Friday, March 27, 2026

Golden Nuggets: The 49ers would be Myles better with Garrett

CLEVELAND, OHIO - NOVEMBER 30: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers and Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns fist bump after a play in the third quarter of a game at Huntington Bank Field on November 30, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images) | Getty Images

49ers linked to Myles Garrett amid trade speculation
“This would be an interesting long-term gamble on behalf of the Browns. While the 49ers are an excellent, top-10 team right now, their aging roster presents the possibility of a few injuries derailing a season and making future 49ers draft capital look immensely valuable. In the Kyle Shanahan era, San Francisco has picked third, ninth, second and 11th (though some of those higher picks were the result of a trade up).” 

49ers news: Another offseason where Myles Garrett trade rumors are heating up 
“Garrett was set to receive a $16.5 million option bonus. He will now wait close to the regular season to receive that. Additionally, the reworked deal gives any inquiring teams added cap flexibility in a deal that goes through 2030–something you’d want for a player set to be 31.”

Behind the Curtain: Caleb Lomu and Spencer Fano (paywall)
Caleb Lomu: There’s not an abundance of aggression or violence to his play. That doesn’t mean he can’t or won’t be successful, but I would like to see a little bit of murder in his eyes, particularly in the run game. There’s a gentle quality to his style I don’t love. 

While he also has shorter arms, they’re not as dire as Fano, and his wingspan is fine. I don’t see him as someone you’d want to move to guard. He’s too lean for that. So the question becomes, is a redshirt tackle without tremendous drive and some length limitations worth pick No. 27 based on his athleticism? I don’t think so. He feels a bit developmental, and for the 49ers, I’d want guard utility. I don’t see it with him, as far as SF is concerned. If he’s somehow there at 58, then that’s a much different conversation. 

Spencer Fano: There’s so much more to like with Fano, even though he is the stumpiest of boys. He plays to his strengths which are quick feet, great hand placement, and overall technique, with some crafty ability to fake punches and encourage rushers to make the first move. Unlike Will Campbell, he’s not trying to vertical set or pretend he’s anything other than what he is. I would try him at tackle and then likely shift him to guard. 

The question is what he’s worth. I don’t have too many questions over him being a quality player at guard. While he’s not a driver, he gets his body oriented well, has high-level awareness, and does great work in space. He just might go at pick 12 as a tackle, and turn out to be a guard… which is a heavy investment at that position. If he was there at 27, I do think it would make sense for the 49ers, even though what they really need is an Emmanuel Pregnon, snowplow-type at guard.” 



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Thursday, March 26, 2026

Bills are the favorites to win the AFC East

The Bills will be back on top in the AFC East this year, if the betting odds are to be believed.

Buffalo is a -145 favorite to win the AFC East. That makes the Bills the heaviest favorites to win a division of any NFL team.

New England is next at +150, while the other two teams in the division are long shots: The Jets are at +1800 and the Dolphins at +2800.

The Patriots engineered a major turnaround under first-year coach Mike Vrabel and young quarterback Drake Maye last season, winning the AFC East and then winning the AFC Championship. They look like a team that could be in contention for years to come.

But the Bills had won the AFC East five years in a row prior to last year, and the odds suggest that with Josh Allen playing in first-year head coach Joe Brady's offense, they'll get back on top.



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Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Dolphins meet with Rueben Bain Jr. – The Splash Zone 3/25/26

CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA - MARCH 23: Rueben Bain Jr. #4 of the Miami Hurricanes participates in the 2026 Miami Pro Day at Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility on March 23, 2026 in Coral Gables, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The 2026 NFL Draft is a month away and we are slowly getting some news about prospects the Miami Dolphins are showing interest in. They didn’t have to look far for Rueben Bain, Jr as the pass rusher played ball for the University of Miami. It was reported by Bain that he was meeting with the Dolphins yesterday. The Dolphins need help all over the roster and pass rusher is a major need. But will Bain be there when they pick at 11? He seems to be getting mocked all over the place right now.

You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.

Dolphins meeting with Miami Hurricanes superstar on Tuesday, but it’s not who many fans might think
The Dolphins have their eyes on multiple standouts in their own backyard.


Dolphins Quarterbacks

How Dolphins’ Malik Willis tweaked his mechanics to improve accuracy
Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis is already working out with a new wide receiver.


Dolphins Offseason

Examining the Checkered Dolphins History With Miami Draft Picks
The Miami Dolphins could be tempted to select at least one player from the University of Miami in the 2026 NFL draft

Breaking Down the Remaining Dolphins UFAs (And Who Could Return)
More than half of the Miami Dolphins free agents heading into the offseason remain without a team


Phinsider News You May Have Missed

Wide receiver opportunities – The Splash Zone 3/24/26
Welcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours.

Dolphins rank low in post-free agency power rankings
PFF ranks Miami’s roster 30th in entire NFL.

New two-round mock draft sees Dolphins addressing major needs
Dolphins select offensive lineman, wide receiver and pass rusher in latest Field Yates mock draft.

Miami Dolphins Fans Share Their Thoughts On The Possible Trade Of Jordyn Brooks
Miami Dolphins fans sound off on if the team should trade linebacker Jordyn Brooks and if so for what in return.



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Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Nets suffer beatdown from Trail Blazers for eighth straight loss as tanking race grows even tighter

An image collage containing 2 images, Image 1 shows Nets guard Tyson Etienne (10) looks to get around Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 23, 2026, in Portland, Ore, Image 2 shows Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton shoots over Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan

PORTLAND, Ore. — Toumani Camara had career highs of nine 3-pointers and 35 points to help Portland beat the Brooklyn Nets 134-99 on Monday night, the Trail Blazers’ largest margin of victory this season.

The Nets have lost eight straight and 18 of the last 20. Brooklyn (17-55) is a game behind Indiana (16-56) and a half-game behind Washington (16-55) for the best draft lottery odds.

Camara made 10 of 12 shots from the field.

Nets center Nic Claxton (33) shoots the ball over Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) as Trail Blazers’ forward Deni Avdija (8) watches during the second half at Moda Center. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Deni Avdija scored 18 points and Scoot Henderson had 13 points, five assists and four steals for the Trail Blazers. Donovan Clingan finished with 15 rebounds, seven points and seven blocks.

Camara, who was featured on commemorative glassware as part of a Trail Blazers’ giveaway, banked in his first 3-pointer off the glass and hit his first eight 3-point shots, going 9 for 11 from distance.

Tyson Etienne led the Nets with 18 points, Ziaire Williams added 16 and Josh Minott 15.

Nets guard Tyson Etienne (10) looks to get around Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, March 23, 2026, in Portland, Ore. AP

Murray converted a three-point play with 4:48 left in the first quarter that gave the Trail Blazers the lead for good and sparked a 13-2 run that made it 28-18.

Ben Saraf converted two free throws that made it a three-point game with 4.7 seconds left, but Jrue Holiday answered with a layup three seconds later and Portland scored 11 of the first 12 points in the second quarter.

The Nets trailed by at least nine points the rest of the way.



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Monday, March 23, 2026

Game Preview: San Antonio Spurs at Miami Heat

SAN ANTONIO, TX - OCTOBER 30: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs drives to the basket as Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat plays defense during the game on October 30, 2025 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 (Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

Less than 2 weeks ago, Bam Adebayo and the Miami Heat were the talk of the NBA. An 83 point performance that put Adebayo in the record books also happened to coincide with a 7 game win streak that’s kept them right in the thick of things out East as the season winds down. Since Adebayo’s historic night though they’ve gone a paltry 1-4, including two losses to two teams that they’re fighting for positioning with in the standings. Currently the 9th seed with 11 games left in the regular season, the Heat have just 1 less win than the current 5th seed Toronto Raptors.

Meanwhile for the Spurs, the possibility of 60 wins remains alive and well. Currently holding a 7 game lead over the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2nd seed and still just 3 games back of the Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio might just be locked into that 2nd spot. Even with six of their next seven on the road, there’s a good chance they could wrap that race up very soon. Once that happens, the focus can be entirely on health and fine-tuning for the franchise’s first postseason run in a very long time.


San Antonio Spurs (53-18) vs Miami Heat (38-33)
March 23 2026 | 6:00 PM CT
Watch: Peacock, FDSS | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: Stephon Castle, hip (day to day), Devin Vassell, hamstring (day to day), David Jones-Garcia, OUT

Heat Injuries: Andrew Wiggins, toe (day to day), Jaime Jaquez Jr, hip (day to day), Norman Powell, calf (day to day)

What to watch for

  • While he’s obviously not averaging 83 points a night, Bam Adebayo has nonetheless had a phenomenal season. He’s hit at least the 20 point mark in his last 11 games and is second on the Heat in scoring this season, behind only Tyler Herro. He’s coming off a 32 point, 21 rebound game in a loss to the Houston Rockets, a game in which he played 45 minutes. Adebayo is the bedrock of an elite Miami defense, shutting off driving lanes with his quickness and providing solid rim protection. With Victor Wembanyama playing some of the best basketball of his career, the potential for a classic confrontation is there.
  • No one plays faster than Miami, averaging nearly 104 possessions per game this year. They like to push the ball in transition while leaning on a defense that’s just outside the top 5 (6th in defensive rating) to stifle opposing offenses and force them into turnovers to fuel their offensive attack. San Antonio, who are no slouches themselves when it comes to pushing the tempo and playing elite defense, protect the basketball as well as any team in the Association, but there’s always a chance for things to get ugly on the road. Keeping turnovers down and cleaning the defensive glass will be key in limiting the Miami offense.
  • Dylan Harper took full advantage of his first career start, tying a career-high 24 points in Saturday’s win against the Pacers on a super-efficient 9/13 from the field. With Stephon Castle and Devin Vassell potentially out once again for this one, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Mitch Johnson give the impressive rookie the starting nod once again tonight. Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra has more than a few great options to throw at San Antonio’s wings, but Harper and the rest of his teammates should be up to the task The 20 year old Harper has scored in double figures nine times since the All Star break.

If you’d like to, you may follow along with the game on our Twitter profile (@poundingtherock) or visit our Game Thread!



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Sunday, March 22, 2026

Rick Pitino, Bill Self meet in March Madness after Hall of Fame coaches stood test of time

49ers News: 25 more Sundays until NFL football is back

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 17: Brock Purdy #13 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on January 17, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

49ers schedule visit with KC Concepcion, first-round wide receiver prospect (paywall)
“Listed at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, Concepcion showcased elite speed and separation ability during his college career. His main flaw was drops. He dropped seven passes a season ago and 19 total across his stints at NC State and Texas A&M.

While the 49ers recently signed All-Pro wideout Mike Evans and former 1,000-yard slot receiver Christian Kirk in free agency, both are aging veterans who help in the short-term. Concepcion, with the size and skill set to be productive in the slot, would add future upside to a position group that also features 2024 first-round draft pick Ricky Pearsall.” 

49ers named as one of the best fits for two free agent defenders 
“Pass-rusher Leonard Floyd has entered the ‘veteran mercenary’ stage of his career,” Knox added. “However, the 33-year-old remains a disruptive defender who would make plenty of sense for a contender in need of edge help. This past season, Floyd logged 19 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 19 quarterback pressures, 11 QB hits, and five tackles for loss across 15 games with the Atlanta Falcons. Two of Floyd’s former employers would make sense for him in 2026.” 

Details emerge on 49ers one-year deals with WR Christian Kirk, P Corliss Waitman  
Kirk signed a one-year deal worth $3 million with $2.78 million fully guaranteed and a signing bonus of $1.17 million. Per OverTheCap.com, the details are broken down below.”



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