Category: Sports

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Bookmakers get creative when it comes to odds they make available for the NFL Draft. 

And among the most interesting and fun markets is Mr. Irrelevant.

The player who’s drafted with the final pick gets the Mr. Irrelevant distinction because, more often than not, his career in the league is a forgettable one. 

There are, of course, exceptions to that rule.

But before we dive into some history, let’s take a look at the odds for this year’s Mr. Irrelevant at DraftKings Sportsbook as of March 23.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Mr. Irrelevant (Position of last drafted player)

Defensive Line/Edge: +380 (bet $10 to win $48 total)
Wide Receiver: +400 (bet $10 to win $50 total)
Offensive Lineman: +450 (bet $10 to win $55 total)
Running Back: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Cornerback: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
Linebacker: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Safety: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Quarterback: +1200 (bet $10 to win $130 total)
Tight End: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)
Kicker/Punter/Long Snapper: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)

Here’s what to know about the oddsboard: 

Defying the Odds: San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy is a recent example of a player who helped reshape the narrative about the last player drafted. Purdy was the 2022 Mr. Irrelevant, but since then, he has led the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance as a starting QB, finished fourth in MVP voting in 2023 and earned Pro Bowl honors in 2024. 

Noteworthy Names: Grant Stuard and Tae Crowder are two players who exceeded expectations after hearing their names called last in their respective drafts. Stuard — a linebacker out of Houston — was selected with the 259th pick in 2021 by Tampa Bay. He played his first year with the Buccaneers, then three with Indianapolis. In 2025, he was a part of the Lions‘ roster. In each year, he has played at least 15 games. In 2024, he racked up 25 solo tackles and assisted on 15. Crowder, a linebacker from Georgia, was drafted last in 2020. In his three seasons with New York, he had 232 total tackles, two sacks and two interceptions. In 2025, he signed with the UFL’s Birmingham Stallions.

Could you imagine what the 2026 NFL Draft would look like if all college football players were eligible to be picked? Would Arch Manning be the first quarterback taken? Would the Las Vegas Raiders dare to make Jeremiah Smith the No. 1 overall pick?

Well, there’s no need for you to imagine, because we’re going to find the answers to those questions in our All-College Football Mock Draft. The premise is simple: Every player who played in college football this past season is eligible to be selected in the NFL Draft. So, stars like Smith wouldn’t have to wait another year to enter the NFL.

Let’s take a look at how I think the first round would play out in our All-College Football Mock Draft.

We know the Raiders still need a quarterback in this exercise. But is there a quarterback who played in college last year you’d take over Mendoza? The answer’s no. You would still take Mendoza at No. 1 in this. It might be tempting to go with a guy like Arch Manning — could you imagine Tom Brady drafting a Manning? It’s a fascinating discussion, but Mendoza should still be the pick.

2. New York Jets: Dante Moore, QB, Oregon 

The Jets also need a quarterback, and the discussion here would be between Moore and Manning. If you watched the tape, Moore was the better player of the two last season. I think he would win out in the evaluation process as a result. Even this year, when Moore was making his decision whether to enter the draft or not, he was the consensus No. 2 quarterback to Mendoza. Moore’s an elite talent and can further boost his draft stock in 2026.

The Cardinals also need a quarterback, and luckily for them, this exercise provides them with plenty of talented quarterback options. It would be hard to pass up on Manning with the third pick here, even with the struggles he had early last season. His traits are just too tantalizing at this point, and he’s a Manning. If you’re the owner of the Cardinals, aren’t you sitting there and thinking, “He adds value to our organization immediately.” I also think that as Manning gains experience, he’ll become an even better player. Arch didn’t have the best season in 2025, but he improved as the year went along and the upside is still high.

Don’t the Titans need the best offensive player available? That’s what Smith would be at this point in the draft. The Titans get to give quarterback Cam Ward the best threat possible in this hypothetical. Even though Smith still has another year to play in college, I think he’s going to immediately be one of the best receivers in the NFL the moment he enters the league. I think he can also be one of the better receivers we’ve had this generation. 

The Giants can finally get their Saquon Barkley replacement. I really love this idea, though, for head coach John Harbaugh, who you know wants to establish the run game. Cam Skattebo might not be the longterm answer for the Giants at running back, especially after that gruesome ankle injury. But pairing Love with quarterback Jaxson Dart and wide receiver Malik Nabers as the centerpieces of your offense for the future is a really exciting idea.

The Browns have a glaring need at left tackle, but even in this exercise, there isn’t a prototypical left tackle prospect that you would put in this spot. I had the Browns taking Georgia left tackle Monroe Freeling in my most recent mock draft, which some might view as a reach. But Seaton’s play has gone a bit under the radar. He was really good as a pass blocker at Colorado the last two years before transferring to LSU this offseason. 

There are a lot of great wide receivers the Commanders could potentially pick from here. I think Tate would be the second-best wide receiver in this, so Washington takes him to pair with quarterback Jayden Daniels. Tate was overshadowed a bit because of Jeremiah Smith, but he’s a great route runner who has good length and separation ability. Every Ohio State receiver that enters the NFL produces right away, and I think Washington would take that. 

I actually had the Saints taking Lemon in my most recent mock draft because the fit for him in New Orleans with quarterback Tyler Shough was too good to pass on. That’s why I think the Saints should take Lemon at No. 8 in this exercise as well. I love the idea of putting him in head coach Kellen Moore’s offense. He’s a magician in space. He had the best feel for space among all college football wide receivers this past season, especially in the interior.

I know the Chiers need a cornerback, and LSU’s Mansoor Delane or Notre Dame’s Leonard Moore would be strong picks at No. 9. But you could also get one of the best players in this year’s draft class instead. Do you think the Chiefs would pass on Reese at No. 9? Reese could be, and don’t roll your eyes at this, the Chiefs’ next Derrick Thomas with his athleticism and explosion.

Just like with the Chiefs and Reese, the Bengals get a great edge rusher prospect to fall to them in this exercise. I love Bailey. He was a production monster for the Red Raiders this past season. 

You really think that if the Dolphins could draft anyone in college football that they wouldn’t take a quarterback? They would absolutely take a quarterback. I don’t think Malik Willis is the longterm answer in Miami. Sayin should, at least, be highly considered with this pick. He was the most accurate passer in college football this past season. He’s very smart and throws the ball down the field much better than you would anticipate, even though he’s not the biggest guy on the field. I know he didn’t play great down the stretch, but Ohio State’s offensive line was a sieve in front of him, particularly against Indiana and Miami (Fla.). 

The Cowboys have got to fix their pass defense. Just like in my regular mock draft, arguably the best defensive player available drops to the Cowboys at No. 12. Downs’ size might make him fall to No. 12 in this exercise and in the real draft, but I don’t think the Cowboys would pass up on him, at least they shouldn’t. They had too many problems stopping the pass last season, and Downs makes you better everywhere. This is a guy who makes you better right away. He’s the smartest defensive player that I’ve covered in my college football broadcasting career. 

Styles has rocketed up draft boards after arguably having the best combine performance ever. He’s a great leader with tremendous intangibles. He’s also got some versatility, making the move from safety to off-ball linebacker during his time at Ohio State. He can defend the pass and he’s a great run stuffer. He fits what the Rams need as they look to make a Super Bowl push.

This is where it gets a bit interesting because I’m going to have a lot of guys who are still in college starting to come off the board. Even after signing Trey Hendrickson, the Ravens could still use some pass-rushing help. So, if I’m Baltimore, I’m saying, “Sign me up for Stewart.” He was a freshman All-American in 2024 and backed that up with a really solid campaign in 2025. I think he’s going to be one of the top picks in the 2027 draft. He’s a really good player.

The Buccaneers also need an edge rusher, and this exercise provides a lot of depth at that position. Simmons has really high upside. He’s a pure pass rusher who can impact the game right away. 

16. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts): Cam Coleman, WR, Texas

The Jets got their quarterback at No. 2. Now, it’s time to give Dante Moore some help. So, why not go with Coleman? He’s an elite player. When he came out of high school, everyone was talking about how good he and Jeremiah Smith could be in college. Coleman wasn’t able to shine as much, though, because of Auburn’s struggles at quarterback. Physically, Coleman has all the tools and will be catching balls from Arch Manning this upcoming season. I think he can have a really great 2026 season and possibly be a top six or seven pick in the 2027 draft.

17. Detroit Lions: Rueben Bain Jr., edge rusher, Miami (Fla.)

I think the Lions could really use another pass rusher, even if they already have Aidan Hutchinson. Putting Bain with Hutchinson would give Detroit two members on the All-Motor Team. They would wear offensive tackles out. How would opposing teams shift their protections? One of them would get a one-on-one matchup that they would win.

18. Minnesota Vikings: Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame

Minnesota could use some help at multiple positions on its defense. Moore can solidify the outside of its defense, and I think he’s the top candidate for the Thorpe Award entering the 2026 season. 

Bryce Young could use some help, and the Panthers have an option to help alleviate some of the pressure off their young quarterback’s shoulders in the red zone with this pick. Sadiq is a game-changing tight end in the middle of the field and would be paired with Tetairoa McMillan, who is a really good outside wide receiver. But Sadiq would really help provide some balance to Carolina’s offense with his elite blocking ability.

20. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers): Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

Delane is my top cornerback in the 2026 draft, so this would give the Cowboys great value at a position of need. Downs and Delane would really fix that pass defense. Jerry Jones would be all for the all-college football draft.

Is anyone else tired of waiting around for Aaron Rodgers? I’m sure the Steelers are. Don’t you want a longterm situation at quarterback? I love Chambliss and his mentality and leadership. In the face of adversity with Lane Kiffin leaving Ole Miss right before the College Football Playoff, Chambliss played so well. He’s just scratching the surface of his potential. Remember, he transferred to Ole Miss last season after spending time at Ferris State. If he has another year like he did a year ago, his draft stock will only continue to rise.

The Chargers need help on the interior of their offensive line, and Ioane was the best interior offensive lineman in college football last season. Jim Harbaugh loves players like Ioane, who is versatile, can play different positions and can even motion pre-snap.

The Eagles have to prepare for life after Lane Johnson at some point, right? Well, they have the opportunity to take the player who I think is the top offensive tackle in this year’s draft with this pick. If the Eagles could do this, general manager Howie Roseman would run to get the pick in. I love Mauigoa as a run blocker. I think he’ll continue to develop and get better as a pass blocker.

We had the Browns filling their left tackle need earlier in this draft. Now, I think they have to add another offensive threat for second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. This actually might be my favorite pick in this draft because Toney is an unreal talent. He nearly had one of the most incredible catches I’ve ever seen in Miami’s CFP win over Ole Miss. But the Hurricanes were really creative with how they used Toney as a freshman this past season. They tried to get him the football in different ways, especially when they needed to get the offense out of the mud.

Stone might be the top defensive tackle in next year’s draft. I’m not as impressed by the defensive tackles in this year’s class as I am with Stone, who has been a monster for Brent Venables’ defense. He’s only getting better. He was a big reason why the Sooners were one of the three best defenses in college football this past season. 

I actually had the Bills taking a safety with their first-round pick in my most recent mock draft, something that I think new defensive coordinator Jim Leonard might be pushing for. Bolden’s outstanding and has already played a ton of football as he enters his junior season for a program with a lot of NFL talent on defense. He’s got really high upside.

This is a great example of how fit matters. I have Freeling as the top left tackle in this year’s draft, but he might be a reach to pick in the top 10, which is where I had him going in my most recent mock draft. However, Freeling being selected at No. 27 would be more appropriate and the 49ers can start to prepare for the longterm outlook of their offensive line. He can take over that left tackle spot at some point for the 49ers. 

Fano has position versatility that the Texans could use to improve their offensive line. He can play offensive tackle or guard. More importantly, this would be a great value pick as I had Fano going in the first half of the first round in my most recent mock draft.

29. Kansas City Chiefs (via Los Angeles Rams): Ellis Robinson, CB, Georgia

The Chiefs use the pick they got in the Trent McDuffie trade to replace him with another cornerback. Robinson was the No. 1 overall recruit out of high school before being named second-team All-SEC as a redshirt freshman last year. I think he’s got tremendous upside, giving Kansas City a second player with elite potential in this draft after selecting Arvell Reese.

The Dolphins need help everywhere, so they have to go with the best player available with this pick. Faulk would be that player here. Faulk checks a lot of boxes. He’s got good length and athleticism and I think he might have an even better NFL career than what he showed at Auburn. 

It was apparent that the Patriots needed some offensive line help in the Super Bowl. Baker is a heck of a player and I remember seeing him during spring football early in his college career and I thought he would be an outstanding player for a long time. 

Kenneth Walker was vital to what the Seahawks did offensively. I really liked what Hardy did at Missouri this past season, leading the Power 4 in rushing yards with 1,650 yards. He forced 97 missed tackles as well, which also led the Power 4. Hardy’s in the same mold as Walker as a running back, which would be a good addition for the Seahawks at No. 32. 

 

Here’s what’s happening this week Inside The Garage:

Darlington Raceway (Darlington, S.C.) — Daniel Suarez didn’t bother to talk to Ross Chastain in the days following their argument last week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

He figured it wouldn’t do any good.

“It’s kind of like when you make your girlfriend mad,” Suarez said with a laugh.

Truth is, Suarez (driver of the Spire No. 7 car) has had plenty of “girlfriends” in the Cup garage. He has raced for five different Cup teams. So he is used to racing against drivers who, like Chastain at Trackhouse Racing, he used to call teammates.

Their little dust-up brought to light that sometimes former teammates can have issues with each other on the track. While often the focus is on how teammates race each other, the way former teammates race each other is not a topic often explored.

“Honestly, tell me if I’m wrong, but I’m trying to think back, and I never had any issues with any of my teammates,” Suarez told me and other reporters during the weekend at Darlington. “The thing is that last year was very, very difficult.

“You guys only know 20 percent of the stuff that actually happened. And maybe one day I will write a book and you guys will find out everything that exactly how things happen. But last year was very, very difficult, definitely one of the most difficult years I have had in my career the way that things the way that things played out.”

For Suarez, who has been released from a few teams, it would be normal to have some animosity and want to beat his former team. On the INDYCAR side, much is made of Andretti Global driver Will Power and whether he wants to beat the Team Penske drivers more than others. Power has insisted he isn’t focused on his former teammates.

In NASCAR, drivers appear to move on relatively quickly. They can see from history that it can be for the best. Look at Joey Logano, who appeared his career might be over when he got released by Joe Gibbs Racing but then won three championships driving for Team Penske in the No. 22 car. 

“In the back of your mind you want to beat them, there’s no doubt, but I don’t know if I did much differently,” Logano told me. “I know I had drama with them, but I don’t think it was because of that. It was just circumstances.

“You’re still just trying to prove your own career at that point. And you’re trying to prove that you belong and that you’re trying to extend your career into the next chapter.”

For the last 20 years, Denny Hamlin has seen drivers come and go from JGR.

“Truthfully, my relationship with my teammates always got better when we were no longer teammates,” Hamlin, driver of the No. 11 car, said in a pre-practice news conference. “That’s just factual.

“We always were closer after their time was up. … It’s different for everyone, but certainly you can’t stop human nature.”

One of those was Kyle Busch, who couldn’t agree to terms to remain at Hendrick Motorsports and JGR during his career.

“All the Gibbs guys I’ve always gotten along well with, so none of those guys, especially Martin [Truex Jr.] for sure, but even Denny [Hamlin] we’ve always been fine,” Busch, driver of the RCR No. 8 car, told me. “Once you have issues with guys, then you kind of race in a little bit differently, like Christopher [Bell] ran over me a couple times at COTA so that didn’t go over well for a while.

“When I left Hendrick, I would say you ran those guys hard because you were disappointed in not being there anymore. But you’re also running those guys hard just because of how good they are. You’re racing Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. We had plenty of battles where we were racing for wins, but it was always cordial.”

Busch replaced Tyler Reddick, who surprised RCR by leaving for 23XI Racing. He initially signed with 23XI during the 2022 season — to not start at 23XI until 2024. RCR eventually released him to go to 23XI starting in 2023 when it was able to land Busch.

“Me and Austin [Dillon] always raced each other pretty hard but fair, you know, and so nothing really has changed there,” Reddick, who has already won four races this season in the No. 45 car of team owner Michael Jordan, told me and other reporters about his former RCR teammate. “Kyle has always been respectful, too.

“That was one thing about Kyle that was cool. As I was trying to make my name here from the very early days, I always raced him with respect. So he always gave me that respect right back.”

Reddick indicated any beefs between ex-teammates fly more under the radar than they did between Chastain and Suarez. Brad Keselowski, who has raced at Team Penske and then for his own team at RFK Racing, said it all depends on how the relationship ended.

“It’s more about how you leave than anything else,” Keselowski told me. “Some departures are easier than others. I could understand that there’s always going to be some animosity amongst teams and drivers when that happens. … Ultimately, I want to beat everybody. I don’t want to beat one car, whether it be a former teammate or not.”

Keselowski and other drivers said they don’t think about it much when they are racing other drivers or if they are behind two former teammates battling for a spot. 

“I just assume everybody’s going to run into everybody all the time, being honest,” Keselowski said. “When you’re thinking about those things, you’re not thinking about doing your job at the highest level possible — whether that’s hitting a certain spot on the racetrack or getting the right slide in the car and all those types of pieces. So I try not to let other pieces of information enter my brain.”

Like other sports, there is a dynamic of the former teammates knowing each other’s tendencies better, so they know how to potentially take advantage of their weaknesses. Michael McDowell said his former Front Row Motorsports teammates, such as Todd Gilliland, know him well.

“I shared every secret of my entire life with [Gilliland],” McDowell told me and other reporters. “I thought I was staying there forever. I wish I wouldn’t have told them.

“I’m being serious. I’d never planned on leaving. And so I was an open book. Everything that I’ve learned and done and approach he knows.”

One specific NASCAR driver does have reason to be angry with a couple teams. Zane Smith was on loan from Trackhouse to Spire in 2024 and struggled early. He was released from Trackhouse without ever competing in a race for them.

“I was definitely in an interesting spot because I was like half-pregnant with two teams,” Smith told me and other reporters.

He said he has put it behind him.

“I don’t care who you are. I feel like whether you’re let go from a team or whatnot, you’re going prove to them that they were wrong no matter what the situation is,” Smith said. “I think you’re seeing some of that.

“Who knows how that relationship ended? You never know with any of these teams how it ended. And from the outside, there’s a lot probably people just don’t know, for both sides.”

That’s what Suarez indicated in what he was saying. And he indicated he isn’t focused on his former teammates.

“I’m not even thinking about any of the Trackhouse cars or any of the competitors,” Suarez said. “It’s me versus me. And I always say that I’m trying to be the best version of myself.

“And it just happens that I’ve been racing, especially with the 1 [of Chastain] quite a bit, because we’ve been kind of racing together.”

In The News

-A couple of teams made their Indy 500 one-off entries official: Helio Castroneves will return with Meyer Shank Racing and Takuma Sato will be in a fourth car for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. That gives the Indy 500 32 confirmed entries (including the Andretti Global additional entry that is expected to go to Colton Herta). Chevrolet still has two engine packages unaccounted for that would have been used if Prema had made the grid for the 2026 season. Whether Prema could run a car in May is still to be determined.

-A hearing is set for Thursday in Joe Gibbs Racing’s request to extend a temporary restraining order into a preliminary injunction against Spire Motorsports Chief Motorsports Officer Chris Gabehart. The injunction keeps Gabehart from performing similar duties to what he did as competition director at JGR. There also has been expedited discovery into Gabehart’s role and whether he shared any JGR technical info with Spire. Gabehart had taken photos of various JGR setup information and other company information.

-NASCAR suspended three Big Machine Racing crew members — crew chief Patrick Donahue, car chief Dillon Bassett and engineer Morgan Olsen — for four races for ballast coming out of the Patrick Staropoli car late in the race at Las Vegas.

Social Spotlight

There’s no better way to start a race.

Sweet Ride

The best throwback scheme idea for Darlington:

They Said It

“I was willing to give up everything to have a shot at winning this race because I’ve wanted to win here for so, so long, so bad.” —Tyler Reddick on winning at Darlington on Sunday.

In Inside The Garage, Bob Pockrass takes us behind the scenes of the motorsports world the way only he can.

Not many positions have benefited from the NFL’s ever-growing salary cap more than wide receiver, just ask Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Alec Pierce.

Pierce and Smith-Njiba have been two of the biggest winners in the NFL this offseason, receiving either a new deal or an extension that will make them among the highest-paid in the game. Pierce re-signed with the Indianapolis Colts on a four-year, $116 million deal just minutes into the start of free agency on March 9. The deal for Pierce came after he logged 47 catches for 1,003 yards in 2025, with both of those marks being career highs. 

Smith-Njigba beat that number on Monday, and then some. The Seattle Seahawks‘ star agreed to a four-year, $168.6 million extension to become the highest-paid receiver in NFL history. The deal for Smith-Njigba came after he won Offensive Player of the Year for the 2025 season. He led all players in receiving yards (1,793), proving to be a catalyst for the Seahawks in their run to a Super Bowl title.

In recent years, an annual salary of $30 million became the barometer for the best receivers in the NFL. But the elite players have received more than that. Ja’Marr Chase broke the $40 million threshold when he signed his extension with the Cincinnati Bengals last offseason.

Smith-Njiba, obviously, cleared those numbers, while Pierce came up just shy of the $30 million per year mark. But his production pales in comparison to top receivers who now make less than him. For reference, Pierce is set to make more money than Tee Higgins, Jaylen Waddle, DeVonta Smith, Nico Collins and former teammate Michael Pittman Jr.

As of Monday, March 23, here are the highest annual salaries among NFL wide receivers, including Pierce’s reported contract with the Colts (data courtesy of Over the Cap):

Favorites went haywire in March Madness odds on Friday and Saturday. At one point, they won 20 consecutive games — all 16 on Friday and the first four on Saturday.

And the public betting masses got paid, often via moneyline parlays on those favorites.

But all it takes to turn the tide is one big team to tumble. 

On Sunday, defending national champion and No. 1 seed Florida was that team, changing the tenor of the weekend battle between bettors and bookmakers.

“That stopped the barrage of favorite bettors and moneyline parlays,” Caesars Sports head of basketball trading Rich Zanco said. “Iowa winning was a huge need. It saved the day.”

More on the weekend that was, as multiple oddsmakers recap betting on NCAA Tournament odds.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Florida Fallout

Florida rode a late-season 12-0 stretch to the No. 1 seed in the South Region. Even after a surprising loss to Vanderbilt in the SEC Tournament semis, the Gators seemed ready for a deep run in defense of their 2025 national title.

Florida opened the NCAA Tournament with an expected blowout, trouncing No. 16 seed Prairie View 114-55 as a massive 35.5-point favorite.

But upstart No. 9 seed Iowa, a 10.5-point underdog, was having none of that on Sunday. 

The Hawkeyes led the Gators 51-39 six minutes into the second half. Florida then made a run, and it was a back-and-forth over the final seven minutes. But Alvaro Folgueiras’ 3-pointer with four seconds left gave Iowa a shocking 73-72 upset.

It was the shot heard ‘round the world for bookmakers.

“It was one-way action on Florida. And there were a lot of Florida parlays on the moneyline and the spread,” Zanco said. “Obviously, Iowa winning and knocking Florida out of the championship futures is pretty significant.”

Zanco noted that just before tipoff, Caesars Sports took a “significant” six-figure wager on Florida -10.

John Murray, vice president of The SuperBook, echoed Zanco’s comments.

“That’s a great outcome for us. All the moneyline parlay liability was building to Florida and Arizona,” Murray said. “It’s great to get Florida out of the futures book, as well. That was huge for us.”

The Gators were one of The SuperBook’s largest championship liabilities.

“I don’t want to get to the Final Four and have Florida and Duke still there,” Murray said.

So Murray has half his wish granted so far. Duke barely dodged a massive first-round upset, beating No. 16 seed Siena 71-65, after trailing at halftime 43-32.

But the Blue Devils had no issue in the second round, thumping No. 9 seed TCU 81-58.

Playing Favorites

Every year, the public masses enjoy taking an underdog or two in the first round or two of the NCAA Tournament. Everyone likes a good upset and potential Cinderella story.

But mind you, those are generally straight bets on moneyline ‘dogs. A single bet on a single team.

In March Madness odds, moneyline parlays are very popular over the first four days, much like on an NFL Sunday. And the public isn’t taking underdogs in moneyline parlays. It’s all favorites, all the time.

As noted above, all 16 Friday favorites won — and oh, by the way, went 12-4 against the spread. Then the first four favorites on Saturday won and covered: Michigan, Michigan State, Duke and Houston, who were all popular selections in moneyline parlays.

So that’s a favorites’ run of 20-0 straight up (SU) and 16-4 against the spread (ATS). It was a boon for public bettors and a bust for bookmakers.

“Do ‘dogs ever win?” a perplexed Murray said at one point Saturday, while giving flowers to his customers. “You can’t even blame them. It’s hard to knock a winning strategy. They’re cleaning up.”

Added Zanco: “The barrage of favorites kept rolling in, and we couldn’t buy an underdog. Bettors especially had success on Saturday with Michigan and Michigan State, and then rolled it into the Duke game.”

No. 1 seed Michigan ran away from No. 9 St. Louis in the second half, posting a 95-72 rout as a 12.5-point favorite. No. 3 seed Michigan State topped No. 6 Louisville 77-69 as a 5.5-point favorite, and as noted above, Duke blasted TCU 81-58 as a 12.5-point favorite.

“Bettors did extremely well Saturday,” Zanco said.

Bettors Win Battles, Bookies Win War

Friday’s 16-0 SU/12-4 ATS run by favorites wasn’t all good news for bettors. Multiple oddsmakers cited two outcomes that actually helped sportsbooks get a win for the day.

No. 10 seed Santa Clara was a trendy underdog with the public, getting 3.5 points vs. No. 7 Kentucky. Allen Graves hit a 3-pointer with two seconds left to give the Broncos a 73-70 lead, seemingly securing the modest upset.

But Kentucky’s Otega Oweh followed with a 32-footer at the buzzer to tie it at 73 and force overtime. And as is often said in the betting world: Overtime is where underdogs go to die.

Kentucky ultimately won 89-84 to cover as a 3.5-point favorite.

“We needed Kentucky big,” SuperBook risk manager Casey Degnon said. “And that was a miracle cover from Central Florida +5.5. That was a big swing for us.”

No. 10 UCF trailed No. 7 UCLA 71-62 with just 35 seconds left but ultimately lost by just four, 75-71, to cover the number.

When all the dust settled Sunday night, Zanco had no complaints with Caesars’ haul over the first four days of March Madness odds.

“Overall, considering the results — the run of favorites winning and covering — I’m quite pleased with the way things shook out,” he said.

Ditto for Murray and The SuperBook.

“We should end up doing pretty well overall. I’m happy with it,” he said. “We had our share of close games and excitement. We had some lucky games and were fortunate to get some covers.

“We’re ready for the Sweet 16.”

Jaxon Smith-Njigba won Offensive Player of the Year and a Super Bowl title in 2025. Now, weeks into the 2026 offseason, the Seattle Seahawks‘ star is adding a new accolade to his name: highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history. 

Smith-Njigba has agreed to a four-year, $168.6 million extension with the Seahawks that includes $120 million in guaranteed money, ESPN reported Monday. The contract will pay Smith-Njigba $42.15 million per year, which is nearly $2 million more per year than what Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase is making ($40.25 million). Chase signed a four-year, $161 million extension last offseason to become the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.

The deal for Smith-Njigba came a few days after the team announced that they would be picking up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. With that move, Smith-Njigba was set to be under contract through the end of the 2027 season. However, he became extension eligible earlier in March, and with other star receivers (like Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams) due for new contracts, Monday’s extension allowed the Seahawks to set the market rather than react to it. 

Cornerback Devon Witherspoon, whom the Seahawks took alongside Smith-Njigba in the first round of the 2023 draft, also had his fifth-year option picked up by Seattle recently. Witherspoon can sign an extension this offseason as well. Seattle also extended offensive tackle Charles Cross, its 2022 first-round pick, to a four-year, $104.4 million extension in January as it looks to maintain its core pieces.

Smith-Njigba and Witherspoon were both key to the Seahawks’ Super Bowl run this past season. Smith-Njigba had 119 receptions for a league-best 1,793 yards in the regular season, adding 10 touchdowns. His postseason wasn’t as dominant, but Smith-Njigba had 153 receiving yards in the Seahawks’ NFC Championship Game win over the Los Angeles Rams.

As for Witherspoon, he had 72 total tackles and an interception this past regular season. On top of that, Witherspoon graded out as Pro Football Focus’ top cornerback for the 2025 season. He allowed opposing receivers to get just 409 receiving yards on 59 targets (8.09 yards per target), per PFF, and he could become one of the game’s highest-paid corners this offseason. 

The extension for Smith-Njigba followed the departures of a handful of players from the Seahawks’ Super Bowl-winning squad earlier this month. Running back Kenneth Walker III signed a multi-year deal to join the Kansas City Chiefs. Edge rusher Boye Mafe departed Seattle to sign a three-year, $60 million pact with the Cincinnati Bengals. Cornerback Riq Woolen joined the Philadelphia Eagles on a one-year deal. 

Seattle was able to keep Rashid Shaheed, though, further stabilizing their wide receiver group as quarterback Sam Darnold looks to have another strong year in 2026. Shaheed re-signed with the Seahawks on a three-year, $51 million deal. 

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Betr is a fast-growing DFS app with a simple interface and quick gameplay. New players receive a welcome offer with bonus funds and a deposit match. New Betr users can unlock $10 in Betr Bucks just for creating an account, plus an additional 50% deposit match up to $200 in extra Betr Bucks with promo code FOXSPORTS. Register, verify your account, and your $10 reward appears automatically — then deposit to receive matched bonus funds you can use on Betr Picks.

Monday features women’s college hoops as the second round wraps up and the Sweet 16 gets set. The Lakers carry momentum with a nine-game win streak into their game against the Pistons. The Thunder take on the 76ers.

Current Betr Promo Code: $10 in Betr Bucks + 50% Match up to $200 (March 2026)

Betr Promo Code FOXSPORTS Terms & Conditions

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How to Sign Up and Claim the Betr Picks Promo Code FOXSPORTS

1. Click any “Claim Now” button on this page to open Betr.
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Betr Picks Promos for Existing Customers

Betr offers a steady rotation of promos for active players, ranging from referral bonuses to weekly pick’em incentives tied to major sports seasons. Here are the key ongoing and recurring offers:

Betr Mystery Multiplier

Betr occasionally rewards active users with a Mystery Multiplier, a randomized boost that increases the payout on select pick’em entries. When the promo is live, users opt in and receive a surprise multiplier—often anywhere from a small boost to a significantly enhanced payout—applied to eligible picks.

The Mystery Multiplier is time-limited and typically tied to major sports moments or weekly promotional cycles. Users only find out their assigned multiplier after opting in, which adds a fun, gamified element to Betr’s promo ecosystem.

These boosts are paid in the form of elevated potential winnings rather than Betr Bucks, though terms may vary depending on the specific promo. As with other offers, eligibility and requirements are displayed in-app whenever the multiplier becomes available.

Betr Sign-Up Bonus vs Other Daily Fantasy Sports Apps

How Does the Betr Welcome Bonus Compare to the Competition?

Betr’s welcome bonus stands out because it delivers immediate free value ($10 in Betr Bucks) plus a scalable 50% deposit match up to $200, giving users meaningful flexibility. You get something upfront whether you deposit or not, and depositing unlocks a significantly higher ceiling than most DFS offers.

How It Stacks Up:

• Dabble: Better for pure no-deposit seekers but capped at $25.
• Boom Fantasy: Strong refund value, but you must lose your first entry to unlock it.
• Underdog: Straightforward “Bet & Get,” but lower maximum bonus value.
• Sleeper: Clean and simple $100 deposit match, but no free bonus on signup.

Takeaway:

Betr delivers one of the most flexible welcome packages in DFS. The instant $10 gives new players risk-free testing ground, while the 50% match rewards users who want to make a more committed first deposit. The $210 potential bonus value from this promotion is one of the highest among DFS apps, however, it requires a significant initial deposit ($400) to take full advantage of.

H2: Betr Picks Legal States

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• California
• District of Columbia (DC)
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Indiana
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Minnesota
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
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Betr Picks Review 2026

Betr Picks continues to expand its presence in the DFS pick’em space by offering simple gameplay, quick entry creation, and a bonus system built around Betr Bucks. The platform’s minimalist design and microbetting-inspired approach make it easy for new users to jump in, while experienced players appreciate Betr’s fast line updates and competitive multipliers.
In 2026, Betr has improved app stability, enhanced its player-stat update cadence, and streamlined its banking flows to reduce friction for deposits and withdrawals. Combined with the $10 signup bonus + 50% deposit match (up to $200) using promo code FOXSPORTS, Betr gives new users a straightforward, high-upside entry point.

Overall, Betr delivers a fast, clean, and beginner-friendly DFS experience tailored to users who want simple pick’em contests without the complexity of full-scale fantasy platforms.

Betr User Experience & Interface

Betr offers a lightweight, intuitive interface focused on quick pick’em gameplay. The app is designed to minimize clutter, with clear menus for Picks, Wallet, and Promotions, allowing users to build entries in seconds.

• Navigation: A streamlined tab layout makes it easy to browse props, manage entries, and review rewards.
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Overall, Betr’s interface is built for simplicity, making it one of the easiest pick’em apps for new players to learn.

Betr App User Reviews

Betr receives consistently strong feedback for being easy to use, fast, and welcoming to beginners.

What Users Praise

• Clean, simple layout that avoids DFS overwhelm
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• Straightforward pick’em mechanics
• Frequent promo opportunities through Betr Bucks
• Quick player-stat updates and scoring resolution

What Users Want More Of

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Betr Contest Variety & Market Depth

Betr focuses exclusively on pick’em-style contests, making it easy for players to get started without learning traditional DFS rules.

Pick’em Entries

• Choose whether each player will finish Over or Under their projected stat.
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Sports Offered

Varies by state, but commonly includes:

NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, College Football, College Basketball, Soccer (select states), MMA, and additional verticals as Betr expands.

Bonus Integration

Betr Bucks can be used on Betr Picks or Betr Arcade, giving users more ways to play.

The platform prioritizes simplicity: no drafts, no salary caps, no tournaments — just quick pick’em cards designed for fast action.

Betting Features & Innovation

Betr sets itself apart by focusing on speed, simplicity, and real-time updates, drawing from its microbetting roots.

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Betr Deposit & Withdrawal Methods

Deposits

Betr supports fast, mobile-first deposit methods:

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Withdrawals

• Visa or Mastercard debit cards (most common method)
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You must first deposit with a method before you can withdraw to it. If you have multiple linked methods and a balance needs to be returned to original sources before freeing up remaining funds, Betr handles that through a required distribution process.

Betr Picks Pros & Cons

Betr Picks has quickly established itself as one of the most accessible pick’em platforms, offering a clean interface, simple gameplay, and a bonus system built around easy-to-use Betr Bucks. Here’s how Betr stacks up overall:

Pros

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• 👑 VIP perks: The Betr Ballers Club provides exclusive bonuses and raffles for frequent players.

Cons

• 💳 Bonus funds require play-through: Matched credit must be used in contests before winnings can be withdrawn.
• 📱 Mobile-focused: The DFS experience is optimized for the app, with limited desktop functionality.
• ⏳ Bonus credit expires: Play-through credit must be used within the designated timeframe.
• 🎮 Fewer ongoing promotions: Outside of major sports cycles, regular recurring promotions for existing users can be limited compared to competitors.

Betr Promo Code FOXSPORTS FAQ

What is the current Betr picks promo code?

The current Betr Picks promo code FOXSPORTS unlocks $10 in Betr Bucks on signup plus a 50% deposit match up to $200 on your first deposit.

What states is betr legal in​?

Betr is legal in 38 states, including California, Texas, Florida, and Ohio. 

Here is the full list of legal states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, District of Columbia, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Is Betr Picks legit?

Yes — Betr is a regulated DFS operator that uses secure identity verification, transparent scoring, and audited gaming mechanics. It operates under applicable state laws and offers responsible gaming resources.

How Fast Are Betr Withdrawals?

Most withdrawals with Betr are approved within 72 hours, with funds arriving via PayPal or debit card in 24–48 hours. Bank transfers may take a little longer, usually within 1–5 business days.

Can I deposit using Bitcoin on Betr Picks?

No, Bitcoin and other crypto currencies are currently not accepted as deposit methods for Betr Picks.

Who is the CEO of Betr?

Betr’s CEO is Joey Levy, who co-founded the company alongside Jake Paul. Levy leads Betr’s product strategy, operations, and overall growth within the DFS and sports entertainment space.

Is Jake Paul involved with Betr?

Yes. Jake Paul is a co-founder of Betr and has been heavily involved in promoting the brand and shaping its early vision, particularly around microbetting and fan engagement.

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With the NFL Draft just a few weeks away, scouting departments across the league are spending countless hours zeroing in on their favorite prospects in the Class of 2026. 

The purpose of this article is quite the opposite — we aimed to look back and provide some perspective on Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza. He’s the consensus top quarterback of this class, but how does he stack up against recent top-rated prospects at the position? 

Quarterbacks have been selected No. 1 overall in four of the past five drafts, while Caleb Williams (2024), Bryce Young (2023) and Trevor Lawrence (2021) were also ranked as the top prospects of their respective classes on my annual Big Board.

I ranked C.J. Stroud No. 2 overall in my 2023 Big Board. Maye checked in at No. 6 on my 2024 Big Board, albeit amid an elite class with only fellow top-10 picks Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Brock Bowers and Rome Odunze ranked ahead of him. 

This year’s class isn’t as rich at the top, and Mendoza checks in at No. 4 overall on my latest 2026 Big Board.

But back to that 2024 board, for a moment. I had Daniels ranked two spots lower than Maye, with J.J. McCarthy ranked 23rd, Michael Penix Jr. 25th and Bo Nix 40th overall.

Nix and Jaxson Dart (ranked 46th on my 2025 Big Board) were the only first-round quarterbacks since 2021 who I did not rank among the top 32 prospects in their respective draft classes. Clearly, I did not give either enough credit for how well their mobility and grit would transfer into immediate success in the NFL. 

Each has outplayed my expectations. But again, the purpose of this article is to rank Mendoza with regard to where I had the top quarterback prospects entering their respective drafts, and I can’t alter their pre-draft rankings now. 

As such, I’ll fess up and share the fact that, like many, I was intrigued by the upside offered by Anthony Richardson and Will Levis in 2023. I ranked them as the ninth and 13th best prospects, respectively, that year. 

And while Trevor Lawrence was the top prospect on my 2021 Big Board, Justin Fields was the second quarterback and ranked ninth overall, with Zach Wilson (10th), Trey Lance (13th) and Mac Jones (15th) also earning first-round grades.  

Playing quarterback at a high level in the NFL is just as much about poise and leadership as arm talent, and rarely are QBs equipped to handle the pressure after only starting a year or two at the college level. 

That fact led to several undeniably gifted quarterbacks with obvious first-round traits falling on my Big Boards. Not every year, after all, does a single quarterback even make my top 10. There wasn’t one in either of my 2022 or 2025 final rankings.

I was stunned when Shedeur Sanders fell to the fifth round of last year’s draft, as he was my top-rated quarterback, ahead of Cam Ward. I had Sanders ranked as the No. 12 player in the 2025 class (with Ward No. 14), even when it was clear that Ward was going to be the Tennessee Titans’ choice with the first pick.

The rankings of others — including by NFL teams — don’t impact the way I grade prospects. And that is nothing new. 

Back in 2022, I had Malik Willis ranked No. 19 overall and Kenny Pickett — the only quarterback drafted in the first round that year — listed 32nd. 

I feel confident that I’m evaluating Mendoza fairly without recency bias toward him or any of the quarterbacks who have since played in the NFL. 

Despite what you might have heard or read elsewhere, Mendoza’s rise to No. 1 overall this year was more steady than surprising. 

I listed him as a first-round candidate before the year began, and he personified his Hoosiers all year long, silencing critics throughout a magical season that culminated with the national championship and Heisman Trophy. 

Mendoza is far and away the top quarterback of this class and warrants being ranked among the top overall prospects of this draft. He offers an exciting blend of polish and untapped potential, with a skill set that projects well for the offense Klint Kubiak figures to employ with the Las Vegas Raiders. Along with physical traits like his prototypical frame, quick release and precision passing — including while on the move — Mendoza enters the NFL with above-average pre-snap awareness and proven poise. 

He projects as a Day 1 starter with the physical tools and intangibles to develop into a true franchise-changer. So, how does he rank among the best QB prospects from the previous five drafts? Here’s my list.

My pre-draft ranking of the top QB prospects since 2021 …

22. Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss (No. 25 overall pick in 2025 by New York Giants)
21. Bo Nix, Oregon (No. 12 overall pick in 2024 by Denver Broncos)
20. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh (No. 20 overall pick in 2022 by Pittsburgh Steelers)
19. Ty Simpson, Alabama (2026 draft prospect)
18. Will Levis, Kentucky (No. 33 overall pick in 2023 by Tennessee Titans)
17. Michael Penix Jr., Washington (No. 8 overall pick in 2024 by Atlanta Falcons)
16. Mac Jones, Alabama (No. 15 overall pick in 2021 by New England Patriots)
15. Malik Willis, Liberty (No. 86 overall pick in 2022 by Tennessee Titans)
14. J.J. McCarthy, Michigan (No. 10 overall pick in 2024 by Minnesota Vikings)
13. Trey Lance, North Dakota State (No. 3 overall pick in 2021 by San Francisco 49ers)
12. Cam Ward, Miami (No. 1 overall pick in 2025 by Tennessee Titans)
11. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado (No. 144 overall pick in 2025 by Cleveland Browns)

10. Anthony Richardson Sr., Florida (No. 4 overall pick in 2023 by Indianapolis Colts)
9. Zach Wilson, BYU (No. 2 overall pick in 2021 by New York Jets)
8. Justin Fields, Ohio State (No. 11 overall pick in 2021 by Chicago Bears)
7. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana (2026 draft prospect)
6. Jayden Daniels, LSU (No. 2 overall pick in 2024 by Washington Commanders)
5. Drake Maye, North Carolina (No. 3 overall pick in 2024 by New England Patriots)
4. C.J. Stroud, Ohio State (No. 2 overall pick in 2023 by Houston Texans)
3. Bryce Young, Alabama (No. 1 overall pick in 2023 by Carolina Panthers)
2. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson (No. 1 overall pick in 2021 by Jacksonville Jaguars)
1. Caleb Williams, USC (No. 1 overall pick in 2025 by Chicago Bears)

How I’d rank them as of today …

22. Trey Lance, Cardinals
21. Zach Wilson, free agent 
20. Kenny Pickett, Panthers 
19. Will Levis, Titans
18. Anthony Richardson Sr., Colts
17. Justin Fields, Chiefs
16. Ty Simpson
15. Shedeur Sanders, Browns
14. Mac Jones, 49ers
13. J.J. McCarthy, Vikings
12. Michael Penix Jr., Falcons
11. Jaxson Dart, Giants

10. Malik Willis, Dolphins
9. Cam Ward, Titans
8. Fernando Mendoza
7. Bryce Young, Panthers
6. C.J. Stroud, Texans
5. Jayden Daniels, Commanders 
4. Bo Nix, Broncos
3. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
2. Caleb Williams, Bears
1. Drake Maye, Patriots

Tyler Reddick raced to his fourth win of the NASCAR season in Sunday’s Goodyear 400 at Darlington Speedway, and it might have been the victory that impressed 23XI Racing owner Michael Jordan the most. 

The No. 45 car started Sunday’s race in pole position and led for nearly the entirety of the final 30 laps, but Reddick’s win didn’t come without hiccups. He had an issue with his alternator early on, which preceded a slow pit stop. His car’s alternator belt needed a look in the middle of Stage 2, which led to a battery change. Finally, there was an issue with his cool suit as that stopped working early in Stage 3.

However, Reddick was able to persist through it all, and Jordan commended his driver for getting through the problems with his car to race to victory.

“I’m pretty sure it was frustrating for him because he had an unbelievable car,” Reddick told FOX Sports’ Jamie Little. “You never know what’s going to happen, especially in Darlington. The key to him winning was keeping his head. I think Billy did a good job of trying to keep him calm. We knew we had a fast car. We knew we had a 30-lap run [and] we’d be real good. We knew on a short lap run, we’d be real good. 

“So, we just had to get the car right, and he kept his composure and I think he did an unbelievable job.”

Reddick said that he was “sweating his tail off” inside his car during Sunday’s race as he dealt with several issues with his car. 

“I knew never to give up,” Reddick told FOX Sports’ Regan Smith. “I think it’s very fitting that when we finally get our first win at Darlington, that the lady in black would test like that. We’ve been so close so many times.”

Jordan didn’t seem too surprised that Reddick had that mentality to get through Sunday’s race.

“I just wanted everything to be good. Once he gets back out there, I think his competitive juices are going to carry him all the way to the end,” Jordan said. “Those are the longest 18 to 20 laps that I could even imagine. I just didn’t want to see a caution. A caution would’ve changed everything. But he did the job. He earned it all week. 

“I’m real proud of the team.”