Today, we discuss an NFL team that might have something to worry about…
…and an NBA team that definitely does after one playoff game.
QB Shuffle at Top of Draft?
What Happened: Two well-connected NFL reporters added another dash of intrigue to the top of Thursday’s NFL Draft, specifically in the quarterback realm.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter remarked that LSU QB Jayden Daniels has “an interest in being other places” in regard to being drafted by Washington. His colleague Jeremy Fowler echoed Daniels’ potential hesitancy about Washington, specifically citing the Raiders and Vikings as teams Daniels would prefer.
Why It Matters: This could have major ramifications…or just be a little agent venting.
Daniels and his representation were reportedly not thrilled the Commanders hosted the Heisman Trophy winner in a group setting for his visit with the team. How “not thrilled” is now the question.
Would Daniels be willing to go full Eli Manning and refuse to suit up for Dan Quinn’s team? If not, where he wants to go really doesn’t matter when it’s all said and done.
As of this morning, Daniels is the overwhelming favorite to be drafted behind Caleb Williams at #2 with -170 odds. Drake Maye is at +140, but if these rumblings continue in the lead up to the draft and Washington feels comfortable taking Maye, might Daniels slide down to the Patriots (+160)?
How We’re Feeling Today
Like we get all that talk of teams not being afraid of the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
The chatter during the NBA play-in tournament centered around the idea that maybe getting the last spot in the West was advantageous, considering the #7 seed had to play the defending champions Nuggets, while the #8 seed faced a young Thunder squad.
It’s only been one game, but perhaps there was something there?
OKC struggled against a Zion Williamson-less Pelicans squad, eking out a 94-92 win at home, which doesn’t bode well for its chances to make a long run in the loaded West. The “give us the #1 seed!” talk felt disrespectful, but perhaps it was warranted as well.
The Look Ahead
Mason Marchment SOG – Marchment managed two goals in the final six games of the regular season for Dallas, but he wasn’t shy putting pucks on net. He recorded 15 SOG across that stretch, recording at least two shots in each game. He carries a line of 1.5 for tonight, and with Vegas still allowing more shots on net than average, the Stars’ second-line winger will have his chances tonight.
Sebastian Aho SOG – Feels like we are potentially buying at the dip here after Aho managed a single shot on net against the Isles in Carolina’s Game 1 victory. The Hurricanes star ended the regular season with three games of 3+ shots in five tries, and New York did allow 26 shots on net (and blocked 21 more) in the loss to begin the series. Aho is a good bet to get back on track tonight with a line of 2.5 shots.
