Sweep Individual, Team Titles]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/golf/liv-golf-mexico-city-jon-rahm-legion-xiii-sweep-individual-team-titles</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/golf/liv-golf-mexico-city-jon-rahm-legion-xiii-sweep-individual-team-titles</guid>
				<category>golf</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Jon Rahm finished at 21 under at Club de Golf Chapultepec to secure a commanding six-shot victory at LIV Golf Mexico City.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 20:00:54 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Jon Rahm entered Sunday with the lead and a familiar challenger by his side. By day’s end, he left no doubt. The Legion XIII captain closed with a dominant 7-under 64 at Club de Golf Chapultepec, finishing at 21 under to secure a commanding six-shot victory at LIV Golf Mexico City. For the week, Rahm delivered four rounds in the 60s and steadily pulled away from the field. Paired in the final group with teammate Tyrrell Hatton — the first time the Ryder Cup duo had shared a final group on LIV Golf — Rahm quickly took control and never looked back. Behind him, a pair of fellow Arizona State Sun Devils products made a charge to round out the podium. David Puig finished solo second at 15 under after a closing 5-under 66, capping a strong week that included a third-round 62, one shy of the course record. Puig briefly threatened to make things interesting on the back nine. "Obviously, I still think I had my chances, right, even with how good he started," Puig said. "I was 6 under after 10, three back … If I birdie 11 and 12 — I’m pretty much chipping on 11, and 12 is reachable — I definitely had my chances." Ultimately, he was unable to capitalize on those key opportunities, leaving Rahm with too much breathing room down the stretch. Josele Ballester continued his impressive run with a final-round 67 to finish solo third at 14 under. Ballester was among the most consistent drivers of the week, leading the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and repeatedly setting up scoring opportunities. Further back, Scott Vincent finished solo fourth at 12 under in his HyFlyers GC debut, while a five-way tie for fifth at 11 under included Branden Grace, Thomas Detry, Tyrrell Hatton, Tom McKibbin and Matthew Wolff. Hatton, who started the day two shots back, struggled to a final-round 1-over 72, while McKibbin added another steady performance to cap a strong week for Legion XIII. In the team competition, Legion XIII completed a wire-to-wire victory in emphatic fashion, finishing at 45 under and securing the 9-shot victory. Led by Rahm, the team’s consistency across all four players proved overwhelming, as they maintained separation from the field throughout the week. Fireballs GC, powered by Puig and Ballester, secured second at 36 under, while Southern Guards GC finished third at 26 under. Torque GC climbed to fourth at 22 under, with HyFlyers GC rounding out the top five at 17-under. This piece is courtesy of Mike McAllister in partnership with LIV Golf.]]>
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					<![CDATA[Neymar Endorses Lamine Yamal for Future Ballon d'Or, Champions League Double]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/neymar-endorses-lamine-yamal-future-ballon-dor-champions-league-double</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/soccer/neymar-endorses-lamine-yamal-future-ballon-dor-champions-league-double</guid>
				<category>soccer</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[Lamine Yamal's performance in Barcelona's latest Champions League campaign left a lasting impression on one of the club's former greats.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 16:48:49 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[Barcelona's Champions League campaign may have ended in heartbreak against Atlético Madrid, but the performance of Lamine Yamal left a lasting impression on one of the club's former greats, Neymar. Despite the disappointment of exiting the competition at the quarter-final stage, Yamal's emergence as a genuine leader at the age of just 18 has convinced many that he is the heir to the throne at Camp Nou. A legendary endorsement for a rising star The teenager, who has frequently cited Neymar as one of his footballing idols, received a glowing review from Neymar. The Santos forward has rarely been as direct about a young player as he was when speaking about Yamal recently, branding the Barcelona wonderkid's rise as "unreal." Neymar was no stranger to the pressure of being a teenage prodigy himself, has been watching Yamal's development closely and thinks the Spaniard is destined for the very top of the podium. The Brazilian icon, who paved his own legendary path at Camp Nou, believes the teenager is destined for the very top of the game. Neymar puts Yamal in the Messi category Neymar did not hold back when discussing the potential of the La Masia graduate, placing him alongside the most illustrious names in the history of the club. Speaking via Fabrizio Romano, the Brazilian expressed his awe at what the youngster is currently achieving on the pitch. "I truly believe Lamine is one of the greatest teenage sensations [that] football’s ever seen," Neymar said. "There was Leo Messi, there was me — but what this kid is doing at 18 years old is simply something unreal." Sympathy after Champions League heartbreak Neymar admitted he felt for the youngster, who was visibly devastated after the final whistle in the match against Atlético, despite individual displays that nearly sparked a famous comeback for Hansi Flick’s side. Yamal’s ability to take responsibility in the biggest games has become a hallmark of his season, much to the admiration of the global footballing community. "I felt for him when he got knocked out of the Champions League," Neymar added. "Lamine gave everything, he even sparked the comeback. But this is football, anything can happen." Ballon d'Or and European glory on the horizon The Brazilian superstar is convinced that individual and collective trophies are a matter of 'when' rather than 'if' for Yamal. Neymar is already looking ahead to the next campaign, where he expects the winger to reach even greater heights on the European stage. "His time is coming! I hope he wins the Champions League next year… and why not the Ballon d’Or too? He’s so special. One of those players I’ll always be rooting for, for sure," Neymar concluded.]]>
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					<![CDATA[2026 NFL Draft: Meet the Potential Sleeper Pick in This Year’s QB Class]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/ndsu-cole-payton-sleeper-qb-pick-2026-draft-class</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/ndsu-cole-payton-sleeper-qb-pick-2026-draft-class</guid>
				<category>nfl</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[QB Cole Payton was a one-year starter at North Dakota State, but he just may have the size and athleticism to be a dual threat in the NFL.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:40:08 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[We all know Indiana's Fernando Mendoza will be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Alabama's Ty Simpson might join him in the first round. But the national draft discussion has focused almost exclusively on those two quarterbacks, leading many to instantly write off the other QBs in this year's class. That overlooks an intriguing and largely unproven prospect in North Dakota State's Cole Payton, a dual-threat quarterback with more touchdowns rushing than passing. The 6-foot-3, 232-pound left-hander had only one year as a college starter, but his plus size and athleticism might mean he gets picked sooner than you think. "We're thinking Day 2," Payton told me by phone last week, referencing the second or third round of the draft. "Obviously, there are some teams that have higher grades on you, some teams that have lower grades on you, so you really never know at the end of the day. But that's what we're planning on. ... This has been a blast. It's what you dream about as a kid." North Dakota State is a small-school powerhouse, with two FBS national titles in the past five years, and it's been a surprising pipeline for quarterbacks in the draft. Over the past decade, only three colleges have had four or more quarterbacks drafted, and when Simpson and Payton are selected, Alabama and NDSU will join Ohio State with five since 2016, the most of any college. Payton wants to follow the path that Carson Wentz (2016), Easton Stick (2019), Trey Lance (2021) and Cam Miller (2025) paved, as all are still on NFL rosters. "It's a big reason I came to NDSU and stuck it out," Payton said. "To be a part of that pipeline here at NDSU, it's been really cool." Payton was a backup to Miller for four seasons with the Bison, played in special packages in 2023, rushing 84 times and scoring 13 touchdowns. At a time when few college quarterbacks stay long as a backup, Payton said he never had serious thoughts of transferring. "It's not like schools were knocking at the door," he admitted. But Payton was patient. He didn't get to be a starter until 2025, when he led NDSU to a 12-1 record and completed 72% of his passes, throwing for 2,719 yards and 16 touchdowns against four interceptions. He finished third in voting for the Walter Payton Award, given to the top offensive player in FBS. "It's always been what I've been working for and preparing for, even as a backup quarterback," Payton said. "I knew I had one shot, and I don't know if it's hit me yet, but I expected to be here, to be honest. It's pretty cool." While Payton's stats might not jump off the page, some in the NFL rate him highly. "He’s the best dual-threat quarterback in the draft," a scout recently told our Ralph Vacchiano and Eric D. Williams. "He might need three years to develop. But have you seen some of the backups in this league? This kid might be worth the time." Still, Payton's limited time as a starter will be a concern for many NFL teams. Of the eight quarterbacks ranked in FOX Sports draft analyst Rob Rang's top 150 prospects list, six of them threw at least 1,000 passes in college. The lone exceptions are Simpson, who had 523 as a one-year starter at Alabama, and Payton, who had just 282 in his five years at NDSU. "You can kind of flip the script on them, because there's guys who have started 50 games in college that don't have success in the league," Payton said. "I don't think that's the one thing you should be able to point out. Every case is different, every story's different. It's a knock because you want to have more starts, but I can't do anything about that. I'll be as prepared as possible and continue to make the most of the opportunities I'm given, even with the lack of starts." NDSU head coach Tim Polasek said scouts hadn't looked at Payton as an NFL quarterback until midway through last season. Prior to that, teams were looking at him to potentially play another position on offense or even become a special-teams player at the next level, according to Polasek. Payton's ability to run a complex pro-style offense as well as he did last season had scouts seeing his potential as a pro passer, even with limited starting experience. Polasek can remember when Wentz was questioned because he had only 23 college starts, but he's now in his 10th NFL season with 100 career pro starts. "Cole is a big, explosive guy. That's just the bottom line," Polasek said. "He's not afraid of physicality. There's a foundation laid down in special teams from skills and drills, from a fundamentals and technique standpoint that he's really comfortable with if that ever does come up for him in his career." Former NDSU quarterbacks coach Randy Hedberg said Payton grew throughout his time in college, learning even when he wasn't getting on the field, and his physical abilities are matched by his knowledge and awareness as a passer. "He's got tremendous power in his lower half," Hedberg said. "He has great arm strength and he's able to layer the ball in the second and third levels, which he's worked on. He just kept getting better and better. He's been a winner since high school, won a state championship his senior year in Nebraska at Omaha West High School." Payton helped himself with a solid week at the Senior Bowl, throwing for 72 yards and rushing for another 22 as one of the better quarterbacks in the showcase game. "I get that stigma of being the smaller-school kid, but at the Senior Bowl, I'm against guys wearing Alabama helmets, Georgia helmets, Ohio State helmets, and succeeding, kind of proving that stigma wrong," Payton said. "It's been cool to get to know some of those guys and build relationships with other prospects around the country. It's given me a lot of confidence in my abilities." At the combine, Payton's measurables were impressive, running the 40 in 4.56 seconds and recording a 40-inch vertical leap. He'd never run track, so working with speed coaches this spring to improve his form as a sprinter helped him hit a great time for his size. He's also made it a priority to develop as a passer, to show he can make it in the NFL with his arm and not just his legs. "To continue to prove that I'm a quarterback," Payton said. "I'm able to throw from the pocket, I'm able to make all the throws. That's been the focus." A longtime NFL scout told Vacchiano and Williams that although Payton's experience is limited, his potential will make him a compelling draft pick. "I think he has an upside to him," the scout said. "He can drive the ball down the field. [He’s got] poise and calmness in the pocket and in his play. He’s good rolling out left with accuracy. He can extend plays, a good scrambler. He’s a strong, up-field runner with contact power. And he’s nifty and shifty as a runner." An assistant general manager, meanwhile, made an even bolder claim about Payton. "If he played at almost any [FBS] school, we’d all have him rated higher than Ty Simpson," the assistant GM told Vacchiano and Williams. Payton will be back home in Omaha, Nebraska, for the draft, and he's had official visits with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts and other private workouts. His unique skill set as a passer and runner — as an athlete — means he could play on special teams as a backup quarterback, as he did at NDSU. Some have compared him to the New Orleans Saints' versatile Taysom Hill, who has played quarterback, receiver, tight end and special teams during his nine NFL seasons. Asked if there's an NFL quarterback he models himself after as a passer who can also run, Payton chooses one of the league's best at doing both. "I love watching Josh Allen, the way he plays the game," Payton said. "He's able to make every single throw with a heck of an arm, but he's able to create and extend plays with his legs. He's big and strong, he's going over people and through people, so I like to model my game after Josh Allen."]]>
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					<![CDATA[NCAA Tourney Star Braylon Mullins Opts To Stay at UConn, Chase National Title]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/ncaa-tourney-star-braylon-mullins-decides-to-chase-national-title-at-uconn-instead-of-heading-to-nba</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-basketball/ncaa-tourney-star-braylon-mullins-decides-to-chase-national-title-at-uconn-instead-of-heading-to-nba</guid>
				<category>college-basketball</category>
				<description>
				    <![CDATA[NCAA Tournament star Braylon Mullins will stick around for one more season at UConn in hopes of winning a national championship.]]>
				</description>
				<pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:30:01 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[NCAA Tournament star Braylon Mullins will stick around for one more season at UConn in hopes of winning a national championship instead of heading straight to the NBA. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard made his announcement Saturday on his Instagram account with highlight clips of his biggest shots and the words "unfinished business." Mullins was projected to be a first-round pick. The 2025 IndyStar Indiana Mr. Basketball Award winner became a national sensation when he made a 35-footer with 0.4 seconds left to cap UConn's incredible comeback to beat top-seeded Duke 73-72 to win the East Region title, sending the Huskies to their third Final Four in four years. He had been a key player for the Huskies once he returned from an ankle injury that kept him out of UConn's first six games. He was fourth on the team in scoring at 12.0 points per game and also averaged 3.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.0 steals. He finished third on the team with 72 3-pointers, five behind Alex Karaban, who played in all 40 games, and Solo Ball, who played in 39. [2026 NBA Draft Declarations Tracker] Mullins scored 15 points in a victory over Illinois before finishing with 11 in the national championship game loss to Michigan — with both games being played about a 30-minute drive from his alma mater, Greenfield-Central High School. Reporting by The Associated Press.]]>
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					<![CDATA[2026 NFL Draft Rumors: Where Will Ty Simpson Land? Chiefs Moving Up?]]>
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				<link>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2026-nfl-draft-rumors-news-tracker</link>
				<guid>https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2026-nfl-draft-rumors-news-tracker</guid>
				<category>nfl</category>
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				    <![CDATA[Here are all the latest 2026 NFL Draft rumors.]]>
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				<pubDate>Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:00:13 -0400</pubDate>
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				    <![CDATA[The NFL Draft is a beast. Rumors flying all over the place. Trade talk concerning players across the sport, which could involve draft picks in the coming draft. We need a place to store this buzz. With that, here's a tracker for the latest 2026 NFL Draft rumors: Kansas City Chiefs positioning for draft-day blockbuster? The Kansas City Chiefs could be positioning themselves for a draft-day trade, potentially moving up from the No. 9 overall pick. The Chiefs have discussed a possible trade-up with both the Cardinals at No. 3 and the Tennessee Titans at No. 4, per ESPN. A potential trade-up would likely signal the Chiefs are targeting a pass rusher, a position they’ve been strongly linked to throughout the offseason. The most commonly connected prospects are Texas Tech's David Bailey and Miami (Fla.)'s Rueben Bain Jr. Both the Cardinals and Titans have frequently been mentioned as potential trade-back candidates throughout the draft process, as each roster remains in a rebuild. With the Chiefs holding picks No. 9 and No. 29 in the first round, they are viewed as a logical candidate to explore a move into the top five on draft night. Those moves resulted in the selections of wide receiver Xavier Worthy (2024), cornerback Trent McDuffie (2022) and quarterback Patrick Mahomes (2017). If history is any indication, Kansas City won’t hesitate to move up again if the right player is within reach. Would the Jets consider moving Garrett Wilson on draft night? The New York Jets are expected to be among the most active teams on Day 1 of the NFL Draft, holding both the No. 2 and No. 16 overall picks. A potential trade involving wide receiver Garrett Wilson could be in play, with multiple teams expected to check in on his availability, per Yahoo Sports. Wilson, 25, is coming off an injury-affected season in which he appeared in just eight games for the Jets. He recorded 36 receptions for 395 yards and four touchdowns before being placed on injured reserve after aggravating a right knee sprain. The Jets have been firmly invested in Wilson long-term after signing him to a four-year, $130 million extension last offseason with $90 million guaranteed. Still, general manager Darren Mougey could be willing to listen if teams come with a strong enough offer, especially with New York positioned to shape the top of the draft board. Chiefs GM Brett Veach anticipates "a lot" of trades in the first round Not only are the Chiefs exploring a potential draft-night trade-up, but Veach also expects a busy first round with plenty of movement. During his pre-draft media availability, he said it could be an "entertaining" night given the lack of multiple franchise-caliber quarterbacks and other high-end blue-chip prospects at the top of the board. Veach also added how it could naturally fuel more trade activity across the league as teams look to maneuver for value. "I think it should be an entertaining night and there will probably be a lot of trades and that's what I think with a draft like this, when you don't have two or three franchise quarterbacks and a Will Anderson Jr. or a Myles Garrett, it does lend itself to open up to a lot of fun and a lot of excitement. From a fan's perspective, they should have a lot of fun next Thursday." Not only is the lack of blue-chip prospects a factor, but Veach also believes the variance in team evaluations could shape how the first round unfolds. When it comes to this year’s class, differences in grading may come down less to pure talent and more to a scheme that fits team-specific needs. "I think that the fans will be in for a treat next Thursday because I think some of the grades are going to be close for some of these tackles, D-ends and other receivers," Veach said. "That a lot of these guys that are mocked high may go a little low and a lot of these guys that are getting mocked lower may go a little higher because they're so close this year and it's not this huge gap and big fall off. Even with the offensive linemen, there's traits that you like and there's some things all these guys need to clean up and work on, but I think that the grades are so close that it'll come down to the scheme fit, the coach's analysis, the vision [and] the fit for these guys." Ty Simpson a first-rounder? The Alabama quarterback is gaining traction to be selected in the first round, per CBS Sports. After serving as a backup for three seasons (2022-24), Simpson was Alabama's starter for the 2025 season. He totaled 3,567 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, five interceptions and a 145.2 passer rating, while completing 64.5% of his passes that season. Simpson's Tide reached the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff before losing to Indiana. Most likely New York Jets pick The Jets, who own the No. 2 and 16 picks in the first round, are expected to select either Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese or Texas Tech linebacker David Bailey with the second pick, per CBS Sports. Last season, Reese logged 6.5 sacks, two passes defended and 69 combined tackles, while earning All-American honors; Bailey, who spent the first three seasons of his collegiate career playing for Stanford, racked up a Big 12-high 14.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, three passes defended and 52 combined tackles in 2025. Jeremiyah Love to the desert? There has been "significant buzz" surrounding the Arizona Cardinals selecting the Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back with the No. 3 pick, per SNY. Love, who finished third in the voting for the 2025 Heisman Trophy Award, rushed for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns on 6.9 yards per carry last season, while tallying 280 receiving yards and three receiving scores. He rushed for 17.5 touchdowns per season from 2024 to 2025 on a combined 6.9 yards per carry.]]>
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