On the latest episode of Yahoo Sports' "Football 301," host Nate Tice and guest Diante Lee of The Ringer set out to answer an offseason debate: which defenders are set to define the 2026 NFL season?
Tice and Lee drafted their top picks for a one-year, all-defensive draft, ranking their selections by a blend of advanced stats, positional value and the all-important "culture-setter" factor. Here's a recap of their consensus top-five defenders and some of the reasoning behind their choices.
These five defenders were highlighted not just for their raw production, but also their ability to transform schemes, elevate teammates, and serve as centerpieces for Super Bowl-caliber units. According to Tice and Lee, expect them to be the most influential defensive forces of the 2026 season.
1. Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans, EDGE
For Lee, the top pick had to be Anderson, the Texans' superstar edge rusher. Lee praised Anderson's "explosion in sack production," pointing to his 12 sacks last season and his dominance as a run defender, which Lee argued was the best at his position league-wide.
Advanced stats back it up: Anderson posted a 97th percentile sack rate and an equally elite QB hit rate. His relentless style sets the tone for the Texans' defense, transforming what it means to play defensive end in Houston.
Tice followed up by selecting Garrett, now a key piece on the Rams. The panel described Garrett as "one of the true best players in football" and "one of the best players I've ever seen in my life"
Garrett's transition to L.A. is a potential game-changer, reminiscent of era-defining player moves like Randy Moss to the Patriots and Reggie White to the Packers . Garrett's ability to disrupt both run and pass sets him apart, and Lee suggested that L.A.'s infrastructure could unlock his very best season yet.
3. Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers, EDGE
Lee emphasized Parsons' "transformational" traits, his perennial 2%+ sack rate and his ability to single-handedly elevate the run and pass defense. Parsons' on-off splits, where Green Bay's defense plummets in his absence, drive home just how rare his impact can be.
The consensus: if he's healthy, few defenders can change a game like Parsons.
Micah Parsons is no stranger to double teams. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
Justin Edmonds via Getty Images
4. Pat Surtain II, Denver Broncos, CB
Surtain is described as "one of the best corners I've ever watched" and "the prototype" at the position, thanks to a rare blend of size, speed, quickness and football IQ. Both hosts compared Surtain's effect to Darrelle Revis: eliminate half the field, force quarterbacks to look elsewhere and anchor any coverage shell.
5. Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs, DT
Rounding out the top five is Jones, a true game-wrecker. Lee couldn't leave Jones off his board, citing his penchant for taking over games, especially in critical moments like the second half vs. Indianapolis last year.
While Jones "picks and chooses his spots," when he's engaged, he's simply "unblockable." His presence fundamentally redefines what offenses are able to do, even if the box sheet doesn't always show a 10-tackle, 3-sack stat line.
For more on the NFL, listen to "Football 301" wherever you get your podcasts.
The Yankees prospect launched his first career home run against the Guardians on Tuesday night, a 443-foot bomb to straightaway center off of Cleveland starter Slade Cecconi.
After taking a ball on the first pitch of his first at-bat of the game, Cecconi threw an 87.2 mph cutter that was right over the heart of the plate. Jones did not miss, taking Cecconi deep and giving the Yankees an early 2-0 lead.
Jones' prodigious power has made him a fan-favorite among Yankees prospects, but it hasn't yet translated to the major league level.
In his first cup of coffee with the Yankees in early May, Jones was 4-for-24 and two RBI across 10 games. All four hits were singles, and Jones was eventually optioned back to Triple-A.
With Aaron Judge landing on the IL, and Jasson Dominguez still rehabbing, Jones was called up and has looked much better at the plate. Entering Tuesday's game, Jones was 3-for-8 with a double, his first career extra-base hit, with an RBI in three games.
In the minors, Jones launched 35 bombs in 2025 between Double-A and Triple-A and had 13 longballs with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 43 games this season.
ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 3: Grant Holmes #66 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the third inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Truist Park on June 3, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr.Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Atlanta Braves will be facing the White Sox who will be using Brandon Eisert who is supposed to be followed by former Atlanta Braves pitcher Erick Fedde. Don’t remember Fedde? He would probably like it to stay that way. Those 23.1 innings were some of the worst of his career when he posted a 8.10 ERA. Eisert has been great for the White Sox in a small sample of 14.0 innings this season with a 3.21 ERA, 2.97 FIP, 1,214 WHIP and fifteen strikeouts to five walks.
The Braves come to Chicago after a 5-1 homestand where they swept the Pirates and went 2-1 against the reigning AL champ Blue Jays. Grant Holmes has been streaky at best this season, but has largely gotten the job done and looks to quiet a surprisingly good White Sox offense that is fourth in HRs and seventh in runs per game.
Follow along with us in the comments. First pitch is at 7:40 EDT
Braden Montgomery will bat sixth and start in right field as he makes his major league debut in Chicago. | (MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Looking to move on from a disappointing series loss in Philadelphia, the White Sox (34-31) return to Chicago for a tough six-game home stand against both the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers — two of the top three teams in MLB. First up is Atlanta (45-21), which has been a standout since the beginning of the season, and trails only the Dodgers with a +116 run differential while riding a three-game win streak into Chi-Town. The Braves are 8-2 compared to the White Sox’s 6-4 in their last 10 games, while the Good Guys are also ranked ninth in baseball and are the only team in the AL Central division with a positive run differential (+8). Some may scoff at the eight runs, but this is unheard of a year ago, maybe even two months ago, so in my eyes, we should be doing kick flips in our living rooms for this kind of turnaround.
The White Sox are still missing several key pieces on the roster, with Munetaka Murakami, Kyle Teel, Noah Schultz, and more remaining on the IL as the team works to get back to full strength. Thankfully, several players have stepped up in their absences, and the prospects who have joined the big-league squad throughout the season have found ways to contribute, whether at the plate or on defense. The newest addition to the South Siders is outfielder Braden Montgomery, who has met or exceeded expectations at every level he’s played at thus far in his professional career, finally earning the call-up to the majors. Braden was one of the highlights of the Garrett Crochet trade with the Boston Red Sox in 2024, along with Chase Meidroth, Kyle Teel, and Wikelman González, and was ranked second among White Sox prospects and 21st in all of baseball.
Also in today’s roster moves, Chicago is calling up left-handed pitcher Joe Rock while sending both Rikuu Nishida and righthander David Sandlin back to Charlotte. Austin Hays was seemingly on his way to rehabbing his injury, but has since been moved to the 60-day IL, leading Chris Getz to finally make some strides in actually holding a fully competent outfield.
Montgomery will make his debut batting sixth and playing right field, joining rookies Sam Antonacci and Tristan Peters to round out the White Sox outfield. While Colson Montgomery will be getting an extra rest day for some lingering back tightness, the Sox still have plenty of power within the lineup as both Peters and Andrew Benintendi have posted a .750 and .613 slugging percentage, respectively, over the last two weeks. And let’s not forget about Miguel Vargas, who is currently leading all third basemen in home runs (15), RBIs (41), and runs scored (47), trailing only Junior Caminero in OPS at .859.
Lefthander Brandon Eisert will be the opener for Erick Fedde, who is coming off a solid five-inning, two-hit start against the Twins; however, the Braves will be a much bigger challenge for the righthander. Fedde holds a 4.94 ERA across 12 outings this season (58 1/3 innings), though his 6.11 FIP paints a more honest picture, and unfortunately, he does not strike out many batters despite walking them at a 9.4% walk rate. The first four Atlanta batters alone are concerning, as Fedde is tied for seventh in MLB with 2.00 home runs per nine innings (HR/9) with 13 homers allowed this season, and Matt Olson is batting third while also tied for sixth in home runs with 17 — tied for second in the National League.
Working against the South Side offense is righthander Grant Holmes, who has been a staple for the Braves’ rotation this season, posting a 3.86 ERA across 12 starts and 63 innings. Even with a better ERA and strikeout rate than Fedde, Holmes has posted similar stats in other categories, including a 10% walk rate and a weaker 5.11 FIP.
The first pitch is at 6:40 p.m. CT on the South Side, and it will be a warm, humid evening with temperatures around 85º. Tune in to the usual locations at CHSN for the TV broadcast, and ESPN Chicago AM 1000 for the radio crew. Time for a W on Braden Montgomery Night!
Kansas City Royals pitcher Stephen Kolek (32) delivers a pitch in the first inning between the Kansas City Royals and Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. | Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
A few pieces of good news, y’all. First, Bobby Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia and Jac Caglianone are back in the lineup for the first time in a hot minute. That’s good! Those are the three best hitters in the lineup.
The other good news? Salvador Perez is down hitting fifth. It could be better; he could be hitting sixth or seventh. But he’s hitting fifth, and the further down he and his .250-something on base percentage can go, the better. I mentioned this on the Royals Rundown podcast the other day, but the Royals are a better offense without his bat in the lineup, unfortunately.
Of course, that probably means he’s going to whack a home run, maybe two, to spite me. Bring it on, Salvy. Bring it on.
The Carolina Hurricanes held on to beat the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3 Tuesday night in Game 4 to edge the final series 2-2.
Carolina started hot with a 3-1 goal advantage after the opening 20 minutes. Two of those goals came within the opening four minutes that set the tone for the rest of the way.
But this has been a series of the comeback, so it wasn’t surprising that two Vegas goals knotted up the score in the second period. William Karlsson scored the first of the period before Brett Howden drilled one from a deep angle for the equalizer late on.
In the third period, Vegas made the most costly mistake of the game that got punished. A poor clearance in their own defensive area led to some opportune shots for Carolina.
Eventually it was Jordan Staal, a goalscorer from the first period, who capitalized with an angled diving effort. It could go on to be a memorable frame if Carolina gets it over the line for just the second time in franchise history (2005-06).
The goal would prove to be the winner as Vegas had to chase the action the rest of the way. Eventually, Nikolaj Ehlers added Carolina’s fifth in the closing minutes as Vegas had an empty net.
It’s been an incredibly even series so far with little margin for error on either side.
Both teams have exchanged wins since Vegas stole Game 1 on the road 5-4. Carolina responded with a 4-3 Game 2 win before the Golden Knights once again claimed a 5-4 final scoreline in Game 3. Game 4 was about to follow the one-score difference before Ehlers’ open-net finish.
If the victor trends are anything to go by, another tight game is in store for Thursday with Vegas in line for the win pattern. But Carolina is back on home ice and will be looking to defend it as the victor will be just one win away from hoisting the main prize.
The Carolina Hurricanes held on to beat the Vegas Golden Knights 5-3 Tuesday night in Game 4 to edge the final series 2-2.
Carolina started hot with a 3-1 goal advantage after the opening 20 minutes. Two of those goals came within the opening four minutes that set the tone for the rest of the way.
But this has been a series of the comeback, so it wasn’t surprising that two Vegas goals knotted up the score in the second period. William Karlsson scored the first of the period before Brett Howden drilled one from a deep angle for the equalizer late on.
In the third period, Vegas made the most costly mistake of the game that got punished. A poor clearance in their own defensive area led to some opportune shots for Carolina.
Eventually it was Jordan Staal, a goalscorer from the first period, who capitalized with an angled diving effort. It could go on to be a memorable frame if Carolina gets it over the line for just the second time in franchise history (2005-06).
The goal would prove to be the winner as Vegas had to chase the action the rest of the way. Eventually, Nikolaj Ehlers added Carolina’s fifth in the closing minutes as Vegas had an empty net.
It’s been an incredibly even series so far with little margin for error on either side.
Both teams have exchanged wins since Vegas stole Game 1 on the road 5-4. Carolina responded with a 4-3 Game 2 win before the Golden Knights once again claimed a 5-4 final scoreline in Game 3. Game 4 was about to follow the one-score difference before Ehlers’ open-net finish.
If the victor trends are anything to go by, another tight game is in store for Thursday with Vegas in line for the win pattern. But Carolina is back on home ice and will be looking to defend it as the victor will be just one win away from hoisting the main prize.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 08: Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a three point basket over Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks during the third quarter in Game Three of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on June 08, 2026 in New York City. 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. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Heading into a highly anticipated Finals matchup between a hot Knicks team and a young and upcoming Spurs team, Mitchell Robinson was consistently brought up as someone who could have a big impact even in limited minutes. In the past, he’s dominated games, even series, with his elite offensive rebounding and game-changing defense. And he’s also had success slowing down Victor Wembanyama. Through three games, though, he’s been anything but a game changer.
In game one, the reserve big man had some solid minutes, scoring two points and grabbing six rebounds in 13 minutes. But since then, he’s not only been neutralized, but his presence has seemingly been detrimental to the team. He has yet to have a single game where he’s had a positive plus-minus, he’s grabbed just six offensive rebounds, has just one steal, and one block, and he’s done all that despite spending some of his minutes playing against Spurs backup, Luke Kornet, someone who many believed Robinson could, and would dominate.
Unfortunately for the Knicks, though, it’s only gotten worse as the series has gone on. His game two, despite being bad, wasn’t disastrous. He was a -10 in 14 minutes, but made three of his six free throws, scored two baskets, and was more active defensively. Last night, though, Robinson looked very bad.
It’s hard to tell if it’s the hand, the overwhelming crowd, the moment, or just a lack of concentration, but it was clear from the beginning that Robinson just wasn’t where he needed to be. With about two minutes left in the first quarter, when the aforementioned Kornet sets a screen for De’Aaron Fox, he is caught flat-footed with his arms down, allowing Fox to take a very easy two-dribble pull-up jump shot. Making this play confusing is the fact that Kornet isn’t even rolling or popping. After setting a screen, he stands there for a good second or two, making Robinson’s decision to continue dropping questionable if not downright bad.
Just seconds later, Kornet gets the ball at the top of the key, which initiates a Dylan Harper cut off of him. Robinson, instead of reading this and dropping back, watches Landry Shamet get blown up the Kornet screen, which leads to a highlight dunk for the Spurs rookie. Why is Robinson playing up on Kornet like he is Karl-Anthony Towns? Nobody knows.
But it doesn’t stop there. He had a play later on in the game where he just accepts being screened by Keldon Johnson on a delayed transition play in the third quarter. This leads to an open Wembanyama, who then drops off a pass to Johnson for a layup. There’s another play on a failed lob play where Wembanyama can’t finish the alley-oop, but comes down with it. Robinson is right there, but does little to impact the attempt. For much of the series, Robinson has failed to do the things he’s known for. He hasn’t matched the physicality, the energy, or attention to detail that the Spurs, and the stage that is the Finals calls for. And that’s a big problem for him and the Knicks.
Even in short spurts and limited minutes, Robinson’s ability to be an elite backup center and be a disruptor was supposed to be one of the key strengths for the Knicks. His doing so would give the Knicks 48 uninterrupted minutes of elite center play against one of the best bigs in the league. Instead, they’ve gotten a confusingly uninspired performance that is inexplicable for the biggest games of his life.
The Knicks are still the favorites with -180 odds to win it all on FanDuel, but last night’s loss closed the gap substantially. If New York wants to get back to their winning ways and keep the Spurs from making those odds uncomfortably close, matching San Antonio’s physicality, activity, and energy will be pivotal, and Robinson getting his head in the game would go a long way in helping them do so.
It wasn’t just the Spurs star’s stats that increased in San Antonio’s 115-111 win, but his physicality also rose sharply.
But in seeing that physical play, ex-NBAer Lou Williams went as far as to say on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back” on Tuesday that Wembanyama was “dirty.”
Victor Wembanyama in Game 3 of the NBA Finals. NBAE via Getty Images
“Give credit where it’s due. Wemby’s starting to do a lot of dirty s–t,” Williams, the three-time Sixth Man of the Year, said.
Chandler Parsons said Wembanyama, who scored 32 points in Game 3 but made headlines for his shove of Knicks star Jalen Brunson, needs to find the right balance in his game.
“I’d rather him do this than flopping and foul baiting.” Parsons said. “He’s got to be careful, though. This type of stuff will get you tossed from a game, and then your team has zero chance.”
"Give credit where it's due. Wemby's starting to do a lot of dirty sh*t." – Lou Williams
"Y'all called him skinny and weak for 2.5 years." – Michelle Beadle
"I'd rather him do this than flopping and foul baiting." – Chandler Parsons
Many have pointed to the one play in particular when Wembanyama was guarding Brunson late in the first quarter and the San Antonio big man threw Brunson to the floor.
The referees did not call a foul live and did not review the play. During the postgame interviews, Brunson remained coy about what happened.
The Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama (1) shoves Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in the back of the head during Game 3 of the NBA Finals on June 8, 2026. ABC
“I’m nowhere near Trae Young level, though,” he said of the former Hawks star who tormented the Knicks during the 2021 playoffs.
The Spurs dictated the physicality of Game 3 as a whole. The perimeter guards in Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox made it hard for Brunson and the Knicks to have freedom on the outside.
The Spurs were also able to shut down Karl-Anthony Towns (11 points on 4-for-10 shooting) for the first time in the series.
But still, even with the 7-foot-4 Defensive Player of the Year, the Spurs were out-rebounded (46 to 37) and conceded more points in the paint (46 to 44). But that did not hurt them in Game 3 because the guards played so well.
Jalen Brunson in Game 3 of the NBA Finals AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin
If the Spurs want to knot the series at two games apiece on Wednesday night, that could be an area of improvement. But for the Knicks, consistent play will be key.
The now all-important Game 4 tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET.
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 16: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles past Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the third quarter of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on November 16, 2023 in San Francisco, California. 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. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
We’re exactly two weeks away from Day 1 of the 2026 NBA Draft which, yes, is now a two-day event. A lot can change between now and then, including the Golden State Warriors attaching their first-round pick to a few other assets to land a big fish before free agency begins. But the most likely scenario is that when Adam Silver calls out the No. 11 pick on draft night, it still has the Warriors’ name attached to it, and is a player that Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Steve Kerr are excited about adding to the rotation.
One of my favorite things to do during draft season is look back on prior picks, so I can calibrate my own expectations. Of course, it’s hard to compare picks year over year — sometimes teams opt for a raw project that they hope can develop down the road, while other times they choose a player they anticipate contributing right away (such as Yaxel Lendeborg, who our Ricky O’Donnell has the Dubs selecting in his latest mock draft).
So here, to help you get a feel for what the Warriors can strive for, are the last 20 No. 11 picks in the draft.
2025: Cedric Coward (Grizzlies)
It’s also hard to compare draft picks because team situations vary so much. The Grizzlies, who swung a draft day trade for Coward, were hit by an absurd amount of injuries this year, and it opened up the door for their first-round pick to play a lot. Coward took advantage, averaging 13.6 points and 5.9 rebounds per game, and making the All-Rookie first team. Only time will tell if he’s a quality starter going forward, or if it’s an Eric Paschall situation.
2024: Matas Buzelis (Bulls)
Safe to say the Warriors would be thrilled to get a Buzelis. In his rookie season he made the All-Rookie team and earned Rookie of the Year votes, while playing well enough to help a team with playoff aspirations. And he followed it up with a sophomore leap that makes him look like he could be a player Chicago builds around for the future.
2023: Jett Howard (Magic)
Suffice to say, you can’t expect to hit a home run with every pick outside of the top 10 (or inside it, for that matter). So far, that’s been the case for the Magic with Howard. He hasn’t been a bust, but only plays a modest bench role — in his third season this year, he averaged career highs in minutes (12.6) and points (5.5).
2022: Ousmane Dieng (Thunder)
Some of the draft serve as a reminder as to how good of a player is drafted at No. 11. And some serve as a reminder as to how good of a player is available at No. 11. Dieng was unable to become a key part of OKC’s rotation during his time with the team, though he played well after a midseason trade to the Bucks this year. But most notably, the two players drafted immediately after Dieng were Jalen Williams and Jalen Duren, All-Stars who are core players on two of the best teams in the NBA.
2021: James Bouknight (Hornets)
The 2021 draft wasn’t great for the Warriors … they took Jonathan Kuminga No. 7 (one spot ahead of Franz Wagner), and Moses Moody No. 14 (two spots ahead of Alperen Şengün, and three spots ahead of Trey Murphy III). But suffice to say, it went a bit worse for the Hornets, who used their lottery pick on Bouknight. He played in just 79 games over three years (while also having legal issues) before being cut, and didn’t catch on anywhere but the G League. He now plays in Mexico.
2020: Devin Vassell (Spurs)
If the 2021 draft wasn’t great for the Warriors, the 2020 one was even worse. The infamous Covid draft saw the Dubs take James Wiseman with the second overall pick, right before LaMelo Ball. A lot of strong players fell to lower draft positions, including Vassell, who is currently a starter on a Spurs team that’s in the NBA Finals. Vassell was a quality role player as a rookie, and a player to build around by his third year.
2019: Cameron Johnson (Suns)
Johnson isn’t a spectacular player, but he’s a high-quality role player, and that’s a nice (but realistic) get at No. 11. He averaged 8.8 points as a rookie, and has averaged 12.8 for his career, peaking at 18.8 during the 2024-25 season. He’s a career 39.6% shooter from deep, and it’s safe to say Golden State would love to find that in the draft. To me, Johnson feels like the prototypical No. 11 pick. There are plenty of players drafted in this slot that are worse, but you’d still be pretty disappointed to get one of them. You aim for this level of production, and hope that you strike gold with a star. Speaking of which…
2018: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Clippers)
I probably don’t need to inform you all as to who SGA is. His rookie version would help the Dubs tremendously — he averaged 10.8 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.2 steals, while making the All-Rookie team — but what he blossomed into is the real story. I’ve long maintained that the Warriors quest for two timelines is absurd and unrealistic, but that could all change if the Dubs draft a player who will go on to win back-to-back MVPs, average 30+ points in four consecutive seasons, and lead a young team to a championship. They should do that. That’s my official stance.
Side note: SGA was part of a draft day trade that saw the Hornets trade him to the Clippers for the No. 12 pick (Miles Bridges) and two second-rounders. After his rookie year, the Clippers traded him to the Thunder, along with Danilo Gallinari, two first-round pick swaps, and five first-round draft picks, for Paul George. I can only imagine what the Charlotte and LA fanbases (and ownerships) feel every time they play the Thunder.
2017: Malik Monk (Hornets)
Monk is another player who feels very much like a No. 11 pick. You hope you get something better, you’re disappointed if you get something worse, and you expect to get something in his galaxy. He’s a high-quality role player who can help any team, and that was true from his rookie season.
2016: Domantas Sabonis (Thunder)
Yet another No. 11 pick with ties to Paul George (who sadly was drafted 10th, not 11th). Before the Thunder traded George for a No. 11 pick entering his second season, they traded a No. 11 pick entering his second season for George. Needless to say, the Dubs would be thrilled if they landed Sabonis at No. 11 this year. He was a contributor from Day 1, starting in 66 games as a rookie, and averaging double figures as a sophomore. By year four he was an All-Star who averaged a double-double. Now he’s a three-time All-Star and a three-time rebounding champ.
2015: Myles Turner (Pacers)
Turner is far from the best player on this list, but he’s still someone the Warriors would be very excited to land at No. 11. He averaged 10.3 points and 5.5 rebounds as a rookie, while starting 30 games, playing strong defense, and making the All-Rookie team. He’s averaged double figures every year of his career, is a decent shooter from distance, and has led the league in blocks twice, while drawing All-Defense and All-Star consideration a few times. If the Dubs end up with a player of Turner’s caliber, they’ll get someone who can help them win games immediately, while being a core part of the next era of Golden State hoops.
2014: Doug McDermott (Bulls)
McDermott should be proud of the career he’s put together, but he’s still an example of a player Golden State will really want to avoid, especially since they’ll likely be shopping for players on the older side. McDermott was a four-year college player and the reigning college Player of the Year when he entered the draft, but his lack of athleticism never allowed him to thrive in the NBA. He averaged just 3.0 points as a rookie, and has spent his career mostly playing sporadic minutes for bad teams. Again, it’s a career he should be proud of: despite many draft pundits saying he wouldn’t be able to survive in the NBA, he’s put together a 12-year career, made a lot of money, and scored more than 6,000 career points. Those are things to be proud of, but things the Warriors will be hoping to avoid.
2013: Michael Carter-Williams (76ers)
This is a fun hypothetical: how would you feel if the Dubs drafted Carter-Williams? As a rookie, MCW averaged 16.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.9 steals, while winning Rookie of the Year. That sure would help Golden State this season! It was also far and away the best year of his career, and by his fourth year he was down to 6.6 points, and would never average double digits again. It was a weird career, and a reminder that the Warriors could end up with a player who helps them in the short term but not the long term … or vice versa.
2012: Meyers Leonard (Blazers)
Leonard is a player who put together a pretty solid career, but would still be a disappointment if the Warriors drafted his 2026 equivalent. He contributed a little bit as a rookie, but only averaged 17.5 minutes on a bad Blazers team, and barely played as a sophomore. Eventually he became a decent contributor, but never anything special. He’s not a bust, but you hope to do better.
2011: Klay Thompson (Warriors)
Do we need to say anything about Klay? It goes without saying that the Dubs would be ecstatic at the opportunity to draft their future Hall of Famer again. Klay contributed right away for Golden State, averaging 12.5 points as a rookie, while shooting 41.4% from three-point range and making the All-Rookie team. In his fourth year he was an All-Star, and All-NBA selection, and a champion. It’s fairly obvious that if the Warriors draft one of the best players in franchise history this year, they’ll be happy.
2010: Cole Aldrich (Thunder)
Aldrich is the type of player the Warriors will be hoping to avoid in the draft. He was drafted onto a contending team and couldn’t crack the rotation, as he appeared in just 18 games as a rookie, and scored a mere 18 points. It wasn’t until his fifth year where he started to become a rotation player, and even then it was in a limited capacity. This won’t help Golden State with their short term or long term goals.
2009: Terrence Williams (Nets)
Four picks after the Dubs selected Steph Curry, the Nets grabbed Williams, who only played four seasons in the Association. Williams was decent as a rookie, which Golden State is certainly on the hunt for, but he never developed after his first year.
2008: Jerryd Bayless (Blazers)
Another player who had a lengthy career, but still is a player the Warriors will be hoping to do better than. Bayless played 11 seasons in the NBA, though he started just 99 games and often filled out the bench for mediocre teams. He’s a valuable player to have, but someone you’d rather sign to the mid-level exception, rather than draft with a lottery pick.
2007: Acie Law (Hawks)
Ahh, Law, who had two stints on the Warriors and catches a stray from Curry once a year due to Don Nelson’s propensity for playing him over the future MVP. He only had a four-year career, and probably would not have helped this version of the Warriors as a rookie, or at any point in his career.
2006: JJ Redick (Magic)
I try not to admit this in public, but once upon a time I was a huge Duke fan, and an even huger Redick fan. Those things haven’t aged incredibly well, but my desire for the Warriors to use the No. 9 pick on Redick instead of Patrick O’Bryant looks pretty smart in hindsight. It took Redick a little bit of time to really find his groove in the pros — he averaged double figures 10 straight seasons — but even as a youngster with moderate stats, he was a contributor for a good Magic team. Like many on this list, Redick is the type of player that the Warriors are probably expecting to get, but hoping to do better than.
So there’s 20 years worth of No. 11 picks. The conclusion, as always? Just draft Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Klay Thompson, obviously.
Will Smith could be headed to the IL. (Ryan Sun / AP)
Dodgers catcher Will Smith was out of the lineup for a third straight game on Tuesday against the Pirates, the stiffness in his neck still lingering. He’ll probably also be sidelined Wednesday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“Now the [injured list] is more of a possibility,” Roberts said, noting that the minimum for positions players is 10 days. “We’re starting to talk about that.”
Teams can backdate IL moves by up to three days. Smith’s neck problem cropped up Saturday, when he was scratched from the Dodgers’ lineup against the Angels. Though Roberts speculated then that Smith could have slept on it awkwardly, he said the cause of the injury is unclear.
Smith played catch Tuesday, Roberts said, which “went OK,” but Smith’s neck bothers him the most while swinging.
“It’s still a day-to-day situation,” Roberts said. “But for me, just talking to him, talking to the trainers, I would like him to go through a full day [of work] before he plays. So that would probably take [Wednesday] off the table. And then we’ll kind of go from there.”
In Smith’s absence, 25-year-old Dalton Rushing has started three straight games behind the plate, including his four-hit performance in the series finale against the Angels, and six of the past nine games.
“This year my whole goal was to make sure, if there’s an opportunity [when] Will needs rest … make sure that I can provide just as much as he does with the bat as well as behind the plate,” Rushing said Saturday. “That’s something I’m obviously continuing to work toward. Whatever he needs, I’ll be here. He knows I’ll catch seven days a week. He knows I’ll catch every game if he can’t go back there.”
If the Dodgers were to put Smith on the IL, it’s unclear who would back up Rushing. After releasing Seby Zavala last week, the Dodgers’ triple-A catchers are Eliezer Alfonzo and Chuckie Robinson, both journeymen with only Robinson having some major-league experience.
Mar 27, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; A general view of the Rogers Centre during the Opening Ceremonies before a game between the Athletics and the Toronto Blue Jays. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Dylan Cease is back and Vlad leads off. Dueling headlines for this one.
I’m putting this together early, so I can have a nap before game time.
I’m seeing the doctor tomorrow to hear what I should do about this foot. I have no pain and played tennis yesterday and didn’t have an issue, but I bought a splint for it. What I’m hoping is to continue to play tennis until the end of the month, when my club is shutting down some of the courts for a couple of months and I’ll suggest to the doctor I’ll take time off then. I’m taking time off squash until this is healed.
Tonight’s lineup, with Vlad at the top. I like trying him there.
Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog has been named the NHL’s 2025-26 recipient of both the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy and the Mark Messier Leadership Award, the league announced Tuesday, capping a season that marked one of the most remarkable returns in recent NHL memory.
The Masterton Trophy is awarded annually by the Professional Hockey Writers Association to the player who best represents “qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey,” according to the NHL. The Messier Award, selected solely by Hall of Famer Mark Messier, goes to the player who best “exemplifies great leadership qualities to his team, on and off the ice during the regular season.”
Taken together, the two honors underline just how significant Landeskog’s season truly was—both in his return to full-time play and in how he carried himself through it.
After winning the Stanley Cup in 2022, Landeskog missed three consecutive regular seasons due to lingering complications from a skate-blade cut over his right knee suffered in the 2020 bubble. The injury led to a long rehabilitation process that included four surgeries, most notably a cartilage transplant in May 2023.
Gabriel Landeskog was certainly not expecting a second award to appear when he sat down for this interview! 🏆
Watch as Landeskog's family surprises him with the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for the way he exemplified perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.… pic.twitter.com/AsaxY7hpgc
He eventually worked his way back through a conditioning stint with the AHL Colorado Eagles in April 2025, before returning to NHL action in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, appearing in five games during Colorado’s first-round loss to Dallas.
This season, Landeskog returned to the regular-season lineup for the first time since 2021-22 and played 60 games, finishing with 14 goals and 35 points. He followed that with a strong playoff run, adding six goals in 13 games as the Avalanche reached the Western Conference Final, where they were swept by the Vegas Golden Knights.
The season, however, was far from smooth.
In early January, Landeskog broke several ribs after catching an edge against the Florida Panthers on January 4 and crashing into the net. He missed the final 14 games before the Olympic break while recovering, but still returned in time to represent Sweden at the Milan Olympics.
Later in the season came another setback on March 6, when he was struck in the groin area on a shot during a sequence involving teammate Cale Makar. Landeskog later described the moment bluntly as hitting him “the nuts.” He underwent surgery and returned several weeks later, closing out the year in the lineup.
Despite the injuries, his impact when available was undeniable. Colorado went 45-7-8 with Landeskog in the lineup compared to 10-9-3 without him.
After being named a Masterton finalist again this year, Landeskog spoke candidly about the recognition but made it clear his perspective on the journey was unchanged.
“It’s humbling and a great honor and there’ve been amazing players with incredible stories and perseverance that have been nominated or accepted the award,” he said last month. “But for me and what I’ve gone through, it’s just so far beyond what anybody else is going to be able to label it or not. Whether I win the Masterton or not, it doesn’t change anything for me. … For me the ultimate prize I’ve already won, and that’s to continue working and getting to play hockey.”
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Rasmus Dahlin and Winnipeg Jets forward Jonathan Toews were the other Masterton finalists.
Landeskog, who has spent his entire 12-year NHL career in Colorado, became the first player in franchise history to win either award. After everything he’s been through—multiple surgeries, long absences, and an uncertain return path—the dual honors serve less as a surprise and more as confirmation of what his season already showed: when he’s on the ice, he still sets the standard for leadership and perseverance in Colorado.
May 12, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Athletics during the sixth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images | Dennis Lee-Imagn Images
After a successful homestand against the Cincinnati Reds, the St. Louis Cardinals begin a road trip in New York Tuesday night taking on the Mets. The Cardinals starter will be Dustin May while the Mets are expected to start Freddy Peralta. First pitch scheduled for 6:10pm central time with the TV broadcast being handled by Cardinals.tv.
MLB Colorado Rockies utility player baseman Cole Carrigg | Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images
Earlier this afternoon, the Colorado Rockies announced they had selected the contract of top prospect Cole Carrigg (No. 4 PuRP). After the announcement, Carrigg spoke with media to describe the experience.
First, if you haven’t seen the video of Carrigg getting the news, here it is:
“[Pedro Lopez] kind of dragged it out a little bit and was just talking for a while,” Carrigg said, “and then he kind of started talking about some stuff with me that we had discussed prior weekends. But I guess I kind of got a feeling towards the end of it — I didn’t know right away. Actually, Adael Amador came up to me in the fifth inning of the game he’s like, ‘I think you’re getting called up, bro,‘ and I’m like, ‘What do you mean?’ He’s like, ‘I got a feeling.‘ And then he had a feeling.”
Carrigg brings the kind of versatility — both defensively and offensively — that the Rockies have valued.
In the offseason, he focused on becoming a better left-handed hitter.
“I took the offseason really serious this year and tried to make some changes to keep it more simple and more repeatable,” Carrigg said, “and just a little bit simpler swing, not too many big movements. It’s definitely been feeling a lot better, and it’s been working better for me.”
And he worked to making better choices at the plate.
“We had a lot of talks about that over spring with [Josh] Byrnes and [Chris] Forbes and everybody just talking about controlling the zone better and taking better at-bats and really dialing in what I want in the plate,” Carrigg said, adding, “huge shout out to Matt Snyder, our hitting coach at Triple-A — always on me about it, whether I wanted to hear it or not, and it definitely got better, and it definitely helped.”
Another area of recent focus was running better outfield routes.
“I think I would say the last month really worked on routes, and honestly, just the first step,” Carrigg said. “I think a lot of it is just focus and really being focused on every pitch. It’s easy to get a little lackadaisical out there in the outfield, far away from the action, but I think just really focusing on the pitch and actually seeing the ball at contact. You know hitters’ tendencies and stuff — you know where they usually hit the ball and stuff — you can kind of cheat. You can gamble it in a sense. But just being a lot more focused and getting better prep steps.”
Plus, he’s happy to be spending some time on the infield dirt in addition to focusing on the outfield — a move prompted by the Rockies with their emphasis on versatility.
“They just think it’s great for a lineup,” Carrigg said, adding, “I could play a good shortstop, and I think they just wanted to make sure I had that piece of life for if we need it.”
And Carrigg is happy to be there. “[I] always loved playing short, and to be able to get back to it in Triple-A is super cool and in spring training,” he said. “Just happy to help the team out however I can.”
Carrigg is also eager to catch up with some former teammates he’s played with on his way through the Rockies system.
“I’m excited to share the diamond with everyone,” he said, “but Karros for sure is who I’m excited to share the diamond with again. We haven’t played together since I think in July last summer, but I’ve been every step of the way with him, so it’ll be really cool.”
And his number?
That would be 16, which was assigned to him by the Rockies. The choice was, it turns out, popular with his family.
“As soon as I sent it to my dad — and I kind of had forgotten — but his favorite player back in the day was Bo Jackson. That’s the first thing he said, and I’m like, ‘That’s [a] pretty good number.‘”
“I’m going to play how I’ve always played, and running is definitely a part of my game. I’m going to continue to do so, and obviously make smart base-running decisions, and I’m sure I’ll talk to Schaffer and everybody about what they’re expecting out of me. But yeah, I’m going to play how I play the game and help the team win the best I can.”
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