Buffalo Rumblings selects C.J. Allen for Buffalo Bills in 20th annual SB Nation community mock draft  C.J. Allen, LB, GeorgiaA trade with the Houston Texans sent the Bills back to 28 from their original selection point of 26, while also gaining pick 141 (Round 5) in the process. The Bills need to address the elephant in the room, which is a lack of talent along the defensive front seven. Some of that is due to attrition, namely linebacker Matt Milano who’s return is anything but guaranteed. With a huge run on the wide receiver position, the smart play was for Buffalo to add a heck of a ball player who should make an immediate impact — that being linebacker C.J. Allen. A physical, three-down ‘backer with coveted intangible traits, Allen has a chance to become a real force out of the gate wearing the green dot with the Bills. Buffalo is undergoing a huge overhaul on defense under first-time defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. While a hybrid system is expected for 2026, the goal remains a shift to a 3-4 base system. Allen will provide the Bills with set-it-and-forget-it reliability at MIKE. He’s one of the draft’s most technically proficient linebackers, and someone dripping with football instincts.  #Buffalo #Rumblings #selects #C.J #Allen #Buffalo #Bills #20th #annual #Nation #community #mock #draft

Buffalo Rumblings selects C.J. Allen for Buffalo Bills in 20th annual SB Nation community mock draft

C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

A trade with the Houston Texans sent the Bills back to 28 from their original selection point of 26, while also gaining pick 141 (Round 5) in the process.

The Bills need to address the elephant in the room, which is a lack of talent along the defensive front seven. Some of that is due to attrition, namely linebacker Matt Milano who’s return is anything but guaranteed.

With a huge run on the wide receiver position, the smart play was for Buffalo to add a heck of a ball player who should make an immediate impact — that being linebacker C.J. Allen.

A physical, three-down ‘backer with coveted intangible traits, Allen has a chance to become a real force out of the gate wearing the green dot with the Bills. Buffalo is undergoing a huge overhaul on defense under first-time defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. While a hybrid system is expected for 2026, the goal remains a shift to a 3-4 base system.

Allen will provide the Bills with set-it-and-forget-it reliability at MIKE. He’s one of the draft’s most technically proficient linebackers, and someone dripping with football instincts.

#Buffalo #Rumblings #selects #C.J #Allen #Buffalo #Bills #20th #annual #Nation #community #mock #draft

C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

A trade with the Houston Texans sent the Bills back to 28 from their original selection point of 26, while also gaining pick 141 (Round 5) in the process.

The Bills need to address the elephant in the room, which is a lack of talent along the defensive front seven. Some of that is due to attrition, namely linebacker Matt Milano who’s return is anything but guaranteed.

With a huge run on the wide receiver position, the smart play was for Buffalo to add a heck of a ball player who should make an immediate impact — that being linebacker C.J. Allen.

A physical, three-down ‘backer with coveted intangible traits, Allen has a chance to become a real force out of the gate wearing the green dot with the Bills. Buffalo is undergoing a huge overhaul on defense under first-time defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. While a hybrid system is expected for 2026, the goal remains a shift to a 3-4 base system.

Allen will provide the Bills with set-it-and-forget-it reliability at MIKE. He’s one of the draft’s most technically proficient linebackers, and someone dripping with football instincts.

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#Buffalo #Rumblings #selects #C.J #Allen #Buffalo #Bills #20th #annual #Nation #community #mock #draft

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Deadspin | White Sox, red-hot Munetaka Murakami present challenge for Diamondbacks <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28768161.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28768161.jpg" alt="MLB: Chicago White Sox at Athletics" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 19, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) jogs around the bases after hitting a two run home run during the fifth inning against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Scott Marshall-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>As Arizona right-hander Merrill Kelly settles into the place he feels most at home, Chicago White Sox newcomer Munetaka Murakami is finding an immediate fit in his South Side neighborhood.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The two will meet when Kelly (1-0, 3.38 ERA) faces right-hander Sean Burke (0-2, 4.43) in the first game of a three-game series Tuesday in Phoenix.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Murakami has made quite a splash since signing a two-year, $34 million free-agent contract in the offseason following eight years with the Yakult Swallows of the Japan Central League.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The rookie first baseman hit three homers a three-game set against the Athletics, including one of Chicago’s four dingers in a 7-4 victory Sunday to give the team just its second series win of the season.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Murakami has eight homers, more than any Japanese-born player through his first 22 games, making his deal look like a bargain thus far.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>“Guy’s got stupid juice,” White Sox right-hander Davis Martin told reporters.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Martin was speaking after Murakami’s clinching grand slam in a 9-2 win Friday, a ball that cleared the batter’s eye at Sutter Health Park and was estimated at 431 feet.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>“I got more than 431,” White Sox manager Will Venable said. “I don’t know who is doing that calculation, but that ball was touched right there.”</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Murakami’s homer Sunday was estimated at 425 feet.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>“I just love having all the points come up from all the lineup and everybody contributing to the team,” Murakami said.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-11"> <p>Kelly will make his first home start of the season after snubbing a more lucrative offer from San Diego in his first taste of free agency over the winter. He received a prolonged ovation when he was introduced before the D-Bbacks’ home opener March 30, although he was on the injured list and could not play.</p> </section> <section id="section-12"> <p>“I’ve been here my whole big-league career, and that means something to me,” said Kelly, who signed a two-year, $40 million contract in the offseason. The Padres offered three years for $60 million.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>“I’m grateful to the organization for having that much faith in me. Not only the guys in the clubhouse that I enjoy being around, but also the team on the field. I felt like it was a very competitive team.”</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>The Diamondbacks have won 10 of 14 and have not lost a series since being swept at the Los Angeles Dodgers to open the season.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>The White Sox had lost 8 of 10 before taking two of three against the A’s.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Kelly missed the first three weeks of the season with an intercostal nerve irritation before returning in a 4-3 victory at Baltimore last Tuesday. He gave up two runs and five hits, with three strikeouts and four walks.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>His takeaway?</p> </section><section id="section-18"> <p>“That we won. That’s the first and foremost goal,” said Kelly, who pitched five scoreless innings in his one rehab start for Triple-A Reno. “It’s always nice to come back and get that first one out of the way.</p> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>“The health stuff, I think, is in the rear-view mirror. But there were definitely some butterflies. I think my brain knows I’m going into a big-league game with something that matters. The speed is definitely different for sure.”</p> </section><section id="section-20"> <p>Kelly is 2-1 in three career starts against the White Sox, the last a 9-3 victory in West Sacramento last season after he had been sent to Texas prior to the trade deadline.</p> </section><section id="section-21"> <p>Burke beat the D-Backs 7-3 last season, his only appearance against them. He did not allow an earned run in five innings.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-22"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #White #Sox #redhot #Munetaka #Murakami #present #challenge #Diamondbacks

Deadspin | OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA’s top clutch performer  Apr 19, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) goes up for a basket beside Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) in the second half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images   Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the runaway winner in the Clutch Player of the Year award balloting, revealed Tuesday night.  Gilgeous-Alexander received 96 of 100 first-place votes in balloting for the Jerry West Trophy. He had 484 total points, well ahead of Denver Nuggets standout Jamal Murray (117) and Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards (116).  Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning league MVP and is favored to win the award again this season.  But he liked receiving the Jerry West Trophy too.  “This award means a lot,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of the Clutch Player award on NBC Sports. “To get this award, you have to help your team win games late and what I’m about more than anything is winning games.”  Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA with 175 points that occurred in clutch time, defined as games that were within five points in the final five minutes of regulation or overtime.   He shot 60.9% from the field (39 of 64) during clutch time and made a league-best 16 go-ahead field goals.  Fourth-place Cade Cunningham (50 points) of the Detroit Pistons received one first-place vote, fifth-place Jalen Brunson (42 points) of the New York Knicks landed two and sixth-place Nikola Jokic (37 points) of Denver received one.  This was the fourth season in which the award was given out. De’Aaron Fox (then with the Sacramento Kings) won the 2023 award, followed by Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors in 2024 and Brunson last season. Fox now plays for the San Antonio Spurs.  West was known as “Mr. Clutch” during his stellar career (1960-74) with the Los Angeles Lakers due to his many late-game exploits. He died in 2024.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #OKCs #Shai #GilgeousAlexander #named #NBAs #top #clutch #performerApr 19, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) goes up for a basket beside Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) in the second half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the runaway winner in the Clutch Player of the Year award balloting, revealed Tuesday night.

Gilgeous-Alexander received 96 of 100 first-place votes in balloting for the Jerry West Trophy. He had 484 total points, well ahead of Denver Nuggets standout Jamal Murray (117) and Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards (116).

Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning league MVP and is favored to win the award again this season.

But he liked receiving the Jerry West Trophy too.

“This award means a lot,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of the Clutch Player award on NBC Sports. “To get this award, you have to help your team win games late and what I’m about more than anything is winning games.”


Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA with 175 points that occurred in clutch time, defined as games that were within five points in the final five minutes of regulation or overtime.

He shot 60.9% from the field (39 of 64) during clutch time and made a league-best 16 go-ahead field goals.

Fourth-place Cade Cunningham (50 points) of the Detroit Pistons received one first-place vote, fifth-place Jalen Brunson (42 points) of the New York Knicks landed two and sixth-place Nikola Jokic (37 points) of Denver received one.

This was the fourth season in which the award was given out. De’Aaron Fox (then with the Sacramento Kings) won the 2023 award, followed by Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors in 2024 and Brunson last season. Fox now plays for the San Antonio Spurs.

West was known as “Mr. Clutch” during his stellar career (1960-74) with the Los Angeles Lakers due to his many late-game exploits. He died in 2024.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #OKCs #Shai #GilgeousAlexander #named #NBAs #top #clutch #performer">Deadspin | OKC’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander named NBA’s top clutch performer  Apr 19, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) goes up for a basket beside Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) in the second half during game one of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images   Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the runaway winner in the Clutch Player of the Year award balloting, revealed Tuesday night.  Gilgeous-Alexander received 96 of 100 first-place votes in balloting for the Jerry West Trophy. He had 484 total points, well ahead of Denver Nuggets standout Jamal Murray (117) and Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards (116).  Gilgeous-Alexander is the reigning league MVP and is favored to win the award again this season.  But he liked receiving the Jerry West Trophy too.  “This award means a lot,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of the Clutch Player award on NBC Sports. “To get this award, you have to help your team win games late and what I’m about more than anything is winning games.”  Gilgeous-Alexander led the NBA with 175 points that occurred in clutch time, defined as games that were within five points in the final five minutes of regulation or overtime.   He shot 60.9% from the field (39 of 64) during clutch time and made a league-best 16 go-ahead field goals.  Fourth-place Cade Cunningham (50 points) of the Detroit Pistons received one first-place vote, fifth-place Jalen Brunson (42 points) of the New York Knicks landed two and sixth-place Nikola Jokic (37 points) of Denver received one.  This was the fourth season in which the award was given out. De’Aaron Fox (then with the Sacramento Kings) won the 2023 award, followed by Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors in 2024 and Brunson last season. Fox now plays for the San Antonio Spurs.  West was known as “Mr. Clutch” during his stellar career (1960-74) with the Los Angeles Lakers due to his many late-game exploits. He died in 2024.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #OKCs #Shai #GilgeousAlexander #named #NBAs #top #clutch #performer

Deadspin | Red Sox place RHP Sonny Gray (hamstring) on IL  Apr 20, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA;  Boston Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray (54) walks to the dugout after being relieved during the fourth inning after an apparent injury against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images   The Red Sox placed right-hander Sonny Gray on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right hamstring strain.  Boston recalled left-hander Tyler Samaniego from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding transaction.  Gray, 36, left Monday’s start against the visiting Detroit Tigers in the third inning with hamstring tightness.   The three-time All-Star is 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA through five starts in his first season with the Red Sox. The 14-year veteran is 127-103 with a 3.59 ERA with six teams.  Samaniego, 27, made his major league debut on April 8. He has allowed no hits or runs in three relief appearances wtih Boston, fanning four and walking three batters in 3 2/3 innings.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Red #Sox #place #RHP #Sonny #Gray #hamstringApr 20, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray (54) walks to the dugout after being relieved during the fourth inning after an apparent injury against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images

The Red Sox placed right-hander Sonny Gray on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right hamstring strain.

Boston recalled left-hander Tyler Samaniego from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding transaction.


Gray, 36, left Monday’s start against the visiting Detroit Tigers in the third inning with hamstring tightness.

The three-time All-Star is 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA through five starts in his first season with the Red Sox. The 14-year veteran is 127-103 with a 3.59 ERA with six teams.

Samaniego, 27, made his major league debut on April 8. He has allowed no hits or runs in three relief appearances wtih Boston, fanning four and walking three batters in 3 2/3 innings.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Red #Sox #place #RHP #Sonny #Gray #hamstring">Deadspin | Red Sox place RHP Sonny Gray (hamstring) on IL  Apr 20, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA;  Boston Red Sox pitcher Sonny Gray (54) walks to the dugout after being relieved during the fourth inning after an apparent injury against the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images   The Red Sox placed right-hander Sonny Gray on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a right hamstring strain.  Boston recalled left-hander Tyler Samaniego from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding transaction.  Gray, 36, left Monday’s start against the visiting Detroit Tigers in the third inning with hamstring tightness.   The three-time All-Star is 2-1 with a 4.30 ERA through five starts in his first season with the Red Sox. The 14-year veteran is 127-103 with a 3.59 ERA with six teams.  Samaniego, 27, made his major league debut on April 8. He has allowed no hits or runs in three relief appearances wtih Boston, fanning four and walking three batters in 3 2/3 innings.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Red #Sox #place #RHP #Sonny #Gray #hamstring

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