Redskins pick up McKeesport’s Khaleke Hudson in fifth round
Khaleke Hudson became the 15th McKeesport graduate to reach the NFL on Saturday when he was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the fifth round (No. 162 overall). Naturally, Hudson was thrilled, but his friend and fellow McKeesport graduate Mike Logan was beaming, too. “He’s looking forward to a bright...
Round 2 of NFL Draft starts with more receivers off the boardVideo
Pitch and catch. While only one quarterback, Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts, was taken in the second round of the NFL Draft Friday, the guys who haul in passes were everywhere. Starting with the top two selections on Day 2 — Clemson’s Tee Higgins to Cincinnati and Southern California’s Michael Pittman to...
Carolina Panthers select Penn State’s Yetur Gross-Matos in the second round
Penn State defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos slipped into the second round of the NFL Draft, but he didn’t have to wait long Friday night before he was selected 38th overall by the Carolina Panthers. Gross-Matos (6-foot-5, 266 pounds) was the second defensive end picked, following Ohio State’s Chase Young, the...
Texans sign OL Laremy Tunsil to $66 million extensionVideo
The Houston Texans agreed to a three-year, $66 million contract extension with left tackle Laremy Tunsil, a person familiar with the deal told the Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Friday because the extension hasn’t been announced. Tunsil had one year left on his...
First night of NFL Draft draws record 15.6 million viewersVideo
The first night of the NFL draft averaged a record 15.6 million viewers on television, easily shattering the mark set six years ago. Thursday night’s first round was aired on ABC, ESPN, the NFL Network and ESPN Deportes. The coverage peaked from 8:45-9 p.m., when 19.6 million viewers tuned in,...
Dolphins’ Tagovailoa now knows where he’ll play, but when?
MIAMI — Tua Tagovailoa has been dogged for months by uncertainty, upheaval and close calls, from a career-threatening injury to an encounter with a tornado. Now he knows where he will play next. He still doesn’t know when. The Miami Dolphins are willing to wait — perhaps even until 2021....
How skill positions in NFL Draft will impact fantasy owners
Our Essey Tire fantasy sports podcast examines the first round of the NFL Draft and how some of these incoming rookies will impact your fantasy leagues. With six receivers taken in the first round and a run on running backs expected in the second round, the answer is: significantly! Jeff...
6 intriguing players available on Day 2 of NFL draftVideo
Six wide receivers were taken in the first round of the NFL draft and another half dozen could go on Day 2, when rounds two and three are completed. The best safeties are still available because none were taken on Day 1. And there are plenty of good running backs...
First Call: ESPN’s NFL Draft production was tremendous, with beautifully natural awkwardness
For Friday’s “First Call,” I’ve got to credit the combined forces of the NFL Network, ABC and ESPN. That was quite an undertaking Thursday night for the virtual reality NFL Draft broadcast. It was so much smoother than I thought it was going to be. All things considered, the multiple...
NFL draft: Joe Burrow goes first overall to Bengals
No surprise atop this NFL draft as the Cincinnati Bengals selected Joe Burrow, quarterback of national champion LSU, as the centerpiece of yet another rebuilding job. Burrow, the third straight Heisman Trophy winner taken with the first overall selection, joins a team that went 2-14 in 2019 under first-year head...
Burrow goes No. 1 to Bengals in NFL Draft, Tua at No. 5 to DolphinsVideo
For all the uniqueness of this NFL draft, including the angst over a potential communications fiasco, things looked and sounded pretty normal Thursday night. Quarterbacks were in demand. Ohio State(the top three picks played there) and the Southeastern Conference (a record 15 picks) dominated. The Patriots traded out of the...
ESPN analyst Todd McShay has coronavirus, will miss NFL DraftVideo
An NFL Draft being conducted virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic already figured to have a much different look and feel compared to the same event in past years. But that sentiment — and the impact of the pandemic — came even further into focus Thursday when ESPN draft analyst...
Prospects ready for closeup on NFL draft night from home
Yetur Gross-Matos would have liked to have been in Las Vegas for the NFL draft on Thursday night, but the Penn State defensive lineman is OK with participating from home. Gross-Matos is one of 58 prospects who will take part remotely in the draft, which has gone virtual this year...
Watch live: NFL Draft-A-Thon to raise money for first responders battling coronavirus pandemicVideo
TribLIVE is partnering with video-hosting platform SendtoNews to bring readers a live stream of the NFL’s three-day virtual fundraiser that will benefit six charities — selected by the NFL Foundation — that are battling the spread of covid-19. Friday marks the second night of the festivities. Draft-A-Thon will pay tribute...
First Call: Pittsburgh as NHL return city?; Some underrated potential Steelers draft targets
For “First Call” today, we’re still talkin’ hockey in a bubble. Just different bubbles. Forget New Hampshire, North Dakota and Saskatchewan. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed through ESPN.com that the NHL is looking at four NHL host cities as designated locations to condense the league and to restart the 2019-20...
Agents, players pleased NFL Draft wasn’t delayedVideo
The NFL Draft won’t stop for anything. While some teams expressed concern about not being able to host players for in-person visits and having to conduct the three-day draft virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic, agents and their clients are pleased it’s going on as scheduled. “From an agent’s perspective,...
Rob Gronkowski says he’s healthy and fire burns to play with Tom Brady againVideo
TAMPA, Fla. — Rob Gronkowski planted the seed for an NFL comeback when he played catch with Tom Brady two months ago. Gronkowski, a Woodland Hills product, told the six-time Super Bowl champion quarterback he was getting an itch to play again if the “right opportunity” presented itself. Brady, on...
Saints cancel offseason program amid coronavirus concernsVideo
NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints canceled their offseason program because of the coronavirus pandemic and informed players they will not be required to report to club headquarters until training camp — whenever that might be. Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said coach Sean Payton informed players of the...
Logistics share NFL Draft spotlight with Joe Burrow, Chase YoungVideo
From his home in suburban New York, Roger Goodell will handle perhaps his most visible annual chore — announcing draft picks. Visible, but this time virtual. Not since the NFL Draft became a televised event in 1980 has it been stripped to the basics like this year’s proceedings will be....
Virus shutdowns will likely make NFL draft most bet on ever
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — For those who haven’t mastered the odds of Belarussian soccer or Russian table tennis, this week’s NFL draft gives U.S. gamblers their first opportunity in weeks to bet on an event about which they actually know something. With major sports shut down for more than a...
Percy Harvin planning NFL comeback after 4-year hiatus
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Percy Harvin is planning an NFL comeback nearly four years after his last game. The former Florida star and first-round draft pick by Minnesota in 2009 expects to get invited to a training camp this season and show his 32-year-old body still has what it takes to...
Tim Dahlberg: Direct from Roger Goodell’s basement, the NFL Draft!Video
It was supposed to be an extravaganza only Las Vegas can bring, complete with showgirls, A-list celebs, and a stage in the middle of the Bellagio fountains. Instead, the NFL Draft will come to you Thursday night from the friendly confines of Roger Goodell’s basement. No one, of course, expected...
Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes eye record-setting deal following NFL DraftVideo
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Leigh Steinberg’s focus this week is rightfully on the three-day NFL Draft, where new clients such as Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and teammate Jerry Jeudy will learn where they will begin their professional careers. It won’t be long before Steinberg’s attention is back on his most...
Agent: Gronkowski traded to Tampa Bay, reunited with BradyVideo
TAMPA, Fla. — Four-time All Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski agreed to a reunion with Tom Brady. The agent for the retired New England star confirmed Tuesday that pending completion of a physical Gronkowski has agreed to play for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are acquiring his rights from the...
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson says he’s the next ‘Madden’ cover athleteVideo
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson said Tuesday he will be the cover athlete of the next “Madden” video game. And no, the reigning NFL MVP is not worried about any curses. “Patrick Mahomes was on the front” of “Madden NFL 20,” he told reporters during a conference call Tuesday. “He...
