Top remaining NFL free agents: Best fits for Keenan Allen, Aaron Rodgers, more

Top remaining NFL free agents: Best fits for Keenan Allen, Aaron Rodgers, more

We are less than 100 days from the start of theNFL regular season. Mandatory minicamps begin this month andtraining campstarts in July. Roster construction is a fluid process throughout the NFL calendar. Impact players are still available in free agency as teams get ready for mandatory minicamp. Will Aaron Rodgers finally make a decision this month? Veteran wide receivers Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen are surprisingly still unsigned. Safeties Justin Simmons and Julian Blackmon have yet to find a home. Who are the top remaining NFL free agents and where is the best fit for each?USA TODAY Sports'Tyler Dragonexplores the best landing spots for his top 10 free agents. The 30-year-old receiver never quite built a connection withJosh Allenafter he was traded to Buffalo midseason. However, Cooper is still a smooth route runner and a possession receiver who can create separation. A total of 75% of his targets came on short and intermediate routes. Best fit:Marvin Harrison Jr. is a candidate to make a leap this season, but the Cardinals have Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch as their second and third wide receivers. Cooper would be a considerable upgrade and a mentor in Arizona's WR room. The Rodgers waiting game continues. All indications point toward Rodgers and theSteelers. Pittsburgh's reluctance to use a top pick to draft a quarterback and their inactivity to pursue a passer serves as evidence the team believes Rodgers will ultimately land in the Steel City. Yet, the waiting game continues. Best fit:TheSteelershave an obvious hole at the top of their quarterback depth chart. MORE:Aaron Rodgers 'has not affirmatively' told the Steelers he's signing Allen isn't too far removed from breaking theChargerssingle-season receptions record in 2023. However, there were signs of slippage in his lone season in Windy City. Some of his decline in production could be attributed to the difficulties of catching passes from rookie quarterbackCaleb Williams. Best fit:The 49ers traded Deebo Samuel and Ricky Pearsall has a hamstring injury. Samuel would give Brock Purdy a nice security blanket in the slot. Dobbins rushed for a career-high 905 yards and equaled a season-high nine touchdowns in 13 games during his lone season in LA. However, he missed four games due to a knee injury, as various injuries have plagued Dobbins' entire career; he has never started more than 11 games in a season. Best fit:A backfield-by-committee approach could help Dobbins remain healthy for a full season. The Dolphins have De'Von Achane as their lead back but lack a reliable option behind him after they released Raheem Mostert. Miami averaged four yards per carry last year, tied for the third worst in the league. Simmons was regarded as one of the top safeties in the NFL just a few seasons ago. He's produced at least 60 tackles and two interceptions in each of the past eight seasons. The 31-year-old safety is a four-time second-team All-Pro. Best fit:The Chiefs love veteran safeties. They had Tyrann Mathieu and most recently Justin Reid. The club signed Mike Edwards for his second stint in Kansas City, but the team is missing a captain at safety. Blackmon's coming off of back-to-back seasons with at least three interceptions and 85 tackles. His 73.5 coverage grade ranked 15th amongst qualifying safeties, per Pro Football Focus. Best fit:The Panthers' defense allowed a league-high 35 touchdown receptions and allowed a 105.4 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. Carolina needs to shore up its secondary if it wants to be competitive in 2025. Samuel played just four games before a shoulder injury sidelined him for the remainder of 2024. He allowed under a 63% completion percentage when targeted in his first three seasons. He's lined up mainly as an outside corner but can play in the slot. Best fit:The Saints had the NFL's 27th-ranked pass defense a year ago. Are Kool-Aid McKinstry and Alontae Taylor both ready to be starting cornerbacks? The Saints did reportedly bring Samuel in for a visit. White produced 137 tackles in 17 starts in Arizona last year. He's tallied four straight seasons of at least 90 tackles. Best fit:The Browns had an 83.7% tackle efficiency percentage, which ranked last in the NFL for the second consecutive season, per Next Gen Stats. Cleveland's 2025 second-round pick linebacker, Carson Schwesinger, should help in that department. The team would double down on a weakness with the acquisition of White. Smith registered nine sacks between the two teams he played with last year. The veteran edge rusher has produced at least 61 pressures in each of the past three seasons. Best fit:Smith is at his best when he plays opposite a standout pass rusher at this stage of his career. A sign that points right back to where he played last year in Detroit. Lions star edge Aidan Hutchinson was cleared to return for football activities in late May. Davis had four straight seasons of at least 500 receiving yards before it was snapped in what was a down year with the Jaguars. Best fit:Davis is best suited as a secondary pass-catching option. He could play that role on a Giants team with Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton on the roster. Davis reportedly met with the Giants following his release from Jacksonville. All the NFL news on and off the field.Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NFL free agents 2025: Best fits for top remaining players available

byMario Satorik

in

June 02, 2025

Top remaining NFL free agents: Best fits for Keenan Allen, Aaron Rodgers, more

Top remaining NFL free agents: Best fits for Keenan Allen, Aaron Rodgers, more We are less than 100 days from the start of theNFL regular se...

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Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in NBA Finals: Which team has the edge?

Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in NBA Finals: Which team has the edge?

For the seventh consecutive season, the NBA will have a different champion than the previous season. A team hasn't repeated since Golden State won in 2017 and 2018. For the sixth consecutive season, the NBA has does not even have a repeat finalist from the Eastern or Western conferences. It's theOklahoma City Thunderagainst theIndiana Pacersin the NBA Finals, andthe series starts with Game 1 on Thursdayin Oklahoma City (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC). The Thunder can in their first championship since 1979 when the franchise was the Seattle SuperSonics, and the Pacers can win their first title since joining the NBA from the ABA in 1976. It's a nod to small-market success. Or mid-market success. But definitely not your big markets or glamour markets that have been a part of most NBA Finals over the past two decades. One has to go back to the 2007 and the San Antonio-Cleveland series with comparable market sizes in the Finals. And both teams are under the luxury tax. Let's look at matchups and who has the edge: This is a fantastic matchup of points. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won his first MVP this season, and Haliburton is two-time All-Star who has been sensational in the playoffs. They are different point guards. Gilgeous-Alexander is score-first who can pass, averaging 29.8 points, 6.9 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 steals and while shooting 47.1% from the field, and Haliburton is pass-first who can score, averaging 18.8 points, 9.8 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.4 steals, and shooting 46.6% from the field in the playoffs. They won't always be guarding each other. The Pacers like to force pace, and Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith will get opportunities to defend Gilgeous-Alexander, sometimes guarding him fullcourt. Oklahoma City's Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, Isaiah Joe, Aaron Wiggins and Cason Wallace provide backcourt depth. For Indiana, Bennedict Mathurin, T.J. McConnell, Ben Sheppard, Nembhard, Nesmith give Haliburton support at the guard spot. Edge:Thunder NBA FINALS ODDSWho is favored in Thunder vs. Pacers? Both teams boast frontcourt strength and versatility. They like to protect the paint and play on the perimeter. Williams and Siakam are All-Stars who work hard offensively and defensively — and they both made it to the NBA from mid-majors. Williams attended Santa Clara, and Siakam played at New Mexico State. That back-and-forth will be fascinating to watch. Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein, one of the savvier offseason signings, are a significant part of the Thunder's offensive and defensive success. Myles Turner, Obi Toppin and Thomas Bryant like to step outside and shoot 3s and play with force. Edge:Thunder Both teams are deep and will use 10 players if necessary. Rotations tighten this deep in the playoffs, so a player like Thomas Bryant might not get consistent from game to game but the Pacers know they can go to him in certain situations. Same with Oklahoma City's Isaiah Joe, Kenrich Williams and Aaron Wiggins. Both coaches have faith in their reserves to deliver. Edge:Thunder This is Pacers coach Rick Carlisle's second trip to the Finals as head coach, and he won a title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011. He is one of the game's great coaches and was Coach of the Year in 2001-02. He has adapted to different styles, eras and personnel, and has a gifted offensive mind. He is 83-83 in 16 playoff appearances. Mark Daigneault, the 2023-24 Coach of the Year, has done a fantastic job with the Thunder from 22 victories in his first season as head coach n 2020-21 to 24 to 40 to 57 to 68 victories this season. The Thunder had the No. 1 defense, No. 3 offense and No. 1 net rating and has helped developed a collegial spirit that works at this level. He is 18-8 in the playoffs over two seasons. Edge:Pacers Both teams can make 3s — the Pacers are better, averaging 13.4 made 3s per game and shooting a 2025 playoff-best 40.1% from that distance. The Thunder are at 12.6 and 33.6%. Oklahoma City is tremendous at taking away the opponent's offensive strength so it's worth watching how they try to limit Indiana's 3-point shooting. Edge:Pacers Indianapolis and Oklahoma City are wonderful heartland cities — one more Midwest, the other more southwest. They are cities buoyed by agriculture, tech, medicine, oil and nearby universities. They both bring in a variety of musical acts, arts and entertainment and both have restaurants and chefs recognized by the James Beard Foundation. Edge:Even The Thunder were the best team in the regular season and have been the best team in the playoffs. The Pacers have been impressive the past two seasons, but this has seemed like Oklahoma City's year since the first game in October. Edge:Thunder The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments bysubscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NBA Finals 2025: Who has the edge, Pacers or Thunder?

byMario Satorik

in

June 02, 2025

Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in NBA Finals: Which team has the edge?

Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder in NBA Finals: Which team has the edge? For the seventh consecutive season, the NBA will have a dif...

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Trump's big tax bill moves ahead to potential changes in the Senate

Trump's big tax bill moves ahead to potential changes in the Senate

WASHINGTON – House Republicans have done their job, narrowly passing PresidentDonald Trump's sweeping tax and policy bill. Next up: theSenate. When members of Congress return to Washington on June 2 after a weeklong break, the upper chamber will dig into themore than 1,000-page billthat would extend income tax cuts, implement new tax breaks for tipped wages and overtime, overhaul Medicaid and food stamps, and put more money toward Trump's deportation plan. House SpeakerMike Johnsonhasurged his Senate counterpartsto "make as few modifications to this package as possible," but senators have other plans. At leasta dozen senatorshave indicated they would like to tweak the package before they sign off on it. More:Who are the GOP senators balking at Trump's tax bill? Trump allyElon Musksaid he's"disappointed" in the House-passed package, which would increase the deficit and "undermines the work that the DOGE team is doing."Speaking at the White House on May 30, Trumpsaid he hopes the Senate will slash taxes even more than the reductions included in theHouse-passed bill. "I'd like to see a bigger cut in taxes," Trump told reporters. "It's going to be jiggered around a little bit." Some House Republicans have already faced jeers and heckling at town halls as attendees grilled lawmakers over the tax policy bill. GOP leaders areurging membersto "go on offense" on the new bill and tout the party's efforts to keep undocumented people off of benefit programs, cut taxes, and secure the southern border.Here's what to know as the Senate begins work on it's part of the major legislative package. It's still unclear whether the Senate will hold public hearings on the legislation,like the House didon separate portions of the bill. What is clear is that they'll try to move fast. Republicans want to pass the legislation by July 4, which would give them only four working weeks to approve it in the Senate, negotiate across chambers on any differences, squeeze it again through the House, and get it to Trump's desk. The real deadline, however, is the end of July. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said the United States will hit the debt ceiling sometime in August. Heurged Congressto pass the package before then to avoid a catastrophic financial default. The package includes a $4 trillion increase in the debt ceiling. Just asin the House, Senate Republicans have competing demands for changes in the bill. Some Republican senators, such as Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Rick Scott of Florida, Mike Lee of Utah and Rand Paul of Kentucky have major concerns with the $3.8 trillion the package would add to the debt over the next 10 years. Others, such as Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Josh Hawley, R-Missouri, are worried about the potential changes to Medicaid. The bill would cut $625 billion from the low-income health care program while pushing an estimated 7.6 million Americansoff coverage, in part by implementingnew work requirementsfor able-bodied adults without children. And senators such as Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; John Curtis, R-Utah; and Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina, are worried about the package rolling back renewable energy tax credits implemented under Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act that their states' businesses have benefitted from. Senate Majority Leader John Thuneof South Dakota will have to deal with a narrow margin in order to get the bill across the finish line: He can lose only three Republican votes and still get the majority necessary to pass it presuming no Democrats cross party lines to support the legislative package. Democrats have slammed the package as a giveaway to the wealthiest Americans while stripping benefits from low-income people. "When rural hospitals close because of this bill, when drug treatment clinics close in Iowa and rural America because of this bill, more people will die at a younger age," Sen. Chris Murphytold CNNin a June 1 interview. Any changes made in the Senate will have to be negotiated again alongside the House before going back through the lower chamber, where Republicans can afford tolose only three votesand still pass the bill without any Democrats. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Senate prepares to tackle Trump's big tax bill with GOP demands

byMario Satorik

in

June 02, 2025

Trump's big tax bill moves ahead to potential changes in the Senate

Trump's big tax bill moves ahead to potential changes in the Senate WASHINGTON – House Republicans have done their job, narrowly passing...

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Pakistan's anti-polio drive suffers a blow after a northern enclave reports first case in 7 years

Pakistan's anti-polio drive suffers a blow after a northern enclave reports first case in 7 years

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistanefforts to eliminate polio suffered another blowon Monday after a northern enclave reported its first case in seven years. Overall, it was the country's 11th case since January, despite the launch of several immunization drives. The virus was detected in a child from the district of Diamer in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, according to the country's polio eradication program. Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan remain the only two countries where the spread of thewild polio virushas not been stopped, according to the World Health Organization. There are ongoing outbreaks of polio linked to theoral vaccine in 10 other countries, mostly in Africa. The new case was reported after Pakistan on Sunday wrapped up its third nationwide polio vaccination drive of the year, aiming to immunize 45 million children. Mohammad Iqbal, a director at the polio program in the northwest, said local health officials were still trying to determine how the poliovirus that was found in the southern port city of Karachi had infected the child in Diamer. During the summer season, thousands of tourists from Karachi and elsewhere visit tourist resorts in Gilgit-Baltistan. Pakistan's polio eradication program has been running anti-polio campaigns for years, though health workers and the police assigned to protect them are often targeted by militants who falsely claim the vaccination campaigns are a Western conspiracy to sterilize children. Since the 1990s, attacks on polio vaccination teams have killed more than 200 workers and security personnel.

byMario Satorik

in

June 02, 2025

Pakistan's anti-polio drive suffers a blow after a northern enclave reports first case in 7 years

Pakistan's anti-polio drive suffers a blow after a northern enclave reports first case in 7 years PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistaneffo...

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Showstopper. World Cup champion Glenn Maxwell retires from one-day international cricket

Showstopper. World Cup champion Glenn Maxwell retires from one-day international cricket

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — It's a Big Showstopper. Two-time World Cup champion Glenn Maxwell has retired from one-day international cricket in a bid to play a role in Australia's push for a Twenty20 world title next year. The 36-year-old Maxwell played 149 ODIs for Australia in an enduring career that is memorable for hisunbeaten double-century in the 2023 World Cup,his unconventional shot-making and his brilliant fielding. Cricket Australia confirmed Maxwell's decision Monday. He scored 3,990 runs at a strike-rate of 126.70, the second best in ODI history, and posted four centuries in the format. His 201 not out off 128 balls against Afghanistan in 2023 help Australia salvage its World Cup campaign in India. Maxwell said the physical toll of the ODI game, which can take up to eight hours and be played on short turnarounds, was beginning to impact on his fielding ability and he didn't think he'd make it to the 2027 World Cup. "I always said I wasn't going to hand my position over if I felt like I was still good enough to play. I didn't want to just hold on for a couple of series and almost play for selfish reasons," Maxwell said. The Australian selectors "are moving in such a clear direction," he said, so the retirement confirmation "gives them the best look at what the lineup is leading into that next World Cup. I know how important that planning is." The Big Show Maxwell played seven cricket tests but his ability to score quickly and manufacture shots to exploit gaps in the field were more ideally suited to the so-called white ball formats — ODI and T20 — where bowling and fielding restrictions come more into play for aggressive batters. His rapid-fire batting earned him the "Big Show" nickname which stuck in the domestic media. He's a popular character inside and outside of sports stadiums. He's also had to miss games because of injuries sustained in off-field accidents, including a concussion at the 2023 World Cup after falling off agolf cartand broken leg sustained at a birthday party in Melbourne in November 2022. Australia's selection chairman George Bailey said Maxwell's level of natural talent and skill was remarkable. "His energy in the field, under-rated ability with the ball and longevity has been superb," Bailey said. "What else stands out is his passion for and commitment to playing for Australia. "Fortunately, he still has much to offer Australia in the T20 format." Cricket Australia chief executive Todd Greenberg said Maxwell had "one of the most exciting and influential one-day international careers." "Glenn's ballistic batting has lit up the cricket world and been one of the cornerstones of Australia's continued success in the 50-over game, including his heroic role in the 2023 World Cup triumph," Greenberg said. "As with other greats of the game, crowds have flocked to grounds just to watch Glenn bat and children have been inspired to pick up a bat after seeing him put opposition attacks to the sword with a breathtaking array of shots." ___ AP cricket:https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

byMario Satorik

in

June 02, 2025

Showstopper. World Cup champion Glenn Maxwell retires from one-day international cricket

Showstopper. World Cup champion Glenn Maxwell retires from one-day international cricket MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — It's a Big Showstop...

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AP PHOTOS: Light and shadows add an extra dimension at the French Open tennis tournament

AP PHOTOS: Light and shadows add an extra dimension at the French Open tennis tournament

PARIS (AP) — The striking interplay of light and shadows on the red clay courts moves with the players at Roland Garros, while the dramatic light in the stadium adds depth and intensity to every swing of the racket during the French Open. This gallery, curated by AP photo editors, showcases some of the visual highlights so far from theFrench Open tennis tournament.

byMario Satorik

in

June 02, 2025

AP PHOTOS: Light and shadows add an extra dimension at the French Open tennis tournament

AP PHOTOS: Light and shadows add an extra dimension at the French Open tennis tournament PARIS (AP) — The striking interplay of light and sh...

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South Korea presidential hopefuls make final pitch to voters ahead of election

South Korea presidential hopefuls make final pitch to voters ahead of election

By Jack Kim SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's leading presidential hopefuls were crisscrossing the country on the final day of campaigning on Monday before converging on Seoul, vowing to revive an ailing economy and put months of turmoil over a failed martial law attempt behind them. Tuesday's election was triggered by the ouster of Yoon Suk Yeol who briefly imposed martial law in December, stunning South Koreans who had come to believe the days of using the military to intervene in the democratic process were long past. Liberal frontrunner Lee Jae-myung vowed to mend the social division that deepened in the aftermath of Yoon's martial law, but said his opponent and Yoon's People Power Party must be held accountable, branding them "insurrection sympathisers." "We are at a historic inflection point of whether we go on as a democratic republic or become a country of dictators," Lee told a campaign rally in the battleground capital. Later he said the top priority as president if elected would be to take urgent steps to address the economy, adding he would first turn his attention to the cost of living for middle- and low-income families and the struggles of small business owners. After sweeping through key swing vote regions and the stronghold of his main conservative opponent, Kim Moon-soo, Lee focused on the capital region home to the highest concentration of the country's 44.39 million voters. Kim started the final day on the southern island of Jeju before crossing the country north, calling Lee a "dangerous man" who would abuse the office of president and the parliament controlled by his Democratic Party in an unchecked manner. The conservative candidate once again apologised on Monday for Yoon's martial law and pledged to undertake political reform. The two leading candidates were scheduled to wrap up three weeks of official campaigning at midnight in Seoul, with polls set to open at 6 a.m. (2100 GMT on Monday) on Tuesday across the country. The winner, who will be certified on Wednesday, will have just a short few hours before taking office without the usual two-month transition as Yoon was removed by the Constitutional Court on April 4 for grave violation of his lawful duties. (Reporting by Jack KimEditing by Ed Davies and Saad Sayeed)

byMario Satorik

in

June 02, 2025

South Korea presidential hopefuls make final pitch to voters ahead of election

South Korea presidential hopefuls make final pitch to voters ahead of election By Jack Kim SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's leading presi...

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