allsportsfan

Tag: Eagles

  • Top Draft Classes of the 2026 NFL Draft: Winners and Losers

    The 2026 NFL Draft is officially in the books.

    The city of Pittsburgh set a new record, with an attendance of over 805,000 people, over the 3-day event.

    257 players had their dreams come true, hearing their names called on stage.

    The 1st pick wasn’t a surprise as National Champion and Heisman Trophy Winning QB Fernando Mendoza went to the Las Vegas Raiders.

    The Raiders also ended the epic slide of CB Jermod McCoy, when they took him with the 101st pick, in the 4th round. The slide was due to medical reports on his knee, otherwise he’d been takin in the 1st round.

    There were 11 Ohio State Buckeyes taken, the most in this 2026 NFL Draft Class.

    There were 10 Quarterbacks drafted.

    There were a whopping 36 WRs drafted.

    The Naval Academy had 2 players selected this year. DT Landon Robinson with the 226th pick to the Cincinnati Bengals, and Eli Heidenreich with the 230th pick, to his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers. Both were taken in the 7th round.

    Mr. Irrelevant (the name for the player chosen last in the draft), is Red Murdock, LB, from the University of Buffalo.

    There were quite a few really good classes this year. Teams did really well at addressing needs and playing the board.

    There were also a few stinkers, as well.

    So, without further ado, here are a few of the best and worst team class this year.

    My Cleveland Browns had one of the best draft classes, however, I will be writing a stand-alone article on them, so they are not included here.

    BEST – Carolina Panthers.

    • Pick 19: T Monroe Freeling, Georgia Bulldogs
    • Pick 49: DL Lee Hunter, Texas Tech Red Raiders
    • Pick 83: WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee Volunteers
    • Pick 129: CB Will Lee lll, Texas A&M Aggies
    • Pick 144: C Sam Hecht, Kansas State Wildcats
    • Pick 151: S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State Nittany Lions
    • Pick 227: LB Jackson Kuwatch, Miami (OH) RedHawks

    Every single one of these picks, have the chance to be full-time starters, either this season or next season. Freeling might be starting Day 1, because LT Ikem Ekwonu is recovering from a major season ending injury late last season, and RT Taylor Morton is 31 years old and has only 2 years left on his contract.

    WORST – Jacksonville Jaguars

    • Pick 56: TE Nate Boerkircher, Texas A&M Aggies
    • Pick 81: DI Albert Regis, Texas A&M Aggies
    • Pick 88: G Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon Ducks
    • Pick 100: S Jalen Huskey, Maryland Terrapins
    • Pick 119: ED Wesley Williams, Duke Blue Devils
    • Pick 164: TE Tanner Koziol, Houston Cougars
    • Pick 191: WR Josh Cameron, Baylor Bears
    • Pick 203: WR CJ Williams, Stanford Cardinal
    • Pick 233: ED Zach Durfee, Washington Huskies
    • Pick 240: LB Parker Hughes, Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders

    I’m not even going to pretend to know, what the hell the Jaguars were doing. I’m sure this all makes sense in their heads, not only myself, but some Jaguars fans that I spoke to, are completely baffled. I will say this though…. OG Emmanuel Pregnon is a D-A-W-G!!! He was one of my favorite offensive linemen in this entire class.

    WORST – San Francisco 49ers

    • Pick 33: WR De’Zhaun Stribling, Mississippi Rebels
    • Pick 70: ED Romello Height, Texas Tech Red Raiders
    • Pick 90: HB Kaelon Black, Indiana Hoosiers
    • Pick 107: DL Gracen Halton, Oklahoma Sooners
    • Pick 127: T Carver Willis, Washington Huskies
    • Pick 139: CB Ephesians Prysock, Washington Huskies
    • Pick 154: LB Jaden Dugger, Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns
    • Pick 179: T Enrique Cruz Jr., Kansas Jayhawks

    At least with the 49ers, I knew what their gameplan was here. They’re wanting Stribling to be the replacement for Aiyuk…..OK, but there were better players on the board. I do like CB Prysock. He’s a big corner with long arms, and does a good job locating the ball when it’s in the air. LT Trent Williams is probably retiring after this season, and by taking 2 OTs in Willis and Cruz Jr, they’re hoping for a mid/late round steal. It ain’t happening.

    BEST – New York Jets

    • Pick 2: ED David Bailey, Texas Tech Red Raiders
    • Pick 16: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon Ducks
    • Pick 30: WR Omar Cooper Jr, Indiana Hoosiers
    • Pick 50: CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana Hoosiers
    • Pick 103: DL Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State Seminoles
    • Pick 110: QB Cade Klubnik, Clemson Tigers
    • Pick 188: G Anez Cooper, Miami (FL) Hurricanes
    • Pick 228: S VJ Payne, Kansas State Wildcats

    I ABSOLUTELY LOVE what the New York Jets did in this class.
    They got the #1 rated DE/EDGE rusher.
    They got the #1 rated TE.
    They got my #4 WR prospect.
    They got the #1 rated Slot CB, who CAN play outside as well.
    Let me tell you, when Darrell Jackson keeps his hands disciplined and in line with his hips and feet, he just dominates inside. So much potential.
    QB Cade Klubnik had a down season, but he has great timing and accuracy on all levels of the field, with a smooth throwing motion. Do NOT be surprised, if he easily beats out Brady Cook for the backup QB spot, and plays significant time if Geno Smith struggles as the starter.

    WORST – Dallas Cowboys

    • Pick 11: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State Buckeyes
    • Pick 23: ED Malachi Lawrence, UCF Knights
    • Pick 92: ED Jaishawn Barham, Michigan Wolverines
    • Pick 112: T Drew Shelton, Penn State Nittany Lions
    • Pick 114: CB Devin Moore, Florida Gators
    • Pick 137: ED LT Overton, Alabama Crimson Tide
    • Pick 218: WR Anthony Smith, East Carolina Pirates

    They had THE BEST pick in the 1st round, with the #1 overall player in the entire draft (safety Caleb Downs) just fall into their lap. After that, they completely tanked. They wanna get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks, that’s great, but there were far better options at 23, 92, and even 137. It’s like they just threw spaghetti on the wall, and hoping that something sticks. OT Drew Shelton struggles against good competition, and the NFC East is a tough place for linemen.

    BEST – Miami Dolphins

    • Pick 12: T Kadyn Proctor, Alabama Crimson Tide
    • Pick 27: CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State Aztecs
    • Pick 43: LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech Red Raiders
    • Pick 75: WR Caleb Douglas, Texas Tech Red Raiders
    • Pick 87: TE Will Kacmarek, Ohio State Buckeyes
    • Pick 94: WR Chris Bell, Louisville Cardinals
    • Pick 130: LB Trey Moore, Texas Longhorns
    • Pick 138: LB Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh Panthers
    • Pick 158: S Michael Taaffe, Texas Longhorns
    • Pick 177: WR Kevin Coleman Jr., Missouri Tigers
    • Pick 180: TE Seydou Traore, Mississippi State Bulldogs
    • Pick 200: G DJ Campbell, Texas Longhorns

    Other than their first pick (OT Kadyn Proctor), who is going to absolutely fail miserably, this is a GREAT draft by Miami. CB Chris Johnson is a Day 1 starting cornerback. LB Jacob Rodriguez is a turnover machine and is always around the football. WR Chris Bell was a LOCK to be a 1st Round WR before he tore his ACL late last season. He’s a great X WR and will be starting as soon as he is medically cleared. LB Kyle Louis is a tacking machine. S Michael Taaffe can do everything you need a safety to do.

    In summary, the 2026 Draft Class will go down as one of the strangest classes of all-time, certainly in my lifetime. Shocking picks, epic slides, a record-breaking number of trades, kept not just the teams on their toes, but fans on the edge of their seats or wondering….. “What the heck are they doing?”

    For the delicious breakfast bowls and bagels, as well as high protein snacks, and boba drinks, stop into The Daily Dose in Convoy. Located on the corner of US-49 and Tully Street. Check out their Facebook page for special drinks and menu items.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Information courtesy of…..NFL, ESPN, and PFF.

    Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, USAToday, and WTAE.

  • The Top 5 Running Backs in the NFL.

    A collage of NFL team logos arranged in a grid pattern, featuring teams like the Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, and more.

    After the “devaluation” of the running back position swept the NFL for the better part of the last decade, teams are starting to see why the position is so valuable.

    It’s becoming “trendy” again, to hand the ball off 25 to 30 times a game.

    Us fans have known this all along though.

    A running back affects the game in so many ways. It’s far from simply taking a handoff.

    Running routes out of the backfield, they have to know protection details, when is the right time to leave and go into the flat as a dump off option for the quarterback.

    I could go on and on, because everyone knows that I LOVE the running back position.

    So, without further ado, here are the Top 5 running backs in the NFL today.

    Saquon Barkley – Philadelphia Eagles.

    NFL player celebrating on the field, wearing a Philadelphia Eagles jersey and showing a positive gesture with his finger raised.

    Not only on Barkley lead the entire league in rushing last season (2,005 yards), but he also led the league in carries with 345. That’s a heavy workload, and he played 16 games last season.

    You have to account for him coming out of the backfield as well, with 33 catches. He’s a true three-down back, who does a serviceable job in pass blocking.

    Any time he touches the football, he can take it for a touchdown. He has the speed to break long runs, and the power to bulldoze his way between the tackles.

    No running back had a bigger impact on his team last season than Saquon Barkley did.

    Without Barkley, the Philadelphia Eagles aren’t winning the Super Bowl, they probably don’t even win their division.

    Christian McCaffrey – San Francisco 49ers.

    Christian McCaffrey running with the football during an NFL game, wearing a white uniform with red and gold details, showcasing power and agility.

    Absolutely no fan, coach, GM, player, or anybody, can deny the fact the McCaffrey is arguably the best running back in the league, when he’s healthy.

    That’s always been the problem with him. His durability is an issue not just season to season, but game to game.

    He has sneaky speed. He doesn’t look like he’s running fast, but he’ll take a 3-yard run and turn it into long touchdown before you realize what’s happening.

    He’s a far better receiver out of the backfield than Barkley, and maybe the best in the league.

    You simply cannot move him out of the Top 5 or even 3, no matter what.

    Josh Jacobs – Green Bay Packers.

    A running back wearing a green and gold uniform, holding a football, and looking focused on the field during an NFL game.

    Josh Jacobs was the real engine that pulled the train in Green Bay last season, it wasn’t quarterback Jordan Love.

    His first season as a Packer, erased whatever “stain” people had on him from his final season as a Raider.

    The Packers leaned heavily on Jacobs in all situations, enroute to their Wildcard Playoff berth.

    Running for 1,329 yards (6th) on 301 carries (6th) and 15 TDs (4th), proved that he’s a bellcow back with the speed and power to do it all.

    He had 36 catches out of the backfield and did a great job in pass protection for the Packers.

    Derrick Henry – Baltimore Ravens.

    A player in a purple football uniform with the number 22 is running while holding a football. The background features blurred stadium spectators.

    Derrick Henry is a throwback running back to the good ole days of football.

    Just hand him the football and watch him completely steamroll people.

    He’s proven that he can handle a heavy workload throughout his whole career, and showed it again last season.

    Rushing for 1,921 yards (2nd), on 325 carries (2nd), he tied for first in the league with 16 TDs.

    He’s not going to give you receiving yards out of the backfield or do much of anything in terms of pass protection, but he’s going to break a defense and wear them out throughout the entire game.

    Aaron Jones Sr. – Minnesota Vikings.

    A professional football player in a purple jersey, number 33, stands on the field during practice, showcasing a focused expression and athletic build.

    Jones is your classic slasher type running back. He’s quick with his feet, and once he sees the hole in the line, he’s off and going.

    He’s got the speed to break off long runs, and the power to get into the endzone in goalline situations.

    He does have durability issues and is quite similar to McCaffrey (see above). He did play all 17 games last season though.

    He had 1,138 yards (9th) on 255 carries (9th) to go along with a whooping 51 catches out of the backfield.

    He’ll stick his nose in on pass protection, and does a serviceable job in that regard.

    With JJ McCarthy (basically a rookie, though it’s officially his 2nd year in the league) now starting at QB, they’ll lean on him even more this season, as he gets his feet wet to the NFL game.

    I expect a great start for Jones in 2025.

    – Sean McKenzie

    Follow me on X (Twitter) at JoeAmerican6771 and allsportsfancom.

    Like, follow, comment and subscribe.

    Stats and information courtesy of…..NFL and ESPN.

    Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, clutchpoints, bvmsports, sportskeeda, and cbssports.

  • NFL Schedule Released, Wolves Return, Celtics Still Alive, Oilers Punch, And So Much More.

    Image showcasing the 2025 NFL schedule release featuring player images and game matchups.

    NFL NEWS.

    The NFL released its’ full schedule for all 32 teams last night. The regular season kicks off on September 4th, when the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles take on their hated division rival, the Dallas Cowboys.

    I’ll be writing up articles on my Cleveland Browns schedule and on the best games of the upcoming season, in the following days, so stay tuned.

    For the full list, every game, for every team, including your favorite team, go to…… http://nfl.com

    NBA PLAYOFFS.

    A visual representation of the NBA playoff bracket, showing matchups including the Thunder vs. Grizzlies, Nuggets vs. Clippers, Lakers vs. Timberwolves, and Rockets vs. Warriors, along with the Eastern Conference matchups featuring Cavaliers, Heat, Pacers, Bucks, Knicks, Pistons, Celtics, and Magic.

    The #6 seeded Minnesota Timberwolves are returning to the Western Conference Finals, after defeating the #7 seeded Golden State Warriors 121-110 last night, to win the series 4-1, in front of their home fans.

    The Timberwolves shot 62.8% from the field last night, as all 5 starters scored in double digits. Full game highlights below.

    PF led the team in points last night with 29. He tied for the lead in rebounds with C Rudy Gobert, as both had 8. SG Anthony Edwards led the team with 12 assists.

    They now await the winner of the Thunder-Nuggets series.

    The #2 seeded Boston Celtics are still alive, after defeating the #3 New York Knicks 127-102 to make it a 3-2 series. Full game highlights above.

    It was a do or die game for the Celtics at home, and the shots finally started falling for the defending NBA Champions. Boston shot 52.4% from the field last night, making 44.9% from 3.

    PG Derrick White led the team with 34 points. Backup C Luke Kornet came off the bench and led the team in rebounds with 9. Star SG Jaylen Brown in assists with 12, and added 26 points as well.

    Game 6 is Friday night, in New York, at 8:00 PM (EST) on ESPN.

    NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS.

    A graphic displaying the NHL playoff bracket, featuring team logos and seeding information on a colorful background.

    The P3 Edmonton Oilers have punched their ticket to the Western Conference Finals for the 2nd straight season, with a 1-0 overtime victory against the P1 Vegas Golden Knights, to win the series 4-1.

    Oilers RW Kasperi Kapanen scored the game winning goal in a mad scramble in front the net, at 7:19 of the overtime period.

    Edmonton goalie Stuart Skinner got his 2nd straight Stanley Cup Playoffs shutout, stopping all 24 shots he faced. Game winning shot below.

    The Oilers will face the winner of the series between the Winnipeg Jets and the Dallas Stars.

    MLB SCORES.

    The Phillies and Cardinals split their double header yesterday. PHI won the first game 2-1, while STL won the second game 14-7.

    The Twins swept their double header against the Orioles, 6-3 and 8-6.

    The Brewers finally get a win over the Guardians 9-5.

    Yankees beat the Mariners 3-2.

    Tiger beat the Red Sox 6-5.

    The Dodgers win 9-3 over the Athletics.

    The Pirates, once again, beat the Mets, winning 4-0.

    Question of the day – Are you going to attend any NFL games this season???

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Subscribe, follow, like, and comment.

    Follow me on X(Twitter)….. @JoeAmerican6771 and @allsportsfancom

    Stats and information courtesy of…..ESPN, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and bleacherreport.

    Pictures and videos courtesy of…..bleacherreport and YouTube.