BY JEFF YODER

APR. 24, 2024 | SUBSCRIBE | WEB VIEW

Good Morning,

More playoff action continues as the first-round series start to unfold, but we’re shifting gears for this week’s NFL Draft (tomorrow night). How about some draft trivia?

NFL Draft Trivia: Quarterbacks are expected to dominate the early stages of the 2024 NFL Draft with four or five likely to go in the first round. The record is six. What year were six QBs taken in the first round? (answer at the bottom of today’s edition)

A) 2018

B) 1983

C) 2008

D) 1977

Letter Rip!

NFL DRAFT

The Mock (Lock 🔒) Draft

Photo: Tom Pennington / Getty Images

The Sportsletter's 2024 NFL Mock Draft... With a Twist 🔒

It’s almost time, team! There's one day left until the 2024 NFL Draft, and we’ve spent a lot of time reading mocks and peering through smokescreens to develop our own predictive run-of-show. The rumors are swirling. Trades will be made. But this is our 11th-hour take on the selections as the picks stand. We looked at more than 30 mock drafts over the past few weeks to compile a consensus list with a few twists (🔒) of our own. Five QBs in the first 11 picks is a bit aggressive. Seven of the first 11 picks are QBs and receivers before a run of defensive backs and linemen are taken in the teens and beyond. Here’s our take (no trades) based on team needs, best available, and overall fits.

🔒 Mock Locks: A unique twist to this year’s NFL mock draft is our “mock locks” — a symbol that signifies the ten most pro-ready players *guaranteed* to be draft hits, likely selected at or before their respective pick numbers. These ten players will not slide unless some whacky trades shake the board. They're also the top guys we expect to make immediate impacts next season.

The Sportsletter’s NFL Mock Draft

Top-10

1. Bears: QB Caleb Williams (USC) 🔒

2. Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels (LSU) 🔒

3. Patriots: QB Drake Maye (UNC)

4. Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (OSU) 🔒

5. Chargers: WR Malik Nabers (LSU)

6. Giants: QB J.J. McCarthy (Michigan)

7. Titans: OT Joe Alt (Notre Dame) 🔒

8. Falcons: WR Rome Odunze (Washington)

9. Bears: OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu (Penn State) 🔒

10. Jets: CB Quinyon Mitchell (Toledo)

Picks 11-20
11. Vikings: QB Michael Penix Jr. (Washington)

12. Broncos: DT Byron Murphy II (Texas)

13. Raiders: OT J.C. Latham (Alabama) 🔒

14. Saints: EDGE Jared Verse (FSU)

15. Colts: TE Brock Bowers (UGA) 🔒

16. Seahawks: OL Troy Fautanu (Washington)

17. Jaguars: CB Terrion Arnold (Alabama)

18. Bengals: WR Brian Thomas Jr. (LSU)

19. Rams: EDGE Dallas Turner (Alabama) 🔒

20. Steelers: OT Taliese Fuaga (Oregon State)

Picks 21-32

21. Dolphins: OL Graham Barton (Duke)

22. Eagles: CB Nate Wiggins (Clemson) 🔒

23. Vikings: DB Cooper DeJean (Iowa)

24. Cowboys: OT Tyler Guyton (Oklahoma)

25. Packers: OT Jordan Morgan (Arizona)

26. Bucs: OL Jackson Powers-Johnson (ORE)

27. Cardinals: EDGE Laiatu Latu (UCLA)

28. Bills: WR Adonai Mitchell (Texas)

29. Lions: CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (Alabama)

30. Ravens: OT Amarius Mims (UGA) 🔒

31. 49ers: EDGE Chop Robinson (Penn State)

32. Chiefs: WR Xavier Worthy (Texas)

2024 NFL Draft: Thursday (8:00 pm ET, ESPN/NFLN)

Check tomorrow’s edition for the full draft day preview.

How’d We Do? Mocks are fun, but the subjective nature leaves room for debate. Reply to today’s newsletter and let us know where we went wrong (and what you would change).

NBC Sports: NFL Mock Draft 2024: 4 QBs in First 5 Picks?

B/R: 5 Players Likely to be Traded on NFL Draft Night

CBS Sports: The Worst Mock Draft Ever Designed to Anger Every NFL Fan Base

The Ringer: The Final 2024 Big Board: Ranking the Top 100 Players in the NFL Draft

NBA PLAYOFFS

Hungry Wolves Came to Play 🐺

Photo: Star Tribune / Getty Images

Timberwolves Shade the Suns to Take 2-0 Lead; Pacers & Mavericks Even Series at 1-1

One night after some unforgettable drama, Tuesday night’s NBA action was a little less intense. The meat of each series continues this week with Games 2, 3, and 4 into the weekend. We’ll start to see which squads are postseason-ready sooner than later, and one is already emerging. The Timberwolves are making a statement against the Suns. The Pacers and Mavs also bounced back in Game 2s. Here’s last night’s rundown.

Gm 2: Timberwolves def. Suns (105-93)

Trouble for Phoenix? After the Suns made some big trades last offseason to form a super team, they’re suddenly in the danger zone after two losses in Minnesota. The T-Wolves’ stars of Anthony Edwards (15 pts) and Karl-Anthony Towns (12 pts) were held down in Game 2, but Minnesota still won easily after an 11-0 broke the game open down the stretch. Jaden McDaniels had a game-high 25 for the Wolves, and the Suns need a first-round miracle, fast. MIN Leads Series (2-0)

Gm 2: Pacers def. Bucks (125-108)

Lack of defense was the story for the Pacers all season long — and again in Game 1 — but they answered the call in Game 2. Indiana got a huge night from Pascal Siakam (37-11-6), and the Pacers went on a 23-6 run in the 4th quarter to slam the door shut and even the series in Milwaukee. Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo was out again, but he could return for Game 3. This might be the most competitive series in the East. Series Tied (1-1)

Gm 2: Mavericks def. Clippers (96-93)

Luka Doncic (32 pts) and Kyrie Irving (23 pts) left L.A. with the series all square after a gutsy Game 2 win. The Mavericks and Clippers played a defensive battle until the very end. It was just 66-65 after three quarters. Luka and Kyrie went on a tag-team 12-0 run in the middle of the 4th to flip the script. The Clippers made it close late, but it wasn't enough. L.A. hasn’t reached the NBA Finals in team history (54 years). Series Tied (1-1)

Tonight’s Schedule

Gm 2: Heat at Celtics (7:00 pm ET, TNT)

BOS Leads Series (1-0)

Gm 2: Pelicans at Thunder (9:30 pm ET, TNT)

OKC Leads Series (1-0)

SI: 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey Wins NBA’s Most Improved Player Award for 2023-24 Season

NHL PLAYOFFS

Verhaeghe Strikes Down Lightning

Photo: Eliot J. Schechter / Getty Images

Carter Verhaeghe’s Backhand OT Winner Sends Panthers to 2-0 Lead; Rangers Up (2-0) While Avs and Preds Even Up Series (1-1)

The early-round playoff action continues on ice this week, and it’s the same story as the NBA. Some teams are off to soaring starts while a few series look more competitive. The Panthers survived a two-goal comeback to beat the Lightning in overtime (3-2) thanks to Carter Verhaeghe’s nifty backhanded OT winner, and that gives Florida a 2-0 series lead in the all-Sunshine State series. Elsewhere, the Rangers fended off the Caps (4-3) with a goal and an assist each from Mika Zibanejad and Vincent Trochek. The Avs tagged the Jets with a four-goal second period to launch a blowout (5-2), and the Preds made light work of the Canucks (4-1).

Gm 2: Panthers def. Lightning (3-2, OT)

FLA Leads Series (2-0)

Gm 2: Rangers def. Capitals (4-3)

NYR Leads Series (2-0)

Gm 2: Avalanche def. Jets (5-2)

Series Tied (1-1)

Gm 2: Predators def. Canucks (4-1)

Series Tied (1-1)

Tonight’s Schedule

Gm 3: Bruins at Maple Leafs (7:00 pm ET, ESPN)

Gm 2: Golden Knights at Stars (9:30 pm ET, ESPN)

Gm 2: Kings at Oilers (10:00 pm ET, TBS)

Yahoo! Sports: Avalanche Score 4 in 2nd to Bury Jets, Even Series

HIGHLIGHTS 🎥

⚾️ MLB

Guardians Top Red Sox (4-1) to Win 5th Straight

Max Fried Tosses 3-Hit Shutout Gem for Braves

White Sox Lose to Twins (6-5), Fall to 3-20

Shohei Ohtani Crushes Hardest-Hit HR of His Career (118.7 MPH Exit Velo)

⚽️ Soccer

EPL: Arsenal Routs Chelsea (5-0) to Keep EPL Table Lead

Ben White & Kai Havertz Score 2 Goals Each

STORYLINES

🏀 Caitlin Clark’s Record Nike Deal

The most prolific scorer in NCAA Division I history and the No. 1 pick in the WNBA Draft is reportedly signing an 8-year, $28 million deal with Nike that includes a signature shoe. It’s the richest sponsorship contract for a women’s basketball player, ever. (ESPN)

🏈 The NFL Draft’s Most Interesting Player

Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson won the Rimington Trophy for college football’s top center. He has a burger named after him. He recently autographed a football with the name ‘Turd Ferguson.’ He’s likable and talented, but is ‘JPJ’ a first-round pick? (FOX Sports)

⚾️ The White Sox Are Really This Bad

The Chicago White Sox have been a mess. Any glimmer of hope that came with some solid young talent evaporated under a cloud of Tony La Russa and perplexing front-office management. They’re now 3-20. (Sports Illustrated)

NEWS 📰

🏀 NBA Investigates Nikola Jokic’s Brother Punching Fan at Nuggets-Lakers Game (B/R)

🏈 Houston Texans Unveil 4 ‘Fan-Inspired’ Uniforms Ahead of 2024 NFL Draft (Yahoo! Sports)

🏀 LeBron James Blasted Officiating, Replay Center After Lakers’ Collapse (CBS Sports)

🏛️ Dept. of Justice to Pay $139 Million to Survivors of Larry Nassar’s Sexual Abuse Settlement (USA Today)

🏀 76ers’ Tyrese Maxey Wins NBA’s Most Improved Player Award (ESPN)

🏀 NBA Admits Officials Missed Key Foul Call During Knicks-Sixers Ending (SI)

SCHEDULE 🗓️

Tonight's Must-Watch List

🏀 NBA Playoffs

Gm 2: Heat at Celtics (7:00 pm ET, TNT)

Gm 2: Pelicans at Thunder (9:30 pm ET, TNT)

🏒 Stanley Cup Playoffs

Gm 3: Bruins at Maple Leafs (7:00 pm ET, ESPN)

Gm 2: Golden Knights at Stars (9:30 pm ET, ESPN)

Gm 2: Kings at Oilers (10:00 pm ET, TBS)

⚾️ MLB

Phillies at Reds (6:40 pm ET, MLBTV)

Astros at Cubs (7:40 pm ET, MLBTV)

Mariners at Rangers (8:05 pm ET, MLBTV)

⚽️ Concacaf Champions Cup

Columbus Crew vs. Monterrey (8:15 pm ET, FS1)

TRIVIA 📊

Trivia Answer

Answer: B) 1983

In the 1983 draft, six quarterbacks were selected in the first round (the most ever), including three future Hall of Famers: 1. John Elway (Colts), 7. Todd Blackledge (Chiefs), 14. Jim Kelly (Bills), 15. Tony Eason (Patriots), 24. Ken O’Brien (Jets), 27. Dan Marino (Dolphins)

Yesterday, we asked: Do you think Scottie Scheffler is the greatest golfer since Tiger Woods (in his prime)? The response was a resounding yes. More than 70% of our readers are riding with Scottie in golf's next generation.

Yes — 71%

No — 29%

THE TEAM

Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

Lead Designer: Joe Stella

Assistant Writer: Marissa Kasch

Social Media: Aaron Yorke

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