Sports
Arch Manning favorite to be top pick in '27 NFL draft
Dec 31, 2025; Orlando, FL, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive lineman Damon Payne (44) tips a pass from Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images Arch Manning has opened as the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the next NFL draft for the second consecutive year.
The Texas quarterback was installed as the +250 favorite by DraftKings. That’s ahead of fellow quarterbacks Dante Moore (+380) of Oregon, Notre Dame’s CJ Carr (+650) and South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellars (+1200).
After only two quarterbacks were selected in the first round on Friday — including the Rams surprising many by taking Ty Simpson at No. 13 — the 2027 quarterback class is projected to be much deeper.
It’s led by Manning, who was installed as the +200 favorite by DraftKings following the conclusion of the 2025 class to be the No. 1 pick this year. Manning endured some struggles the first half of last season before finishing strong, and opted to return for another year with the Longhorns.
Moore also decided to return to school despite being projected as a potential top-5 selection, boosting a ’27 quarterback class that already boasted intriguing talent. Carr is coming off a strong first season as Notre Dame’s starter, while Sellars is looking to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2025 for the Gamecocks.
Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has the shortest odds among non-quarterback. He is being offered at +1400 along with new Miami Hurricanes signal-caller Darian Mensah.
2027 NFL DRAFT NO. 1 PICK ODDS*
Arch Manning, QB, Texas (+250)
Dante Moore, QB, Oregon (+380)
CJ Carr, QB, Notre Dame (+650)
LaNorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina (+1200)
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State (+1400)
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami, Fla. (+1400)
Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State (+1800)
Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma State (+2000)
Dylan Steward, LB, South Carolina (+2200)
Colin Simmons, LB, Texas (+3000)
Dayden Maiava, QB, Southern Cal (+3500)
Nico Iamaleava, QB, UCLA (+4000)
Josh Hoover, QB, Indiana (+4000)
Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas (+5000)
Sam Leavitt, QB, LSU (+5000)
Jordan Seaton, OT, Colorado (+5000)
John Matter, QB, Oklahoma (+5000)
John Henry Daley, DE, Michigan (+5000)
DJ Lagway, QB, Baylor (+5000)
Demond Williams, QB, Washington (+5000)
Trinidad Chambliss, QB, Ole Miss (+7500)
*DraftKings
–Field Level Media
Sports
Streaking Quakes may be without key player at Toronto
Apr 25, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Timo Werner (11) celebrates after scoring against St. Louis CITY SC in the second half at Energizer Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Puetz-Imagn Images The league-leading San Jose Earthquakes may not be at full strength Saturday afternoon as they look to continue the best run in franchise history at Toronto FC.
The Earthquakes (9-1-0, 27 points) extended their club-record winning streak to eight matches in all competitions when they eliminated Minnesota United FC in the Round of 16 at the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup by a score of 4-2 on Tuesday. Jack Skahan, Beau Leroux and Niko Tsakiris each scored in a seven-minute stretch to rally the Quakes from a 2-1 deficit.
It wasn’t all good news for head coach Bruce Arena’s side. April’s MLS Player of the Month Timo Werner, who had played the full 90 minutes three days earlier against St. Louis, was forced off in the 34th minute with a hamstring injury and may not feature in the matinee at Toronto.
“We’re somewhat limited. It’s not like you take Timo off and the next guy can fill that void,” Arena admitted after match vs. Minnesota. “And how we manage it, it’s never perfect, and we try our best, but the part that you manage is how you work every day with the players and you give them the confidence to know that when their numbers fall, they’re ready to play.”
Toronto FC (3-3-4, 13 points) are dealing with their own injury problems in the midst of a four-match winless run.
Center-back Benjamin Kuscevic and midfielder Jose Cifuentes made for two more additions to TFC’s lengthy injury list in their 2-1 defeat to Atlanta United last Saturday. Designated players Djordje Mihailovic and Richie Laryea were among those absent. Deandre Kerr and Walker Zimmerman, who was away for the birth of his daughter, are slated to return.
“I feel like we just have to put our heads down and work and the guys who are available have to step up,” head coach Robin Fraser said on Thursday.
The fixture will mark the two teams’ first encounter in more than three years. Four of their last five clashes have ended in draws, dating back to August of 2018.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jack Adams Award finalists: Jon Cooper, Dan Muse, Lindy Ruff
Jan 24, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; Buffalo Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff coaches against the New York Islanders during the first period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Tampa Bay’s Jon Cooper, Pittsburgh’s Dan Muse and Buffalo’s Lindy Ruff are the three finalists for the 2026 Jack Adams Award, the league announced Friday.
The award, which is presented annually to the top coach in the NHL as voted on by the National Broadcasters’ Association, will be announced at a later date.
Cooper, 58, guided the Lightning to a 50-26-6 record this season and a ninth consecutive playoff appearance.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Cooper has been a finalist for this award on two occasions (2013-14, 2018-19) — however he has yet to win it.
Muse, 43, succeeded in his first season as head coach of the Penguins, leading the club to a second-place finish in the Metropolitan Division. The Penguins posted a 41-25-16 record (98 points), which represented an 18-point increase from the previous season.
Ruff, 66, helped the Sabres halt a 14-year playoff drought by guiding the club to a first-place finish in the Atlantic Division with a 50-23-9 record. He previously won the Jack Adams Award in 2005-06, during his first stint with the Sabres.
Spencer Carbery of the Washington Capitals won the award last season.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cowboys sign 1st-rounder Caleb Downs, five other picks
Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive back Caleb Downs is selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the number eleven pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Dallas Cowboys signed six of their seven picks from the 2026 NFL Draft on Friday, including first-round selection Caleb Downs to his four-year rookie deal.
Downs, the 11th overall pick of the draft, will receive $28.95 million in fully guaranteed money that includes a $17.5 million signing bonus. The deal also includes a fifth-year team option.
The Cowboys traded up one spot with the Miami Dolphins to acquire Downs, a safety. Dallas has yet to sign its other first-round pick, edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, who was selected with the 23rd overall pick.
Downs, a two-time consensus All-American, was named the 2025 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year at Ohio State and took home the Jim Thorpe Award and Lott Trophy.
His career totals include 164 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, six interceptions and three forced fumbles in 44 games for Alabama (2023) and Ohio State (2024-25).
In addition to Downs, the Cowboys signed third-round linebacker Jaishawn Barham, fourth-round tackle Drew Shelton, fourth-round cornerback Devin Moore, fourth-round edge rusher LT Overton and seventh-round wide receiver Anthony Smith.
–Field Level Media
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