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You know that Fernando Mendoza is going first overall. You know that at No. 2, the New York Jets are deciding between Texas Tech edge David Bailey and Ohio State edge Arvell Reese. And you know that the bona fide superstars in this draft running back Jeremiyah Love, safety Caleb Downs and linebacker Sonny Styles do not play premium positions. Thats what were seeing and hearing at the surface level. But this is "Sound Smart," where I try to spin forward, dive deeper and think outside the box. If I do my job, youll have a better understanding of what to expect ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. 1. MONDAY MORNING CONTROVERSY The Bengals won their trade for DT Dexter Lawrence. Period. At first glance, no one seemed to like the Dexter Lawrence trade for the Cincinnati Bengals. (I did, to be clear. But basically no oneelse liked it.) It was"a steal" for New York supposedly. A Top 10 pick! For Dexter Lawrence? A 28-year-old DT? Why? How?! Its actually really simple. Lawrence was a better player than whatever rookie the Bengals were going to get at 10th overall, even taking into account the financials, the age and the long-term planning. Would you rather have Dexter Lawrence or Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson? Would you rather have Dexter Lawrence or LSU corner Mansoor Delane? Lawrence or Miami tackle Francis Mauigoa? A top 10 pick sounds great. The reality of this years No. 10 is not so great unless maybe Ohio State safety Caleb Downs dropped that far. In this era of information, there are rare moments where we overthink a single transaction. But there are outliers that buck the greater trends, and I see clearly why the Bengals thought this was a win for their organization. Cincinnati is a team that needs to get better in a hurry. The job security for coach Zac Taylor isnt so much my concern. Its all about the Bengals relationship with veteran QB Joe Burrow. Listen to the way he sounded disenchanted with the game last year. He sounded like he could retire or like hed consider pulling a Matthew Stafford and demanding a trade. Cincy could lose Burrow as early as 2027. In December, I called thisthe most important offseason ever for the Bengals. This is not a drill, folks. This is one of the biggest issues an organization can face. The Bengals needed to address the issue. Theyre starting to act like it, adding Lawrence to such offseason additions as edge Boye Mafe, safeties Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger and defensive tackle Jonathan Allen. I can see why to some that might make this move sound desperate. Or illogical. Its neither. This 2026 draft isnt very impressive at the top. There will be places on Day 2 when teams will get a third-round-graded player in the third round. Otherwise, I bet most teams will feel like they're reaching, especially in Round 1. Some teams have fewer than 10 players with a first-round grade. Its possible the Bengals are one of those teams. Which would lend more credibility to the idea that Lawrence was worth it. It's a part of a bigger trend: an offseason where premium players have been especially scarce. Because the draft was so weak, teams didnt let their free agents get to the open market. (There were, for example, virtually no good defensive tackles on the open market with the best free agent option being 39-year-old Calais Campbell, who is actually still available, though not especially enticing). Because the draft is so weak and free agency looked thin, teams got more aggressive in acquiring veterans in the trade market like cornerback Trent McDuffie, edge Maxx Crosby and receiver DJ Moore. (And I know that the Crosby deal with Baltimore fell apart, but that happened, in part, because Trey Hendrickson presented a rare value that the Ravens didnt seem to initially anticipate. They probably didn't anticipate his availability because of the trends I'm mentioning.) When it comes to the Lawrence deal, there is one thing that surprised me. And thats the contract extension: one year, $28 million. I actually dont mind that the one-year deal is equal to the entirety of the 10th overall picks contract (four years, $29 million). But by signing Lawrence to only one year, the Bengals will almost certainly get into a more major negotiation with him next year, when hell be 29 and will want a multi-year contract. It would be a major issue if the Bengals only had Lawrence for one year. Theres some merit in signing him to a three-year deal right now to avoid cap complications down the line. But thats a headache the Giants would gladly accept, because theyre now looking at a defense which, this season, will have to defend running backs such as Saquon Barkley, Jonathan Taylor, Christian McCaffrey and Jahmyr Gibbs, among others. Its suddenly a ground-game league. And the Giants' defense looks like it's in danger of turning into ground meat next season without Lawrence. New York will probably draft inside linebacker Sonny Styles at fifth overall to help offset Lawrence's departure. (At No. 10, it looks like maybe the Giants will take an offensive player, like ASU receiver Tyson.) But as terrific as Styles is, he'd be a whole lot better if he was playing behind Lawrence. The Bengals are a team in dire need of impact players. They didn't see one falling into their lap on defense at 10th overall. So they moved that pick for a proven entity. If it works out, they might cure Burrow's melancholia and keep him with the organization. Finally, it feels like the Bengals are taking action. 2. IF THERES ONE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW Its OK to be thinking ahead to Arch Manning and the 2027 NFL Draft. Everyone else is. At the NFL Combine in February, a pair of NFL agents sat discussing the 2026 draft at a Starbucks near the convention center in Indianapolis. But the more they discussed this years class, the more they talked about next years class. Texas QB Arch Manning. Oregon QB Dante Moore. Ohio State QB Julian Sayin. South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers. LSU QB Sam Leavitt. That's what 2027 might have to offer. Theres a lot of talent to get excited about next year. There are enthusiasts who love this year's presumed No. 1 pick, Fernando Mendoza, including of course the folks in Las Vegas. He is a very good prospect. After him, however, the quarterback class looks starkly undertalented and/or underdeveloped. After Mendoza, theres a real lack of star potential at the top of the first round at just about every premium position. Quarterbacks Ty Simpson (Alabama) and Garrett Nussmeier (LSU) are compelling players, and theyre almost definitely going to be the QB2 and QB3 of this years class. Cole Payton (North Dakota State) figures to present strong value as a mid-round developmental prospect. But its a good thing these QBs came out this year, because they almost certainly wouldnt rank as favorably in next years class. Arch Manning, for example, would've probably been the No. 1 overall pick this year. Dante Moore might've also pushed Mendoza for QB1, if the Oregon prospect had entered the draft. It seems highly likely that Simpson will land in Round 1 but in a place where he wont have to see the field in 2026. Even his father, Jason Simpson, told me that Ty wasnt like Mendoza, who was interviewing for jobs in 2026. Simpson was interviewing for a starting job in 2027. Around the league, we have seen a few teams treading water at quarterback, most notably the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns. Its not paradise in the quarterback rooms for the Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers or New York Jets. Yet there is less urgency around the quarterback position this year than normal. And I think thats because everyone is thinking about next years prizes. There's an obvious risk, because this draft class was supposed to be better than it turned out to be. The highly-anticipated quarterbacks might return to the safety of NIL paychecks, which are in some cases higher than what a player might make in the NFL. Even considering all that, its almost a total certainty that next year's group will be better than this years group. And so the 2027 draft class is looming and to some degree lording over the 2026 draft. 3. SHARING A NOT-SO-DIRTY DRAFT SECRET Is there a pattern around prospects who turn into busts? Chiefs GM Brett Veach thinks hes found one. Why do some great prospects fail to pan out? If only NFL general managers knew for sure. And for executives who only get a few years in their decision-making chair, its even harder to get a sense of whether theres even a pattern. Thats why Chiefs general manager Brett Veachs answer to a question at his pre-draft press conference last week struck me as so interesting. This is Veachs 10th year in his role. During that time, the Chiefs have hit on guys all over the roster, from QB Patrick Mahomes to center Creed Humphrey to defensive tackle Chris Jones to cornerback Trent McDuffie. Theyve also missed on some players, from running back Clyde Helaire-Edwards to receiver Skyy Moore to defensive end Breeland Speaks. But more often than not, the Chiefs have hit in the top three rounds, which is a major reason why they have made so many Super Bowls. But last season, we saw that while Mahomes can do a whole lot he can't do it all. "If you miss on a player, its probably the character and the love for football," Veach said. "We all get enamored by what a player can do, and I think everyone has an element of, Well, if hes in our environment, itll be different. We do have a great environment here. If anyones going to get the best out of any player, its going to be here. But even [with] some of those players, its hard." Its one of the biggest clichs of the draft process these discussions of character and love for the game. But thats in part because its not quantifiable and in part because it comes off as coachspeak. Theres no easy measurement for either or for how things might change once a player arrives in the NFL. But the more you speak with evaluators, the more you know that every prospect requires development. And you can't help a guy who can't help himself. "No ones going to be perfect, and youre not always going to get Pat Mahomes and Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith in regards to mental makeup," Veach said. "The guys that you do roll the dice for, [you] plan the approach and just work on that over the years. Again, I go back to the mistakes you make are guys that at the end of the day, they just dont love football. Even though you thought you were going to change them, you didnt. "We've tried to do better with that process, identifying those things and making sure that were looking for the right traits and characteristics that do lend itself to future change." 4. WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS AFRAID TO SAY Hey Cowboys, stay the course. Dallas is putting together a solid defense. Maybe it's not a spectacular one, but it's a really good one. The Cowboys have taken the patient approach of spreading money around the defense rather than investing in one unit with an unnecessary sense of urgency. This is the Micah Parsons effect, where theyve sacrificed one elite pass-rusher in the name of having elite offensive playmakers and a well-rounded defense. Dont lose sight of the plan, Dallas. "Ive looked at that mirror a lot, about how to go up and down and trade and do those kinds of things," owner Jerry Jones said in a press conference at the owners meetings in March. "And absolutely, well entertain improving or an in-draft read on what gives us a better chance to get another player, and still have our pick and the red meat of top players. With the kind of assets or the kind of ammunition we've got in this draft, you should look at all machinations." Theres a growing sentiment that Dallas wants to trade up for Sonny Styles or Arvell Reese. Maybe into the top five picks. I cant get behind either concept. It would derail what appeared to be the Cowboys' strategy around the Parsons trade. From this draft, Reese is most like Parsons but given how little playing time Reese got in his edge role at Ohio State, hes a legitimately risky play for an investment that would likely require two first-round picks. The film is excellent, but theres not that much of it. Its an easier sell for Styles, who is (in my opinion) one of two clear-cut instant Pro Bowlers alongside Jeremiyah Love. But trading up for Styles is comparable to the plot of Draft Day giving up multiple first-round picks to get a linebacker. Its the most ridiculous plot point of the movie and thats saying something. I dont like the Cowboys doing it in real life. So heres hoping if the Cowboys do move up, they dont worry about getting into the top five picks. They jump up a few spots, if necessary, to snag Miami edge Rueben Bain or Caleb Downs or even Styles, if he slips to seventh or eighth. But the whole idea was to use the Parsons trade as an opportunity to bring depth and balance to the defense. Dont abandon that whole idea. Make sure you come away from the 2026 draft with two first-round picks. Make sure you preserve your first-rounders in the 2027 draft. For the love of all things good in the world, dont write "Sonny Styles No Matter What" on a Post-it. 5. PEELING BACK THE CURTAIN The draft process has been complicated for Rueben Bain. The draft process is long, invasive and comprehensive. Just a month ago, Caleb Downs told me that he didnt feel like the months leading up to the draft were one big interview because NFL teams are "doing background checks on your childhood stuff, so at this point, your whole life is sort of a job interview." Thats why NFL teams knew about Rueben Bains car accident long before the public did. In March 2024, Bain rear-ended another vehicle,per a police report published on The Read Optional. Three of the four passengerswere not wearing seat belts and 22-year-old Destiny Betts sustained injuries severe enough to put her in a coma. She died in June 2024. "Weve known about it since last summer," one scout told me regarding the accident. "I still think he goes in the top 10. Again, everyone has known about this in the NFL." I sat down with Bain last month in Portland at the Adidas "Pro Day" just after the NFL Combine to talk about the pre-draft process. At the time, I didnt know about the accident, which is important context for the interview. I asked him how his meetings with teams went. And he told me what it was like speaking with the Jets, who were his first interview at the combine and are picking at Nos. 2 and 16 in the draft on Thursday night. "It definitely was nerve-wracking," Bain told me. "That first meeting, walking up to my first meeting, my heart was pounding like literally beating on my chest. But once I sat down and got in the swing of things, I was actually just being myself, talking, being confident in my knowledge of the game." One NFL scout confirmed that his team and likely every team checked in about the accident. So in all likelihood, Bain answered some hard questions from the Jets. Chiefs GM Brett Veach said his scouting staff spoke with Bain about it. The strange reality, in hindsight, was that Bain was one of the combines biggest talking points for different reasons. The discussion centered around his arm length (30 inches), tied for the fourth-shortest for a defensive end since 1999. "I dont really think about it," he told me. "I dont give no energy to it." Bain looked back on his time at the combine with fondness. "I couldve stayed in Indianapolis forever if we kept doing what we was doing," he told me. "Everybody there was kind of complaining about it, dragging about it. But for me, my first two days was super fun, just talking football, interviewing with teams, stuff like that. Then the next three, four days,just watching guys compete, getting out there, seeing the whole experience of the combine."

Bangladesh roared back into the three-match series with a comprehensive six-wicket victory over New Zealand in the second ODI at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

The blockbuster trade between the Giants and Bengals kicked off draft-week chaos

Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty ImagesShai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a dominant 119-84 victory over the Phoenix Suns in Game 1 last Sunday.The result was effectively secured early, allowing OKC to control the pace throughout.The Thunder star played just 29 minutes due to the comfortable margin, yet still finished as the games top scorer with 25 points. His efficiency ensured the hosts never lost control of the contest.Despite the convincing win and his scoring output, Gilgeous-Alexanders performance sparked debate among fans. Attention quickly shifted from the result to how his points were accumulated.Fans criticise Shai Gilgeous-Alexanders free throw reliance against PhoenixPhoto by William Purnell/Getty ImagesGilgeous-Alexanders trip to the free throw line became the focal point of discussion after the game. Of his 25 points, 15 came from free throws, highlighting a recurring aspect of his playstyle.That tendency has divided opinion throughout recent seasons, and the reaction following the Suns game was particularly strong from those who disapprove of his approach.One fan wrote on X: Its a disgrace the best guard in basketball chooses to play like this. The league has to stop rewarding this or else the game will die.Another added: A terrible brand of basketball. Its why he cant be the face of the league. You arent as excited to watch him play compared to the Stephs, Brons, Shaqs, Kobes, MJs, Birds and Magics. He plays a boring brand of basketball because he leans on flopping for fouls.He is not the best guard in the league, he has to play like that or he will just be a top 25 player instead of top 5, read a third comment.Another reaction summed up the frustration: 25 points on 17 FT attempts is a disgusting stat line, big bro.SGA explains reason behind frequent foulsGilgeous-Alexander addressed the high free throw volume by explaining his style of play after the game.During the post-match press conference, the MVP contender said: When you drive the ball a lot, you get fouled a lot, just because most of the fouls happen on drives, and I drive the ball a lot, so that probably adds to it.I just tried to get better at many aspects over the years Ive been in the league, trying to be able to attack teams defences in multiple ways, and I feel like Ive done so.Read more:Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown achieve milestone only shared with NBAs greatest duosIts not just Wembanyama: Spurs star mirrors Tony Parker vs Portland as stats confirmWembanyama does what no NBA player has done since 1997, also breaking Duncans record

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Liam Rosenior has declared he retains the complete backing of Chelsea's hierarchy, even as the club endures a barren run of four successive Premier League defeats.The 41-year-old, who took charge following Enzo Maresca's departure on New Year's Day, saw his side fall to Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.That result has opened a seven-point gap between Chelsea and Liverpool in fifth position, placing the Blues' Champions League ambitions in serious jeopardy.When questioned about whether he still enjoys the confidence of those above him, Rosenior was unequivocal: "100 per cent. They've been supportive of me in our daily conversations, the sporting directors involved they've been magnificent in their support of me and the team."TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayThe head coach acknowledged that co-owner Behdad Eghbali had publicly expressed confidence in him last week, stating: "Of course, it's a results business, but we think he can be successful long term."Eghbali also indicated the club would pursue more seasoned players during the summer transfer window and would adjust their approach if necessary, having assembled the Premier League's youngest squad.Rosenior reflected on those remarks: "He wants consistent trophies and consistent success for this club. That's what we've spoken about in the now, in the summer and how we build."The manager added that everyone at the club understands what is required to restore Chelsea to their rightful standing.Following Saturday's defeat, footage circulated widely on social media showing defender Wesley Fofana apparently ignoring attempts by first-team coach Justin Walker to engage with him.Rosenior confirmed he had addressed the matter directly with the player and that Fofana would remain available for Tuesday evening's fixture at Brighton.LATEST SPORTS NEWS:Nike forced to take down Boston Marathon sign as offended athletes accuse them of 'pace shaming'Matt Fitzpatrick makes feelings clear on hostile American crowd after RBC Heritage winSnooker chiefs respond after Barry Hawkins complaint at World Championship"I've spoken to him about it and he's just disappointed that we're losing the game," said Rosenior."I do think he could have shown that emotion in a better way and that's something I've spoken to him about, but the optics are not the reality."The head coach emphasised that Fofana had apologised for his conduct, noting that young players will inevitably make errors.Chelsea will be without Estevao for the Brighton trip after the Brazilian sustained a hamstring problem during Saturday's match.Striker Joao Pedro is also a concern and will undergo a late assessment to determine his availability.There was more encouraging news regarding Levi Colwill, who has been sidelined with a long-term knee injury.The defender featured in a behind-closed-doors fixture on Friday as part of his recovery, though he is not yet ready for first-team action.Colwill is expected to gain further match fitness by turning out for Chelsea's Under-21 side this coming Saturday.As for Brighton, the Seagulls will go into the clash on the back of a dramatic 2-2 draw with Tottenham, having scored late to narrowly avoid defeat. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter