theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.If you're old enough, you remember Aaron Curry.In 2009, the Wake Forest linebacker was dubbed "the safest pick in the draft" by Mike Mayock, then an analyst for NFL Network, now the general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders.ESPN's Mel Kiper offered a similar assessment: "He can rush the passer and drop in coverage ... maybe not a boom, but certainly not a bust."Evidently agreeing, the Seattle Seahawks chose him fourth overall. Four years later, Curry was out of the NFL.––––––––––Every year, teams exhaust their resources to determine which players from college will turn into quality NFLers. Scouts visit stadiums across the country, coaches dissect film, doctors examine medical reports, and front offices conduct background checks. The prospects sign up for athletic drills, intellectual testing, and private interviews, then tour team facilities for individual workouts and follow-up meetings.So much information is collected, yet nearly one-third of the players selected in the first round this century have panned out like Curry.Curry played in 33 games over two-plus seasons with the Seahawks. He averaged 0.34 tackles for loss per game, posted only 5.5 sacks, and allowed 62 catches for 613 yards and six touchdowns on 76 targets in coverage. He was no more successful with the Raiders, who acquired him in 2011 and cut him in 2012.Curry finished his career with an approximate value (AV) of 4.5 per year. The AV statistic was created by Pro Football Reference. While imperfect, it calculates a player's general worth, similar to wins above replacement (WAR) in baseball.An average AV of 4.5 represents former first-round picks Travis Taylor, Rod Gardner, Donte Stallworth, Anthony Spencer, Darren McFadden, Ziggy Hood, Eric Ebron, Billy Price, and Curry.Of the 600-plus players drafted in Round 1 since 2000, half of them have accumulated an AV per year of 5.6 or lower. At 5.6 AV per season, we're talking about fine contributors like Jeff Faine, Manny Lawson, Kareem Jackson, Teddy Bridgewater, and Shaq Thompson. However, these weren't long-term standouts and certainly not the best players to come out of their respective classes.For perspective, players with distinguished careers - like Tamba Hali, Demaryius Thomas, and Harrison Smith - are above 8 AV per season. The true elites - like Reggie Wayne, Von Miller, and Ed Reed - are in double digits.––––––––––A year after choosing Curry, the struggling Seahawks gave way to a new regime led by general manager John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll. It didn't take long for them to turn around the franchise, or be celebrated as the best drafters in the NFL.From 2010-12, Seattle selected Russell Okung, Earl Thomas, Golden Tate, Kam Chancellor, K.J. Wright, Richard Sherman, Byron Maxwell, Bruce Irvin, Bobby Wagner, and Russell Wilson, and signed Doug Baldwin as a rookie free agent. With that nucleus, the Seahawks morphed into perennial championship contenders, appeared in two Super Bowls, and won one.But the same methods that led them to discover all that talent haven't paid dividends lately. Since 2013, Schneider and Carroll have chosen Germain Ifedi, Rashaad Penny, and L.J. Collier in the first round. In the years they didn't pick in the opening round, their top selections were Christine Michael, Paul Richardson, Frank Clark, and Malik McDowell.Other than Chris Carson, the Seahawks haven't uncovered a gem on Day 3 of the draft since Sherman - a fifth-rounder in 2011.––––––––––In March, legendary college coach Urban Meyer said his recruiting misses at Ohio State were "almost non-existent" after applying some advice from Bill Belichick.Meyer revealed the retooled recruiting philosophy he used, which focused on a player's competitiveness, toughness, leadership, intelligence, and adaptability. Noticeably, his updated criteria didn't emphasize physical attributes, raw athleticism, or statistical production.While those words of wisdom may have worked for Meyer, they haven't given Belichick - supposedly a master at spotting talent where no one else can - a leg up in the draft.Of the 144 players Belichick drafted for the New England Patriots between 2000 and 2015, only 34 have become primary starters for four or more seasons.Granted, the list of four-year starters doesn't include players like Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Flowers, who began their careers in reserve roles but are certain to reach the benchmark eventually. However, it does include low-level starters like Matt Cassell, Brandon Spikes, and Lee Smith.His four-year starters hit rate of 23.61% between 2000 and 2015 is the 10th-worst mark in the league. But it's not as if any team has really pulled away from the pack - almost all of them extract two eventual starters per class.Four-year starters from 2000-15 draftsTeam4-year startersDraft picksPercentagePanthers3912132.23Saints3410731.78Jets3211029.09Steelers3713028.46Ravens3713228.03Chargers3211527.83Cowboys3412527.20Dolphins3312227.05Jaguars3513026.92Falcons3312326.83Broncos3412726.77Giants3111626.72Titans3814326.57Bengals3613726.28Rams3614225.35Bears3112325.20Lions3012124.7949ers3614624.66Chiefs3112724.41Cardinals2911924.37Packers3514424.31Texans2811723.93Patriots3414423.61Seahawks3314023.57Raiders3012823.44Eagles3113622.79Bills3013222.73Colts2812522.40Vikings2812821.88Buccaneers2712421.77Redskins2511521.74Browns2413018.46This year, teams raised concerns about their ability to accurately evaluate prospects after pro days and private workouts were wiped out by the COVID-19 pandemic. Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Kevin Colbert reportedly went so far as to ask the NFL to add three rounds to the draft to make up for the reduction in available resources.But the numbers indicate Colbert - who was promoted to Steelers general manager in 2010 - and his peers will whiff on most of their selections no matter how many tools are at their disposal.In his inaugural draft, Colbert netted Maurkice Pouncey, Emmanuel Sanders, and Antonio Brown. He also picked up Jason Worilds, who was a solid edge rusher for five seasons before he unexpectedly retired. But his next nine drafts have yielded exactly two full-time NFL starters per class, and he's had minimal success beyond Round 3:YearPlayer (round drafted)2011Cameron Heyward (R1)Marcus Gilbert (R2)2012David DeCastro (R1)Kelvin Beachum (R7)2013Le'Veon Bell (R2)Vince Williams (R6)2014Ryan Shazier (R1)Stephon Tuitt (R2)2015Bud Dupree (R1)Jesse James (R5)2016Javon Hargrave (R3)2017T.J. Watt (R1)JuJu Smith-Schuster (R2)James Conner (R3)2018Terrell Edmunds (R1)James Washington (R2)2019Devin Bush (R1)Diontae Johnson (R3)As a matter of fact, 12 of the 16 players Colbert drafted in 2014 or 2015 are already out of the league or on the free-agent market looking for a job. (Ryan Shazier is excluded from those numbers since he was having a formidable career up until his debilitating spine injury in 2017.)––––––––––Different teams look for different traits in the players they pick, yet none can avoid poor drafts.The Dallas Cowboys hit the jackpot in 2016, landing Ezekiel Elliott, Jaylon Smith, Maliek Collins, and Dak Prescott within the first four rounds, but got far less from their 2017 crop:RoundPlayerStatus1Taco CharltonCut2Chidobe AwuzieStarter3Jourdan LewisReserve4Ryan SwitzerTraded6Xavier WoodsStarter6Marquez WhiteCut7Joey IvieCut7Noah BrownReserve*7Jordan CarrellCut*Spent last two seasons on injured reserveThe Atlanta Falcons also enjoyed a fruitful 2016 draft, plucking Keanu Neal, Deion Jones, Austin Hooper, and De'Vondre Campbell, but the returns on their 2017 class were modest:RoundPlayerStatus1Takkarist McKinleyStarter3Duke RileyTraded4Sean HarlowCut*5Damontae KazeeStarter5Brian HillCut**5Eric SaubertTraded*Spent most of 2019 season on Falcons' practice squad

The Jacksonville Jaguars have waived wide receiver Marqise Lee after six seasons with the franchise, the team announced Monday.Selected 39th overall by the Jaguars in the 2014 NFL Draft, Lee was productive early in his pro career but has battled knee injuries for the majority of the last two years. He missed the entire 2018 campaign with a torn ACL and played in just six games last season before landing on injured reserve.The 28-year-old was stuck behind a number of young wideouts on the Jaguars' depth chart, including DJ Chark, Chris Conley, Dede Westbrook, and Keelan Cole.Jacksonville will save $4.8 million against the cap by cutting Lee, according to Over the Cap.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.D'Andre Swift? Jonathan Taylor? J.K. Dobbins? Our betting team gives their best bets for which running back will be selected first in Thursday's NFL draft.Player OddsD'Andre Swift-180Jonathan Taylor+140J.K. Dobbins+800Clyde Edwards-Helaire+1000Cam Akers+3000Field - All Others+10000Jonathan Taylor, +140I took a shot with J.K. Dobbins at +800 because there is some value there, but my best bet is Taylor +140. Taylor has everything a team is looking for in a running back. He's productive (6,174 yards in three seasons), durable (926 carries), and explosive (4.39 40 time). This running-back class is loaded, but Taylor is the one player out of the group who can step in for a team and carry the ball 20 times a game. That gives him an edge over Swift and Dobbins.Looking at the draft, Taylor could go as high as No. 14 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the Miami Dolphins also in play at picks 18 and 26. Taylor came 23 yards short of posting three 2,000-yard rushing seasons at Wisconsin. The kid is a stud and some team will take a chance on him in Round 1.-Thomas CasaleD'Andre Swift, -180There are two things that teams hate in a running back more than anything else: fumbles and a heavy workload. Both are major knocks on Taylor, but neither applies to Swift, who leaves Georgia fresh and boasts the versatility and bounce that separates today's stars from the average back. Clyde Edwards-Helaire is also worth a shot, but the LSU back has much longer odds, making the favorite Swift the best bet on the board.-C Jackson CowartJonathan Taylor, +140I got Taylor at +270 earlier in the process and I still like it at the current price. Laying juice in this market is foolish - I'm looking at you, Jackson. In a deep class, with teams hesitant to pay a first-round premium, running back is the most volatile position in the draft.There's no such thing as a consensus top back with teams drafting based on scheme and fit. Taylor is a human wrecking ball and the biggest knock on him - his heavy workload in college - is actually his biggest strength. He's got the durability coaches crave, while concerns about his longevity are mitigated by the fact that teams now cycle through backs much more quickly.Anything plus-money is worth it for Taylor, but if you're looking for a flier, I'd consider a sprinkle on Edwards-Helaire (+1000), who NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein reported Saturday has sneaky first-round potential.- Alex MorettoD'Andre Swift, -180I bet on this, but it was Edwards-Helaire at +1735. I got in way late - the peak was roughly 30-1 - and had to settle for a worse number. This current price has been absolutely wrung dry, leaving me with the chalk in this spot.My reasoning for Swift is the correlated play on the first-round running backs selected, with the under 1.5 heavily, heavily juiced. He's likely to be the first and only back to hear his name called Thursday unless someone like Dobbins or Edwards-Helaire makes a Rashaad Penny-like leap late into the first.Edwards-Helaire was the long shot earlier at a better number, but at his current lower price, I can't pass up Swift for my best bet.-Alex Kolodziej*Terms and conditions apply. Contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of legal age. Void where prohibited. For official contest rules, visit https://thesco.re/Top10Draft2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Yannick Ngakoue's beef with the Jacksonville Jaguars reached new heights Monday when the star pass-rusher got into a heated Twitter exchange with Jaguars co-owner Tony Khan.Ngakoue initially reiterated his desire to be moved before calling out Khan over the team not yet trading him.

With sports events around the globe currently on pause, many fans are turning to sports movies to get their fix. But just how much have you retained from those flicks? Take our quiz below to see if you can win a sports Oscar.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.theScore's Mike Alessandrini and Dan Wilkins break down the top safeties in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft as part of a position-by-position series.Top 50

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.We're just a few days out from the 2020 NFL Draft and the wide receiver market remains intriguing and unpredictable.Over the past week, Oklahoma product CeeDee Lamb has emerged as the slight favorite in many spots to be the first wideout selected, ahead of Alabama duo Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III, though there's likely to be very little distance between the trio.With a projected wide receiver run between the 11-15 range, as well as a few needy teams rumored to be seeking a trade up, let's break down where Lamb might land.TEAMODDSLas Vegas Raiders+325New York Jets+375San Francisco 49ers+450Arizona Cardinals+600Denver Broncos+750Philadelphia Eagles+900Jacksonville Jaguars+1400Miami Dolphins+2000Dallas Cowboys+3000Tampa Bay Buccaneers+3000Los Angeles Chargers+3300Detroit Lions+5000Atlanta Falcons+5000New Orleans Saints+5000Green Bay Packers+6000New York Giants+6600The favoritesOn paper, the Las Vegas Raiders feel like the perfect fit for Lamb. His ball skills, football IQ, and yards-after-catch ability could make him the true No. 1 receiver Jon Gruden's offense is lacking. Putting them as favorites makes sense, even if very little about the Raiders ever does.Of the wideout-needy teams in that 11-15 range, the New York Jets could have their pick of the litter at No. 11 if no one trades ahead of them and they decide not to trade down to compile assets. Should they stand pat, Lamb would be a conceivable option, with general manager Joe Douglas having to choose between the draft's top receiver or the third- or fourth-best offensive lineman.After the Jets are the San Francisco 49ers (+450), Arizona Cardinals (+600), and Denver Broncos (+750). The Cardinals make little sense after they acquired DeAndre Hopkins, and while the 49ers and Broncos are both in the market for wide receivers, they would likely have to trade up to acquire Lamb's services.Do any other teams offer value?It remains within the realm of possibility that a team trades up to have their pick at wide receiver, with the Philadelphia Eagles (+900) fitting the bill. They have a glaring need at the position, and reports have surfaced that GM Howie Roseman is infatuated with Lamb.

After reports surfaced last week that Jamal Adams is expected to skip April's virtual offseason program, New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas addressed the star safety's status with the franchise."Jamal is an unbelievable young player," Douglas said, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. "Our plan is to keep Jamal here for a long time.""Going into this draft, my goal isn't to move any players," he added, per NFL Network's Kimberly Jones. "But if a team calls, (we) will listen."The Jets reportedly have yet to express any official interest in extending Adams this offseason. The 24-year-old is eyeing a new deal and called out New York's management last season for shopping him before the deadline, causing a temporary rift between the two sides.Douglas said Monday that he plans "to connect with Jamal after the draft," adding that he hasn't had "any conversations recently with Jamal," via Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.The executive said in February he wanted to make the All-Pro defensive back a "Jet for life."The Jets drafted Adams sixth overall in 2017. He quickly emerged as one of the NFL's premier safeties and is likely angling to be among the highest-paid players at his position.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.theScore's Mike Alessandrini and Dan Wilkins break down the top prospects in the 2020 NFL Draft with position-by-position rankings and an overall Top 50 Big Board.Top 50

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.The 2019 LSU Tigers' embarrassment of riches is illustrated by the various projections and position rankings ahead of Thursday's NFL draft.LSU has a player at or near the top of their class at almost every position.Joe Burrow is the best quarterback in the draft, Clyde Edwards-Helaire is the preferred option in theScore's running back rankings, and, after Ohio State's Chase Young, K'Lavon Chaisson is the second-best edge rusher.One way to measure all-time great college football teams is by the sheer number of players who go on to NFL success. The 2001 Miami Hurricanes, for instance, featured 17 future first-round picks - 19 of Miami's 22 starters that season were drafted by NFL organizations - and we look back at that team as one of the 10 best in college football history.Last year's LSU team might also be considered one of the greatest of all time, given its path to a national championship. The Tigers beat Florida, Auburn, and Alabama in the regular season before crushing Georgia, Oklahoma, and Clemson by a combined score of 152-63 in the postseason.Coach Ed Orgeron's program made a statement that it had caught up to Alabama, which has long been the standard-bearer of the SEC under Nick Saban.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.The New England Patriots will have a slightly altered look when they take the field for the first time in a generation without Tom Brady on the roster.On Monday, New England unveiled a new uniform set based on the team's previous Color Rush alternate.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.With just three days until the 2020 NFL Draft kicks off, a number of teams are discussing potential deals regarding early-round picks. The San Francisco 49ers appear to be one of them.San Francisco is currently fielding calls about both of its first-round selections - No. 13 and No. 31 overall - and is open to trading one or both, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Following their second first-rounder, the 49ers won't be on the clock until the fifth - 156th overall - and are looking to acquire more picks Schefter adds.John Lynch was among the league's most aggressive general managers in 2019, leading to a successful campaign. He acquired Dee Ford for a second-round pick last offseason and dealt a third-rounder for Emmanuel Sanders before October's trade deadline.The reigning NFC champions then landed the No. 13 overall pick from the Indianapolis Colts in March by trading away DeForest Buckner.Elsewhere, the Atlanta Falcons and Denver Broncos are among the teams rumored to be interested in trading up in Round 1 on Thursday, while the Detroit Lions (No. 3 overall) and New York Giants (No. 4 overall) have both expressed some interest in moving back.*Terms and conditions apply. The contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of legal age. Void where prohibited. For official contest rules, visit https://thesco.re/Top10Draft2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.Joe Burrow's NFL career is about to begin, and the former LSU quarterback is looking for advice from one of the greatest to ever to it.Burrow called Peyton Manning last week with questions about what to expect in his rookie season."I told him, 'Look, Joe, if you're the first pick in the NFL draft, you are going to a team that has earned the first pick in the NFL draft,'" Manning said Sunday on "SportsCenter." "There are going to be some holes there. There's a reason the (Indianapolis) Colts were picking No. 1 that year (Manning was drafted). There's a reason the (Cincinnati) Bengals are picking No. 1 this year.'"Manning added: "I was trying to say it's a marathon, it's not a sprint. I lost more games in my rookie year than I had in my entire high school and college career combined."The retired signal-caller was selected first overall by the Colts in 1998 and posted a 3-13 record that year. The Bengals, who are expected to nab Burrow first overall in the 2020 draft, finished 2-14 last season.Burrow produced a historic senior year at LSU, winning the Heisman Trophy and leading the school to the national title. But Manning says the young quarterback will face new challenges in his transition to the NFL."That's what I tried to encourage Joe and all the other rookie quarterbacks, that your rookie year is not going to be the same as your senior year in college," Manning said. "But if you learn how fast the defensive backs are, how soon you have to get rid of the ball, understand defenses, you can become a better player and really get it going the year or two after that."Manning still holds an unenviable record from his rookie season and joked that Burrow is welcome to surpass it."I threw 28 interceptions my first year," Manning said. "That's still an NFL record. If Joe wants to break that, I'd be OK with that. We'd still be friends."*Terms and conditions apply. The contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of legal age. Void where prohibited. For official contest rules, visit https://thesco.re/Top10Draft2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Mike Alessandrini and Dan Wilkins break down the top cornerbacks in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft as part of a position-by-position series.QB | RB | WR | TE | OL

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.The Jacksonville Jaguars currently hold 12 draft selections in 2020, and the team apparently isn't done adding picks. As the Jaguars continue their aggressive rebuilding process, they have reportedly engaged in trade discussions with multiple teams regarding running back Leonard Fournette.Fournette, 25, still has two years left on his contract (including a fifth-year option in 2021) and is set to earn $4.17 million in base salary this season. After missing eight games in 2018, the 2017 fourth overall pick amassed 1,152 yards and three touchdowns on the ground last season. He also posted 76 catches for 522 yards.With Fournette reportedly on the trade block, here's a list of teams that could make the most by adding the running back.Tampa Bay BuccaneersThe Buccaneers haven't had a reliable running game in what feels like forever. Tampa Bay racked up just 3.7 yards per carry in 2019, which was tied for the second-worst mark in the NFL, and the team has now finished with under four yards per rushing attempt since 2016.Ronald Jones was expected to be a problem-solver for the team, but the 2018 second-round pick hasn't matched expectations yet. Though Jones started the team's last nine games a year ago after a disastrous rookie campaign, he topped 100 yards only once and amassed just 410 yards over that span.The addition of Tom Brady gives the Bucs Super Bowl aspirations, but with the quarterback turning 43 years old this season, the clock is already ticking for Tampa Bay to give everything it can to support the six-time champion. Fournette would be an immediate solution for this subpar running attack.Seattle SeahawksThe Seahawks are one of only two teams to amass at least 1,000 rushing attempts in the last two seasons combined, which means backfield depth is crucial. Seattle also particularly likes powerful running backs who are strong enough to run through defenders, just like Fournette.Pete Carroll currently has Chris Carson and Rashaad Penny as options, but both of them carry questions after 2019. Carson has battled injuries in every campaign of his short three-year career and he's entering the last season of his contract, while Penny is recovering from a torn ACL and offers little contribution to the passing game.Playing without both Carson and Penny in the playoffs - as exciting as the Marshawn Lynch experiment was - showed Seattle can't minimize its efforts at the position moving forward.Buffalo BillsThe Bills have made aggressive, smart decisions year after year since Brandon Beane was named general manager in 2017. However, Buffalo hasn't addressed the running back position this offseason, and veteran Frank Gore didn't re-sign after leading the team in rushing attempts.Devin Singletary showed promise as a rookie and posted 5.1 yards per carry through 12 regular-season appearances. But without Gore, Singletary is basically the Bills' only RB option right now.Fournette would complement Buffalo's backfield well, leaving Singletary in his No. 2 role while adding another undeniable talented weapon to Josh Allen's offense.Kansas City ChiefsHow fun would this be? Patrick Mahomes and his explosive receiving weapons adding a running back of Fournette's caliber would essentially create unstoppable matchups for this offense.Kansas City's average of 98.1 rushing yards per game ranked just 23rd last season, and Damien Williams led the team on the ground despite amassing only 111 attempts and 498 yards.Due to their quarterback situation, the Chiefs can afford not to have an elite running game, but winning the trenches has always been ideal and Fournette could definitely help Kansas City achieve that. Williams and Fournette would create a great three-down, two-way combination.If the Chiefs decide to pursue Fournette, they would need to restructure a few contracts to open immediate cap space. Signing a long-term deal with franchise-tagged defensive tackle Chris Jones might be the solution.Detroit LionsThough the Lions invested a second-round pick in Kerryon Johnson two years ago, their running game issues appear far from over. When healthy, Johnson has had his moments, but he's now played in just 18 games since 2018 due to various injuries.Despite missing half of the season in 2019, Johnson still led Detroit in carries (113), rushing yards (403), and touchdowns (three). In his absence, second-year Bo Scarbrough stepped up as the starting runner, but not necessarily enough to make this duo a reliable one.Granted, Fournette has had injury issues of his own. But he'd still be a more reliable option for the Lions, who could line up a mouthwatering combination in the backfield with Johnson. That's an ideal scenario for a team that needs to win right now.*Terms and conditions apply. The contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of legal age. Void where prohibited. For official contest rules, visit https://thesco.re/Top10Draft2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.Despite persistent rumors that Odell Beckham Jr. could be on the move this offseason, a team source told ESPN's Adam Schefter that the Cleveland Browns have not engaged in any trade talks involving their mercurial wideout.The most recent rumored deal had Beckham moving to the Minnesota Vikings for a package involving second- and fifth-round picks, but that was quickly shot down as false by Browns executive Paul DePodesta.The Browns acquired Beckham from the New York Giants a year ago by sending their first-round pick (No. 17 overall), a third-round selection (No. 96 overall), and former first-round safety Jabrill Peppers to the Big Apple.Beckham endured a disappointing first season in Cleveland. He played through a core muscle injury and finished with 74 receptions for 1,035 yards and four touchdowns - all career lows outside of his injury-shortened 2017 campaign.*Terms and conditions apply. The contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of legal age. Void where prohibited. For official contest rules, visit https://thesco.re/Top10Draft2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson received a retweet and a compliment from United States President Donald Trump on Saturday.The reigning NFL MVP shared a video of former Louisville teammate Jaire Alexander reacting to him getting drafted No. 32 overall in 2018, which Trump retweeted with a message calling Jackson a "great pick."

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.The Jacksonville Jaguars have engaged in trade discussions with multiple teams regarding running back Leonard Fournette, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.If traded, Fournette would be the latest big-name player to be shipped out of Jacksonville amid an aggressive rebuilding effort.Cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, defensive end Calais Campbell, and quarterback Nick Foles have all been traded within the last six months. Franchise-tagged pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue has also made it clear he wants the Jaguars to trade him.Fournette, 25, is set to earn $4.17 million in base salary in his fourth NFL season and owns an $8.64-million cap hit, according to Spotrac. As a former first-round pick, the running back has a fifth-year team option that could keep him under contract for 2021.The report of Fournette's availability comes two days after the running back publically called for the Jaguars to sign Cam Newton to compete with sophomore quarterback Gardner Minshew.Fournette bounced back after missing eight games in 2018, racking up 1,152 yards and three touchdowns last season. The No. 4 overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft rushed for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie.*Terms and conditions apply. The contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of legal age. Void where prohibited. For official contest rules, visit https://thesco.re/Top10Draft2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Offensive tackle Mekhi Becton has addressed his flagged drug test from the NFL Scouting Combine with multiple teams, a source told ESPN's Josina Anderson.A report surfaced Friday that the 364-pound lineman failed a test in Indianapolis. Becton, a projected first-round pick, reportedly never failed a drug test at Louisville.Becton has reportedly spoken to a number of teams since Saturday morning and plans to address the matter with several others ahead of the draft.The 2020 NFL Draft is set to begin Thursday night.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.Leonard Fournette may have rubbed quarterback Gardner Minshew the wrong way after lobbying for the Jacksonville Jaguars to sign Cam Newton."You know, with players, you're always going to have friends (who say) like, 'Hey, this guy should come, or that guy should come,' and you try to talk to the players about talking about the team and doing what is best and keeping a single message," head coach Doug Marrone said Friday, according to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk. "But then a lot of times you're going to have to be able to communicate in that locker room, I mean that is the big thing with me."I mean, we all talk about men are all men and everything, when you are in that locker room, you've got to say, 'Hey, listen, I said this because I really think this is best for the team,' and if you can't say this is what's best for the team, then you're going to have issues ... It's not like a coach can get in between two players and fix something. You know, these things have to be fixed among each other at times and the coach can go in there and try to guide it through."Fournette turned heads Thursday when he clamored for the Jaguars to sign Newton, a former MVP, during an appearance on ESPN."Cam went to the Super Bowl. He's a great guy. I've been knowing Cam for a minute now," the running back said. "And like I told some people that talked to me, it's no disrespect to Minshew. I'm just trying to get in the best position as a team as we can (to) win."Newton has been a free agent since late March when the Carolina Panthers released him. The 30-year-old is coming off back-to-back injury-plagued seasons.Minshew, meanwhile, is looking to build on a solid rookie campaign that saw him play extensively following a Week 1 clavicle injury to Nick Foles. The Jaguars traded Foles to the Chicago Bears this offseason.*Terms and conditions apply. Contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of legal age. Void where prohibited. For official contest rules, visit https://thesco.re/Top10Draft2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.Every so often in the past year, as Jordan Love entered his junior season to Heisman Trophy hype and then led the NCAA in interceptions, he reminded people of his bewitching upside with a single magnificent throw.Nov. 16, 2019: Utah State vs. Wyoming. Love's Aggies trailed 7-0 in the second quarter when he took a shotgun snap, threaded a pass with zip between the cornerback and safety at the far sideline, and hit his No. 1 receiver in stride, affording Siaosi Mariner 60 yards of daylight to sprint to the end zone."It was a play that not very many people could make," Utah State head coach Gary Andersen said recently. "That ball came out different, to say the least."Oct. 19, 2019: Utah State vs. Nevada. Andersen's quarterback was a middling 12-for-30 when, late in a Mountain West Conference matchup his team had nonetheless dominated, he hurled from a standstill an arcing bomb 55 yards downfield - to the precise point where Mariner's post route diverged from his defender."We don't have to watch any other play for the rest of this game," ESPNU analyst and former NFL linebacker Kirk Morrison said on the broadcast. "That throw is the NFL throw."June 28, 2019: The Manning Passing Academy in Thibodaux, Louisiana. Peyton and Eli were there; so were celebrated college QBs like Trevor Lawrence, Justin Herbert, and Heisman winner-to-be Joe Burrow. Love, another Division I invitee, considered the event an opportunity to show he belonged among the big dogs despite hailing from a non-Power 5 program; Utah State had been the lone FBS school to offer him a scholarship.Anyone on the Nicholls State University field who didn't know the scale of Love's arm strength was brought to speed when he chucked what Steve Calhoun, his longtime private trainer in California, described in an interview as his "drop-the-mic" pass. Love backpedaled five steps and slung a 25-yard arrow to the sideline, eschewing airtime to deliver the ball through Cover 2 coverage as fast as possible.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.Jamal Adams is not expected to participate in April's virtual offseason program as the New York Jets have yet to express any official interest in extending the star safety, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Adams is eyeing a new contract and called out New York's management last season for shopping him before the deadline, causing a temporary rift between the two sides.Speaking in February, general manager Joe Douglas said he wanted to make the former first-round pick a "Jet for life." This came months after the team reportedly discussed a potential deal with the Dallas Cowboys.The 24-year-old has quickly emerged as one of the NFL's premier safeties since entering the league, and is likely angling to be among the highest-paid players at his position. He accumulated 75 tackles, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two defensive touchdowns last season en route to a first-team All-Pro selection and his second straight Pro Bowl berth.The Jets drafted Adams sixth overall in 2017. He's signed through the 2020 season, and the team can exercise the fifth-year option on his rookie deal to keep him under control through 2021.Virtual offseason periods for clubs can begin April 20, though no on-field work can take place until all 32 club facilities are reopened.*Terms and conditions apply. Contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of legal age. Void where prohibited. For official contest rules, visit https://thesco.re/Top10Draft2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.Right before the NFL banned visits between teams and college prospects ahead of the 2020 draft, the Miami Dolphins rushed to get Tua Tagovailoa to their team facility, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Tagovailoa was the first prospect the Dolphins attempted to bring in, Schefter adds, but the two sides failed to work out details of a potential meeting prior to the March 13 restriction.Miami's doctors were able to examine the star signal-caller in person during February's combine but haven't had any time with him since.The Dolphins currently hold the fifth overall selection in next week's draft and are expected to target a quarterback. The team has been linked to Tua since last offseason, but the former Crimson Tide star reportedly failed to impress management during a meeting.Reports also surfaced in February that Miami could be more interested in selecting Oregon passer Justin Herbert due to concerns over Tagovailoa's injury history and long-term durability."(Tagovailoa and Herbert are) both interesting kids," general manager Chris Grier said during his pre-draft teleconference. "I've gotten to know both of them through this process. They're really good people. They're both very talented players. Both have won a lot of games. They're both intelligent players and winners."Despite an NFL executive recently claiming Tua failed two team physicals, the quarterback's health outlook has been almost overwhelmingly positive throughout the majority of the draft process.*Terms and conditions apply. Contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of legal age. Void where prohibited. For official contest rules, visit https://thesco.re/Top10Draft2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.For the first time in three seasons, Tom Brady has been dethroned in the battle of NFL player sales.The league officially released the highest-selling player products and merchandise between March 1, 2019, and Feb. 29, 2020, on Friday, and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes topped the list.Here are the top 10 best-sellers from last season:RankPlayer2019 team1Patrick MahomesKansas City Chiefs2Tom BradyNew England Patriots3Lamar JacksonBaltimore Ravens4Ezekiel ElliottDallas Cowboys5Baker MayfieldCleveland Browns6Aaron RodgersGreen Bay Packers7Odell Beckham Jr.Cleveland Browns8Khalil MackChicago Bears9Jimmy GaroppoloSan Francisco 49ers10George KittleSan Francisco 49ersReigning MVP Lamar Jackson skyrocketed to No. 3 overall after his incredible 2019 campaign, while Brady still led the NFL in jersey sales.Other notable player rankings include Saquon Barkley (No. 11), Dak Prescott (No. 12), and Russell Wilson (No. 15). 49ers pass-rusher Nick Bosa (16th overall) led all rookie sales.NFLPA licences generated record sales for a sixth straight year, exceeding $1.9 billion.*Terms and conditions apply. Contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of legal age. Void where prohibited. For official contest rules, visit https://thesco.re/Top10Draft2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.The NFL is taking mock drafts to a whole new level in 2020.In light of next week's unprecedented draft circumstances, the league will hold a virtual trial run Monday, giving teams the opportunity to test out their remote setups, according to ESPN's Tim McManus.With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting sports around the world, commissioner Roger Goodell told clubs to prepare for a "fully virtual" draft as scheduled - April 23-25 - while team and league facilities are closed indefinitely.General managers and coaches won't select actual 2020 draft prospects during Monday's exercise. Instead, they may choose from former NFL legends.A number of franchises are running their own simulations to get comfortable with the new approach. The league will also implement safeguards to prevent hacking and can stop the clock if a team encounters difficulty communicating its selection.*Terms and conditions apply. Contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of legal age. Void where prohibited. For official contest rules, visit https://thesco.re/Top10Draft2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.Though his blockbuster trade shocked the football world, DeAndre Hopkins was fully expecting to be dealt from the Houston Texans following the 2019 campaign.Speaking to reporters for the first time since his trade to the Arizona Cardinals, the star wide receiver admitted he began hearing rumors of a potential move at the beginning of last season."It wasn't a big surprise to me after the year," Hopkins said, according to ESPN's Josh Weinfuss. "I was preparing for it."I was very excited, actually, about (the trade) because (of) what Arizona has been building, having a young quarterback, a young team, and also having veterans," he added.Hopkins was reportedly looking for a new contract with Houston, which appeared to play a role in head coach and general manager Bill O'Brien wanting to move him. However, the 27-year-old failed to disclose whether his new club would meet his demands."That's between my agent and the organization," Hopkins said. "DeAndre Hopkins goes out and works out every day to prepare myself to get my team the opportunity to win a championship whenever that's possible. So, you know, everything behind closed doors, that's between my agent and the organization."The four-time Pro Bowler is among the NFL's top pass-catchers and is expected to be second-year quarterback Kyler Murray's top target in 2020. Hopkins has eclipsed 100 catches in two straight seasons, accumulating 1,165 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last year.*Terms and conditions apply. Contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of legal age. Void where prohibited. For official contest rules, visit https://thesco.re/Top10Draft2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.With the 2020 NFL Draft less than a week away, teams are still discussing trading out of their current draft positions.The New York Giants, for one, own the No. 4 pick and are open to moving back."It's something I would very seriously entertain," Giants general manager Dave Gettleman said Friday on a conference call with reporters.However, Gettleman insists he'd like to know sooner rather than later whether he'll be selecting fourth."It's got to happen pretty soon," he said. "I'm going to make calls and anybody that wants to move up, I'm going to say, 'Listen, we don't have much time, we can't fool around, and I'd like to get the parameters of deals in place before we get on the clock.' That would be the best thing."Should New York stand pat, Gettleman said the club is "still discussing" who to target with the pick.The Giants have been linked to an offensive lineman in most mock drafts, including theScore's latest edition. Gettleman admitted the position is an area the team might target early."Well again, you know my theory. It's very, very difficult for Saquon (Barkley) to run the ball if he doesn't have holes. It's going to be difficult for Daniel (Jones) to throw the ball when he's on his back. We'll continue to build the offensive line," Gettleman said. "Is it a pressure point? To a degree. I'm not going to deny that. But it's about getting the right guy. It's about not panicking."The draft will take place April 23-25 and be a virtual experience due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.*Terms and conditions apply. Contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of legal age. Void where prohibited. For official contest rules, visit https://thesco.re/Top10Draft2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.The Detroit Lions have already talked to other teams about trading the No. 3 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and general manager Bob Quinn expects those chats to intensify as the draft approaches."I've had a few of those conversations over the last week or so," Quinn said Friday, according to ESPN's Michael Rothstein. "Had a few of those conversations, honestly, as far back as the combine. ... And then there will be more substantive talks next week if people are interested."Quinn declared in February that the Lions were "open to any trades." Whether or not Detroit decides to deal the third overall pick, Quinn wants to have a verdict before the draft begins on April 23."If I'm going to do something, I think we'll have a pretty good idea Thursday afternoon of kind of where we stand," he said. "I don't think I'm going to be making a huge decision on trading the No. 3 overall pick while I'm on the clock, while I'm virtually talking to our head coach and our other personnel."The No. 3 pick has been heavily linked to quarterback-needy teams. With the Cincinnati Bengals expected to draft Joe Burrow first overall, Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert are believed to be the only other QBs who could go early in the first round.In theScore's latest mock draft, the Los Angeles Chargers traded up from the No. 6 pick to select Tagovailoa third overall.Quinn said the Lions, who are set to have Matthew Stafford at quarterback in 2020, are determined to find an immediate contributor regardless of whether they keep their top-three pick."We have to do a good job of making sure ... the player we select can come in right away - especially if we're drafting that early - come in Day 1 and be a player, be a guy that can come in and help us win games," Quinn said. "We always give rookies a little bit of leeway to learn the system and all those things, but I think this year is a little different."The 2020 NFL Draft will take place virtually from April 23-25.*Terms and conditions apply. Contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of legal age. Void where prohibited. For official contest rules, visit https://thesco.re/Top10Draft2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* Correctly predict the first 10 draft picks in the order they're called to win.The Chicago Bears have released tight end Trey Burton, the team announced Friday.Burton's release will be a post-June 1 cut, according to Adam Jahns of The Athletic. That designation means the move opens up $2.8 million in cap space for the Bears, reports ESPN's Field Yates.Burton underwent hip surgery this offseason and is expected to be ready for training camp, according to Schefter. The Bears still owe him $4 million in guaranteed money in 2020.Burton arrived in Chicago as a free agent in March 2018, signing a four-year deal worth $32 million. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2014 and helped them win their first Super Bowl two months before joining the Bears.After amassing 569 yards and six touchdowns on 54 catches in his first season with Chicago, the 28-year-old battled a groin injury that sidelined him for eight games in 2019. He finished the campaign on injured reserve after amassing just 14 catches for 84 yards.Chicago will likely rely on veteran Jimmy Graham as its No. 1 tight end in 2020 after signing him to a two-year, $16-million deal this offseason.The Bears also agreed Friday to sign offensive tackle Jason Spriggs to a one-year deal.*Terms and conditions apply. Contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of legal age. Void where prohibited. For official contest rules, visit https://thesco.re/Top10Draft2.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Offensive tackle Mekhi Becton was among multiple players who had drug tests flagged at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.NFL teams were made aware of the situation, Rapoport reports.Becton is projected to be an early first-round selection in the upcoming draft after an impressive performance at the combine. He never had a failed drug test during his two-year stint at Louisville.Becton will now enter Stage 1 of the NFL's intervention program for no more than 60 days, according to rules set forth in the new collective bargaining agreement. If no further flagged tests or other issues arise over those 60 days, Becton "will thereafter assume the same status as players who have never been referred to the intervention program," according to Rapoport.The 2020 NFL Draft will take place virtually from April 23-25.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.Star Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller revealed Thursday that he tested positive for COVID-19. On Friday, he expressed his shock at the diagnosis considering he only suffered from a cough and rarely left his house over the past month."It all started with just a simple cough and then it got worse," Miller said on NBC's "Today," according to Adam Maya of NFL.com. "I also have asthma and my girlfriend, she was telling me that I wasn't sounding normal and I should try my nebulizer, so I did. I tried the nebulizer, which I do before football games and practices regularly. But this time was different."Miller said he waited another day but the cough didn't subside. He went to get tested and received a call from his doctor two days later."I was shocked. We've been taking this seriously since Day 1," he said. "I started in San Francisco, training where I normally train, and San Francisco was one of the first cities to have a stay-at-home order. ... We made the decision to come back to Denver. I've been here in Denver for four weeks now and within that four weeks, I've probably left the house four times. With all of those times, I never got out of the car, just to drive to pick up food and come back home."He added that maids and plumbers have come in and out of his house."But it was really nothing crazy, got a cough and here we are today," Miller said.The former Super Bowl MVP is urging the public to stay safe and practice social distancing.

The 2020 NFL Draft is almost here and commissioner Roger Goodell will be announcing each pick from his basement. Crazy, right?Well, to add to the craziness, theScore is offering fans the chance to win $5,000 USD with our Top 10 Draft Contest!* All you have to do is correctly predict the first 10 draft selections, including the order in which they're called. The entry with the most correct picks will win the cash prize.You up for the challenge? Entry is completely free. It's time to put your football knowledge to the test!To lock-in your chance at $5,000 USD, simply submit your entry on the official contest page here. You have from now until the start of the draft on Thursday, April 23, 2020 to get your entry in.Good luck!*Terms and conditions apply. Contest is open to legal residents of the United States (excluding Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico) and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are of legal age. Void where prohibited. For official contest rules, visit www.thescore.com/top10draft/rules.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Justin Boone was the winner of FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2019, marking the seventh time he's placed in the top 10.With the NFL draft less than a week away, we're close to learning the landing spots for this year's prospects, which will have a major impact on their fantasy value.Updated rankings will be published following the draft, but here are my final dynasty rookie rankings before Roger Goodell announces the first pick from his basement.Rookie RankingsRkPlayerPos.1CeeDee LambWR12Jerry JeudyWR23D'Andre SwiftRB14Jonathan TaylorRB25Clyde Edwards-HelaireRB36Justin JeffersonWR37Cam AkersRB48Henry Ruggs IIIWR49Denzel MimsWR510J.K. DobbinsRB511Tee HigginsWR612Laviska Shenault Jr.WR713Ke'Shawn VaughnRB614Michael Pittman Jr.WR815Jalen ReagorWR916Joe BurrowQB117Brandon AiyukWR1018Antonio Gandy-GoldenWR1119Anthony McFarland Jr.RB720Zack MossRB821Tua TagovailoaQB222KJ HamlerWR1223A.J. DillonRB924Darrynton EvansRB1025Antonio GibsonRB1126Lamical PerineRB1227Justin HerbertQB328Devin DuvernayWR1329Tyler JohnsonWR1430Donovan Peoples-JonesWR1531Bryan EdwardsWR1632Eno BenjaminRB1333Michael Warren IIRB1434Jalen HurtsQB435Jordan LoveQB536Quintez CephusWR1737Hunter BryantTE138Chase ClaypoolWR1839Van JeffersonWR1940Darius AndersonRB1541Jacob EasonQB642Joshua KelleyRB1643Gabriel DavisWR2044Cole KmetTE245JaMycal HastyRB1746DeeJay DallasRB1847Albert OkwuegbunamTE348Harrison BryantTE449Lynn Bowden Jr.WR2150Brycen HopkinsTE551Adam TrautmanTE652Jake FrommQB753Thaddeus MossTE754Isaiah HodginsWR2255Joe ReedWR2356James ProcheWR2457Anthony GordonQB858Collin JohnsonWR2559K.J. HillWR2660Jeff ThomasWR2761Quartney DavisWR2862Salvon AhmedRB1963J.J. TaylorRB2064Levante BellamyRB2165Javon LeakeRB2266Josiah DeguaraTE867Dalton KeeneTE968Jacob BreelandTE1069Kalija LipscombWR2970Isaiah CoulterWR3071Quez WatkinsWR3172Reggie CorbinRB2373Scottie PhillipsRB2474Sewo OloniluaRB2575Rico DowdleRB26Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.The 2020 NFL Draft features one of the deepest classes of wide receivers in recent memory. The over/under for pass-catchers to be selected in Round 1 is set at 5.5, but when it comes to speed, one player stands alone.Henry Ruggs blazed a 4.27 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and averaged 18.6 yards per reception last year at Alabama to solidify himself as a first-round draft pick. While Ruggs may not be the first receiver off the board, teams are infatuated with speed, and someone in the top 15 will likely fall in love with the big-play threat.Here are the odds for teams to draft Ruggs and a breakdown of the top contenders.Team OddsLas Vegas Raiders+275San Francisco 49ers+350Jacksonville Jaguars+400Miami Dolphins+425New York Jets+600Minnesota Vikings+600Denver Broncos+600Cleveland Browns+700Indianapolis Colts+800Dallas Cowboys+900Houston Texans+900Philadelphia Eagles+1200Seattle Seahawks+1600Green Bay Packers+1800Pittsburgh Steelers+2200New York Giants+3500The favoritesThe Raiders and speed receivers go together like peanut butter and jelly, so it makes sense the team is a +275 favorite to land Ruggs. Las Vegas picks 12th and needs a receiver opposite starter Tyrell Williams to stretch the field. However, the Raiders finished dead last in defensive efficiency last season, so they could opt to pass on Ruggs to find an upgrade on the other side of the ball. Las Vegas is also the favorite because it also holds the 19th pick, making it possible for the team to draft defense first and then grab Ruggs if he falls out of the top 15.After Las Vegas, the San Francisco 49ers (+350), Jacksonville Jaguars (+400), and Miami Dolphins (+425) have the next shortest odds. All three teams can use an upgrade at receiver but the 49ers are the most intriguing. San Francisco has one of the most talented rosters in the NFL but picks 13th after trading DeForest Buckner to the Indianapolis Colts; one of the team's few holes is at receiver after losing Emmanuel Sanders in the offseason. The addition of Ruggs would give the 49ers the game-breaking receiver they lacked last season.Which teams have value? The New York Jets at +600 are a serious contender to draft the Alabama product. New York desperately needs help at receiver and Ruggs can fill the void left by the departed Robby Anderson. Most mock drafts have the Jets taking a receiver at 11 with Ruggs, Jerry Jeudy, and CeeDee Lamb all in play.One team to watch if Ruggs slips in the draft is the Dallas Cowboys at +900. Dallas lost Randall Cobb and the team is thin at receiver beyond starters Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. Ruggs won't need to step in as the No. 1 receiver but would be deadly as the team's second or third option. The Cowboys own the 17th pick.Best bet49ers +350The 49ers are in the best position of any team to select Ruggs. San Francisco's biggest need is arguably a speed receiver, and now with two first-round picks, it has the luxury to take him at 13. The combination of Ruggs and Deebo Samuel would give the 49ers one of the most talented young receiver duos in the NFL. Ruggs makes last year's NFC champions even more dangerous in 2020.Thomas Casale is theScore's supervising editor of sports betting. He's been following the sports betting industry for almost 30 years. A devoted fan of the wishbone offense, Thomas bets on all sports but specializes in college football, NFL, and college basketball. Find him on Twitter @TheTomCasale.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Leonard Fournette is continuing his pitch for the Jacksonville Jaguars to sign Cam Newton.After the Jaguars traded quarterback Nick Foles to the Chicago Bears and the Carolina Panthers cut Newton in free agency, Fournette posed a question to Newton in late March in a since-deleted Instagram post, asking, "What we doing teaming up or what?"

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.Baltimore Ravens right tackle Orlando Brown Jr. gave an honest assessment of the coronavirus pandemic and how it might affect the 2020 NFL season."I am a little scared," Brown said Thursday on a conference call with reporters when asked about the possibility of losing the year, adding that it's a "serious situation.""I am a little worried that we won't have a season, but, like I said, that's up to the governors and president and Roger Goodell," he continued.The Ravens are set to enter 2020 with reigning league MVP Lamar Jackson and a top-flight defense that now includes recent free-agency addition Calais Campbell.Baltimore went 14-2 while capturing the top seed in the conference in 2019, and the team is expected to contend again in the fall.Brown and his teammates can only hope they'll get the opportunity to avenge their upset loss in the divisional round this past January."I don't think the NFL and the Ravens organization is going to put us in a bad position. If things aren't ready, they're not ready," Brown said."It's a contact sport. I hope and pray that things work out for the better and that we can get a hold of it," he added.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller has tested positive for COVID-19, his agent told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Miller has asthma and went to see the team doctors after feeling sick recently, and then he was diagnosed, according to James Palmer of NFL Network."I've just been here in the crib and I started to get a little cough. Got tested 2 days ago," Miller said, according to Mike Klis of 9News."I started to feel normal yesterday and then this morning Dr. (Steve) Geraghty called me and told me. It's crazy," he added.The Super Bowl 50 MVP is currently resting at home and plans to speak publicly Friday, according to Rapoport."Von is doing well and recovering at home in self-isolation," the Broncos said in a statement. "He remains under the care of team doctors, who are following all coronavirus treatment procedures to ensure a safe environment for Von and our community."Miller is the second active NFL player to test positive. Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen also tested positive three weeks ago and again early last week.Allen said he's now symptom-free after losing all sense of smell and taste, and experiencing fatigue, headaches, and a periodically sore throat.The NFL has closed all team facilities indefinitely to reduce the spread of the coronavirus.Though the league is currently operating under the hope and belief the 2020 season will take place as scheduled, contingency plans have been discussed if necessary. Those plans reportedly include playing games in empty or partially filled stadiums, or even playing a shortened schedule.The NFL and the players' association recently reached an agreement on a "virtual" offseason program.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Prospect Fantasy Outlooks

The Kansas City Chiefs will have plenty of big decisions to make in the near future, which include negotiations with superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes.Though general manager Brett Veach can't put up a timetable on when the Super Bowl MVP's long-term contract will be signed, he's putting those negotiations near the top of Kansas City's to-do list."Again, Pat is a priority," Veach said Thursday, according to James Palmer of NFL Network. "The way we look at it now, with all that is going on, we're going to have a lot of time to work with. Again, Pat, his agents Chris and Leigh Steinberg, they know that Pat is a priority."Pat isn't going anywhere, he's going to be here for a long time. I can never sit here and speak in definitives, so I can't say that the fifth-year (contract option) won't be an option or anything like that. It would be hard for me to see that we'd have to use that. We feel that it is a priority when you have a great player, and that great player is a priority, things get done."Mahomes, 24, is now eligible for an extension ahead of his fourth pro season. Before signing any long-term deal, the Chiefs can also use the fifth-year option, which would retain Mahomes through 2021 while paying him the average of the 10 highest quarterback salaries that season.Additionally, the reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs are eyeing a long-term deal for defensive tackle Chris Jones, who received the franchise tag this offseason."We've had a lot of discussions with Chris and we have a lot of time," Veach said, according to The Athletic's Nate Taylor. "We're going to work through the draft. We know how talented Chris is. We're certainly going to work to maintain him, not just for next year but for the future."Teams have until July 15 to sign a franchise-tagged player to a multi-year extension.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Mike Alessandrini and Dan Wilkins break down the top linebackers in the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft as part of a position-by-position series.QB | RB | WR | TE | OL

Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin has a new quarterback, but he's surprised his old signal-caller still hasn't found a job.Jameis Winston, Godwin's teammate for the past three seasons, remains a free agent after the Buccaneers signed Tom Brady in March. Winston's resume includes many successes and red flags, including last year, when he led the league in passing while also throwing 30 interceptions.But Godwin also believes the coronavirus pandemic has played a part in Winston's continued unemployment."Honestly, I'm very surprised," Godwin said on a Thursday conference call with reporters, according to Mark Cook of Pewter Report. "I think these are weird times right now and so I think that may be part of it, but I'm very surprised just because I think it's evident that the talent is there for Jameis. And I think you'd be hard-pressed to find 32 quarterbacks better than him."Winston has been posting daily workout videos on social media in anticipation of landing a new job."I'm surprised, but I'm confident that he'll land somewhere and I know that he's a tough enough guy that he'll be ready whenever his opportunity comes," Godwin said.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Trading away star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. would go in the opposite direction of the Cleveland Browns' long-term plan, Browns chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta said on Thursday."We're really (trying to) build around a core of players that we think have a chance to be a championship-caliber core and the idea that we would take away from that core at this moment just doesn't make a whole lot of sense and really not something we're exploring at all," DePodesta said of recent trade rumors involving Beckham, according to ESPN's Jake Trotter.It was reported Wednesday that the Browns and Vikings were discussing a deal to send Beckham to Minnesota for two draft picks. Hours later, Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reported the rumors are false.DePodesta reiterated that trade speculation regarding Beckham is "completely false.""It's frustrating a little bit," he said. "I think it's pretty clear we're trying to build at this point. We got an awful lot in free agency. We're excited about what we have a chance to do in the draft."Cleveland acquired Beckham in a blockbuster trade in March 2019. The deal was part of the team's rebuild, which began when defensive end Myles Garrett and quarterback Baker Mayfield were selected first overall in back-to-back drafts in 2017 and 2018, respectively.However, the Browns only posted a 6-10 record last season, missing the playoffs for the 17th consecutive year.This offseason, Cleveland hired head coach Kevin Stefanski to replace Freddie Kitchens. The club also signed long-term deals with offensive tackle Jack Conklin and tight end Austin Hooper.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.There's no end in sight to the coronavirus pandemic, but the NFL still plans to release a full schedule for the 2020 regular season by May 9, according to The Washington Post's Mark Maske.The league will structure the slate in a way that can easily be adjusted to account for a condensed season, according to Maske. Though he doesn't go into detail about how the NFL plans to accomplish that, Maske reports "it should be fairly obvious" when the schedule is released.The most obvious solution to this problem is for the NFL to back-load the schedule with the most important contests so an entire month - or more - can be trimmed off the start of the campaign with minimal effects to the league's competitive balance.Here are some ways that could be accomplished:Divisional games pushed backTypically, the first and last months of the season are filled with divisional battles. These are the most important contests, as they go the furthest in determining division champions and playoff participants. Therefore, the NFL can least afford to lose them to a shortened schedule. Surely, it would also prefer fans to be allowed back in the stands by the time these crucial, familiar encounters take place.Non-conference games come firstThe least significant games when it comes to playoff tiebreakers are the non-conference ones, so expect the schedule to feature plenty of those early. While they're often the most intriguing (each AFC and NFC club square off only once every four years), they're also the most expendable.No long road tripsTeams often play multiple games in a row at home or on the road, and then vice versa, but that will be a risky proposition in 2020. The league will want every club to play an equal number of games on home soil and in enemy territory, so road trips or homestands that extend beyond one game don't make sense.Early bye weeksNobody really enjoys a bye in Week 4, but the NFL won't have time to let teams rest in Week 12 during a condensed season. The earlier the league gets the bye weeks out of the way, the greater a chance it has of making sure every team plays the same number of games. As a result, we may see more squads than usual receive byes in Weeks 4 through 8.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Jerry Jeudy was the clear-cut top wide receiver in the 2020 class heading into the new year. Now, one week out from the draft, there's a legitimate chance he'll be the third wideout off the board.Billed as a potential top-five pick through late stretches of the 2019 season, Jeudy's competition is former teammate and fellow Alabama alum Henry Ruggs, and Oklahoma's CeeDee Lamb. All three figure to be selected in the 10-18 range next Thursday, though it's anyone's guess how the chips fall.Let's find a home for Jeudy then, shall we?Odds to draft Jerry JeudyTeam OddsJets+230Raiders+250Broncos+650Jaguars+900Browns+1000Eagles+1100Dolphins+1100Cardinals+1300Colts+1600Bills+1800Patriots+1800Giants+2500Lions+2500Cowboys+2500Chargers+2500Packers+3000Panthers+3300Buccaneers+4000Saints+5000The favoritesThis wide receiver class is so deep it's tough to envision a team reaching for one in the top 10. That makes pick No. 11, which the Jets occupy, the sweet spot. Quarterback Sam Darnold's supporting cast needs multiple upgrades, so picking Jeudy makes plenty of sense for New York.The Raiders are a close second at +250. Las Vegas holds plenty of draft capital as they sit at No. 12 in the first round, and the Raiders are in a solid position to pluck a pure wideout like Jeudy from the bunch while addressing a huge need.Do any other teams offer value?The 49ers would have offered good value in this spot if they were listed. San Francisco direly needs a top receiver, and after trading DeForest Buckner to the Colts to move into pick No. 13, the 49ers are in a prime spot to land arguably the best in the class.The Broncos at +650 should be strongly considered here, too. The receiver-needy team is picking right in the middle of the first round (No. 15), which is still an ideal position to snag a top-flight wide receiver. If clubs ahead of the Broncos opt for Lamb or Ruggs and Jeudy drops, Denver should start popping champagne before the pick is even announced. Ruggs is better suited as a downfield slasher alongside Courtland Sutton, but snatching Jeudy would still give the Broncos two young, dynamic receivers on the outside.Best betRaiders (+250)The Raiders haven't trotted out a true No. 1 wide receiver in a while. They swung for the fences last season by trading for Antonio Brown, and that fell apart fast.Ruggs and Lamb are very much both in play for the Jets at No. 11. If one of them goes to New York, that could prompt a knee-jerk reaction from Las Vegas to pursue the position early. If the Raiders do that, general manager Mike Mayock will get the crown jewel from Alabama's star-studded receiving corps.Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.It feels like a distant memory that Tua Tagovailoa was once the odds-on favorite to be the first overall pick in next week's NFL draft. Now, his stock is slipping, and there's a chance he could fall out of the top-five picks.Oddsmakers certainly think so, pricing his draft position at 4.5 with heavy juice on the over. Will the former Alabama star really slide on draft night, or is there value on the under? Here are the odds and our breakdown of each side:DRAFT POSITIONODDSOver 4.5-225Under 4.5+160The case for overThis one is pretty simple: Tagovailoa's injury history is concerning, and teams are shying away from risk amid limited access to medical information due to the coronavirus outbreak. We discussed those peculiar offseason circumstances as a reason to fade Tagovailoa's draft stock 10 days ago, and it's only picked up more steam since.Former NFL executive Michael Lombardi said last week that Tagovailoa failed two physicals and had previously unreported injuries. That news has been much dissected, and perhaps it is a smokescreen. But even if it is, it could be enough to deter a team from trading up to select Tagovailoa. Consider that teams can only go off the perception of what they think other clubs are doing when they trade up; if teams think Tagovailoa will slide, why give up extra capital to snag him early?It's all a perfect storm to see him fall to at least No. 5, where the first quarterback-needy club is on the board. The Miami Dolphins (No. 5) and Los Angeles Chargers (No. 6) would likely have to trade up to No. 3 or No. 4 for Tagovailoa to hit the under on this prop, and there feels like little reason for either to do so at this point.The case for underInformation moves quickly, and as eager as oddsmakers were to price Tagovailoa out of the top four, he could jump back into contention with favorable reports on his health. And if he does check out medically, there aren't many knocks on him as a player.Drafting a quarterback inherently comes with risk, and few prospects are less risky on the field than Tagovailoa, who looked poised to be the next "can't miss" prospect until his season-ending hip injury last year. If healthy, he still rivals presumptive No. 1 pick Joe Burrow as a talent and with his upside as a star signal-caller.Is that worth the risk off the field, i.e. in the medical tent? Perhaps it is, even if these recent reports are true. And if the Dolphins, Chargers, or some mystery team feel confident in their medical information on Tagovailoa, it only takes one club to trade up for someone it considers to be a franchise-changing player.PickOver 4.5 -225Tagovailoa is probably a future star, and if I were making the pick, I'd grab him early, injury concerns and all. But NFL front offices are naturally risk-averse, and missing badly on a top-five pick is essentially signing your own termination notice.As it stands, a team would likely need to trade up to cash the under here, which adds even more risk and determination by a front office to stamp their name on the move. If any team would do it, it'd likely be the Chargers, who might need to leapfrog Miami and take him at No. 4. At that point, just take L.A. at +115 to draft Tagovailoa - you still get plus-money on a top-four pick, but you get a backup plan if he falls to No. 6.This could all look silly in a week, but as of now, we've got to bet the information we have. And that info doesn't look great for Tagovailoa's chances of going in the top four. If you're OK paying a premium, over 4.5 looks like a bet worth making.C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Every season, a team or two makes the leap from afterthought to playoff contender. In 2019, the San Francisco 49ers reached the Super Bowl following a 4-12 campaign, and the Buffalo Bills earned a wild-card spot after finishing 6-10 the year prior.Here are five teams that could become contenders if they nail the upcoming draft.Denver BroncosTim Warner / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Broncos are looking to build on their impressive end to the 2019 season. Denver won four of its last five games with rookie quarterback Drew Lock leading the charge, and the front office has the draft capital needed to continue adding key pieces.Aside from top-15 picks in the first and second rounds, the Broncos own three third-round selections. In total, Denver is set to enter the draft with 10 picks.If the Broncos can find plug-and-play starters at receiver, corner, and offensive line, they could find themselves in contention come winter.However, John Elway's record in the draft has been under scrutiny for years, as the Broncos have fumbled class after class. There's no guarantee he'll turn it around in 2020.Arizona CardinalsThe Cardinals, who finished 5-10-1 last year, put themselves on the national radar with a blockbuster trade for DeAndre Hopkins this offseason. With that addition alone, many are expecting Arizona to challenge for a playoff spot in 2020.It's easy to see why. Quarterback Kyler Murray has a full season under his belt - one in which he was named Offensive Rookie of the Year. Plus, we've watched other young passers explode in their sophomore campaigns (see: Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson).But the defense - which finished 31st in efficiency last year - needs work, as does the offensive line. Arizona must hit on its eighth overall pick because the team won't select again until the eighth pick of the third and fourth rounds.Los Angeles ChargersHarry How / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Chargers already owned a top-10 defense before adding shutdown corner Chris Harris Jr. in free agency. The team's No. 5-ranked pass defense will also benefit from the return of star Derwin James, a first-team (at safety) and second-team (at defensive back) All-Pro in 2018 who played in just five games during 2019 due to injury.On offense, L.A. boasts an enviable array of talent that includes Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Hunter Henry, and Austin Ekeler. Heading into this offseason, many observers deemed the Chargers a quarterback and solid offensive line away from contention, and the team addressed the latter by signing veteran right tackle Bryan Bulaga and trading for guard Trai Turner.Next, the Chargers own the sixth pick of the draft and top-seven selections in every round. With those prime positions, they should be able to patch up their obvious holes and get immediate difference-makers who will help them bounce back from a 5-11 finish in 2019.Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay may already be considered a contender by virtue of adding Tom Brady, but with the legendary quarterback signed for only two years, the franchise must hit on its 2020 draft picks to cement that status.The Bucs boast a roster that was strong enough to entice Brady, but aside from that surprise signing, they didn't make any substantive additions in free agency. If Tampa can exit the draft with at least one Day 1 starter on the offensive line, the team can feel better about its ability to protect its soon-to-be 43-year-old passer.While the defense took significant strides in its first season under Todd Bowles and will return the starting front seven, the secondary is a work in progress. Above all, the unit could sorely use a quarterbacking safety.Fortunately, the Buccaneers own five picks within the top 140, and they can use those to fortify the roster around Brady.Indianapolis ColtsEric Espada / Getty Images Sport / GettySimilar to the Bucs with Brady, the Colts must make the most of their short time with new starting quarterback Philip Rivers. Indianapolis missed the playoffs last year after finishing with a 7-9 record, and the addition of Rivers alone may not be enough for the team to take the next step.The task of adding plug-and-play talent will be difficult without a first-round pick, but Indy will make the second and 12th selections on Day 2.It shouldn't be hard for the Colts to land a pass-catching partner for T.Y. Hilton in such a receiver-heavy draft. If Indy can also find a couple of defensive pieces with its remaining five picks, the franchise will enter 2020 with a good chance to contend for the AFC South title.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.Los Angeles Rams center Brian Allen is the first NFL player to test positive for COVID-19, telling Jay Glazer of FOX Sports he tested positive three weeks ago and again early last week.Allen told Glazer he first lost all sense of smell and taste before experiencing a periodically sore throat, fatigue, and headaches, among other symptoms. The 24-year-old said he's now symptom-free.

The Los Angeles Rams found themselves in a salary crunch this offseason. As a result, they parted ways with running back Todd Gurley and receiver Brandin Cooks.Quarterback Jared Goff has a lot to do with the team's financial situation. He inked a four-year, $134-million extension in September and owns a $36-million cap hit in 2020.On Wednesday, the four-year pro told reporters it was difficult to see Gurley and Cooks leave town."It's tough to lose friends," Goff said. "It's always super tough to lose friends and teammates and that's part of the business. I'm in Year 5 now - I'm kind of getting numb to it a little bit. At the same time, me and Brandin and me and Todd are extremely close and always will be."Goff added that he'd be open to restructuring his own contract, but did not say he'd be willing to accept a pay cut."I think there's been some stuff about being able to clear some cap space," the quarterback said. "And if so, I'm all for it. I don't see why not. It doesn't change anything for me and helps the team out."The deal Goff signed last year includes $110 million guaranteed, the most in NFL history.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find out the latest on COVID-19's impact on the sports world and when sports are returning by subscribing to Breaking News push notifications in the Sports and COVID-19 section.The NFL continues to operate under the hope and belief the 2020 season won't be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, the league is discussing contingency plans should the public health crisis continue into the fall.Those plans include playing games in empty or partially filled stadiums, or even playing a shortened schedule, Mark Maske of the Washington Post reports, citing two people familiar with the discussions."I don't know if it'll be a one-third-filled stadium, a half-filled stadium, or whatever," one source told Maske on Wednesday. "The NFL is planning for everything from playing without fans to playing with full stadiums. We know there will be a push from the (federal) government to open things up. I think we're going to have fans in the stands."The league reportedly remains hopeful that widespread testing for the COVID-19 virus will be available for players and maybe even fans by the fall.The NFL proceeded with free agency and did not push back the upcoming draft, but the release of its 2020 schedule has been delayed until around May 9. The regular season is apparently being constructed in a way that takes into account the possibility of a delayed start."The schedule is being done in such a way that builds in that flexibility," a source told Maske.U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he's soliciting the opinions of sports commissioners, including the NFL's Roger Goodell, about ending the current lockdown. Trump has previously stated that the football season should proceed as scheduled.Earlier Wednesday, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Dr. Anthony Fauci outlined a way in which sports can return in 2020, without fans in attendance.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, Boone is joined by theScore's Mike Alessandrini and Dan Wilkins as they break down every fantasy-relevant quarterback and running back prospect in this year's NFL draft: