Jacob Camenker

The Celtics shed some long-term salary for Simons, who is on an expiring deal. If he does well in his one-year trial, the C’s can try to extend him.

I like the potential long-term fit of Simons in Boston, so not a bad return for Holiday.

How Jordan Ta'amu's UFL MVP snub motivated Defenders in 2025 championship game Jordan Ta'amu did not win the UFL's MVP award for 2025. The Defenders were happy the QB took home the league's championship game MVP award.

Jordan Ta’amu had a record-breaking performance in the UFL championship game.

His teammates, particularly tight end Briley Moore, were thrilled he won the game’s MVP after missing out on the league’s regular season award.

www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

The game, the guys, the dream: Why UFL players are playing spring football UFL players are grateful for the spring football league, which is allowing them to chase their dream of playing in the NFL.

I am at the UFL championship game this weekend! I’ve been speaking to many of the players about why they are playing in and what they enjoy about the spring league.

Here’s a look at what drives some of the UFL’s top players. www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

2025 US Open best bets: Expert picks for Oakmont With the 2025 U.S. Open beginning on Thursday, here are our best bets and value to win the tournament.

The U.S. Open begins tomorrow. Who should you back to win it? Here are my top golfers, value picks and a longshot sleeper to consider!

@usatodaysports.usatoday.com www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

I REALLY like Kyle Williams’ fit with the Patriots. He adds some speed and deep separation skills to an offense that desperately needs it.

Proud of how the final mock did this year. In total:

- 10 correct player/team matches
- 8 correct draft slots
- 28 of 32 players mocked selected in Round 1

Always room for improvement, but in an unpredictable year, I am happy with these results!

2025 NFL live mock draft: Latest rumors, updates impacting first-round picks The 2025 NFL Draft begins on Thursday. Here is USA TODAY Sports' latest mock draft, updated with the latest rumors throughout draft day.

A tradition like no other: My final mock draft of the 2025 is here.

As always, I will update this with the latest news, rumors and notes ahead of the draft, and some picks will be subject to change. Keep checking back until it reaches its final form!

www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

UFL expansion timeline: Why spring league is exploring new cities, teams The UFL will once again operate with eight teams in 2025, but expansion could soon be on the horizon.

Could the UFL add more teams?

@jacobcamenker.bsky.social wrote about that possibility …

www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

Not voting for Ichiro as a first-ballot Hall of Famer is indefensible. Simple as that.

Josh McDaniels hasn’t been a good head coach, but he has always gotten the most out of quarterbacks as an offensive coordinator.

Good move for Mike Vrabel and the Patriots!

The Vikings scored just 9 points in back-to-back games to close the NFL season. Both were marquee contests, one with playoff implications and the other an actual playoff game.

A disappointing finish, to say the least, but O’Connell’s squad will learn from this.

The Ravens have now beaten the Steelers in back-to-back games by margins of 17 and 14 points.

The last time a team in the Pittsburgh-Baltimore rivalry won consecutive games by double digits was when the Ravens did so in 2006.

A rare achievement for Lamar Jackson’s squad!

The Ravens have now beaten the Steelers in back-to-back games by margins of 17 and 14 points.

The last time a team in the Pittsburgh-Baltimore rivalry won consecutive games by double digits was when the Ravens did so in 2006.

A rare achievement for Lamar Jackson’s squad!

I also like the following plays:

- Bills (-3)
- Commanders (-7)
- 49ers (+4.5)

Just decent numbers in games that I think each team should win, especially the Commanders, who are playing for the No. 6 seed in this one.

Good luck, everyone!

Jets (pick 'em) vs. Dolphins. I know Miami has to win this game to make the playoffs, but the Dolphins don't have Tua Tagovailoa. Also, Aaron Rodgers may be playing his final NFL game, so expect the Jets to put forth a better effort in this one than they have in recent weeks.

Chargers (-6.5) at Raiders. The Chargers can get the No. 5 seed in the AFC with a win. They should put forth a strong effort that will make it hard for the Raiders to keep pace with them.

Today's picks:

Seahawks (-6.5) at Rams. Los Angeles has decided to rest its starters in this one while Geno Smith has a $2 million incentive on the line related to Seattle winning this game. Expect the Seahawks to be motivated and earn a comfortable victory here.

Steelers vs. Bengals best bets: Top player props, anytime TD scorer picks for Saturday The Bengals are fighting for their playoff lives on Saturday night in what should be a battle with the Steelers. Here are the best bets for that game.

I also have some prop bets I like for each game.

Ravens-Browns: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

Steelers-Bengals: www.usatoday.com/story/sports...

Good luck, everyone!

Bengals (-2.5) at Steelers. Cincinnati will be playing desperate with its playoff life on the line in this one. I expect a hard-fought, higher-scoring game, but the Bengals should pull this one out in the end.

Today’s picks:

Ravens (-20.5) vs. Browns. This line is absurd, but Cleveland is missing a lot of its top talent and I don’t expect the Bailey Zappe/DTR rotation at QB to be fruitful. They won’t score much, so the Ravens should have a chance to blow them out.

Two kickers named Jake are playing tonight.

Jake Moody was a third-round pick after a good career at Michigan.

Jake Bates played one season of college football and never attempted a field goal. Signed after a successful stint in the UFL.

Kickers are wild, man.

Tonight’s pick:

I’m on the Lions (-3.5). Detroit’s priority remains beating the Vikings next week, but the Lions wouldn’t win the NFC North with a tie next week if they lose. Plus, Dan Campbell wants revenge on for the NFC championship game and the 49ers aren’t playing for much.

The Falcons’ coaching staff is going to have some soul-searching to do after that loss. Squandered a potential chance for a closer field goal by mismanaging the clock.

The result? They are likely going to miss the playoffs.

I also like the Eagles (-7) and Buccaneers (-9.5) in favorable matchups. I know Kenny Pickett is starting for Jalen Hurts, but the Cowboys may not score much with CeeDee Lamb out of action.

Good luck, everyone!

Titans (+1) at Jaguars. I can't find a compelling reason to back the Jaguars in this one. I know the Titans are banged up, but I think that Mason Rudolph should be able to move the ball on the Jaguars and potentially get a win.

Raiders (-2) at Saints. I know that the Raiders had some travel troubles getting to New Orleans, but the Saints are so banged-up. They are missing most of their top offensive talent, so I think the Raiders will be motivated to win this one.

Packers (+1) at Vikings. Green Bay is missing some players in the secondary, but they match up relatively well with Minnesota. Jordan Love is healthy for this matchup, so I like the Packers' chances of winning after an early-season loss.

Rams (-6.5) vs. Cardinals. The Rams lost 41-10 to the Cardinals back in Week 2. They’ll be out for revenge for against an Arizona squad that was eliminated from the playoffs last week. James Conner’s injury will make life tough on Arizona’s offense.

Good luck, everyone!

Broncos (+3.5) at Bengals. Cincinnati hasn’t been easy to back as a favorite against quality opponents this season. Denver’s defense has the personnel needed to slow down the Bengals’ high-flying passing game, so I think Bo Nix and Co. will keep it close.

Today’s picks:

Chargers (-6) at Patriots. Los Angeles’ pass rush should have an advantage against New England’s offensive line, so that could make Drake Maye’s life difficult against a good defense.