Thursday night was supposed to be one of joy and merriment for the Rams.
Armed with arguably the best roster in football and viewed as legitimate Super Bowl contenders, having the 13th overall pick in the NFL draft presented LA with a unique opportunity.
They had the ability to draft an instant impact player, one who could bolster their case of ending the upcoming season with confetti falling around them at SoFi Stadium while holding the Lombardi Trophy.
University of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson celebrates after being picked by the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft at the Draft Theater, outside Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, April 23, 2026. (Mandatory Credit: Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI/Shutterstock) Archie Carpenter/UPI/Shutterstock
While the move was confounding at best, Snead tried his best to sound optimistic when speaking with the media late Thursday night.
“I think it’s been a process that started in the offseason, per se, especially when [head coach] Sean [McVay] and the coaching staff got involved,” Snead said when asked when they knew Alabama QB Ty Simpson was their selection. “That process goes all the way up until even into the latter parts of last week. Then at that point in time, like I’ve mentioned here, the sea is going to shape the 13th pick you. You had to fall.”
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay watches from the sideline during the second half of the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) AP
However, one person didn’t appear as optimistic as Snead: head coach Sean McVay.
In a video that’s now gone viral, McVay showed shockingly little enthusiasm when discussing Simpson. He seemed annoyed for most of the press conference, rarely smiling and lacking the normal zeal and passion he usually speaks with.
But, there was one thing McVay made sure everyone in attendance knew: this is still reigning MVP Matthew Stafford’s team.
“There were a lot of players that we liked but when you do look at it, I think the thing you liked about the body of work is…let’s make one thing clear, this is Matthew’s team.
Time will tell if Simpson was the correct choice — but if anything is assumed as of now — it’s that not everyone is a believer.
Former Denver Broncos running back Montee Ball points to the crowd as he walks to the podium to announce the team’s selection with the 60th overall pick during the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday, April 25, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The draft runs through April 26. Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin | Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Good morning, Broncos Country. The 2026 NFL Draft kicks off tonight in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It’s been a long offseason, but the most fun part about it is finally upon us. The next few days should bring a lot of excitement for fans.
Unfortunately, our beloved Denver Broncos aren’t scheduled to pick tonight, but having Jaylen Waddle in the fold to bolster their offense for the 2026 season was a good move to make. That being said, here are a few storylines I will be watching closely tonight and over the next few days.
All eyes on the competition in the AFC West
With the Broncos not having a pick until the second round, I’ll be keeping a close eye on what happens with the rest of the teams in the AFC West. It’s a tough division already, but a bunch of talent is going to be added into the fold by Denver’s competitors over the next few days.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the heavy favorite to be the top pick for the Las Vegas Raiders tonight to kickoff the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza will join Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers to help turn around the division’s bottom-dwelling franchise. Overall, they have 10 selections with six of them being in the top four rounds. That’s a lot of draft capital to help get things going in the right direction.
Truth be told, the Raiders have a ways to go before being a formidable competitor. Though this draft could wind up being their most important in recent memory and prove to be transformative if they can hit big with their large slate of picks. I’m very interested to see how Klint Kubiak and the new regime tackle their first draft together.
The Kansas City Chiefs have two first round selections at #9 and #29 and five in the Top 110. The Chiefs are poised to make a splash and could wind up with several impact players early on. That’s not the news Broncos Country wants to hear, but that’s a potential reality we have to accept. I’m guessing they will try and nab one of the best cornerbacks or edge rushers to shore up their defense, but with ample draft ammunition, they could surprise and make a big trade or two and move into the Top 5 for a premier prospect.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers have just five selections. However, they have all their original picks in the Top 125. Finding an edge rusher seems like a good option in the first round for the Chargers. They could certainly use some help there given the age of Khalil Mack. Adding some beef up front to their offensive and defensive trenches seems like a strong possibility too.
The @Raiders aren’t “a year away” anymore.
⁰They’re a QB + OL away from flipping the entire AFC West narrative.
What will John Harbaugh and the Giants do with two Top 10 picks?
John Harbaugh was tapped to revitalize the Giants and turn them back into a playoff contender. They made a lot of moves this offseason, but none was bigger than what happened the other day. They took the NFL by storm, trading defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Cincinnati Bengals for the tenth overall selection.
Coupled with their fifth pick, Harbaugh and the Giants have the chance to turn things around in short order if they can get a few blue chip prospects. Several prospects consistently marked to them are linebacker Sonny Styles Jr. and safety Caleb Downs from Ohio State. They would certainly help out their defense which was one of the worst in the league last season.
Even so, I really think they may be hoping Jeremiyah Love falls to them. He’s arguably the best offensive player and playmaker in the draft–and would definitely make life a lot easier for second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart. Though it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them trade down from the tenth pick and try to accumulate more selections. They don’t have a third-round pick and it’s possible they won’t want to wait between 37 and 105 to add another player to a roster that desperately needs talent across the board.
How will the first-round events impact Denver’s second-round draft board and plans?
The Broncos aren’t scheduled to pick until the 62nd overall selection in the second round. A lot of talent will be off the board by then, but I’m still optimistic things will fall rather favorably for Denver. At least, I hope it does. The franchise done a good job finding talented players at the end of the second round the past few drafts with Nik Bonitto, Marvin Mims Jr., and RJ Harvey.
I’m hoping to see a bunch of edge rushers, wide receivers, and offensive lineman go in the first round. That would definitely help some targets at bigger positions of needs potentially fall to them in the second round. If that happens, I would not be the least bit surprised if General Manager George Paton and Head Coach Sean Payton were a bit more aggressive with their draft plans.
During their pre-draft press conference, Paton had noted they felt really comfortable in the 45 to 75 area when it comes to draft talent. If things go favorably for Denver in round one, I think there is a good shot they move up the board in Round 2 to get one of their most coveted players that can address a long-term need for the franchise.
How about you, Broncos Country? What storylines are you keeping close tabs on over the next few days? Let me know in the comments section.
As always, thank you for reading. Here is today’s slate of articles for Horse Tracks.
A former Met helped play the role of peacemaker between Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan, Sir Charles said during a radio appearance Wednesday on a Chicago sports talk station.
Vince Coleman, who played three seasons from 1991 to 1993 in Queens, brokered the truce when he randomly called Barkley while with Jordan, putting the two on the phone together.
Ironically, Barkley told this story while appearing on ESPN Chicago’s “Waddle & Silvy” show, the very same radio program on which he made his critical comments about Jordan’s ownership of the then-Charlotte Bobcats.
Charles Barkley laughs at a foul call with Bulls guard Michael Jordan during the first half of the Bulls’ win over the Suns on Jan. 28, 1996 at the United Center in Chicago. AFP via Getty Images
“It’s interesting,” Barkley said on the show Wednesday, according to The Athletic. “I was just chillin’ at the house last week, and one of my good friends is Vince Coleman, the great baseball player. When we answer the phone, we (jokingly) say some unkind words to each other … he says, ‘Yo, I’m down here at The Grove. I’m sick of you and MJ’s BS. He’s right here. Y’all need to talk.’ And we had a conversation, but Vince Coleman’s the person who’s responsible. We [Barkley and Jordan] talked for a couple minutes. He said, ‘Man, let’s get together and play golf.
“And as soon as I get a break, we’re gonna fly down there and spend a couple days playing golf.’”
Former Major Leaguer Vince Coleman reacts at T-Mobile Park on July 7, 2023 in Seattle. Getty Images
The comments Barkley made in 2012 fractured his friendship with Jordan when he said on the show that he loves Jordan, “but he has not done a good job” when discussing the NBA legends’ ownership of the Bobcats.
Barkley recently revealed on Chris Russo’s Mad Dog Unleashed on SiriusXM on Friday that he and Jordan had talked and that they’re going to play golf after the NBA season.
The NBA commentator added on Wednesday that “we’ll be fine.”
“I tell people it’s not like we’re Prince Harry and Prince William, who hate each other. Honestly, I think we both missed each other, because we’ve had this conversation with other friends, and we’re both too stubborn to pick up the phone, to be honest with you. But I think both parties missed each other a great deal,” he said.
Shedeur Sanders, quarterback, watches as Coach Todd Monken speaks on the radio during a 7 on 7 training session at the Browns mini camp in Berea on April 21, 2026. | Lisa Scalfaro / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
We are one day away from the start of the 2026 NFL draft, which could be the perfect time to watch “Draft Day.” Is that a love or hate kind of movie for you? tmartin5785 asks you to join DBN’s Feed conversation about it:
Cleveland Browns 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft (OBR) “This Cleveland Browns 2026 mock draft features the Browns picking up some extra picks while bolstering their offensive line, adding some receiving weapons,…“
Cleveland Browns: Was Paul DePodesta destined to fail? (Yahoo Sports) “CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 17, 2017: Chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta of the Cleveland Browns stands on the field prior to a game on December 17,…”
FOXBOROUGH, MA - JUNE 12: New England Patriots running back Terrell Jennings (29) and cornerback Christian Gonzalez (0) walk onto the field during New England Patriots Minicamp on June 12, 2024, at The Patriots practice facility at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The New England Patriots are back in Foxborough for their 2026 offseason workout program. On Monday, the first session took place at their brand-new training facility and enjoyed some exemplary attendance.
Given the limited information available, a full roll call is not possible. However, material shared by the Patriots on their website and social media channels indicates that at least 62 players checked into Gillette Stadium for Monday’s voluntary workout. The actual number might be even higher, meaning that a significant portion of the 71 currently-rostered men was present.
Among the participants on Day 1 were the usual suspects such as quarterback Drake Maye, tight end Hunter Henry, edge Harold Landry and linebacker Robert Spillane. Also present were cornerback Christian Gonzalez and fullback Jack Westover; the former is still in talks about a longterm contract extension with the team, while the latter participated despite not yet having officially signed his exclusive rights tender, a move that very much is a formality at this point.
All in all, the group accounted for includes most of the Patriots’ starters, team leaders and free agency signings. Here they are listed by position:
QB Drake Maye
QB Tommy DeVito
RB Rhamondre Stevenson
RB TreVeyon Henderson
RB Terrell Jennings
RB Lan Larison
FB Reggie Gilliam
FB/TE Jack Westover
FB Brock Lampe
WR Romeo Doubs
WR Mack Hollins
WR DeMario Douglas
WR Kyle Williams
WR Efton Chism III
TE Hunter Henry
TE Julian Hill
TE Marshall Lang
TE C.J. Dippre
OT Will Campbell
OT Morgan Moses
OT James Hudson III
OT Marcus Bryant
OT Lorenz Metz
G Alijah Vera-Tucker
C Jared Wilson
OL Ben Brown
OL Caedan Wallace
OL Andrew Rupcich
OL Mehki Butler
DT Milton Williams
DT Christian Barmore
DT Cory Durden
DT Joshua Farmer
DT Eric Gregory
DT Leonard Taylor III
DT Jeremiah Pharms Jr.
ED Harold Landry III
ED Dre’Mont Jones
ED Elijah Ponder
ED Bradyn Swinson
ED Jesse Luketa
LB Robert Spillane
LB Christian Elliss
LB K.J. Britt
LB Chad Muma
LB Otis Reese
LB Amari Gainer
CB Christian Gonzalez
CB Charles Woods
CB Kindle Vildor
CB Marcellas Dial Jr.
CB Kobee Minor
CB Brandon Crossley
S Kevin Byard
S Craig Woodson
S Dell Pettus
S Brenden Schooler
S Mike Brown
K Andy Borregales
P Bryce Baringer
LS Julian Ashby
LS Niko Lalos
Not among the players spotted is wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, who is the subject of trade rumors for a second straight offseason. Boutte shared a photo on social media on Monday of him supposedly being on a beach in Miami.
The initial phase of offseason workouts runs for two weeks and is being led by Patriots director of sports performance Frank Piraino as well as strength and conditioning coaches Deron Mayo, Brandon Martuccio and Brian McDonough. The focus at this point in the process lies exclusively on strength and conditioning work.
After Phase 1 is over, the Patriots will gradually build up toward their mandatory minicamp, which will conclude their offseason program in mid-June. The team announced its full offseason workout schedule earlier this month.
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 01: DB Daylen Everette #6 of the Georgia Bulldogs signals during the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal game between the Ole Miss Rebels and the Georgia Bulldogs on Thursday January 1, 2026 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Nick Tre. Smith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The 2026 NFL Draft is less than 10 days away as the New England Patriots continue the process of finishing their board. Things will look quite different for the team this draft picking 31st overall after back-to-back years selecting in the top-five. Cornerback is not expected to be a major need as New England returns their top starters, but they could look to add late-round depth even though Eliot Wolf noted the secondary is not a strength of this class.
So, with that said, let’s take a look at some of the prospects that might make sense for the Patriots at the position.
Patriots’ current cornerback situation
Christian Gonzalez remains without a long-term extension as of today, but the star 24-year-old corner is still under contract and will be leading the Patriots secondary next season. Gonzalez will team back up with Carlton Davis and Marcus Jones, a talented trio who New England leaned on in their run to the Super Bowl.
The depth behind the top three remains a larger question. After being claimed on waivers after roster cutdown day last summer, Charles Woods worked his way into the rotation as the third boundary cornerback and a key special teamer. Woods held his own when called upon for injury relief and currently projects as the team’s fourth cornerback
Mr. Irrelevant Kobee Minor and 2024 sixth-round pick Marcellas Dial Jr., who missed all of last year with a torn ACL, will factor into the depth equation, while the Patriots signed Kindle Vildor in free agency. Brandon Crossley also remains on the roster and being on-and-off the practice squad in his rookie year.
Patriots NFL Draft fits at cornerback
Daylen Everette (Georgia): A former five-star recruit and three-year starter for the Bulldogs, Everette has the size and speed teams look for in a perimeter cornerback. He needs to play up to his 4.38 speed more and cut down on coverage busts, but Everette can provide immediate depth as a rookie with potential for more. | Consensus ranking: 108
Charles Demmings (Stephen F. Austin): An impressive boundary cornerback at SFA, “Chuck” Demmings was extremely productive over the four years he started recording 35 pass breakups and nine interceptions — while proving to be a top competitor which shows with his physicality. He pairs his strong tape with the height, length, and athletic profile to make him an developmental corner worth betting on. | Consensus ranking: 157
T.J. Hall (Iowa): Hall proved to be a physical cornerback for the Hawkeyes especially coming downhill in the run game and as a tackler. His best work is done in zone coverage as he can be beaten downfield in man which leads to him then getting grabby at times. | Consensus ranking: 170
Thaddeus Dixon (UNC): A physical, outside cornerback coached by Bill Belichick last season (and Steve Belichick at Washington the year prior), Dixon can stick in man coverage and recorded 24 pass breakups over the last three seasons. He only managed two interceptions and will need to improve his tackling, while he also missed half of last season with an injury — but was impressive at the Senior Bowl. | Consensus ranking: 199
Devon Marshall (NC State): Growing up in Massachusetts and attending Catholic Memorial, Marshall was present for the Patriots Local Pro Day this offseason. While he is on the smaller side for an outside cornerback and is an average athlete, Marshall still led the FBS in pass breakups last season and proved reliable in coverage and in run support. | Consensus ranking: 216
Andre Fuller (Toledo): After Quinyon Mitchell was a first-round pick in 2024, the Rockets are now set to see safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren and cornerback Avery Smith, and Fuller reach the NFL. While Smith played the inside role, Fuller was a physical boundary cornerback who proved the ability to hold up in man/match coverages. He’ll be a 24-year-old as a sixth-year senior but has enticing tools and truly played cornerback for just one season after starting as a safety. | Consensus ranking: 226
If the Patriots do dip into the cornerback market earlier than expected, Keith Abney II (Arizona State), Devin Moore (Florida), and Davison Igbinosun (Ohio State) are candidates. Other depth options include Jadon Canady (Oregon), Tacario Davis (Washington), Ephesians Prysock (Washington), and Karon Prunty (Wake Forest).
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 28: A general view of the Boston Celtics 2024 World Champions banner hanging from the rafters seen during the women's free skate in the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2025 on March 28, 2025, at TD Garden in Boston, MA. (Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
At a certain point, you have to stop circling possibilities and just make a call. Nobody enjoys that part, because it means putting something on record and living with it for the next two months.
The Celtics enter the playoffs as one of the most difficult teams in the league to pin down. They’ve shown enough to believe in a deep run, but also come with questions that leave the door open for doubt. So we asked the CelticsBlog staff to do the thing everyone eventually has to do this time of year: make a prediction and stick with it.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – JUNE 22: The Oklahoma City Thunder celebrate with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after winning Game Seven of the 2025 NBA Finals on June 22, 2025 at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2025 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
What is your Celtics playoff prediction?
Jeff Clark: C’s over Philly in 4, C’s over the Knicks in 5, C’s over Pistons in 6, C’s over Thunder in 7.
Bill Sy: Ultimately, I think the Celtics lose to the Spurs in six and there’s no shame in that. It’ll be a resounding endorsement of everything that Mazzulla and Stevens have built and the franchise will reload in July.
Rich Jensen: I hate predictions even more than I hate hot takes. I will, therefore, go the safe route. The Celtics are going to win another championship. I don’t think that we’ve seen all that this team is capable of. This is quite different from 2024, where the C’s showed the whole league what they were during the regular season.
Here, the Celtics have evolved before our very eyes into a team that is peaking at the right time. They are the great unknowns heading into the playoffs. None of the other contenders have played the Celtics at full strength, they are deep and multifaceted, and they present challenges to defenses at every position on the court.
Now if the C’s don’t win, that’s fine with me because this team is still very much a work in progress, and I think there’s every reason to expect that they’ll be even better next year.
The San Antonio Spurs were projected to win 44.5 games. They won 62
Ian Inangelo: My playoff prediction is that the Celtics have the talent to make it all the way to the finals and have a chance to beat any team out of the west once they get there. I’ll say Celtics beat the Thunder in 7.
Mark Aboyoun: Boston gets to the Finals. I’m not sure whether they’ll win it or not, and I don’t want to jinx the team, but I feel they have enough to get back. If Tatum can stay healthy and Brown continues to play at an MVP level, they’re a hard team to beat, especially at TD Garden.
Nirav Barman: This is incredibly tough, again because of my superstitious self. I see the Celtics in the Finals this year. I leave it up to fate from there.
Mike Dynon: In 2024, we expected the ultimate high, and the Celtics delivered. Dominant regular season, never threatened in the playoffs, cue the duck boats. This year’s team was the opposite because we expected little – but Celtics culture proved all the doubters wrong. No doubt, it will be very difficult to reach the pinnacle again.
BOSTON, MA – JUNE 21: Derrick White #9, Al Horford #42, Jayson Tatum #0, Jaylen Brown #7, Kristaps Porzingis #8, and Jrue Holiday #4 of the Boston Celtics pose for a photograph with the Larry O'Brien Trophy and the Bill Russell Finals MVP Trophy before the 2024 Boston Celtics championship parade on June 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images
Despite their amazing season, the reality check was a 1-3 record versus both the East’s first and third seeds (Pistons and Knicks) and a combined 1-5 against the West’s top three (Thunder, Spurs and Nuggets). However, most of that was without Jayson Tatum. And after seeing the Celtics trample all expectations over the past 82 games, this is no time to be rational. The only possible prediction is: Banner 19.
Ryan Paice: I think the Celtics either lose to the Knicks or make a run to the Finals. The Knicks have been a thorn in the team’s side since last year’s Eastern Conference Semifinals. I think the C’s have more than enough firepower to take NY down, but it will be a battle. New York has the wings to slow down the Jays and performs well in clutch time, something Boston has struggled with at times in the Jays era. If Boston can overcome that challenge, they’ll ride the high right through the Pistons and to the Finals.
Gio Rivera: The Celtics reach the NBA Finals and meet the Spurs (not OKC). Officiating won’t be nearly the nuisance it was for JB back in January, and by then, Garza will have delivered several key moments/performances up to that point to earn a player’s tunnel reception reminiscent of KP’s in Game 1 against Dallas two years ago.
Grant Burfeind: I’m going Celtics…losing in seven to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a full-on Brothers Grimm ending. OKC looks like the next machine, and as much as I trust this version of Boston, I’m not totally convinced Jayson Tatum has had enough runway to get all the way back to peak form after everything he’s been through.
And if they do win it all, you’re welcome, Celtics Nation, for the anti-hex I’m casting with this prediction.
