Deadspin | NHL roundup: Alex Tuch’s goal gives Sabres 2-1 series lead over Bruins  Apr 23, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) reacts after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period of game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images   Alex Tuch scored the tiebreaking goal 4:03 into the third period, propelling the visiting Buffalo Sabres to a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on Thursday night.  The result was the second straight victory for a road team in the best-of-seven series, which Buffalo now leads 2-1.  Noah Ostlund and Bowen Byram finished with a goal and an assist for the Sabres, while Alex Lyon stopped 24 shots in his first start of the playoff run.  Tanner Jeannot scored the lone goal and Jeremy Swayman turned aside 25 shots for Boston.  Hurricanes 2, Senators 1  Logan Stankoven scored for the third straight game and Carolina put host Ottawa on the brink of elimination with a win in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round series.  Carolina leads the best-of-seven series 3-0, a deficit that only four NHL teams have overcome to win a playoff series. Jackson Blake also scored for the Hurricanes. Taylor Hall had two assists, and Frederik Andersen made 21 saves.   Drake Batherson scored for the Senators, who have yet to have the lead at any point through three games. Linus Ullmark turned aside 25 shots.  Avalanche 4, Kings 2  Artturi Lehkonen collected one goal and one assist while pacing Colorado to a road victory over Los Angeles, putting the Avalanche on the verge of sweeping their Western Conference first-round playoff series.  Gabriel Landeskog, Cale Makar and Brock Nelson also scored for the Avalanche, who will look to close out the best-of-seven series when they play Game 4 on Sunday in Los Angeles. Colorado goaltender Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves.  Trevor Moore and Adrian Kempe tallied for the Kings, who have scored only four goals in the series’ three games. Los Angeles goalie Anton Forsberg stopped 19 shots, and Alex Laferriere collected two assists.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #NHL #roundup #Alex #Tuchs #goal #Sabres #series #lead #Bruins

Deadspin | NHL roundup: Alex Tuch’s goal gives Sabres 2-1 series lead over Bruins
Deadspin | NHL roundup: Alex Tuch’s goal gives Sabres 2-1 series lead over Bruins  Apr 23, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) reacts after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period of game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images   Alex Tuch scored the tiebreaking goal 4:03 into the third period, propelling the visiting Buffalo Sabres to a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on Thursday night.  The result was the second straight victory for a road team in the best-of-seven series, which Buffalo now leads 2-1.  Noah Ostlund and Bowen Byram finished with a goal and an assist for the Sabres, while Alex Lyon stopped 24 shots in his first start of the playoff run.  Tanner Jeannot scored the lone goal and Jeremy Swayman turned aside 25 shots for Boston.  Hurricanes 2, Senators 1  Logan Stankoven scored for the third straight game and Carolina put host Ottawa on the brink of elimination with a win in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round series.  Carolina leads the best-of-seven series 3-0, a deficit that only four NHL teams have overcome to win a playoff series. Jackson Blake also scored for the Hurricanes. Taylor Hall had two assists, and Frederik Andersen made 21 saves.   Drake Batherson scored for the Senators, who have yet to have the lead at any point through three games. Linus Ullmark turned aside 25 shots.  Avalanche 4, Kings 2  Artturi Lehkonen collected one goal and one assist while pacing Colorado to a road victory over Los Angeles, putting the Avalanche on the verge of sweeping their Western Conference first-round playoff series.  Gabriel Landeskog, Cale Makar and Brock Nelson also scored for the Avalanche, who will look to close out the best-of-seven series when they play Game 4 on Sunday in Los Angeles. Colorado goaltender Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves.  Trevor Moore and Adrian Kempe tallied for the Kings, who have scored only four goals in the series’ three games. Los Angeles goalie Anton Forsberg stopped 19 shots, and Alex Laferriere collected two assists.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #NHL #roundup #Alex #Tuchs #goal #Sabres #series #lead #BruinsApr 23, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) reacts after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period of game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Alex Tuch scored the tiebreaking goal 4:03 into the third period, propelling the visiting Buffalo Sabres to a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on Thursday night.

The result was the second straight victory for a road team in the best-of-seven series, which Buffalo now leads 2-1.

Noah Ostlund and Bowen Byram finished with a goal and an assist for the Sabres, while Alex Lyon stopped 24 shots in his first start of the playoff run.

Tanner Jeannot scored the lone goal and Jeremy Swayman turned aside 25 shots for Boston.

Hurricanes 2, Senators 1

Logan Stankoven scored for the third straight game and Carolina put host Ottawa on the brink of elimination with a win in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round series.


Carolina leads the best-of-seven series 3-0, a deficit that only four NHL teams have overcome to win a playoff series. Jackson Blake also scored for the Hurricanes. Taylor Hall had two assists, and Frederik Andersen made 21 saves.

Drake Batherson scored for the Senators, who have yet to have the lead at any point through three games. Linus Ullmark turned aside 25 shots.

Avalanche 4, Kings 2

Artturi Lehkonen collected one goal and one assist while pacing Colorado to a road victory over Los Angeles, putting the Avalanche on the verge of sweeping their Western Conference first-round playoff series.

Gabriel Landeskog, Cale Makar and Brock Nelson also scored for the Avalanche, who will look to close out the best-of-seven series when they play Game 4 on Sunday in Los Angeles. Colorado goaltender Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves.

Trevor Moore and Adrian Kempe tallied for the Kings, who have scored only four goals in the series’ three games. Los Angeles goalie Anton Forsberg stopped 19 shots, and Alex Laferriere collected two assists.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NHL #roundup #Alex #Tuchs #goal #Sabres #series #lead #Bruins

Apr 23, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Buffalo Sabres right wing Alex Tuch (89) reacts after scoring a goal against the Boston Bruins during the third period of game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Alex Tuch scored the tiebreaking goal 4:03 into the third period, propelling the visiting Buffalo Sabres to a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series on Thursday night.

The result was the second straight victory for a road team in the best-of-seven series, which Buffalo now leads 2-1.

Noah Ostlund and Bowen Byram finished with a goal and an assist for the Sabres, while Alex Lyon stopped 24 shots in his first start of the playoff run.

Tanner Jeannot scored the lone goal and Jeremy Swayman turned aside 25 shots for Boston.

Hurricanes 2, Senators 1

Logan Stankoven scored for the third straight game and Carolina put host Ottawa on the brink of elimination with a win in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round series.

Carolina leads the best-of-seven series 3-0, a deficit that only four NHL teams have overcome to win a playoff series. Jackson Blake also scored for the Hurricanes. Taylor Hall had two assists, and Frederik Andersen made 21 saves.

Drake Batherson scored for the Senators, who have yet to have the lead at any point through three games. Linus Ullmark turned aside 25 shots.

Avalanche 4, Kings 2

Artturi Lehkonen collected one goal and one assist while pacing Colorado to a road victory over Los Angeles, putting the Avalanche on the verge of sweeping their Western Conference first-round playoff series.

Gabriel Landeskog, Cale Makar and Brock Nelson also scored for the Avalanche, who will look to close out the best-of-seven series when they play Game 4 on Sunday in Los Angeles. Colorado goaltender Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves.

Trevor Moore and Adrian Kempe tallied for the Kings, who have scored only four goals in the series’ three games. Los Angeles goalie Anton Forsberg stopped 19 shots, and Alex Laferriere collected two assists.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Avalanche down Kings, close in on series sweep <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-900/28797725.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28797725.jpg" alt="NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Colorado Avalanche at Los Angeles Kings" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 23, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) is chased down by Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) as he skates the puck toward Los Angeles Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg (31) in the first period of game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Artturi Lehkonen collected one goal and one assist while pacing Colorado to a 4-2 road victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, putting the Avalanche on the verge of sweeping their Western Conference first-round playoff series.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Gabriel Landeskog, Cale Makar and Brock Nelson also scored for the Avalanche, who will look to close out the best-of-seven series when they play Game 4 on Sunday in Los Angeles.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Colorado goaltender Scott Wedgewood made 24 saves.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Trevor Moore and Adrian Kempe tallied for the Kings, who have scored only four goals in the series’ three games.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Los Angeles goalie Anton Forsberg stopped 19 shots, and Alex Laferriere collected two assists.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Makar broke a 1-1 tie at 12:12 of the second period by finding the twine with a long wrist shot through the screen in front of the goalie for his first goal of the series.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Lehkonen’s third-period short-handed goal doubled the Avalanche’s lead. Taking advantage of Kempe fanning on a one-timer, Lehkonen sped away on a 2-on-1 rush and tallied when his pass attempt deflected off a defender’s skate and through Forsberg’s legs with 12:21 remaining.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>Kempe made amends by converting a slick redirect for a power-play goal with 4:03 to go.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>However, Nelson’s empty-net goal two minutes later rounded out the scoring for Colorado, which was the NHL’s top team during the regular season.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>The loss leaves Los Angeles on the cusp of being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season. Kings have lost six straight opening-round series, and they haven’t captured a series since winning the Stanley Cup in 2014.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Landeskog opened the scoring with a fortuitous bounce at 5:29 of the first period. His long shot went wide of the goal but banked off the end boards and into the net off Forsberg’s skate.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>The Kings drew even at 5:55 of the second period. Quinton Byfield sent the puck to the net off the rush and it ricocheted off Moore and into the cage to make it a 1-1 game.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>The victory came at a cost for the Avalanche, as defenseman Josh Manson left the contest in the second period due to an upper-body injury.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-14"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Avalanche #Kings #close #series #sweep

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Deadspin | Reds, Tigers riding high heading into weekend series <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-900/28768218.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28768218.jpg" alt="MLB: Cincinnati Reds at Minnesota Twins" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 19, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly de la Cruz (44) hits the final out of the in the ninth inning to Minnesota Twins first baseman Kody Clemens (2) at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Off to their best 25-game start to a season in two decades, the Cincinnati Reds host the Detroit Tigers in an interleague series opener on Friday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Coming off a road trip that saw them sweep three games against the Minnesota Twins and take two of three from the Tampa Bay Rays, the Reds have won 16 of their first 25 games for the first time since beginning 17-8 in 2006.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Winners in seven of their past nine, the Reds averaged 5.5 runs per game across the road trip — an impressive figure for a club that ranks just 24th in the majors in scoring (97 total runs).</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Cincinnati has relied on consistent production from Elly De La Cruz and Sal Stewart, who are among the players tied for second in the National League with eight home runs apiece. Now, the Reds will look to spread the wealth across the lineup. Offseason trade acquisition Dane Myers is one player hoping to stay hot as the team returns home.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The former Miami Marlins center fielder homered, walked three times and scored four runs in the Reds’ latest victory, a 12-6 triumph over the Rays on Tuesday.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>“It feels good,” Myers said of playing for a winning team. “Like I said in the spring, I think this team has what it takes to play meaningful ballgames deep into the season. If we stay the course, I think that will happen.”</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>On the mound for the Reds in the series opener on Friday, Andrew Abbott (0-2, 5.84 ERA) will look to find his way out of an early-season rut. An All-Star last year, Abbott has compiled a 7.71 ERA in four April starts. Last time out, the 26-year-old left-hander gave up four runs (three earned) across 4 2/3 frames in a no-decision against Minnesota on Saturday. The Reds won 5-4.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>Making his 81st career start, Abbott will face the Tigers for the first time.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>Detroit’s flight to Cincinnati figured to be an enjoyable one, as the Tigers took two of three at home against the Milwaukee Brewers to begin the week. The Tigers have won 10 of their past 13 games, including a 5-4 victory on Thursday thanks to Spencer Torkelson’s walk-off home run.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>“That’s what it’s all about,” Torkelson said. “You’ve just got to be ready for the moment.”</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Following a 31-homer season in 2025, Torkelson launched his first two home runs of the year over the past two days.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Detroit entered the game tied for 13th in the American League with just 19 homers before slugging three on Thursday.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Framber Valdez (2-1, 3.30 ERA) is slated to make his sixth start in a Detroit uniform on Friday. After inking a three-year, $115 million deal with the Tigers in February, Valdez has allowed one earned run or nine in four of his first five starts.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>The two-time All-Star surrendered one run on three hits in six innings on Sunday in a 6-2 win over the Boston Red Sox. The 32-year-old left-hander is matching up with the Reds for the first time in his career.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Reds #Tigers #riding #high #heading #weekend #series

Deadspin | Hurricanes push Senators to brink with Game 3 win  Apr 23, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) and Ottawa Senators left wing Warren Foegele (37) chase the puck in the first period of game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn   Logan Stankoven scored for the third straight game and the Carolina Hurricanes put the Senators on the brink of elimination with a 2-1 win in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series in Ottawa on Thursday.  Carolina leads the best-of-seven series 3-0 and Game 4 is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.  Only four teams in NHL history have come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series. The last team to do it was the Los Angeles Kings against the San Jose Sharks in 2014.  Jackson Blake also scored for the Hurricanes. Taylor Hall had two assists, and Frederik Andersen made 21 saves.  Drake Batherson scored his second goal of the series for the Senators, who have yet to have the lead at any point through three games. Linus Ullmark made 25 saves in the loss.  Carolina went 0-for-4 on the power play; Ottawa was 0-for-5 and is 0-for-12 for the series.  Stankoven opened the scoring, giving the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead at 5:13 of the first period. Hall got his own rebound after a shot on the rush, circled behind the net and then passed across to Stankoven, who scored on a wrist shot from the left circle.   Brady Tkachuk got in alone against Andersen early in the second period, but his backhand attempt was stopped.  The Senators had a 5-on-3 power play for 1:28 midway through the second period but did not convert.  Ottawa defenseman Jake Sanderson left the game at 10:07 of the second period with an apparent injury after taking a shot off his left hand. He had earlier taken a shot to the head from Hall.  Batherson tied it 1-1 at 16:06 when he received Nick Cousins’ pass in the slot, went to his backhand and lifted it in over Andersen’s pad.  Blake put the Hurricanes back on top 2-1 at 17:29. K’Andre Miller received a pass at the point, skated down to the top of the left circle and passed down across to Blake, who scored past the diving Ullmark from the far post.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Hurricanes #push #Senators #brink #Game #winApr 23, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) and Ottawa Senators left wing Warren Foegele (37) chase the puck in the first period of game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn

Logan Stankoven scored for the third straight game and the Carolina Hurricanes put the Senators on the brink of elimination with a 2-1 win in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series in Ottawa on Thursday.

Carolina leads the best-of-seven series 3-0 and Game 4 is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.

Only four teams in NHL history have come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series. The last team to do it was the Los Angeles Kings against the San Jose Sharks in 2014.

Jackson Blake also scored for the Hurricanes. Taylor Hall had two assists, and Frederik Andersen made 21 saves.

Drake Batherson scored his second goal of the series for the Senators, who have yet to have the lead at any point through three games. Linus Ullmark made 25 saves in the loss.

Carolina went 0-for-4 on the power play; Ottawa was 0-for-5 and is 0-for-12 for the series.


Stankoven opened the scoring, giving the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead at 5:13 of the first period. Hall got his own rebound after a shot on the rush, circled behind the net and then passed across to Stankoven, who scored on a wrist shot from the left circle.

Brady Tkachuk got in alone against Andersen early in the second period, but his backhand attempt was stopped.

The Senators had a 5-on-3 power play for 1:28 midway through the second period but did not convert.

Ottawa defenseman Jake Sanderson left the game at 10:07 of the second period with an apparent injury after taking a shot off his left hand. He had earlier taken a shot to the head from Hall.

Batherson tied it 1-1 at 16:06 when he received Nick Cousins’ pass in the slot, went to his backhand and lifted it in over Andersen’s pad.

Blake put the Hurricanes back on top 2-1 at 17:29. K’Andre Miller received a pass at the point, skated down to the top of the left circle and passed down across to Blake, who scored past the diving Ullmark from the far post.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Hurricanes #push #Senators #brink #Game #win">Deadspin | Hurricanes push Senators to brink with Game 3 win  Apr 23, 2026; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes right wing Andrei Svechnikov (37) and Ottawa Senators left wing Warren Foegele (37) chase the puck in the first period of game three of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn   Logan Stankoven scored for the third straight game and the Carolina Hurricanes put the Senators on the brink of elimination with a 2-1 win in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series in Ottawa on Thursday.  Carolina leads the best-of-seven series 3-0 and Game 4 is set for Saturday at 3 p.m. ET.  Only four teams in NHL history have come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series. The last team to do it was the Los Angeles Kings against the San Jose Sharks in 2014.  Jackson Blake also scored for the Hurricanes. Taylor Hall had two assists, and Frederik Andersen made 21 saves.  Drake Batherson scored his second goal of the series for the Senators, who have yet to have the lead at any point through three games. Linus Ullmark made 25 saves in the loss.  Carolina went 0-for-4 on the power play; Ottawa was 0-for-5 and is 0-for-12 for the series.  Stankoven opened the scoring, giving the Hurricanes a 1-0 lead at 5:13 of the first period. Hall got his own rebound after a shot on the rush, circled behind the net and then passed across to Stankoven, who scored on a wrist shot from the left circle.   Brady Tkachuk got in alone against Andersen early in the second period, but his backhand attempt was stopped.  The Senators had a 5-on-3 power play for 1:28 midway through the second period but did not convert.  Ottawa defenseman Jake Sanderson left the game at 10:07 of the second period with an apparent injury after taking a shot off his left hand. He had earlier taken a shot to the head from Hall.  Batherson tied it 1-1 at 16:06 when he received Nick Cousins’ pass in the slot, went to his backhand and lifted it in over Andersen’s pad.  Blake put the Hurricanes back on top 2-1 at 17:29. K’Andre Miller received a pass at the point, skated down to the top of the left circle and passed down across to Blake, who scored past the diving Ullmark from the far post.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Hurricanes #push #Senators #brink #Game #win

Deadspin | New Rams QB Ty Simpson among biggest NFL draft surprises  Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson is selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the number 13 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images   Titans select Ohio State WR Carnell Tate at 4  If you had a bet out on Tate being the first Ohio State player taken, you probably made some money. The Titans had many needs and committed heavily to taking wide receivers in the mid-rounds last year, so the position wasn’t really on the radar for Tennessee.  Tate fits extremely well into the wide receiver room, providing a true alpha complement to Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, who showed promise, but not quite enough to elevate quarterback Cam Ward early. Pairing their franchise quarterback with a high-level wideout early could spell promise for this offense.  Chiefs select LSU CB Mansoor Delane at 6  It’s not surprising that there was some jockeying to get higher in the draft in a class with a limited number of blue-chip players, but most assumed that if the Chiefs were going to move up it would be for an edge rusher. The Chiefs lost a chunk of cornerbacks this offseason, but moving up for Delane was unexpected.  However, head coach Andy Reid should welcome Delane to the team, given the limited outside talent on the team. The group should feel a little more solid with Delane’s well-rounded coverage ability.   Rams select Alabama QB Ty Simpson at 13  The first-year Alabama signal caller has been gifted the perfect chance to develop. With Rams head coach Sean McVay on his side and a solid starter in Matthew Stafford to learn from for at least the next season or two, Simpson looks like he’ll be able to be in prime form like we saw in the first half of his final college season. The Rams are giving him a long leash to develop, a good plan for a player whom many doubted could start early. Still, this selection was a shocker for a team many believe is ready to compete for a Super Bowl this season.  Vikings select Louisville DL Caleb Banks at 18  Without the foot injury that sidelined Banks for most of the 2025 season, this would not be much of a shock. But Banks suffered another foot injury at the NFL Combine, and many believed his stock had dropped as a result.  The Vikings, though, clearly saw the impressive movement skills Banks showed off at the combine and jumped at the chance to draft him. Time will tell if this is a major upside play or an unforced blunder, that’s between Minnesota and the doctor’s office.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Rams #Simpson #among #biggest #NFL #draft #surprisesApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson is selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the number 13 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Titans select Ohio State WR Carnell Tate at 4

If you had a bet out on Tate being the first Ohio State player taken, you probably made some money. The Titans had many needs and committed heavily to taking wide receivers in the mid-rounds last year, so the position wasn’t really on the radar for Tennessee.

Tate fits extremely well into the wide receiver room, providing a true alpha complement to Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, who showed promise, but not quite enough to elevate quarterback Cam Ward early. Pairing their franchise quarterback with a high-level wideout early could spell promise for this offense.

Chiefs select LSU CB Mansoor Delane at 6

It’s not surprising that there was some jockeying to get higher in the draft in a class with a limited number of blue-chip players, but most assumed that if the Chiefs were going to move up it would be for an edge rusher. The Chiefs lost a chunk of cornerbacks this offseason, but moving up for Delane was unexpected.


However, head coach Andy Reid should welcome Delane to the team, given the limited outside talent on the team. The group should feel a little more solid with Delane’s well-rounded coverage ability.

Rams select Alabama QB Ty Simpson at 13

The first-year Alabama signal caller has been gifted the perfect chance to develop. With Rams head coach Sean McVay on his side and a solid starter in Matthew Stafford to learn from for at least the next season or two, Simpson looks like he’ll be able to be in prime form like we saw in the first half of his final college season. The Rams are giving him a long leash to develop, a good plan for a player whom many doubted could start early. Still, this selection was a shocker for a team many believe is ready to compete for a Super Bowl this season.

Vikings select Louisville DL Caleb Banks at 18

Without the foot injury that sidelined Banks for most of the 2025 season, this would not be much of a shock. But Banks suffered another foot injury at the NFL Combine, and many believed his stock had dropped as a result.

The Vikings, though, clearly saw the impressive movement skills Banks showed off at the combine and jumped at the chance to draft him. Time will tell if this is a major upside play or an unforced blunder, that’s between Minnesota and the doctor’s office.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rams #Simpson #among #biggest #NFL #draft #surprises">Deadspin | New Rams QB Ty Simpson among biggest NFL draft surprises  Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson is selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the number 13 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images   Titans select Ohio State WR Carnell Tate at 4  If you had a bet out on Tate being the first Ohio State player taken, you probably made some money. The Titans had many needs and committed heavily to taking wide receivers in the mid-rounds last year, so the position wasn’t really on the radar for Tennessee.  Tate fits extremely well into the wide receiver room, providing a true alpha complement to Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, who showed promise, but not quite enough to elevate quarterback Cam Ward early. Pairing their franchise quarterback with a high-level wideout early could spell promise for this offense.  Chiefs select LSU CB Mansoor Delane at 6  It’s not surprising that there was some jockeying to get higher in the draft in a class with a limited number of blue-chip players, but most assumed that if the Chiefs were going to move up it would be for an edge rusher. The Chiefs lost a chunk of cornerbacks this offseason, but moving up for Delane was unexpected.  However, head coach Andy Reid should welcome Delane to the team, given the limited outside talent on the team. The group should feel a little more solid with Delane’s well-rounded coverage ability.   Rams select Alabama QB Ty Simpson at 13  The first-year Alabama signal caller has been gifted the perfect chance to develop. With Rams head coach Sean McVay on his side and a solid starter in Matthew Stafford to learn from for at least the next season or two, Simpson looks like he’ll be able to be in prime form like we saw in the first half of his final college season. The Rams are giving him a long leash to develop, a good plan for a player whom many doubted could start early. Still, this selection was a shocker for a team many believe is ready to compete for a Super Bowl this season.  Vikings select Louisville DL Caleb Banks at 18  Without the foot injury that sidelined Banks for most of the 2025 season, this would not be much of a shock. But Banks suffered another foot injury at the NFL Combine, and many believed his stock had dropped as a result.  The Vikings, though, clearly saw the impressive movement skills Banks showed off at the combine and jumped at the chance to draft him. Time will tell if this is a major upside play or an unforced blunder, that’s between Minnesota and the doctor’s office.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Rams #Simpson #among #biggest #NFL #draft #surprises

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