Sports

By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers coach Matt Rhule went back to his college roots on Day Three of the NFL draft. The Panthers traded up into the fourth round to select Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith on Saturday. They dealt both of their fifth-round picks to Washington to

By WILL GRAVES AP Sports Writer PITTSBURGH (AP) — Retooling the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offense is nearly complete after the NFL draft. The Steelers used five of their seven players on skill position players. Their haul included quarterback Kenny Pickett and wide receivers George Pickens and Calvin Austin III. Pittsburgh also drafted running back/tight end Connor

By KRISTIE RIEKEN AP Sports Writer HOUSTON (AP) — On a team that could use help at just about every position, the Houston Texans addressed several important needs in this year’s draft. Houston hadn’t had a first-round draft pick since 2019, but had two this season to help boost the talent on this rebuilding team.

By The Associated Press New York Mets ace Max Scherzer starts at night against Bryce Harper and the Phillies at Citi Field. Scherzer is 3-0 with a 1.80 ERA in four starts during his first year in New York. The three-time Cy Young Award winner has struck out 33 in 25 innings while allowing just

By MARK LONG AP Pro Football Writer JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Trevor Lawrence doesn’t appear to have a true No. 1 receiver in Jacksonville. Maybe it’s Christian Kirk. Maybe it’s Marvin Jones. More likely it’s someone still in college. The Jaguars ended up doing little, if anything, to upgrade Lawrence’s receiving corps in the NFL

By JONAH BRONSTEIN Associated Press ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Allen’s presence is apparent no matter where you turn in Buffalo these days. The NFL draft this weekend was no different. While Allen spent Friday night watching the NHL Buffalo Sabres’ season finale in a suite with several teammates, including first-round pick Kaiir Elam,

By STEPHEN WHYNO AP Sports Writer ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Sam Howell understands he isn’t expected to start his rookie year in the NFL after the Washington Commanders stopped his slide by taking him in the fifth round of the draft Saturday. The rest of the team’s draft picks can’t say the same thing. With

By TIM BOOTH AP Sports Writer RENTON, Wash. (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks wrapped up a straightforward draft that included nine picks and no crazy surprises. The nine selections came from just five position groups but filled a significant number of needs the Seahawks faced. On the final day, Seattle made five picks. It selected

By DAVID BRANDT AP Sports Writer TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — The Arizona Cardinals did a good job of filling perceived needs during this year’s NFL draft, adding a talented young receiver in a first-round trade, a pass-catching tight end in the second round, and a pair of intriguing edge rushers in the third round. More

By MITCH STACY AP Sports Writer CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals focused on defense in the NFL draft, using their first three picks to get players they expect to be immediate contributors. The Super Bowl runner-up Bengals used five of their six picks in the draft to get defensive players. They came in seeking

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Sports Writer MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — In the Miami Dolphins’ draft room over the past three days, there was a lack of consensus on at least one topic. Turns out, there is no official Dolphins stance on whether In-N-Out burgers are overrated. General manager Chris Grier acknowledged that he believes

By MICHAEL MAROT AP Sports Writer INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard spent the first part of the offseason upgrading the defense and finding a new quarterback. He spent the final two days of draft weekend plugging holes and adding depth. Team owner Jim Irsay believes Ballard did even better than expected.

By NOAH TRISTER AP Sports Writer OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — The Baltimore Ravens entered the NFL draft with plenty of flexibility and were content to be patient. Aside from trading receiver Marquise Brown at his request, the Ravens kept most of their picks and talented players such as Kyle Hamilton, David Ojabo and Travis

By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer The Patriots drafted three players to protect quarterback Mac Jones and one to back him up. After making a surprising reach for Chattanooga guard Cole Strange in the first round of the NFL draft, the Patriots added LSU guard Chasen Hines and Michigan offensive tackle Andrew Stueber on Day

By TOM CANAVAN AP Sports Writer EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants’ first draft under general manager Joe Schoen is history. The former Buffalo Bills assistant GM handled it well, filling major needs by taking edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux and offensive tackle Evan Neal with the fifth and seventh picks overall. He

By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. AP Pro Football Writer FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas was an early, active participant in the NFL draft, getting three players in the first round. The Jets added two more playmakers Friday and some more depth early Saturday. Douglas thinks the Jets are a

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid made it look easy this time. Madrid won its record-extending 35th Spanish league title with a campaign few could contest. It lifted the trophy with four rounds left after routing Espanyol 4-0 with its backup players on Saturday. Madrid was in control from the

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The four positions with the most significant losses for the Dallas Cowboys this offseason have ended up matching the club’s first four picks in the draft. Tulsa offensive lineman Tyler Smith was the first-round choice with Dallas looking to replace two starters up front.