NAPA, Calif. (KGO) — From the city of reds and whites, a person who wears purple and black is placing Napa on the map in a brand new means. Napa Excessive College grad Brock Bowers is the highest tight finish prospect and a first-round lock within the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Las Vegas Raiders chosen Bowers with the No. 13 choose within the draft, making him the very best participant chosen within the college’s historical past.
2024 NFL DRAFT: First-round picks could possibly be on the buying and selling block on Day 1
“That is one thing I’ve seen coming for a very long time,” Bowers’ former highschool coach Richie Wessman stated. “I am simply excited to see the place he is really going to land. You possibly can’t assist however root for him whenever you meet him as a younger man. He is simply such younger man, raised in household and he simply has all these good attributes that you really want in any individual.”
Bowers had the pedigree as a result of he comes from a household of school athletes.
Coach Wessman noticed Bowers was particular the primary time he touched the ball.
“We threw him just a little bubble display and he stiff-armed any individual, spun round another person, juked out another person and outran everybody to the endzone,” Wessman stated. “And at that second, I type of knew this man was going to play within the NFL sometime.”
However the path to the professionals had its bumps.
MORE: San Francisco 49ers are slated to choose within the 1st spherical for the first time since 2021
The group did not win a single sport his sophomore season and his senior 12 months was lower brief by COVID.
His luck modified when he graduated highschool early to affix the Georgia Bulldogs.
In Athens, he gained two nationwide championships and have become the one participant to win back-to-back Mackey awards, which honors the nation’s prime tight finish.
“He is only a champion by and thru together with his character and whatnot,” Wessman stated. “He simply excels within the classroom, he excels in dealing with himself in the fitting means – not entering into any hassle. He is only a dream to educate, actually.”
Nearly as good as he’s on the sphere, his highschool athletic director Darci Ward says he is a winner off the sphere as nicely.
Even the day earlier than his life modifications ceaselessly on the draft, Bowers was again at his alma mater spending time with the winner of the Prepare with Brock Gas with MET-Rx contest.
“It was a very superior expertise,” Ward stated. “Nevertheless it simply exhibits Brock, not about him, he is simply on the market speaking to the child and ensuring that he will get to have an important second.”
Through the draft, Bowers may have a particular second of his personal. He’s celebrating privately together with his household in Napa.
The college, in the meantime, is internet hosting its personal draft celebration as a result of his former academics, coaches and this city could not be extra proud.
“I feel individuals are going to go nuts,” Ward stated. “We’re simply so comfortable and excited for him. I knew he was going to be one thing, you simply by no means understand how superb.”
For an athlete and a neighborhood, generally desires come true.
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Bowers makes the leap to the NFL after a splendid faculty profession wherein he displayed each potential and toughness, standing out as Georgia’s finest pass-catcher, in addition to arguably the highest participant in faculty soccer. After successful the John Mackey Award because the nation’s high tight finish with a career-best 942 yards to go together with seven touchdowns in 2022, Bowers closed his profession in Athens with one other sturdy season that noticed him log 56 catches for 714 yards and 6 touchdowns, numbers that pale barely compared to his earlier seasons — that’s, till one considers what Bowers overcame to even make it on the sector.
Bowers suffered an ankle damage that price him 4 video games and required tightrope surgical procedure to have an opportunity to return earlier than the yr was over. As an alternative of packing it in and making ready for his anticipated first-round choice, Bowers elected to endure the operation with one aim: Get again on the sector in time to chase one other nationwide title.
The Bulldogs finally fell painfully wanting the Faculty Soccer Playoff, dropping to Alabama within the SEC title recreation. However Bowers overcame vital adversity simply to have a possibility to play within the Bulldogs’ remaining recreation earlier than bowl season, additional impressing scouts who have been already salivating over his potential on the NFL stage.
Bowers brings with him an array of expertise and awards, incomes All-American honors in 2021 (second group), 2022 and 2023. He repeated as a Mackey Award winner in 2023, earned his third straight first-team All-SEC choice and even turned a finalist for the Lombardi Award, given to the nation’s high offensive/defensive lineman, regardless of taking part in tight finish. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein in contrast him to San Francisco star George Kittle in his draft evaluation abstract, giving followers an instance of simply how excessive expectations are for the Georgia star.
With the likes of Kittle, Travis Kelce and a handful of others creating matchup nightmares for opposing defenses and opening up offenses throughout the NFL, tight finish has by no means been extra coveted. The Raiders underscored that fact by stockpiling their offense with two pass-catchers on the place.
With six quarterbacks coming off the board earlier than the Raiders’ choose at No. 13, Vegas plows ahead with veteran Gardner Minshew and second-year signal-caller Aidan O’Connell battling for the beginning duties. Whoever wins that battle is in an important place with loads of surrounding weapons.
Last Rating: Orlando Magic 121, Cleveland Cavaliers 83.
Nightly Notables
Not a lot notable from this one. When Tristan Thompson and Marcus Morris entered the sport within the third quarter, the Cavs successfully punted on the sport. Which already felt over.
The Cavs completed the sport taking pictures 39% from the sector and 23.5% from three.
Properly, that occurred…
Cavs’ final six quarter level totals: 22, 16, 21, 24, 16, 22. It’s arduous to win playoff video games when your offense isn’t functioning anymore. Donovan Mitchell ending 6-16 is a giant a part of this, however nobody else stepped up.
The Magic additionally hit a variety of robust mid-range pictures that helped them draw back from the Cavs. When you take a look at how their shot profile in the end broke down, they nonetheless didn’t shoot effectively on the rim (simply 57.7%) and had been about common from three. However they had been on hearth within the mid-range whereas the the Cavs had been chilly from nearly in all places besides the rim.
Massive Image
Cleveland continues to be up within the collection. A 2-1 lead — and residential court docket nonetheless protected — is an efficient place to be. The Cavs are nonetheless the favourite to in the end win this collection. However how Recreation 3 performed out would possibly point out that this collection goes to go lengthy and the Cavs have some work to do get again on monitor and switch issues round in Recreation 4.
Up subsequent: Recreation 4 of the collection is on Saturday with a 1 p.m. tipoff in Orlando.
The primary-round playoff collection turned to Orlando and every part went mistaken for Cleveland because the Cavs had been crushed by the Magic in a 121-83 Recreation 3 loss.
The Cavs now lead the collection 2-1. Recreation 4 will likely be Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. in Orlando. Recreation 5 will likely be Tuesday night time in Cleveland.
The Cavs led wire to wire in each Video games 1 and a couple of however had been demolished in Recreation 3, because the Magic had been once more a totally totally different group at residence, simply as they’d been through the common season.
The Magic had been a mediocre 18-23 on the street this season however had been 29-12 at residence, giving them among the most excessive home-away splits within the league. Their offensive and defensive scores had been additionally almost 10 factors higher on each offense and protection at residence.
That was all evident in Thursday’s Recreation 3, when Paolo Banchero and Jalen Suggs had their means with the Cavs protection.
Here is how Recreation 3 unfolded via out dwell updates.
Magic beat Cavaliers in Recreation 3 121-83; Cavs lead collection 2-1, Recreation 4 is Saturday
This one was an absolute demolition by the Magic. At one level within the fourth quarter, the Cavs trailed by 40 factors. This was a playoff recreation by which every part went mistaken.
This one was over an extended, very long time in the past.
Cavs path Magic 96-61 coming into fourth quarter
It is by no means good when an NBA playoff recreation enters rubbish time, however that is the place the Cavs and Magic are proper now.
The Cavs held the Magic to 86 or fewer factors in each Video games 1 and a couple of. The Magic are already at 96, and so they’ve solely performed three quarters. After two wire-to-wire wins, the Cave have been run over tonight.
Paolo Banchero already has 31 factors, 14 rebounds and 4 assists. He confirmed up for the primary time in an enormous means. Jalen Suggs has additionally had an incredible night time, scoring 24 factors an on 9-of-11 capturing. The Cavs have not had a solution for both of them.
Donovan Mitchell is simply 6-of-16 from the ground for 13 factors, and he is had a number of pictures fall brief. Exterior of a pleasant stretch simply earlier than the half, he is seemed off tonight. Darius Garland additionally has simply 5 factors on 2-of-8 capturing.
The Cavaliers are down 30 factors to the Magic in Recreation 3
That is ugly for Cleveland. The Magic have opened up a 30-point deficit.
The Cavs led wire-to-wire in Video games 1 and a couple of. Tonight? All the pieces has gone Orlando’s means on each ends of the ground, and the Cavs have seemed extra like they’re caught in mud, spinning their tires.
It seems like there’ll at the very least be a Recreation 5, which might be Tuesday night time in Cleveland.
The Cavs have simply been dismantled tonight.
Magic, Cavs Recreation 3 rating: Orlando cruising up 80-56 halfway via third quarter
The Cavs knew they’d have a a lot more durable defensive check on the street than at residence. They had been proper.
The Magic are rolling on the offensive finish of the ground Paolo Banchero is nearly scoring in any respect proper now and has a game-high 26 factors Franz Wagner has 16 factors on 6-of-11 capturing. Jalen Suggs, who missed a part of Recreation 2 with a knee damage, has seemed terrific tonight and now has 19 factors.
Magic lead Cavaliers 61-45 at halftime
The Cavs have dug themselves a critical gap within the first half of Recreation 3.
Donovan Mitchell might need saved any probability of Cleveland coming bac kin this one, as he not solely scored seven consecutive factors, however he drew the third foul on Banchero.
The Cavs are simply 3-of-18 from 3-point vary. Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley each have 10 factors and have been environment friendly on the offensive finish, so the inside hasn’t been the problem. However the Cavs merely have not been capable of hit something from the surface.
Banchero already has 19 factors and 7 rebounds.
Cavs path by 20 factors in Recreation 3 towards Magic
The Cavs particularly had accomplished an incredible job of slowing down Paolo Banchero in Video games 1 and a couple of, however he is imposing his will in Recreation 3. He has 19 factors, and the Magic are firing on all cylinders tonight.
With 2:30 left within the first half, the Magic are main 59-38.
Magic rolling Cavaliers; Orlando leads 50-34 halfway via second quarter
The Magic appeared to have woken up.
Orlando seems like a totally totally different group than the one the Cavs shut down in Video games 1 and a couple of.
Banchero already has 15 factors, seven rebounds and 4 assists and eventually seems like his All-Star-caliber self for the primary time this collection. Franz Wagner has 10 factors, three rebounds and three assists. The Magic stars are doing their half.
The Cavs are ice chilly from 3-point vary, hitting simply two of their first 16 makes an attempt. Donovan Mitchell is simply 1-for-5 from the ground, which features a botched dunk try by which he misplaced management of the ball midway as much as the ring. Max Strus has opened the sport simply 1-for-4 from the ground.
Cavaliers, Magic Recreation 3 rating: Orlando leads Cleveland 31-21 after first quarter
The Magic have come out with a brand new kind of power this recreation, one which wasn’t there throughout Video games 1 and a couple of in Cleveland.
Orlando grabbed eight offensive rebounds and ended the primary quarter on a 13-0 run.
The Cavs shot simply 1-of-12 from 3-point vary. And the Magic proceed to be a totally totally different group at residence than when on the street.
The Cavs are bored with speaking about final yr’s playoff collection loss to the Knicks, which is comprehensible. But when they wrestle to seize rebounds and shoot from past the arc, it’s going to look awfully comparable.
Magic lead Cavaliers for the primary time in NBA playoffs opening spherical
The Magic lastly maintain the lead.
Paolo Banchero hit an off-balance jumper that he one way or the other bought to fall after which nailed a 3-pointer to present the Magic a 16-14 lead with 5:30 to go within the first quarter.
For the primary time this collection, the Cavs must come again from a deficit.
Magic open Recreation 3 towards Cavaliers ice chilly from the sphere
The Magic offense seems to nonetheless be looking for any respiration room.
Orlando has opened Recreation 3 simply 1-for-11 from the ground, which has opened the door for the Cavs to open up a 10-3 lead early on.
It additionally means the Cavs nonetheless have the possibility to steer wire-to-wire via Recreation 3, although they know the Magic have been a a lot better group at residence, which can provide a bigger check for the Cleveland protection.
Under is a few pregame info.
Dean Wade damage will maintain him out of complete Orlando Magic collection
The Cavs had been hoping they could be capable to see ahead Dean Wade throughout this collection, however that will not be taking place.
Wade has been dominated out for at the very least the rest of the collection with a proper knee sprain that has saved him sidelined since March 13. A current MRI revealed he’ll want extra time earlier than returning to the ground.
What time do the Cavs play tonight?
Recreation 3 is at 7 p.m. Thursday in Orlando. Recreation 4 additionally will likely be in Orlando, with a begin time of 1 p.m. Saturday.
What channel is the Cleveland Cavaliers recreation on tonight?
The Cavs-Magic recreation is on Bally Sports activities Ohio within the Cleveland market. Exterior the Cleveland market, the sport is on NBA TV.
Cavs vs. Magic prediction
With the collection shifting to Orlando, our Ryan Lewis and Nate Ulrich search for the Magic to bounce again on their residence flooring and win Recreation 3. For extra on why they see the Cavs collection lead being minimize to 2-1, please learn extra right here.
Wanting again on the Cavaliers’ 97-83 win over the Orlando Magic in Recreation 1
Right here is our protection from Recreation 1:
Look again on the Cavaliers’ 96-86 win over the Orlando Magic in Recreation 2
John Keim, ESPN Workers AuthorApr 25, 2024, 08:27 PM ET
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John Keim covers the Washington Commanders for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2013 after a stint with the Washington Publish. He began protecting the staff in 1994 for the Journal Newspapers and later for the Washington Examiner. He has authored/co-authored 4 books. You may also take heed to him on ‘The John Keim Report’, which airs on ESPN Richmond radio, and observe him on Twitter @john_keim
The Washington Commanders as soon as once more have turned to a dual-threat quarterback coming off a Heisman Trophy to assist revitalize their franchise.
The Commanders chosen LSU’s Jayden Daniels with the No. 2 choose within the NFL draft Thursday, ending months of hypothesis — and intense privateness by the group.
It’s the highest Washington has drafted a quarterback since Robert Griffin III was picked with the second choice in 2012. Like Griffin, Daniels additionally gained the Heisman Trophy and can enter the NFL as a risk to harm groups along with his arm and legs. Washington additionally thought of North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye and Michigan signal-caller J.J. McCarthy.
Because the draft drew nearer, it turned clear that Daniels was Washington’s favourite; a number of league sources anticipated him to go at No. 2, and staff sources anticipated it as effectively.
“We knew it was Jayden for some time,” Commanders basic supervisor Adam Peters stated. “It will have taken lots for it to not be Jayden. The entire constructing I’d say was unanimous on that one. It is easy to see why.”
However Daniels wasn’t positive what to anticipate.
“They did a reasonably good job of not displaying their hand an excessive amount of,” Daniels stated Thursday. “[But] I used to be fairly assured off the conversations I had. I am right here now and I can not wait to get to work.”
As a fifth-year senior for LSU final season, Daniels threw for 3,812 yards and 40 touchdowns with solely 4 interceptions. He additionally ran 135 occasions for 1,134 yards and eight touchdowns. He began 55 video games in his faculty profession, together with all 29 contests he performed over three seasons at Arizona State, which is the place he started his faculty profession.
When requested why Daniels, Peters responded, “Why not Jayden?
“To us, he was particular in each method, on the sphere and off the sphere,” he stated.
Peters added he didn’t begin severe scouting of the school quarterbacks till early January, when he was being wooed after which employed by Washington.
“I turned on Jayden for the primary time and I could not imagine how good he was,” Peters stated. “He was actually good, the way in which he can course of, the way in which he can see the sphere, the way in which he goes by means of his reads, the way in which he delivers [the ball] on time. He is the perfect deep ball thrower within the draft — and that is even earlier than we begin watching him run and the way in which he runs, he simply takes your soul as a protection. You suppose you bought him after which impulsively he rips off a 40-yard run. And that is towards the SEC — the perfect of the perfect.”
Peters stated Daniels has “nice velocity and acceleration; he is additionally a extremely, actually instinctive gifted runner.”
However with the operating comes potential for giant hits.
“With any quarterback, not simply Jayden, you need to inform to get down, not take the hit, which is that if that is your largest drawback with any individual, then it is a fairly whole lot there,” Peters stated. “We are going to encourage him to not take these hits. However he is so aggressive, he is so robust. He bought up each time. No questions on his toughness or his sturdiness. Simply wanting him to play 17 to twenty plus video games yearly, I need to make sure that he takes care of his physique.”
The Commanders are hoping that Daniels can fill the group’s largest on-field gap for many of the previous three many years. Washington has began 33 quarterbacks because it final gained the Tremendous Bowl after the 1991 season — and eight previously 4 years. If Daniels succeeds, he can breathe new life into the group on the sphere, after it has undergone an overhaul off the sphere.
Up to now eight months, Washington has gotten a brand new proprietor in Josh Harris, a brand new GM in Peters and coach in Dan Quinn. However for the franchise to develop into a title contender once more, it should obtain higher play from the quarterback place.
“It simply begins with I am simply coming in to compete,” Daniels stated. “I am coming in and attempting to play my position no matter that’s. I simply need to be the perfect teammate, assist the staff win and we will convey again some victories to Washington and we will have some enjoyable.”
The Commanders group hasn’t had a profitable file since 2016, hasn’t gained a playoff recreation because the 2005 season and hasn’t had an 11-win season since 1991 — additionally the final season it gained a Tremendous Bowl. Washington went 10-6 and gained the NFC East in Griffin’s rookie season. However within the subsequent 11 seasons, the group ranked twenty eighth in cumulative whole quarterback ranking and profitable share (.380) with no double-digit win finishes.
Daniels’ activity is to be a key piece to any on-field rejuvenation.
“They are going to get somebody that is a competitor that wishes to win it doesn’t matter what,” Daniels stated. “I need to assist the staff win and sooner or later sooner or later, we’ll get this factor rotated.”
Washington has tried to unravel the quarterback gap in a number of methods through the years, together with 4 first-round picks from 2002 to 2015. The franchise didn’t preserve Kirk Cousins, permitting him to depart through free company after the 2017 season — after buying and selling for Alex Smith. They signed free brokers resembling Ryan Fitzpatrick and purchased Carson Wentz through commerce.
Nothing has labored. The final time Washington had a quarterback open consecutive seasons because the starter was 2016-17 with Cousins. The Commanders will make it seven consecutive campaigns with a brand new Week 1 starter this 12 months, and no quarterback has served as the principle starter for 4 consecutive seasons since Mark Rypien did it from 1989 to 1993.
The Commanders traded final 12 months’s beginning quarterback, Sam Howell, to the Seattle Seahawks within the offseason. Washington already had three quarterbacks on its roster: Marcus Mariota, Jeff Driskel and Jake Fromm. On the homeowners conferences final month, Peters stated he could be comfy if Mariota needed to begin for an prolonged interval.
However Daniels stated he likes what the Commanders have in place, rattling off the names of a few of his new weapons on offense like receivers Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson, tight finish Zach Ertz and operating backs Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler. Daniels additionally pointed to these in cost, together with Quinn and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
“Dan Quinn is a good man and lots communicate extremely of who he’s as an individual and the way he cares about his gamers,” Daniels stated. “Their monitor file speaks for itself. Kliff Kingsbury was with Kyler [Murray in Arizona], and for a time he had Kyler within the MVP dialog so I used to be excited to cut it up and speak ball with him.”
Daniels additionally appreciated his dealings with Peters.
“Yeah AP — he is a dude,” Daniels stated. “I am very assured in him that he’ll get this factor modified round.”
The Washington Commanders have chosen TCU deal with Brandon Coleman with the 67th decide within the 2024 NFL Draft.
Coleman (6-foot-4, 313 kilos) obtained his begin at Trinity Valley Group Faculty earlier than making the bounce to the FBS in 2020. His first season with the Horned Frogs was spent getting his toes moist on the proper deal with spot but it surely was in his subsequent three campaigns that Coleman flourished on the left deal with spot. In 2022, he began all 15 video games at left deal with on TCU’s run to the nationwide championship and picked up Honorable Point out All-Massive 12 honors. Coleman capped off his profession at TCU by being named Second-Crew All-Massive 12 and Honorable Point out Massive 12 Offensive Lineman of the 12 months. Notably, he allowed only one sack over 723 snaps.
“Three-year starter and workforce captain in 2023 with excellent size and the potential to supply roster flexibility,” wrote NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. “Coleman’s expertise at deal with helps his probabilities of defending NFL quarterbacks as a guard. He go protects with environment friendly palms and sound approach.”
Jeff Legwold, ESPN Senior AuthorApr 25, 2024, 09:35 PM ET
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Jeff Legwold is a senior author who covers the Denver Broncos and the NFL at ESPN. Jeff has coated the Broncos for greater than 20 years, becoming a member of ESPN in 2013. He additionally assists with NFL draft protection, together with his annual prime 100 prospects. Jeff has been a member of the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame Board of Selectors since 1999. He has attended each scouting mix since 1987.
The Denver Broncos’ decision-makers stated over and over within the weeks main as much as Thursday’s first spherical of the NFL draft they might not “drive” a call at quarterback.
Whether or not or not the Broncos certainly compelled the problem stays to be seen, however what the Broncos did do is make historical past once they made Oregon’s Bo Nix the sixth quarterback off the board Thursday night time. Nix’s choice tied the report of six quarterbacks chosen within the first spherical, set in 1983 when Broncos Corridor of Famer John Elway was the No. 1 choose of the draft (by the Baltimore Colts).
In all, a report 23 offensive gamers — together with the primary 14 picks off the board — have been chosen within the first spherical, breaking the earlier mark of 19.
Nix’s choice with the No. 12 choose was the best the Broncos have taken a quarterback since they drafted Jay Cutler at No. 11 in 2006.
Basic supervisor George Paton would not say Thursday whether or not the Broncos had six quarterbacks among the many prime 12 gamers on their draft board. He did say the group had six quarterbacks graded as first-round picks.
Coach Sean Payton stated the Broncos have been involved that they may not get Nix “when Atlanta took [Michael] Penix [Jr.]. … It acquired somewhat loopy there for a minute.”
Nix stated he believed the Broncos had some curiosity in him throughout the pre-draft windup, however that “you by no means know till you get the cellphone name,” Nix stated.
“I will be in a very good scenario to study and develop,” Nix added.
“While you take a look at their scheme, there’s plenty of ideas, plenty of issues I’ve run up to now,” Nix stated.
Paton stated Nix “was simply a great match for what we would like right here.”
After saying they’d be keen to maneuver up or transfer down within the first spherical if the precise alternative introduced itself, the Broncos stayed put at No. 12, even because the quarterbacks got here off the board at an unprecedented charge. When the Minnesota Vikings moved up from No. 11 to No. 10 to pick Michigan signal-caller J.J. McCarthy, the Broncos have been confronted with taking a talent place participant, the highest-rated defensive prospect on their board or the sixth quarterback in Nix.
Nix, together with his three seasons at Auburn and two at Oregon, was one of the vital skilled gamers within the draft. He had 61 video games, with at the very least 10 performed in all 5 of his seasons. His two seasons at Oregon have been a revelation, with 74 of his 113 profession landing passes in addition to back-to-back campaigns with at the very least a 71% completion charge.
Payton stated the Broncos evaluated Nix’s work on the intermediate and deep components of the sector individually, given that just about a 3rd of his completions final season have been at or behind the road of scrimmage.
“Let’s do one other passing statistic and take away plenty of the quick, beneath throws,” Payton stated. “Clearly that was a part of what they do offensively, however should you take away that and are available again with the analytics [he is] nonetheless first. I might say his arm energy, you noticed it on the professional day, however even on the personal exercise it was excellent. He is tremendous good.
“Man, we’re excited. … We’re glad it labored out the best way it did.”
The Broncos have missed the playoffs in every of the previous eight seasons with 5 totally different head coaches, Payton included, and 12 quarterbacks (throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, operating again Phillip Lindsay began a sport behind middle, so there have been technically 13). Denver has simply two of its personal first-round picks on the present roster — cornerback Pat Surtain II and deal with Garett Bolles — and wishes influence gamers all around the depth chart.
Nix joins a quarterback room that features Zach Wilson, whom the Broncos acquired in a commerce earlier this week, and Jarrett Stidham, who began the ultimate two video games of the 2023 season after Payton benched Russell Wilson. Zach Wilson was the No. 2 choose of the 2021 draft.
The New York Jets, after Wilson’s rocky three-season tenure with the group, had advised him and his representatives that they might attempt to discover him a brand new soccer dwelling.
Wilson, given his on-field struggles — a 57% completion charge with 25 interceptions and simply 23 landing passes — is a little bit of a reclamation mission, because the 24-year-old will get a recent begin. Payton has persistently stated he would usher in competitors for Stidham. Wilson, and now Nix, are a part of that within the quick time period with Nix the potential long-term resolution.
A 6-foot-2, 214-pound participant, Nix set the NCAA single-season document for completion share in 2023 and broke Oregon’s single-season passing yardage and passing landing marks.
At Auburn, Nix earned SEC Freshman of the Yr honors in 2019 and threw 256 consecutive passes in 2021 with out recording an interception.
Nix is the Broncos’ first first-round choice on the quarterback place since 2016, and he’s the fifth first-round quarterback the Broncos have taken of their historical past. Solely Jay Cutler (No. 11, 2006) was taken increased within the first spherical. Six quarterbacks had been taken within the high 12 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Nix joins Jarrett Stidham, Zach Wilson and Ben DiNucci within the Broncos’ quarterback room.
Forward of the 2024 NFL Draft, Head Coach Sean Payton mentioned “it positive appears to be like like we now have to draft a quarterback.”
Joel Embiid’s push to play by a knee damage this postseason additionally featured one other behind-the-scenes well being scare.
The 76ers star has navigated what ESPN described as a gentle case of Bell’s palsy, which, in response to the Mayo Clinic, “causes sudden weak point within the muscle tissues on one aspect of the face” — with that aspect showing “to droop” and resulting in difficulties with shutting that aspect’s eye.
“Fairly annoying with my left aspect of my face, my mouth and my eye,” Embiid advised reporters after the 76ers’ 125-114 victory in opposition to the Knicks on Thursday in Sport 3 of their first-round collection.
“It’s been robust, however I’m not a quitter, so gotta maintain preventing.”
Embiid’s situation was revealed after Philadelphia’s win that trimmed its collection deficit to 2-1.
He set a playoff profession excessive with 50 factors and have become the primary 76ers participant to achieve that threshold in a postseason sport since Allen Iverson within the 2003 playoffs.
The signs started with migraines a day or two earlier than their play-in win in opposition to the Warmth — after they clinched the Jap Convention’s No. 7 seed to arrange the first-round collection with the Knicks — however at first, Embiid thought they have been “nothing.”
That outlook modified, although. He knew his physique wasn’t proper in that Miami sport, when he collected 23 factors and 15 rebounds.
“Simply not feeling it,” Embiid stated, however ESPN reported that he “needed to maintain it personal to keep away from distractions for his staff” within the playoffs.
The reigning MVP missed a bit of time through the common season whereas coping with a knee damage, and it instantly impacted the 76ers’ probabilities of securing the next seed within the convention.
They have been 31-8 with Embiid of their lineup. That file dipped to 16-27 with out him.
Embiid has continued to combat by the lingering knee problem through the postseason, too. He was a game-time resolution in Sport 2 earlier than combining with Tyrese Maxey — the 76ers’ different star — for 69 factors of their loss to the Knicks.
And three days later, whereas nonetheless navigating his Bell’s palsy situation, Embiid helped the 76ers earn a victory after the collection shifted again to Philadelphia.
“It’s unlucky,” Embiid stated of coping with Bell’s palsy. “That’s the way in which I have a look at it. However that’s not an excuse. Gotta maintain pushing.”
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers All-Star middle Joel Embiid has been recognized with Bell’s palsy, a type of facial paralysis he says has affected him since earlier than the play-in match.
Embiid wore sun shades to the rostrum after he scored 50 factors within the Sixers’ Sport 3 win over the New York Knicks and mentioned he’s handled varied signs akin to blurred imaginative and prescient and dry eyes.
Embiid mentioned he first began noticing the affliction a couple of “day or two” earlier than the Sixers performed the Miami Warmth on April 17 within the play-in match. Embiid had 23 factors and 15 rebounds within the win that despatched the Sixers to the playoffs.
Embiid complained of migraines however “thought it was nothing” earlier than he lastly notified docs he wasn’t feeling properly.
“My physique was simply, I used to be simply not feeling it,” Embiid mentioned. “Sure, it’s fairly annoying. My left facet of my face, my mouth and my eye. It’s been robust. However I’m not a quitter. I’m going to maintain preventing by means of something. It’s unlucky, that’s the best way I have a look at it. However it’s not an excuse. I’ve received to maintain pushing.”
Final season’s NBA MVP, Embiid was 13 of 19 from the ground, made 19 of 21 free throws and hit 5 3-pointers in Sport 3.
The Knicks lead the collection 2-1 and Sport 4 is Sunday in Philadelphia.
Embiid had been sporting sun shades all through the collection and carried out a Sport 2 postgame interview along with his head down in entrance of his locker to cover his signs.
Embiid mentioned he has no timetable on how lengthy it might take to get well from Bell’s palsy.
“It hasn’t actually essentially gotten higher,” he mentioned. “With the conversations that I’ve had, it may very well be weeks, it may very well be months. I simply hope that it stays like this. I’ve received a gorgeous face. I don’t like when my mouth is wanting the opposite method. Unlucky scenario however every thing occurs for a motive.” ___
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