The Sportsletter - Draft Day Viewer's Guide

BY JEFF YODER

APR. 27, 2023 |  SUBSCRIBE  |  REFER  |  WEB VIEW

Happy Draft Day 🙌

Dreams come true tonight in Kansas City as 31 players get drafted to the NFL. We’ve got the official Draft Day Guide for your viewing pleasure. Plus, more Jimmy Butler heroics for the Heat. The Knicks break a decade-long drought. And one MLB debut you won’t want to miss.

Draft Day is always a spectacle. The Carolina Panthers are on the clock...

Letter Rip!

NFL DRAFT

The Draft Day Guide

Photo: James Gilbert / Getty Image 

Draft-Day Notes & Top-5 Players at Each Position — Tonight (8:00 pm ET, ESPN)

After three months of offseason shuffling since the Chiefs topped the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII, the NFL’s marquee offseason moment is finally here. Your team looks different than it did just three months ago, and the draft gives each franchise a chance to select their pieces of the future. We shared The Sportsletter’s Mock Draft 2.0 in yesterday’s edition. We’ll go a little deeper in today’s edition, featuring potential trades, team needs and the best players at each position. The Panthers already know who they’re taking with No. 1 overall, but no one else does. One of sport’s greatest live-action off-the-field events is about to launch. Let’s strap in.

Teams With Multiple 1st-Round Picks

Texans: Pick #2, Pick #12

Seahawks: Pick #5, Pick #20

Lions: Pick #6, Pick #18

Eagles: Pick #10, Pick #30

Potential Trades & Swaps

Almost every year one team swaps a first-round pick for a veteran player they know will make an immediate impact. Watch for the teams with multiple picks (above) to use that capital for trading back and grabbing veterans. Don’t be surprised to see the Titans (Pick #11) move up for a quarterback or the Cardinals (Pick #3) to move back. The Eagles and Seahawks are also teams to watch with a long history of draft-day trades.

Veteran Draft-Day Trade Candidates

A few aging veterans in not-so-great situation could be viable options for draft-day trade bait. Here are a few we’ll keep an eye on: WR DeAndre Hopkins (Cardinals), RB Dalvin Cook (Vikings), RB Austin Ekeler (Chargers), RB Derrick Henry (Titans).

Surprising Fact: Believe it or not... If the Panthers select QB Bryce Young with the No. 1 pick, he'll be the first Alabama player selected No. 1 overall in the history of the NFL.

Top-5 Players at Each Position

QB: 1. Bryce Young (ALA), 2. C.J. Stroud (OSU), 3. Will Levis (UK), 4. Anthony Richardson (FLA), 5. Hendon Hooker (TEN)

RB: 1. Bijan Robinson (TEX), 2. Jahmyr Gibbs (ALA), 3. Tyjae Spears (TUL), 4. Zach Charbonnet (UCLA), 5. Devon Achane (TEX A&M)

WR: 1. Jaxson Smith-Njigba (OSU), 2. Zay Flowers (BC), 3. Jordan Addison (USC), 4. Quentin Johnson (TCU), 5. Jalin Hyatt (TEN)

TE: 1. Dalton Kincaid (UTAH), 2. Michael Mayer (ND), 3. Darnell Washington (UGA), 4. Luke Musgrave (ORE ST), 5. Sam LaPorta (IOWA)

OT: 1. Paris Johnson Jr. (OSU), 2. Peter Skoronski (NU), 3. Broderick Jones (UGA), 4. Darnell Wright (TEN), 5. Anton Harrison (OU)

OL: 1. O’Cyrus Torrence (FLA), 2. Steve Avila (TCU), 3. John Michael Schmitz (MIN), 4. Luke Wypler (OSU), 5. Joe Tippmann (WIS)

DL: 1. Jalen Carter (UGA), 2. Calijah Kancey (PITT), 3. Bryan Breese (CLEM), 4. Mazi Smith (MICH), 5. Adetomiwa Adebawore (NU)

EDGE: 1. Will Anderson Jr. (ALA), 2. Tyree Wilson (TEX TECH), 3. Lukas Van Ness (IOWA), 4. Myles Murphy (CLEM), 5. Keion White (GA TECH)

LB: 1. Nolan Smith (UGA), 2. Jack Campbell (IOWA), 3. Drew Sanders (ARK), 4. Trenton Simpson (CLEM), 5. Henry To’oTo’o (ALA)

CB: 1. Christian Gonzales (ORE), 2. Devon Witherspoon (ILL), 3. Joey Porter Jr. (PENN ST), 4. Emmanuel Forbes (MISS ST), 5. Cam Smith (SC)

S: 1. Brian Branch (ALA), 2. Jordan Battle (ALA), 3. Antonio Johnson (TEX A&M), 4. Ji’Ayir Brown (PENN ST), 5. Sydney Brown (ILL)

NFL Draft Schedule

Tonight: Round 1 (8:00 pm ET)

Tomorrow: Rounds 2-3 (7:00 pm ET)

Saturday: Rounds 4-7 (Noon ET)

NFL Draft Order (Round 1)

Here we go. The Panthers are on the clock…

Additional Storylines

SI: Breaking Down Strengths & Weaknesses of Each Presumptive First-Round QB

USA Today: 12 Big-Name Veterans Who Could Be Traded During the Draft

B/R: A 2023 Draft-Day Trade That Makes Sense for Every NFL Team

FOX Sports: 2023 NFL Draft Sleepers: The 10 Favorite Day 2 & 3 Prospects

NBA PLAYOFFS

Heat Checked 🔥

Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Image 

Jimmy Butler Circus Shot Forces OT Before Heat Eliminate Bucks; Knicks Win 1st Playoff Series in a Decade; Warriors & Grizzlies Win Game 5s Out West

The night owls got a treat! If you stayed up late to watch basketball, you weren’t disappointed. Four critical games took over Wednesday night with two closeout road upsets in the East and a pair of swing games in the West.

Game 5 Recaps: The Knicks closed out the Cavs to win their first playoff series in a decade before the Heat — with another epic performance from Jimmy Butler (42 points) — rallied from 16 down in the fourth quarter to beat Milwaukee in an overtime thriller. Butler hit a game-tying inbounds circus shot at the end of regulation to force OT before the Heat survived foul trouble to close out Giannis and the 1-seed Bucks. Meanwhile in the West, the Grizzlies staved off elimination against the Lakers and the Warriors outlasted the Kings on the road to take control of the Highway Series. Overall, five teams are now through to Round 2 with the remaining three series all 3-2 heading to Game 6. But if there’s one player putting his stamp on these NBA Playoffs, his name is Jimmy flippin’ Buckets…

Heat History: The Heat became just sixth 8-seed ever to upset a 1-seed in 1st round of the NBA Playoffs.

Knicks History: The Knicks won their first playoff series since 2013 — the Carmelo Anthony era. They haven't reached the conference finals since 2000 and the NBA Finals since 1999.

1st-Round Series Highlights

Gm 5: Heat def. Bucks (128-126, OT) | MIA Wins Series (4-1)

Gm 5: Knicks def. Cavaliers (106-95) | NYK Wins Series (4-1)

Gm 5: Grizzlies def. Lakers (116-99) | LAL Leads Series (3-2)

Gm 5: Warriors def. Kings (123-116) | GSW Leads Series (3-2)

Advanced to Round 2: Nuggets, Suns, 76ers, Knicks & Heat

Star Spotlight

J. Butler (MIA): 42 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists

G. Antetokounmpo (MIL): 38 points, 20 rebounds

K. Middleton (MIL): 33 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists

D. Bane (MEM): 33 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists

J. Morant (MEM): 31 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists

A. Davis (LAL): 31 points, 19 rebounds

S. Curry (GSW): 31 points, 8 assists

Updated NBA Playoffs Bracket

Tonight’s Schedule

Gm 6: Celtics at Hawks (8:30 pm ET) | BOS Leads (3-2)

Additional Storylines

ESPN: Knicks Oust Cavs for 1st Playoff Series Win Since 2013

Yahoo! Sports: Heat Overcome 16-Point 4th Quarter Deficit to Stun 1-Seed Bucks

FOX Sports: NBA Playoff Dispatches: Grizzlies Stay Alive, Heat Shock Bucks in 5 & More

NHA PLAYOFFS

Champs on the Brink

Photo: Michael Martin / Getty Image 

Kraken Put Avalanche in 3-2 Series Hole; Panthers Stay Alive Against Bruins With Tkachuk’s OT Winner

A pair of Game 5s in the Stanley Cup chase saw the Kraken take advantage of the series against the defending champs and the Panthers delay the Bruins for another day. Florida is hanging on by a thread as Boston takes its historic season into a Game 6 in the opening round. Matthew Tkachuk (1 goal, 1 assists) was the catalyst for the Panthers who got 44 saves from Sergei Bobrovsky. It might just be a matter of time before the Bs bounce Florida. But the Kraken? Seattles expansion franchise is making waves and just put the Avs on the brink of elimination.

1st-Round Series Highlights

Gm 5: Panthers def. Bruins (4-3, OT) | BOS Leads (3-2)

Gm 5: Kraken def. Avalanche (3-2) | SEA Leads (3-2)

Updated Stanley Cup Playoffs Bracket

Tonight’s Schedule

Gm 5: Lightning at Maple Leafs (7:00 pm ET) | TOR Leads (3-1)

Gm 5: Rangers at Devils (7:30 pm ET) | Series Tied (2-2)

Gm 5: Jets at Golden Knights (10:00 pm ET) | VGK Leads (3-1)

Additional Storylines

NHL: Tye Kartye Scores One-Timer for 1st Career Goal in NHL Debut for Kraken

ESPN: Tkachuk’s OT Stunner Gives Panthers New Life Against Dangerous Bruins

🎥 THE HIGHLIGHTS

⚾️ MLB: Drew Maggi’s Major League Debut

After more than 1,000 minor league games over 13 seasons, 33-year-old Drew Maggi finally got his moment in the majors with the Pirates. Pinch-hitting late in a blowout for Pittsburgh, he cranked two foul balls before striking out swinging, but it was a touching moment for a baseball lifer.

⚽️ EPL: City Shreds Arsenal (4-1) in Crucial EPL Match

Only two teams have a realistic chance to earn the Premier League title with one month and change left in the season, and they went head-to-head on Wednesday. Manchester City buried Arsenal (4-1) thanks to Kevin De Bruyne’s brace, and City climbed within two points of the Gunners with seven matches to play — City (73 pts) / Arsenal (75 pts).

THE STORYLINES

⚾️ The Filthiest Pitches of 2023 MLB Season

Being a major league pitcher isn't the sweet gig that it used to be. You can't use sticky stuff, take too much time, or rely on the shift. But one thing baseball will never be able to outlaw is downright filthy pitches. (Bleacher Report)

🏀 Time is Running Out for the Clippers

After injuries again plaguing stars and Russell Westbrook unable to carry the load, the Clippers’ window is quickly closing. Next season could be boom-or-bust for Steve Ballmer’s squad. Is it time to blow it up? (Sports Illustrated)

⚽️ Wrexham Has Its Championship Moment

The iconic Welsh soccer club bankrolled by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney won its league over the weekend to provide a happy ending for Season 2 of ‘Welcome to Wrexham.’ So what comes next? (NY Times)

📰 THE HEADLINES

• Colorado Players in Transfer Portal Detail Experience With Deion Sanders (CBS Sports)
• Commanders Decline DE Chase Young’s 5th-Year Option After ACL Injury (Yahoo! Sports)
• Brian Windhorst Says Miami Heat in Play for Damian Lillard During Offseason (B/R)
• Titans Get $760 Million in City Bonds for Record Stadium Funding (ESPN)

• Wrexham Owners Make Pitch to Retired Welsh Soccer Star Gareth Bale (FOX Sports)

• Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards Cited for Assault After Throwing Chair That Hit 2 Employees (B/R)

• Homeless Golfer Mike Sweeny Qualifies for Tournament After Sleeping in Walmart Parking Lot (CBS Sports)

📊 READER POLL

Results

Yesterday, we asked: Which QB do you think will be taken 1st in the NFL Draft?

Most of the team thinks the Panthers will go with Alabama QB Bryce Young, but the No. 1 pick is more mysterious than past years. We’ll find out tonight.

1. Bryce Young (Alabama) — 60%

2. CJ Stroud (Ohio State) — 22%

3. Will Levis (Kentucky) — 18%

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Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

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