Barcelona's Dani Olmo scored inside the first minute of the second half to earn a hard-fought 1-0 home win against Mallorca on Tuesday, extending their lead over Real Madrid at the top of the table to seven points with five games to go.

Barça dominated proceedings despite coach Hansi Flick deciding to rest several key starters ahead of Saturday's Copa del Rey final against bitter rivals Madrid, but Mallorca goalkeeper Leo Roman put on a show between the posts to keep them at bay.

The hosts finally managed to break the deadlock shortly after the break thanks to a fine piece of individual skill from Olmo, who took the ball in a tight space inside the box and quickly fired a left foot shot into the bottom corner before Mallorca's defenders could challenge him.

The win lifted Barça to 76 points at the top of the LaLiga standings with Madrid, who visit Getafe on Wednesday, seven points adrift with a game in hand.

United States men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino emphasized the importance of selecting players with a strong mentality heading into the Gold Cup this summer, stressing that talent alone may not be enough for a player to earn a spot in the squad.

The USMNT will face Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia and Haiti during the group stage of the tournament in hopes of advancing to the knockout round.

"The right mindset must be there, because we need to compete for our flag, our country," Pochettino said in an interview with the U.S. Soccer Federation released Tuesday.

"What we are trying to do as a staff is to optimize every single area of preparation, and the mentality of the players is really important.

"We need to be intelligent in the way that we are going to select the players and not just choose based on talent alone. We need to have the right characters to be really competitive."

The United States is coming off of a disappointing Nations League Finals last month, falling 1-0 to Panama in the semifinals before losing 2-1 to Canada in the match for third place. The Stars and Stripes failed to win the trophy for the first time after claiming victory in its first three editions.

Pochettino questioned the team's lack of effort and competitive mentality throughout the two-game international window, demanding the players to focus on intensity moving forward.

And he has continued to reinforce that message ahead of the Gold Cup.

"For sure to start we must compete hard," Pochettino said. "We must match the intensity of our opponents, because in these tournaments they are always motivated to play against the USA. Of course we must perform well to win and you don't always get a result, but for sure in order to win you have to compete.

"It's not just about showing up in your home country and trying to play nice soccer. No, you must be proud, you must fight for the people that would love to be in your position, for the millions of kids that are going to see us and dream to be one day where we are.

"This is the type of responsibility and commitment we need to show in a different way than we did in Los Angeles."

Pochettino previously spoke about the importance of mentality with ESPN, labeling the characteristic as the defining factor on the field.

"They [Argentina] go to war and to defend your badge, your flag, and that is what we need to create," he said.

Before the Gold Cup kicks off, the USMNT will return to the field when hosting Turkey and Switzerland in two international friendlies on June 7 and 10.

Manchester City's Matheus Nunes scored deep in injury time to salvage a crucial 2-1 Premier League victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday in their breathless chase for a Champions League berth next season.

The teams appeared to be heading for a draw after Marcus Rashford's penalty cancelled out Bernardo Silva's goal in the first half, but Nunes fired home Jérémy Doku's cross in the 94th minute to lift City two places to third in the table on 61 points.

Pep Guardiola's men, however, have played one more game than the three teams directly behind them, while Villa, who have lost 15 successive games at the Etihad Stadium, remained seventh on 57 points in the crowded top of the table.

City went ahead in the seventh minute when Omar Marmoush raced by Villa right-back Matty Cash before cutting the ball back for an onrushing Silva. Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez got his gloves on the ball, but not enough to stop it from sailing into the back of the net.

Rashford, who had a shot clatter off the post 18 seconds into the game, pulled Villa level from the penalty spot in the 18th minute, after VAR determined Rúben Dias clipped Jacob Ramsey from behind with his right leg. Rashford calmly sent keeper Stefan Ortega the wrong way before slotting home.

City had 14 shots to Villa's seven before clinching a deserved victory when Doku drove down the left-hand side before squaring the ball as Nunes arrived at the back post.

"Very important," Nunes told Sky Sports. "This was a very tough game, very tough opponent, and we came with the mentality that we needed to win this game. And that's what happened. Perfect timing."

Nunes brought delirious City fans to their feet with his first league goal for the team with the last shot of the game. Guardiola vigorously shook two fists in celebration while Villa manager Unai Emery looked crestfallen.

"[Villa] are on the run with us to this top five and it was a special game to get the three points," City's Dias told Sky. "Four games to go and all of them will be massively important. Important today to get the three points.

"We know how tight it is and how tight it's going to be till the end. It is a massive step for us."

City dominated possession with 61.6% and had the better chances, with the best coming in the second half.

City skipper Kevin De Bruyne sent a sumptuous second-half pass to James McAtee, but he hit the ball just wide of the far corner. McAtee wasted another brilliant chance minutes later when Nico O'Reilly threaded a pinpoint cross to the midfielder but he missed the ball completely from close range.

Rashford caused problems for City several times including a second-half chance when the on-loan Manchester United striker drove forward with the ball from midfield, yet with Ortega out of his goal, he shot into the side netting.

SOMEWHERE IN AMERICA -- "Ball!"

Prospect X faces one sideline and then flips his hips a sharp 180 degrees to make a back shoulder catch. He repeats that twice on each side, catching each ball his college quarterback sends his way. Then he jogs to the line of scrimmage and quickly takes up a ready stance. It's sunny and 70 degrees -- a beautiful spring afternoon at his home stadium, and his cheeks are already pink from the work.

"Take your time," the NFL coach says, his voice echoing through the empty stadium. "You're the only one out here."

X relaxes a bit, and asks the coach if he'd ever been to this part of the country before.

Two weeks ahead of the draft, this NFL coach has come nearly 1,500 miles for a 30-minute workout with Prospect X. And that's because X didn't play much slot receiver in college. His body type demands an adjustment in the eyes of NFL evaluators, so his role will be changing as he enters the NFL, and this coach's team needs to get a better understanding of exactly how they could use this versatile speedster.

"What's my landmark?" X asks. "Do you want a certain depth?"

X is full of detailed questions for the coach as he explains each route. X's advisor within his challenging major says that he was never satisfied with just being told an answer in class. "Under what situations is that assumption valid?" X would ask him. "There's a difference between understanding something and knowing something," the advisor says, "and he really wanted to understand it."

Because X hasn't trained much as a slot receiver, this is even more important to him. X completes a speed cut on a 10-yard out route and then takes four steps back inside, exactly as instructed, to catch the ball.

The coach claps enthusiastically. "Nice job!"

After about 25 routes, the coach is satisfied. X's college is filming the workout, and they'll send the video back to the club. X thought this might be an hour-long workout, and he's ready for more. He's cut like granite and could run into the wee hours of the night if anybody asked him to. Instead, the coach asks him to take a walk around the field so they can talk out of earshot of X's coaches, and ESPN's reporter, who have been watching the workout.

As they finish their slow lap, X asks the coach for any advice he has for him. Be available, learn as much as you can, and remember that any team who takes you knows that you're not a finished product. They want you for your potential.

This is welcome news for a sub-power 4 prospect who's been fretting a bit over learning a new job last-minute and being judged on what he knows right now. It's the reason he didn't get any offseason attention -- no combine invite or all-star game appearance -- because no one knew quite where to put him. A blistering 40 time at his pro day has attracted much more NFL attention in recent weeks.

"How do you know about my sleeper?!" one NFL special teams coordinator asked, exasperated when ESPN asked him about X.

ESPN spent the past few months on a hunt for the most overlooked prospect in the 2025 NFL draft. After polling scouts and coaches, tracking pro days, watching tape and thinking like a general manager, we landed on a player who we believe is the draft's best-kept secret.

For each of the past six years, readers of this series have made their best guesses as to X's identity, which will be revealed in a follow-up story after the draft. But for now -- for the sake of the NFL teams in hot pursuit -- he is "Prospect X."

AFTER HE'S SHOWERED and has watched the film of his afternoon workout, X heads downtown with his girlfriend to one of their favorite restaurants. Before he can even look at the menu, the server recognizes him.

"[Prospect X!] welcome back," he says. "Thank you so much for everything you did for [X's COLLEGE] football."

X thanks him back. He can't go anywhere in his hometown or college town without someone stopping him, and on this night, he gets two extra scoops of homemade ice cream with dessert, and he isn't charged for the burrata appetizer. "This happens all the time," his girlfriend says. "I reap the benefits."

When they started dating, X's girlfriend says her family freaked out when she told them about her new boyfriend. Of course they'd known about him since he was a high school player in a historic town. Once, his younger sister name-dropped him to get into a frat party. It worked.

X appreciates all the kind words, but he really doesn't love all the attention. He's the quiet, serious, studious type. He's such a rules-follower that he didn't even drink coffee in college because he knew caffeine in high amounts is an NCAA-banned substance. "He's very strict with himself," his mom says.

"He doesn't do well with free time," says dad.

He doesn't even particularly like going out to eat, and he'd stay home if given the choice. So he can't wait until he gets to the NFL, where nobody will know who he is for a while. He spent two months training for his pro day at a facility in another state, and he says it was "so refreshing" to not be known there, and "have that feeling that you have to earn everything again."

Despite his status as a local hero, X's head coach says he was an "afterthought" to scouts at the start of this past football season, who came calling on his school to check on a couple of other players. X was last on the list, if he was on it at all. "It was just, oh, we'll keep an eye on him," the head coach says.

The head coach is respected by NFL personnel for his track record of producing players, and his office wall features a signed jersey of a current NFL starting quarterback, one that the coach who worked out X has also coached.

The director of strength and conditioning for X's school says one NFL team that recently hired a new general manager sent a scout to campus in October, but he didn't ask about X, who was by that point well on his way to a career season.

"Aren't you going to ask about X?" the strength coach asked.

"Who?" the scout replied.

So all season, the strength coach campaigned for his guy. "If he's not on your list, you don't know what you're doing," he told every scout.

He repeatedly messaged clips of X to a popular college football analytics Twitter account that features the fastest players of the week. He asked them to please test X's MPH so he could be featured, too. But they never responded.

"He never really put crazy miles per hour out there because his first three steps, he separates so much that he doesn't have anybody that's actually pushing him to his highest velocity," the strength coach says.

But because he'd been timing X in 5-yard builds and 10-yard flys for his entire college career, he knew exactly what 40-yard speed X was capable of, and he told everyone who would listen that X was going to run extremely fast. The kind of time that gets a player drafted. In fact, he told scouts he'd "bet his house on it."

"Bring your popcorn," he told an NFC West scout ahead of the pro day. "We might sell concessions."

But every coach and agent says their players will run fast, and then they don't. So the strength coach's bet didn't mean much, and scouts were late to get on board because X had performed so many different roles in college -- whatever his team needed -- that he didn't land at the top of any one position.

"The first three years of his body of work was, what is he?" says the head coach. "I don't know that anybody would have looked at him enough to say that kid's gonna run [fast at his size]. There's some plays in the past where you'd say that kid's really fast, but it's [non power-4], so how fast is he? He'd been fighting that a little bit."

X ran just as expected on his pro day, in front of 13 NFL teams, and his strength coach was able to keep his home. "You know it's a good time when the scouts all smile at each other and then show each other their watches," the strength coach said.

"He eats the turf," says an assistant coach. "It's loud when he runs, it's gaining ground, it's strong."

The strength coach says that after X ran, the NFC West scout told him: "We're gonna try to go after him."

And when X ran routes that day, his head coach noticed the scouts maintained an iron-clad focus. "Sometimes when there's different drills being done, you can just see the intentionality of the [scouts] watching fall off a bit," he said.

Before his pro day, X had talked to only one NFL special teams coordinator, one other assistant coach and one NFC West scout. Since then, he has had phone calls with two NFC position coaches and two AFC assistant coaches, and he met with another AFC special teams coordinator and position coach on a visit to an NFL facility. And he's worked out for two NFC teams.

"People are feeling like they forgot, like they missed something," X says. "And so everyone's kind of jumping on the scene right now."

X's head coach says he's been asked by many teams recently -- what position does he see X playing in the NFL?

"He's probably a little bit of a [last-minute] panic conversation," the head coach says. "... [The scouts] walked away, saying, OK, we gotta figure this out."

"He's a wild card that you want to have," the special teams coordinator says, "You don't know exactly what you're going to do with him yet until you get him here."

PROSPECT X PACES in his parents' kitchen. He's back home for the first time in months to fulfill an NIL obligation, but while he's here, he also needs the kind of basic life skills help only parents can provide.

"Do you know where I could go find those immunization records?" he asks his mom. "I need to fill this out today."

The NFL team that is bringing him in on a '30 visit' in a few days has sent him some paperwork to fill out to release his medical information, and he needs to know the dates of all his vaccinations, something he's never thought about before. Each NFL club is allowed to bring up to 30 prospects into their facility for a pre-draft visit, and since he wasn't invited to the scouting combine, teams don't have a medical on him. The team requesting his records will be able to share those, and their own evaluation of him, including scans and X-rays, with the other 31 clubs. His draftability depends on tracking down this information.

"I'll have to look for your pediatrician records," his mom says. "I can dig out your baby book."

"X! Would it not be in MyChart?" his sister asks.

"It could be," he says, sighing in frustration, "but I don't know if I can even log in anymore."

He sits down on a recliner in the living room and stares at his phone screen, trying out different passwords. His mom disappears and comes back with his baby book and a box of mementos, including stacks of newspaper clippings covering his high school football exploits. This box is from X's late grandpa's stash. He printed out or clipped every article about his grandson and took copious notes on yellow legal pads of X's individual stats and the team's performance.

X's grandpa was a popular youth football coach, and he's the one who first taught X about the game. Before X was old enough to play tackle football, the two spent hours together in the basement. Grandpa explained strategy to X while he tried it out on Madden.

X graduated high school with 12 varsity letters and was asked to be the sixth grade commencement speaker at two elementary schools. Neither mom nor dad have any idea where his relentless drive comes from. He writes down his goals and, "it's like he wills himself to do something," his mom says.

A year ago, X made a list of four big goals for the 2024 college football season, and he checked three of the four off his list. But he didn't have any NFL-related goals last year. It felt too far ahead and he preferred to stay in the moment.

As a high school junior, X thought his football days were almost over, because he hadn't been recruited by anyone, anywhere. Those few months after his junior football season were a "darker time," he says. He'd read that Bills quarterback Josh Allen got his opportunity to play at Wyoming by emailing his tape to dozens of college coaches, so X did the same. He emailed every FBS school in his region but didn't get any traction.

When he went to the junior day at the closest FBS program, it became clear why. Each coach introduced themselves to the kids and parents and listed their recruiting areas. None of them recruited his home territory, though multiple coaches were dedicated to covering smaller and more populated counties of a neighboring state. So X wound up at a smaller school that he chose for its academic offerings.

Now that she's delivered the baby book, X's mom leaves him in the living room to finish his forms.

"He can't hear us," she whispers as she walks down the stairs into their cold basement. "So I need to tell you something."

"He's brilliant. I mean, brilliant."

She points out his childhood bedroom wall, decorated with dozens of copper plaques he's earned for both academics and football in high school and college.

"The guys literally look at him like he's a machine. You have to remind guys that he's a human being, he's just really disciplined." Prospect X's college strength coach

X couldn't attend his college graduation because he had football practice, so he sent his parents to accept the department's top senior award on his behalf. X's mom says one of his professors told her that X was so smart that a professor had to ask another professor for help reviewing a paper he turned in, because they weren't familiar with the mathematical models he'd used in it. And another time, a professor sent his paper to the head of the department to make sure that X really wrote it.

"They thought that in such a busy schedule, how can he do so much work, researching and writing an outstanding paper?" the department head said.

"The guys literally look at him like he's a machine," says his strength coach. "You have to remind guys that he's a human being, he's just really disciplined."

He's "a walking computer," one of his assistant coaches says.

But as a freshman, X's coaches said he didn't stand out in the way he does now. He was buried on the depth chart, and was trying out a few positions he hadn't played before.

His coaches didn't realize his full potential until the postseason -- when he got a real jump in playing time and became the spark on offense that his team was sorely missing. "I suppose the rest is history," his head coach says.

X CHECKED TWO new states off his list when he visited an AFC team one week before the draft. The night before he left, X and his girlfriend researched all the teams' coaches so he'd be familiar with their background, and they watched YouTube videos about the city, so he'd know what to expect.

Although the team consistently ranks far from the gold standard on the NFLPA's report card grades for its facility, X was impressed by all the amenities available to players, stuff that he didn't even have the vocabulary to describe. "These zip-up compartments that help with sleep and recovery," he said. "And these water ... I don't know, essentially, like, water beds?"

He'd turned in his forms on time and got his scans and X-rays done right in the building. He met with a position coach briefly, and he spent the bulk of his time, about three hours in multiple sessions, with the special teams coordinator. They watched his tape and then spent a lot of time watching a current NFL player to whom many teams compare him -- an all-purpose player that can help on offense and special teams.

X says the coordinator got into granular detail on the team's vision for him, and he learned specific protections. Their conversation spilled into dinner at the team cafeteria, where they ate build-your-own-burrito bowls.

"He was like, 'I just can't help but see similarities that you can exceed some certain abilities that [current player] has,'" X says.

When X was done for the day, he walked around the neighborhood near the facility and admired how clean and green it was.

During his layover back home, an AFC West team called to confirm they had the right number for him on draft day. The conversation was so quick that X didn't even get the name of the scout. He's also talked with an AFC South team's assistant coach, who connected him to the team's injured player that he'd likely replace. They talked for an hour about what the role entails, and X was stunned the injured player was so helpful.

The first NFL coach to talk to him in the draft process was a veteran special teams coordinator, who reached out during the scouting combine and left him a kind voicemail: "You have a ton of film, you don't have to be at the combine. I wish you were, but don't worry about it."

The coordinator has strong connections to X's college conference, and he says recruiting in the NFL is an "underrated" tool. He's known about X "for a while," and he hopes that being the first NFL coach to acknowledge him as special will count for something on Saturday of the draft.

While X was on his 30 visit, an ex-NFL player now working for a rejuvenated franchise scheduled a private workout with him. This former player first called X the day after his pro day, and when X saw the area code for the player's former team, one he was a huge fan of growing up, he answered right away.

Like the first workout, X won't have much time to prepare, but he prefers it that way. He found all the pro day training and scripting to be a little bit like "a glorified pageant," and he'd much rather respond to actual coaching than show up to perform a hand-picked set of routes. "It's like a dance recital," he says. "You better look really good, because you practiced it a bunch."

"I am just going to go out there and move how I would move as an athlete. And be ready for coaching, and take advice from a great receiver like him."

One scout said half the scouts at X's pro day think he will be drafted. The other half see him more as a priority free agent. X's agent said a special teams coordinator told him he doesn't think X makes it past the fifth round. The agent posted an unlisted two-minute highlight video of X to YouTube and distributed it only to NFL personnel. It has nearly 600 views.

As of now, the team he visited has only one late-round pick. But the former receiver's team has two, and the other team he worked out for, in the same division, has even more.

X didn't even think about making any draft day plans until this past week. His parents bought tickets to a concert Saturday in Las Vegas months ago, before they understood it was NFL draft weekend and before they realized their son may have some important incoming calls. They had a whole trip planned with a big group of friends. But a week ahead, they decided to sell those tickets because they want to be there at their family home with X on his big day, to see him get drafted or sign as a priority free agent. "Either way," his mom said in a text. "We're so nervous and excited."

After reading all the comprehensive mock drafts from our ESPN gurus, what's one more with a twist? Our NFL Nation reporters shared their expertise by making first-round selections for their teams as we close in on the opening pick of the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday (8 p.m. ET on ESPN, ABC, ESPN App) in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

There was no surprise at No. 1, as the Tennessee Titans took Miami quarterback Cam Ward, but the fun started after that. Despite a ton of speculation, there were only two quarterbacks taken, as offensive line became the focus after the top three picks.

You can watch the full mock draft here, but without further ado, here are the picks:

ROUND 1

1. Tennessee Titans

Turron Davenport's pick: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

Strong consideration goes to pass rusher Abdul Carter and do-it-all playmaker Travis Hunter here, but quarterback is the top priority for the Titans. Tennessee fills its biggest void by taking Ward, the consensus top passer in the draft class. Ward is a proven culture changer who will be charged with leading the Titans' return to respectability before they move into their new stadium in 2027.

2. Cleveland Browns

Daniel Oyefusi's pick: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado

Quarterback remains the top need for the Browns after adding Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco this offseason. But the team has said it won't force a quarterback pick, and selecting this high allows Cleveland to get arguably the best player in the draft in Hunter. Browns GM Andrew Berry has said the team would play Hunter primarily at wide receiver, and he is open to Hunter moonlighting on defense to continue showcasing his two-way skills.

3. New York Giants

Jordan Raanan's pick: Abdul Carter, OLB, Penn State

The Giants don't seem to view Shedeur Sanders as a top 3 talent, even with their needs at quarterback. High-level executives around the league agree that Hunter and Carter are the clear-cut top prospects in this draft -- of the blue chip or generational variety. "You don't pass on that type of player," general manager Joe Schoen said last week. So the Giants don't pass on Carter, even if edge rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux are on the roster.

4. New England Patriots

Mike Reiss' pick: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

New Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has highlighted two priorities in building a winning team -- providing infrastructure to help quarterback Drake Maye succeed with an efficient passing game and finding a way to affect the opposing quarterback. Campbell projects as a potential Day 1 starter at left tackle, and at worst, a high-end option at left guard (which is also a need). Georgia pass rusher Jalon Walker is also highly regarded by some top decision-makers with the team.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

Mike DiRocco's pick: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Yes, there are holes elsewhere along the offensive and defensive lines. However, the Jaguars can't pass up one of the few elite players in the draft. At his introductory news conference, head coach Liam Coen asked: "How do we make Trevor Lawrence and this offense as dynamic and explosive as we can be?" Jeanty fits both of those descriptions. Running back Travis Etienne Jr.'s production has dipped in consecutive seasons and receiver Brian Thomas Jr. was the Jaguars' lone playmaker. Now they would have two.

6. Las Vegas Raiders

Ryan McFadden's pick: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

With Jeanty off the board, the Raiders will focus on strengthening their offensive line. Membou has the potential to be an immediate starter at right tackle, providing protection for quarterback Geno Smith, who threw 13 interceptions and had a QBR of 19.6 when pressured last season in Seattle.

7. New York Jets

Rich Cimini's pick: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, Texas

TE Tyler Warren will be considered, but the Jets really want to upgrade at right tackle after losing Morgan Moses (Patriots). Banks was a three-year starter at left tackle, but the feeling is that he could make the switch to the right side. The Jets could have their bookends for the next decade in Banks and Olu Fashanu, last year's first-round pick. That would help new QB Justin Fields and the ground attack.

8. Carolina Panthers

David Newton's pick: Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia

Michigan DT Mason Graham had to be considered, but GM Dan Morgan believes a healthy Derrick Brown along with free agent moves shored up the defensive line. The biggest need on the worst defense in the NFL last season is a young, dynamic edge rusher considering that 32-year-old Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum are on the last year of their deals. Walker fits that description, plus he can play inside if needed.

9. New Orleans Saints

Katherine Terrell's pick: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

There will be a lot of speculation about whether the Saints will take a quarterback at this position. That's a need with Derek Carr's uncertain status, but the Saints have needs at practically every position, giving them a lot of flexibility about what to do at this spot. With one of the best defensive players in the draft still on the board here, New Orleans will go the best-player-available route instead of reaching for a quarterback, selecting a player who could help shape new coordinator Brandon Staley's defense on an aging roster.

10. Chicago Bears

Courtney Cronin's pick: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

A tight end as versatile as Warren could be for the Bears what Sam LaPorta was for Ben Johnson's Detroit offenses. The Penn State standout caught 104 passes for 1,233 yards and had 12 total touchdowns as a senior. Adding a versatile weapon to the passing game and a player who has demonstrated the willingness to block in the running game (Penn State had two 1,000-yard rushers on its run to the College Football Playoff) would be a major addition and benefit Caleb Williams' growth in Year 2.

11. San Francisco 49ers

Nick Wagoner's pick: Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia

After three offensive tackles, Graham and Carter go in the top 10, the call here comes down to Williams, Texas A&M's Shemar Stewart or Mississippi defensive tackle Walter Nolen but the draft's depth at tackle combined with the importance of an edge rusher tips the scales to Williams. Williams' lack of pass-rush production (14 sacks in three seasons) and a 2024 ankle injury bring questions but he should help San Francisco's woeful run defense right away and get plenty of one-on-one pass-rush opportunities opposite Nick Bosa. While San Francisco would love a trade down, sticking at 11 and landing Williams would allow the team to bolster the interior of the defensive line in the middle rounds.

12. Dallas Cowboys

Todd Archer's pick: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

The Cowboys need playmakers for Dak Prescott and McMillan fills that role. He might not have the desirable speed, but he can make plays in traffic and has a big catch radius. If the Cowboys want speed then the pick would be Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden, who had the fastest 40-yard dash at the combine (4.29 seconds). The Cowboys can still help Prescott in the second round with a running back.

13. Miami Dolphins

Marcel Louis-Jacques' pick: Jahdae Barron, CB, Texas

Miami's cup runneth over with both Barron and Will Johnson still on the board. This is an ideal spot to trade down, but Miami takes the speedy Barron in this exercise. Johnson's ceiling may be high but his recent string of injuries is hard to overlook for a team that needs Day 1 production from this pick. Barron won the Jim Thorpe Award as college football's best defensive back last season, has good size for the position and can play both nickel and outside. He also ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash, which will endear him to a team that values speed.

14. Indianapolis Colts

Stephen Holder's pick: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan

The Colts have been connected to Warren for months, but they won't have that option here. Loveland is considered by many to be a better blocker, and that's critical for a team that has been adamant it wants tight ends capable of playing first, second and third downs. No team in the NFL had less tight-end production than the Colts last season, and that needs to change in order for QBs Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones to reach their ceilings.

15. Atlanta Falcons

Marc Raimondi's pick: Mike Green, DE, Marshall

The Falcons have been starving for a potent pass rush. Their defense has 169 sacks since 2019 -- 30 fewer than any other team. The Falcons were second to last in sacks (31) and pressure rate (28.1%) in 2024. Enter Green, who had an FBS-leading 17 sacks last season to go along with strong play against the run. He might be the most pro-ready edge rusher in the class, and that's exactly what the Falcons need.

16. Arizona Cardinals

Josh Weinfuss' pick: Tyler Booker, G, Alabama

The Cardinals have been looking to bolster the interior of their offensive line this offseason, and Booker would be the kind of foundational player they need to do just that. He'd fit in very well with Arizona's downhill run game, paving the way for perennial 1,000-yard rusher James Conner, and he has the size to be effective in the pass-pro schemes that Arizona uses.

17. Cincinnati Bengals

Ben Baby's pick: Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College

Alabama's Jihaad Campbell and even a couple of safety options were in the mix here. But with the Bengals lacking long-term answers at edge rusher, Ezeiruaku makes the most sense. He was also a multiyear captain for the Eagles, was the ACC's Defensive Player of the Year and can mix in immediately as an edge rusher for new defensive coordinator Al Golden, who, like Ezeiruaku, also hails from New Jersey.

18. Seattle Seahawks

Brady Henderson's pick: Grey Zabel, G, North Dakota State

In a perfect world, the Seahawks would trade back and grab Zabel later in the first round, as No. 18 may be a bit high for a small-school prospect who will be switching positions at the next level. But Zabel's strong showing at the Senior Bowl suggested he can handle the jump, and his on-field ability will give him a chance to be the difference-maker that Seattle badly needs in the interior of its offensive line.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jenna Laine's pick: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

The Bucs' inability to stay healthy at cornerback was an Achilles' heel in 2024, but they stayed put in free agency in a year of record-setting DB deals. So this is where they strike. Johnson did miss his Michigan pro day with a hamstring injury and the second half of last season with turf toe. Still, he checks all the boxes for a Todd Bowles corner in size, length, ball skills and tackling.

20. Denver Broncos

Jeff Legwold's pick: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri

In this scenario, players such as Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen, Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon and South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori would get long looks. And while running back is a big need, the Broncos feel like they can get a good one on Day 2. So, even though they've selected three WRs in the previous two drafts and are poised to sign Courtland Sutton to an extension, Burden is the pick. His toughness, versatility and dynamic ability after the catch make him a smooth, immediate fix in an offense that needs a little more pop around QB Bo Nix.

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

Brooke Pryor's pick: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

At the time of the pick, Aaron Rodgers still hasn't made a decision. And though they haven't given him a deadline, the Steelers can't wait on the four-time MVP forever. With Sanders still on the board at No. 21, it would be foolish to pass up a pro-ready quarterback as Rodgers continues to ponder his future. Not only does Sanders possess the kind of NFL pedigree Mike Tomlin covets, but he also has a big personality and strong leadership traits, which could be the key to giving the Steelers an offensive identity to match its renowned defense.

22. Los Angeles Chargers

Kris Rhim's pick: Derrick Harmon, DT, Oregon

Interior defensive line is perhaps the Chargers' most significant need. L.A. lost its two starting defensive tackles from last season, Poona Ford and Morgan Fox, in free agency. Ford was one of the most crucial players in the Chargers' defense, having one of the best years of his career in 2024. Harmon would give a physical run-stuffing interior presence to a group that, on paper, is one of the team's biggest weaknesses.

23. Green Bay Packers

Rob Demovsky's pick: Shemar Stewart, DE, Texas A&M

Two decades of passing on a receiver in the first round makes it hard to predict the Packers would finally end that streak even though Emeka Egbuka and Matthew Golden were both available. Their preferred pass rusher would've been Mykell Williams, but Stewart is likely next on their board.

24. Minnesota Vikings

Kevin Seifert's pick: Nick Emmanwori, S, South Carolina

The Vikings would trade down from this spot only for a slam dunk return, and none materialized in conversations here. With Booker, Zabel and Harmon all off the table, the choice here is a safety whose size and playmaking skills would make him an intriguing addition to Brian Flores' positionless defense. The Vikings have one safety position to fill this season after bidding farewell to Camryn Bynum, and 36-year-old Harrison Smith has been in year-to-year mode for a while. Similarities with 2022 first-round pick Lewis Cine, a safety who was released after two seasons, won't deter this decision.

25. Houston Texans

DJ Bien-Aime's pick: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

The Texans need wideout help after the loss of Stefon Diggs in free agency along with Tank Dell's uncertainty (knee). Going into quarterback C.J. Stroud's Year 3, adding his former teammate that had 2,868 receiving yards in his four-year career at Ohio State could lead to a dynamic Texans receiving core. A trio of Nico Collins, Christian Kirk and Egbuka could elevate Stroud in a pivotal year to help create a more explosive Texans offense.

26. Los Angeles Rams

Sarah Barshop's pick: Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Before the Rams signed wide receiver Davante Adams in free agency, they believed they had to draft a receiver at No. 26 to fill out that room. But even with Adams, third-year receiver Puka Nacua and receiver Tutu Atwell, it's hard to pass up the speedy Golden in the first round to give quarterback Matthew Stafford another weapon -- and the Rams another long-term option at the position.

27. Baltimore Ravens

Jamison Hensley's pick: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Starks can immediately start at free safety and help a Baltimore pass defense that finished 31st last season and allowed 63 completions on throws of 15 or more yards downfield, tied for the second most in the NFL. The Ravens put a premium on versatility and can move Starks all over the field. He is the only player in the FBS to play at least 1,500 snaps at safety and 500 snaps at slot cornerback over the past three seasons.

28. Detroit Lions

Eric Woodyard's pick: James Pearce Jr., OLB, Tennessee

The Lions tackle a major need by adding an elite prospect at edge rusher. Pearce models his game after Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor and was a two-time first-team All-SEC selection who can help generate pressure alongside Pro Bowler Aidan Hutchinson, who is set to make his return after last year's season-ending injury against the Cowboys. The former Tennessee star is explosive with blazing speed, and he finished with 19.5 sacks over his three-year college career.

29. Washington Commanders

John Keim's pick: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

Washington would love to build a strong offensive line and find an edge rusher and running back but can address those needs later in the draft. With Hairston, the Commanders get another young corner who can play outside with ball skills (six interceptions in two years), short-area quickness and competitiveness. He provides them with a player who can help in sub packages and become a starter at some point.

30. Buffalo Bills

Alaina Getzenberg's pick: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Cornerback was heavily considered in this spot, but with Grant falling down to No. 30, investing up front is the move. Grant becomes the first 1-technique defensive tackle drafted by the Bills since 2018 (Harrison Phillips) and is a needed investment in the defensive line for now and the future. Trading up or back is always on the table for the Bills, and having two second-round picks open up plenty of possibilities for taking a corner.

31. Kansas City Chiefs

Adam Teicher's pick: Josh Simmons, OT, Ohio State

The Chiefs, who started six different players at left tackle over the past four seasons, have been frustrated with their inability to find a long-term solution, but that frustration ends with the selection of Simmons. Simmons' 2024 season ended prematurely because of a knee injury, but the Chiefs, having signed Jaylon Moore in free agency, won't have to rush Simmons into their lineup and can wait until he's ready to play.

32. Philadelphia Eagles

Tim McManus' pick: Walter Nolen, DT, Ole Miss

A big key to the Eagles' success is investing in the trenches. They've selected a lineman in the first round nine times since Howie Roseman took over as general manager in 2010. And they need to beef up their defensive tackle rotation after losing Super Bowl standout Milton Williams in free agency. Nolen would bolster a group headlined by Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Major League Baseball has played at the "Field of Dreams" movie site. Now baseball is eager to see just how big a crowd will show up for a game at a NASCAR bullring of a track.

And Bristol Motor Speedway can hold a lot of people.

It's part of commissioner Rob Manfred's push to take MLB to locations where baseball isn't played every day live. MLB played a game at the movie site in Iowa in both 2021 and 2022. Alabama, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, too.

Now it's Tennessee's turn.

Manfred noted Tuesday after speaking at the CAA World Congress of Sports Presented by Sports Business Journal that the Tennessee Volunteers are the defending college baseball national champions with Vanderbilt winner of two college titles. Manfred sees lots of alignment between NASCAR and MLB fans.

"Big crowd, big crowd," Manfred said of what is expected at Bristol on Aug. 2. "We think that it's an opportunity to have a really large audience for a major league game, and we think the setting in really a legendary speedway is going to be awesome for a baseball game."

Nobody is ready to put a number on how many will turn out for the MLB Speedway Classic when the Cincinnati Reds host the Atlanta Braves. Bristol set a record for a college football game in 2016 and has a capacity of 146,000 for racing.

This game will be played on a field laid over part of the speedway infield and the high-banked track.

Derek Schiller, president and chief executive officer of the Braves, said MLB approached the team a few years ago about this possibility. Schiller said the Braves were adamant about wanting to be a part of this game.

"We know that there's a uniqueness to it that is unmatched," Schiller said. "Playing a baseball game at a motor speedway and being part of that was really important also because this is part of where our fan base comes from. So we we think many, maybe most of those fans are going to be Atlanta Braves' fans."

Officials announced Tuesday that country superstar Tim McGraw will perform a concert an hour before first pitch. McGraw has ties to baseball having earned a college scholarship playing the sport. His late father Tug McGraw won two World Series titles pitching for the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies.

That's just part of the day of events planned leading up to the game. Jerry Caldwell, president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway, would only tease that more announcements are coming. All are designed to give fans reasons to get to the track and into their seats as early as possible.

Hosting an event like this is nothing new for Bristol. The track hosted the Tennessee Volunteers and Virginia Tech in the Battle of Bristol in 2016 before a record 156,990 fans.

So track officials have experience adapting the half-mile concrete track into something new. Caldwell said preparations started before the track's spring race April 13, won by Kyle Larson. Bristol then will have six weeks until hosting a night NASCAR Cup Series race in the playoffs on Sept. 13.

"It's becoming very real," Caldwell said. "We're approaching 100 days out from the game, and we're thrilled with the progress."

Chicago White Sox left-hander Martin Pérez will likely miss the remainder of the season with an elbow injury that landed him on the injured list last weekend, a source told ESPN's Jesse Rogers.

Pérez has an injury to the flexor tendon but will not need reconstructive Tommy John surgery, according to the source.

Pérez, 34, worked three innings in a 10-3 loss to the Red Sox on April 18 before leaving with the injury. He took the loss, giving up four runs and five hits, and was placed on the IL the next day.

Chicago signed Pérez to a $5 million, 1-year contract in January.

Sinner had previously been cleared of any wrongdoing by an independent panel after testing positive for the banned substance clostebol in March 2024.

It accepted he had been inadvertently contaminated by his physiotherapist, who was treating a cut on his hand with an over-the-counter spray that contained clostebol.

Sinner agreed a three-month ban with Wada to settle the case and not go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

But the timing of the suspension - which meant Sinner did not miss a single Grand Slam tournament and will return in time for May's French Open - was criticised by some as being conveniently timed.

The agreement between the Italian's legal team and Wada prompted accusations of favouritism and led to some players questioning their faith in clean sport.

But Draper said: "In terms of how I feel about him as a person I think it is important for people to know and recognise the guy is kind-hearted and a good human being.

"He doesn't deserve any of the hate he gets."

After losing early at the Monte Carlo Masters, world number six Draper went looking for practice partners on the clay and Sinner - who he has played doubles with in the past - was an obvious choice.

"I knew Jannik was available and in Monte Carlo on the clay so we organised with his team to go out there for three or four days and train with him," Draper said.

"If you're going to train with anyone it has got to be the best in the world, right?

"He's obviously had a bit of time off but he's playing at an incredible level still.

"It was great to be around him for a few days and get some good sparring."

The British men's number one added: "I'm looking forward to having him back on the tour because I think his presence has been missed."

If the game is played on Friday it would mean Wales playing twice in the space of five days, having faced Ireland on Easter Sunday.

It is the latest disruption for Wales during what has been another disappointing campaign despite the appointment of new head coach Sean Lynn just before the tournament.

They faced a 13-hour journey to Brive after opting to travel to France on the eve of their match earlier this month, only to be caught up in congestion due to a crash. The delay saw Wales miss their team run through.

Wales have lost all four games in the championship and must beat Italy to have a hope of avoiding finishing bottom of the table for the second year in a row.