Home runs have made a comeback. 

Consider this: After a 20-year stretch from 2002 to 2021 without a single 60-home-run season, we’ve now seen two in just the past four years.

The Yankees’ Aaron Judge opened the year as the favorite once again, but injuries sidetracked his AL MVP campaign, as well as his chances to have the most home runs in baseball this season.

Let’s check out the odds for who will lead MLB in that category at Fanduel Sportsbook as of Sept. 3.

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Most Regular-Season Home Runs

Kyle Schwarber: -190 (bet $10 to win $15.26 total)
Pete Crow-Armstrong: +400 (bet $10 to win $50 total)
Yordan Alvarez: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)
Matt Olson: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
Junior Caminero: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)
Hunter Goodman: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
Ben Rice: +4500 (bet $10 to win $460 total)

Here’s what to know about this oddsboard:

The Favorite: Philadelphia’s masher, Kyle Schwarber, is leading baseball in home runs (40), a few ahead of some worthy competitors, including Pete Crow-Armstrong (38) and Yordan Alvarez (37). Schwarber isn’t new to this. He led the NL in home runs in 2022 (46), hit 47 in 2023, and then led the NL again in 2025 (56). He’s now on pace to hit 46 this season.

Hunting The Crown: PCA is second in total home runs, and Alvarez, Junior Caminero and Matt Olson are all tied with 37, meaning Schwarber is well within striking distance for each of them. However, this year’s home run race hasn’t been quite as prolific as a last year’s. Last season, four players hit 50 and seven players crossed the 40 mark.

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The NCAA has cleared the University of Cincinnati of any wrongdoing in its investigation of former quarterback Brendan Sorsby.

Sorsby played the 2024 and ’25 seasons for the Bearcats before transferring to Texas Tech. He was ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA in April after he placed thousands of impermissible sports bets over the past four years at Indiana and Cincinnati.

“Earlier this summer, NCAA enforcement staff completed an inquiry into a former Cincinnati student-athlete’s prohibited betting activity during his time at the university. The inquiry is now closed and the student-athlete was found to have committed a Level III violation,” Cincinnati senior associate athletic director for communications Zach Stipe said in a statement. “Cincinnati worked closely with the NCAA throughout the process, which began when the initial reports of impermissible sports wagering began.”

The Cincinnati Enquirer was the first to report on the university being cleared.

The NCAA sent an official letter of inquiry to the school regarding Sorsby in early July. That came after Sorsby’s agent, Ron Slavin, said during a radio interview in Dallas that Cincinnati was aware of Sorsby’s gambling.

NCAA Level III violations are attributed to Sorsby and not Cincinnati or its coaching staff. The violation was when the ProhiBet app on Sorsby’s phone flagged him trying to make a bet, but he was denied access to the betting site.

UC’s compliance department told Sorsby of gambling restrictions by student-athletes.

The NCAA declared Sorsby ineligible for making bets worth at least $90,000 during his college career.

Sorsby made at least 40 bets on Indiana while he was a freshman there in 2022, but none of those bets came on games in which he played. He acknowledged placing at least 165 impermissible bets on college and professional sports totaling at least $38,000 in 2024, including three wagers on Cincinnati men’s basketball made on a FanDuel account he shared with a friend. He provided more than $60,000 to the friend to deposit in the shared account between December 2023 and June 2025.

Sorsby passed for 2,800 yards with 27 touchdowns and five interceptions last season. He also ran for 580 yards and nine TDs. The Bearcats started 7-1 before losing their final five games.

Cincinnati still has a pending federal lawsuit against Sorsby, accusing him of breaching his name, image and likeness contract following his transfer to Texas Tech.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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Headlined by a Sept. 9 Super Bowl rematch between the Seahawks and Patriots, as well as the NFL’s first-ever game in Australia between the Rams and 49ers, Week 1 is absolutely loaded.

Here are the lines for every Week 1 matchup at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Sept. 3. 

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.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9

Patriots @ Seahawks

Spread: Seahawks -3.5
Moneyline: Seahawks -175, Patriots +145
O/U: 44.5

THURSDAY, SEPT. 10

49ers @ Rams (Australia) 

Spread: Rams -3.5
Moneyline: Rams -198, 49ers +164
O/U: 48.5

SUNDAY, SEPT. 13 

Saints @ Lions

Spread: Lions -7
Moneyline: Lions -298, Saints +240
O/U: 49.5

Bears @ Panthers

Spread: Bears -2.5
Moneyline: Bears -155, Panthers +130
O/U: 47.5

Ravens @ Colts

Spread: Ravens -3.5
Moneyline: Ravens -175, Colts +145
O/U: 48.5

Falcons @ Steelers

Spread: Steelers -3.5
Moneyline: Steelers -185, Falcons +154
O/U: 42.5

Browns @ Jaguars 

Spread: Jaguars -7.5
Moneyline: Jaguars -395, Browns +310
O/U: 40.5

Buccaneers @ Bengals 

Spread: Bengals -3.5
Moneyline: Bengals -198, Buccaneers +164
O/U: 50.5

Bills @ Texans

Spread: Bills -1.5
Moneyline: Bills -118, Texans -102
O/U: 44.5

Jets @ Titans 

Spread: Titans -1.5
Moneyline: Titans -130, Jets +110
O/U: 38.5

Commanders @ Eagles 

Spread: Eagles -5.5
Moneyline: Eagles -218, Commanders +180
O/U: 45.5

Cardinals @ Chargers

Spread: Chargers -10.5
Moneyline: Chargers -550, Cardinals +410
O/U: 46.5

Dolphins @ Raiders 

Spread: Raiders -3.5
Moneyline: Raiders -198, Dolphins +164
O/U: 40.5

Packers @ Vikings

Spread: Vikings -1.5
Moneyline: Vikings -118, Packers -102
O/U: 45.5

Cowboys @ Giants

Spread: Cowboys -2.5
Moneyline: Cowboys -148, Giants +124
O/U: 48.5

MONDAY, SEPT. 14

Broncos @ Chiefs

Spread: Chiefs -3
Moneyline: Chiefs -148, Broncos +124
O/U: 42.5

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Will LSU and Lane Kiffin shut out the noise and defeat Clemson? Will we see a Week 1 upset or a jaw-dropping performance that changes early perceptions of conference and national title projections? 

Boise State is one of the top Group of Six schools, but can it take down Oregon? Will UCLA or Cal prevail in an old-school “Pac-12 After Dark” rivalry?

College football is officially back in full swing, and we’ve got some picks of the week, along with answers to those questions and more. We’re breaking down our straight-up picks for Week 1, from LSU-Clemson to Notre Dame-Wisconsin.

Let’s get into it.

  No. 7 Miami vs. Stanford

Wide receiver Malachi Toney breaks away in Miami’s 42-7 defeat of Stanford last season. (Photo by Eston Parker/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

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When: Friday, 9 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Where: Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California
Line: Miami -24.5

RJ Young: Miami 
Darian Mensah doesn’t just have Cooper Barkate to throw to any longer, but sophomore wide receiver Malachi Toney should have an even bigger role for the Hurricanes this season.

Michael Cohen: Miami 
There’s plenty of buzz around Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, but how about Hurricanes’ dynamo Malachi Toney? He should come out flying against Stanford after catching more than 100 passes as a true freshman last season.

Laken Litman: Miami 
Darian Mensah starts his Heisman Trophy campaign off with a rout of Stanford. 

Ben Portnoy: Miami 
Not overthinking this one. The ‘Canes start off their campaign with a West Coast rout and Darian Mensah becomes an early Heisman darling.

  Auburn vs. Baylor

Coach Dave Aranda enters his eighth season at Baylor. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

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When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Line: Auburn -7.5

Young: Auburn 
Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown threw for 3,000 yards and rushed for 1,000 yards as the starter at South Florida last season. I expect his game to translate to SEC football.

Cohen: Auburn 
Not enough credit is given to Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown, a USF transfer who followed head coach Alex Golesh, one of the most productive signal-callers in the country. In addition to his considerable arm talent, Brown could be a 1,000-yard rusher for the second straight year. 

Litman: Baylor 
Coach Dave Aranda enters his seventh season at Baylor with a strong non-conference win behind Florida transfer quarterback DJ Lagway looking sharp. 

Portnoy: Baylor
Give me Baylor and the beginning of the DJ Lagway reclamation project. I like Dave Aranda to cool his seat a touch with a big non-conference victory.

  No. 2 Oregon vs. Boise State

Oregon escaped Boise State 37-34 when they last faced off in 2024. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)

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When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
Line: Oregon -24.5

Young: Oregon
A statement needs to be made. The Ducks are a top-5 team in my top 25 as well as the AP Top 25. This is their first chance to act like it.

Cohen: Oregon
The Ducks’ offense will always be a high-flying attraction, but that defensive line might be the best in college football. It could be a long day for Broncos’ quarterback Maddux Madsen. 

Litman: Oregon
While Boise State looks like a College Football Playoff contender, Dante Moore and the Ducks have more talent. 

Portnoy: Oregon 
Oregon is going to win this game, but I like Boise to stay competitive. It’s only two years ago that the Broncos took the Ducks down to the wire. It might not be that close, but it’ll be competitive.

  No. 11 LSU vs. Clemson

Lane Kiffin will make his debut as LSU’s head coach on Saturday. (Photo by Gus Stark/LSU/University Images via Getty Images)

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When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Line: LSU -10.5

Young: LSU
The Bayou Bengals have the better roster — possibly with former NFL players! — and Tiger Stadium at night is one of the most intimidating atmospheres in the sport.

Cohen: LSU 
The off-field storylines surrounding Lane Kiffin will always scream louder than the action between the hashes. This weekend will be no exception given the eligibility fiasco with the Tigers. But once the ball is actually kicked, people will see just how talented LSU’s roster really is.

Litman: LSU
Lane Kiffin’s tenure at LSU begins with a bang by taking down the other Tigers at home.

Portnoy: LSU 
LSU gets the win in the fight over who plays at the real “Death Valley,” and Clemson’s consternation over the Dabo Swinney era only grows.

  No. 16 Michigan vs. Western Michigan

Kyle Whittingham will make his debut as Michigan’s head coach on Saturday. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Line: Michigan -27.5

Young: Michigan 
Bryce Underwood is the starting quarterback at Michigan, he is the most talented player on the field and he is why the Wolverines win this one.

Cohen: Michigan 
All eyes will be on quarterback Bryce Underwood, but expect the Michigan rushing attack to carry the Wolverines. By season’s end, there might not be a better one-two running back punch than Jordan Marshall and five-star freshman Savion Hiter. 

Litman: Michigan 
Kyle Whittingham gets his first win on the Michigan sideline, and quarterback Bryce Underwood looks more like we thought he would when he came out of high school. 

Portnoy: Michigan 
Kyle Wittingham gets his first victory in Ann Arbor, but don’t be surprised if returning MAC Offensive Player of the Year Broc Lowry makes a few plays for the Broncos.

  Cal vs. UCLA

Bob Chesney will try to lead UCLA to its first winning season since 2023. (Photo by Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

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When: Saturday, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Where: California Memorial Stadium, Berkeley, California
Line: UCLA -1.5 

Young: UCLA 
Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is my sleeper pick for ACC Offensive Player of the Year. But UCLA is a more complete football roster, and new head coach Bob Chesney has shown he can do more with less.

Cohen: Cal 
A sneaky contender for best game of Week 1 between two programs on the upswing. The Bears have won the offseason, hiring new head coach Tosh Lupoi, and will ride that momentum to a win. 

Litman: UCLA 
New coach Bob Chesney starts off with a win as quarterback Nico Iamaleava seems to finally be hitting his stride this season. 

Portnoy: Cal
I’m incredibly high on what’s happening in Berkeley, and I like the Golden Bears to be a dark-horse ACC contender. Tosh Lupoi gets braggin’ rights in Year 1 over Bob Chesney.

  No. 17 Washington vs. Washington State

Demond Williams Jr. led Washington to a 59-24 win over Washington State in 2025. (Photo by Oliver McKenna/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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When: Sunday, 4 p.m. ET (NBC)
Where: Husky Stadium, Seattle, Washington
Line: Washington -23.5

Young: Washington 
Demond Williams Jr. is the closest quarterback to Kyler Murray the sport has seen since the 2018 Heisman winner’s exit.

Cohen: Washington 
Head coach Jedd Fisch continues to build one of the more impressive programs in the country. The Huskies are recruiting at an exceptional level from the high school ranks and have an excellent coaching staff with a proven track record of developing players into pros. 

Litman: Washington 
Despite a tumultuous offseason when Demond Williams Jr. entered the transfer portal, the quarterback returns to lead the Huskies to a season-opening win over their in-state rival. 

Portnoy: Washington  
I’m bullish on Jedd Fisch and the Huskies. They get a nice Apple Cup victory to open the campaign and put a stormy offseason behind them.

  No. 4 Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin

CJ Carr starts his quest for Heisman on Sunday. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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When: Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
Where: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Line: Notre Dame: -20.5

Young: Notre Dame
The talent deficit looks too large for Wisconsin to overcome.

Cohen: Notre Dame 
This one could get ugly in a hurry. The Fighting Irish have one of the most talented rosters in college football and are still fueled by last year’s perceived CFP snub. 

Litman: Notre Dame 
We know coach Marcus Freeman hates to lose, and this will begin the Fighting Irish revenge tour after missing the CFP last season.

Portnoy: Notre Dame 
Marcus Freeman’s season starts off with a bang as the Fighting Irish march toward a CFP-or-bust season. I also like quarterback CJ Carr to get his Heisman campaign started early. 

  No. 9 Ole Miss vs. No. 24 Louisville

Trinidad Chambliss will try to lead Ole Miss back to the CFP in 2026. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images for ONIT)

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When: Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
Line: Ole Miss -6.5

Young: Ole Miss 
Trinidad Chambliss’ Heisman campaign began on Sunday with his helmet featured on the Vegas sphere. This season, 4,000/1,000/40/10 is within his reach. He should lead the Rebels past Louisville.

Cohen: Ole Miss 
Even if the Rebels struggle to regain last season’s form, quarterback Trinidad Chambliss’ veteran presence should be enough to push Ole Miss to an opening win. He’s a Heisman Trophy candidate for a reason.

Litman: Louisville 
The Cardinals pull out an upset with new Ohio State transfer quarterback Lincoln Kienholz, giving Ole Miss and Pete Golding an early loss with Lane Kiffin and LSU looming in Week 3.

Portnoy: Louisville 
I’m incredibly skeptical of Ole Miss returning to the form it showed under Lane Kiffin, while Jeff Brohm has been a model of consistency at his alma mater. I’m picking a big win for the ACC.

  No. 19 SMU vs. Florida State

Kevin Jennings led SMU to a 42-16 win over Florida State in 2024. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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When: Monday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida
Line: SMU -3.5

Young: SMU 
The Mustangs are who Florida State used to be in the ACC.

Cohen: SMU
This could be the beginning of the end for Florida State head coach Mike Norvell. Shocking to think that SMU has surpassed Florida State in the college football hierarchy, but here we are.

Litman: SMU
The Mustangs begin their journey to the CFP by toppling Florida State as Mike Norvell’s tenure continues to go sideways. 

Portnoy: SMU 
Kevin Jennings eases into his third year as starting quarterback in Dallas, and the red flags we saw in Week 0 prove too much for Mike Norvell’s squad.

‘Fear Arch Manning’ USC a CFP sleeper, can Indiana repeat as National Champions, Notre Dame | FTF

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A Louisiana court ruling permitting NFL players to return to campus has ignited immediate pushback from college football’s top powerhouses. Despite heavy penalties from the SEC, Big Ten and Big 12, head coaches remain sharply divided over how to handle the roster chaos.

To no one’s surprise, LSU head coach Lane Kiffin is leaning right into the storm. Rather than diffusing the backlash over his latest roster additions, Kiffin doubled down during his Monday press conference, seemingly embracing the heat.

“I feel like my decision should always be made in the best interest of the players that sit in this team room and not for my reputation and how the decisions play in the national media or other fanbases,” Kiffin said. “I’ve never been that way and that could be wrong.”

Rather than backing down, Kiffin leaned directly into the chaos as he normally does. Kiffin framed college football and the NFL as two sides of the same coin, positioning the shift not as a temporary phase, but as the sport’s inevitable future.

“Those players and the people that hire me always know he’s constantly trying to do the best thing for them,” Kiffin said. “So I struggle too. Even though that’s what you do in the NFL and there’s an argument that these players are paid like that and it’s what happened yesterday.”

Kiffin might back it, but Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian isn’t buying in. In fact, he’s questioning the very ethics of bringing former NFL players into the college game.

“The fact that somebody out there is going to take a player off of an NFL roster and tell somebody who’s been doing it for nine months to go kick rocks, that doesn’t sit well with me” Sarkisian said. “I think that’s wrong. That morally is wrong.”

Even with the brutally honest response from Sarkisian, Kiffin took the matter to LSU’s player leadership committee before making any moves. Even if Kiffin isn’t solely to blame, he’s clearly shielding his decision behind the green light from his team.

“I met with our leadership committee and every one of them was emphatic about, ‘If they can help us win, bring them,'” Kiffin said. “We understand that we have a team that’s practiced together all offseason, but this is how it works at the next level and this is how the real world works.”

Whether you side with Kiffin’s cold pragmatism or Sarkisian’s ethical stand, this debate is just getting started. Expect every late-season roster addition to be judged under this exact spotlight.

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The Chicago Cubs are making history once again, but this time it comes at the expense of their division rival, the first-place Milwaukee Brewers. Following a convincing 17-3 victory, the Cubs found themselves back in the record books.

The Cubs’ offense was unstoppable on Monday night at Wrigley Field. Chicago set a franchise single-game record by launching nine home runs, capping off a historic month in which they hit over 60 home runs in August.

Brewers starting pitcher Kyle Harrison had a start he will certainly want to forget, allowing nine earned runs in just 3.2 innings of work. Cubs third baseman Alex Bregman led the charge with three home runs, channeling his inner Pete Crow-Armstrong, who did the same earlier this week.

Crow-Armstrong has been on an offensive tear this season, firmly placing himself alongside Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani in the National League MVP race. His spark has energized the rest of the lineup, as seven of nine Cubs starters hit home runs against the Brewers.

With Monday night’s win, the Cubs still remain seven games behind the Brewers in the NL Central. However, they hold a comfortable five-game cushion over the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres for the top Wild Card spot.

With Chicago’s offense firing on all cylinders, the Cubs are building the kind of momentum that wins in October. If Crow-Armstrong and company can sustain this production, nobody will want to face them come playoff time and that includes the World Series-favorite Dodgers.

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Following initial 53-man roster cutdowns, NFL teams continued adjusting their active rosters through waiver claims, injury designations and more Monday. 

The Dallas Cowboys made a surprise roster move in their quarterback room by waiving Joe Milton, leaving Sam Howell as the backup to Dak Prescott despite Milton’s preseason performances. Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders placed left tackle Laremy Tunsil on injured reserve Monday. 

More NFC East news dropped as New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers stayed noncommittal about his Week 1 availability. And the Los Angeles Chargers made headlines by reuniting the Herbert brothers.

Here is the latest from around the league on Monday:

With Week 1 right around the corner, the Dallas Cowboys made a surprising roster move on Monday morning.

The Cowboys are waiving quarterback Joe Milton to make room for running back Emari Demercado, according to ESPN. The decision clears the path for Sam Howell to serve as Dak Prescott’s backup quarterback to start the season.

Milton was drafted in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots out of Tennessee. 

Milton spent six years in college playing for both Michigan and Tennessee, but only started one full season during his redshirt senior year. With the Volunteers, Milton completed 64.5% of his passes for 2,813 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. 

Now with Milton’s NFL future up in the air, it will be worth keeping an eye on whether another team claims him off waivers. A player with his physical tools might not stay a free agent long and could find his way into a quarterback competition sooner rather than later.

The Washington Commanders took a major roster hit on Monday afternoon. They’re placing five-time Pro Bowl offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton on injured reserve, according to ESPN.

Both players could return later this season, but Tunsil faces a long recovery after tearing his triceps early in training camp. Newton faces a similar uphill battle after suffering a torn pectoral muscle during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins.

Tunsil played in 14 games last season for the Commanders after an offseason trade with the Houston Texans that brought in a true pass protector for quarterback Jayden Daniels. For a team repeatedly plagued by injuries, this season doesn’t appear to be any different.

Missing Tunsil and Newton for most or even all of the 2026 season puts head coach Dan Quinn in a tough spot in a crowded and competitive NFC East. The Commanders are set to kick off their season on the road in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers progressed from individual drills to full-contact team sessions at practice on Monday, shedding his no-contact jersey. 

However, with New York set to open its regular season against the Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 13, the wideout remains uncertain if he will be cleared in time as he recovers from a torn ACL in his right knee.

“My mind is focused on playing the regular season: playing whenever that is,” Nabers said after practice Monday. “There’s still some things that you still have to check off the box for you to participate. I’m still going through that, still listening to the trainers, still listening to doctors and sharing everything with them.”

Nabers added that he feels “real good” physically, but emphasized that final clearance remains a process between himself, doctors, and the coaching staff.

“That’ll be a decision that will be made when that time comes,” Nabers said regarding Week 1. “There’s certain things that, as a football player, you’ve got to mentally prepare (for) before you go into a game… I want to be able to come out there and make no mistakes and just be able to fly around and do what I do. I’m getting there, for sure.”

The Los Angeles Chargers signed tight end Patrick Herbert to their practice squad Monday, joining his brother, starting quarterback Justin Herbert, according to NFL Network. 

Patrick Herbert was waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of Sunday’s 53-man roster deadline and chose Los Angeles after receiving interest from multiple teams.

The Herbert brothers previously played together at Oregon during the 2019 season, helping lead the Ducks to a Rose Bowl victory. 

Patrick, who recorded two catches for 12 yards during Jacksonville’s 2026 preseason action, joins a Chargers tight end group featuring Charlie Kolar, Oronde Gadsden, and David Njoku. 

The Chargers open the regular season on Sept. 13 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Injury News & Notes

• The Minnesota Vikings release quarterback Max Brosmer, first reported by NFL Network.
• Odell Beckham Jr. told reporters that he was in tears when he found out he made the New York Giants 53-man roster.
• New York Jets head coach announced that Cade Klubnik will be the backup quarterback behind Geno Smith. Klubnik was selected in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Clemson.
• ESPN reported that Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell is expected to start the season on injured reserve as he continues working his way back from his knee injury.

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No one knows for sure how things might change during the upcoming college football season, but early indications are that the 2027 NFL Draft will be the strongest in years. 

Quarterbacks — such as Texas’ Arch Manning, Oregon’s Dante Moore and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin — have dominated the early buzz because, well, they’re quarterbacks brimming with talent and potential. But the beauty of next year’s draft class is that it could offer several franchise-altering prospects at other positions, as well. 

I’ve ranked the top 10 non-QBs heading into the season and, as you’d expect, all of them have a realistic chance at being a first-round pick next spring. Frankly, the top seven players would have been selected on Day 1 this year. As a bonus, I’ve included a pro comparison for each prospect.

10. Cayden Green, OT, Missouri

Grading offensive linemen is more about fit and grit than analytics, but Green checks in with the numbers that even a stat geek can appreciate. The 6-foot-5, 324-pounder is a three-year starter dating back to his true freshman season at Oklahoma. He allowed just two sacks in 751 pass drops last year, his first at the premium left tackle position after spending his first two seasons inside at left guard, where he routinely delivered pancake blocks. 

Green is a talented pass blocker, as well as a spark plug in the running game. He gains impressive depth in his kick-slide and has the lateral agility and core strength to handle counters. I’m eager to see if he is even smoother in Year 2 at tackle. Between his girth, grip-strength, competitiveness and previous experience at guard, Green should offer his future NFL team plenty of roster flexibility. 

Pro comp: Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills

9. Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole Miss

Lacy went from a backup at Missouri to leading the entire country with 24 rushing touchdowns at Ole Miss last year. He is sudden and slippery, consistently zipping around and past would-be tacklers. His elusiveness generates plenty of highlight-reel worthy plays, but Lacy is also quite effective in short yardage, showing impressive leg drive, balance through contact and sheer determination to grind out the tough yards, too. 

Kewan Lacy could be the first running back drafted in 2027. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

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Along with his frequent trips to the end zone, the 5-foot-11, 205-pounder led the nation with 335 touches in 2025. There is no denying that Lacy was aided by the creative playcalling of former Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. With Kiffin now in Baton Rouge, scouts are curious to see if Lacy can duplicate his remarkable sophomore campaign. 

Pro comp: TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots 

8. Ellis Robinson IV, CB, Georgia

Robinson wasn’t quite as flashy as the aforementioned Lacy last year, but he was close, earning FWAA Freshman Defensive Player of the Year honors with four interceptions, tying for tops in the talent-rich SEC. Robinson is every bit the athletic phenom you’d expect as a former five-star recruit out of IMG Academy. He has a tight, low backpedal and easy hip turn to track receivers downfield, showing impressive balance and burst out of his breaks and legitimate recovery speed when necessary. He’s also a surprisingly scrappy tackler. 

A rarity for a young cornerback, Robinson’s hands might be even better than his feet. Robinson can get a bit grabby downfield, but refs often let him compete because he locates the ball well, showing impressive hand-eye coordination to either catch it himself or rake it out of the hands of the intended receiver at the final moment. Interceptions against state rival Georgia Tech and this one versus Charlotte show Robinson’s rare body control and extension to make tough grabs look easy. 

Pro comp: Trent McDuffie, Los Angeles Rams

7. A’Mauri Washington, DT, Oregon

With all due respect to star quarterback Dante Moore, Washington is both literally and figuratively the biggest reason why Oregon has a chance to match Indiana from a year ago and win its first national championship in program history. He is the centerpiece of arguably the best defensive line in college football. 

A’Mauri Washington was good enough to be a Day 1 pick in the 2026 draft. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

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Washington would have been a first-round pick last year but was one of several Ducks who chose to stay north for one more winter rather than migrate to the NFL. He is surprisingly quick and agile for someone listed at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds, and he already possesses NFL power, stacking and discarding would-be blockers like paper plates at a summer barbeque. And just ask No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza about Washington’s bull rush. 

Pro comp: Kenny Clark, Dallas Cowboys

6. Cam Coleman, WR, Texas

If you thought the hype built up around Arch Manning last year was intense, just wait until this season, with the Longhorns set to stampede for a national title and dominate the first round of the 2027 draft. 

Coleman — the first of three Longhorns in this article — was lured to Austin from Auburn, where he caught a combined 93 receptions for 1,306 yards and 13 touchdowns over his first two seasons, despite a limited supporting cast. The stats on Coleman are good, but the tape is even better. He is already an established playmaker whose film screams first-round pick. His star could shine from another galaxy, however, now that he’s working with Manning and Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, one of the best offensive minds in the sport at any level. 

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Coleman has the size and athleticism of a future No. 1 NFL receiver. He is an effortless mover who accelerates in a flash and changes directions fluidly. Better yet, he offers exceptional body control and sticky hands to make acrobatic catches even with defenders draped over him. 

Pro comp: George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys

5. Leonard Moore, CB, Notre Dame

Cornerback is not universally regarded as one of the premium positions by NFL teams. Otherwise, Moore might rank even higher on this list, as his profile is spectacular. He is coming off of a unanimous All-American campaign as a true sophomore in which he recorded five interceptions and was a finalist for not only the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back, but the Bronko Nagurski Award as the best overall defender in college football. 

Leonard Moore was one of the best players at any position in college football last year. (Photo by Michael Miller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

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Listed at 6-foot-2, 197 pounds, Moore has intimidating size for a cornerback. He has a smooth turning motion, seamlessly transitioning out of his backpedal into full gallop. He locates the ball well for a young player, instantly reading underneath routes and showing impressive downhill quickness to trigger back toward the quarterback. Moore has broken up and/or intercepted more passes (25) than he has allowed first downs (23) over his first two seasons of college football, and he’s also a physical hitter, having forced three fumbles. These numbers are all the more impressive when considering Notre Dame often asked him to travel with the opponents’ top receiver, including playing out of the nickel. 

Pro comp: Christian Gonzalez, New England Patriots

4. Trevor Goosby, OT, Texas

No disrespect to former Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr. — the No. 9 overall pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2025 — but the Longhorns might have upgraded with the 6-foot-7, 325-pound Goosby succeeding Banks at left tackle. 

Pro Football Focus pinned three sacks (out of 492 reps in pass protection) on Goosby last year, but I don’t know that he was truly at fault for any of them. His tape was as clean as any blocker in the 2026 draft, and remember, there were nine blockers drafted in the first round this past spring. 

Goosby is still just growing into his body, but he already moves with such an exciting combination of grace and force that it is easy to project him as a future Pro Bowler, if not All-Pro. He eases off the snap in pass protection, sliding laterally and keeping himself square to the rusher. Goosby surges low and hard as a run blocker, as well, showing impressive bend, balance and power to move defenders in the running game. 

Pro comp: Laremy Tunsil, Washington Commanders

3. Dylan Stewart, Edge, South Carolina

Stewart promises to be one of the most scrutinized non-quarterbacks of this draft class because he is remarkably gifted yet has not generated the eye-popping production his talent portends. He checks in at a prototypical 6-foot-5, 250 pounds, with long arms, which he already effectively uses to lock out and shed would-be blockers, as well as lasso ballcarriers from behind. As a pass-rusher, Stewart is sudden off the snap and has excellent core flexibility to dip under the reach of offensive tackles, greasing the edge and closing in a flash. He’s recorded 11.5 sacks over his first two seasons of SEC football, but his frequent pressures suggest his production could be twice that. 

Dylan Stewart’s stats don’t tell the true story of how good he is. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Stewart’s blend of size and athleticism are exciting build blocks. He’s already quite strong and is technically sound with some refined pass rush techniques. He’s just growing into his frame and game, projecting as a future All-Pro caliber edge. 

Pro comp: Robert Quinn (retired)

2. Collin Simmons, Edge, Texas

Similar in many ways to 2026 No. 5 overall selection Arvel Reese, Simmons is a malleable monster capable of starring off the edge or as an off-ball linebacker. He is as swift on the perimeter as any rusher in this class, accelerating off the ball like a receiver getting into his route. He isn’t just explosive, he’s flexible, slithering his way through waves of blockers. Watch his anticipation on this snap. The quarterback (and left tackle) had no chance. 

Moreover, Simmons is shockingly strong at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds. Like all great speed rushers, Simmons generates impressive power with the momentum he gains off his rush, often bulldozing through blockers nearly 100 pounds larger. He has recorded 21 sacks over his first two seasons — despite starting just 13 games. 

Simmons’ physical gifts are undeniable and will almost certainly earn him a top-five selection whenever he chooses to enter the draft. He isn’t a prospect without flaws, however. He’s been penalized a dozen times in just two collegiate seasons, with most of his penalties coming from mental errors, such as lining up in the neutral zone or unnecessary late hits on the quarterback. Even with the occasional hiccup, Simmons has the look of a future franchise cornerstone. 

Pro comp: Von Miller, Dallas Cowboys

1. Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

It is difficult to discuss Smith and not venture into hyperbole. Ohio State’s track record for producing superstar NFL wide receivers has been well documented and Smith’s production over his first two years in Columbus is unprecedented even among them. His 2,558 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns during his first two seasons on campus aren’t just records for an Ohio State receiver; they top all pass-catchers in Big Ten history. Along with current and future Hall of Famers Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones, Derrick Henry, Myles Garrett and Penei Sewell, Smith is one of a handful of players I’ve evaluated over my career who I believe were capable of playing in the NFL as true freshmen. 

At a rocked up 6-foot-3, 223 pounds, Smith can simply bully most defensive backs at the college level. His size and strength make him an ideal weapon in the red zone, where he shows good timing and hand-eye coordination to play above the rim. And he’s a legitimate vertical threat who accelerates smoothly and tracks the ball well over his shoulder. Smith is also excellent on slants and crossing routes, utilizing his frame to keep himself between the defender and the ball and showing good vision to rack up yardage after the catch. It is remarkable how many times he outruns pursuit angles or slips between defenders seemingly in position to stop him. We’ve often heard the expression “runaway freight train” used to describe running backs, but the characterization also applies to Smith at receiver. 

Jeremiah Smith looks to be one of the best receiving prospects in years. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

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Comparisons to past size-speed phenoms such as the aforementioned Johnson, Jones and DK Metcalf will be common throughout the draft process. The scary part about Smith is that he’s already further along as a route-runner than any of these receivers were coming out of college. 

Pro comp: Julio Jones (retired)

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Ketel Marte returned to action for the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night. It was not well received.

Marte appeared in his first game since not reporting to the team’s Aug. 17 matchup against the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park, but the two-time Silver Slugger was met by a crowd of boos before and after his second inning at-bat at home against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Regarding the August incident, Marte didn’t show up for any of the Diamondbacks’ games in Boston from Aug. 17-19, with the franchise losing contact with him altogether. He was later seen gambling at a casino in the Phoenix area, with manager Torey Lovullo expressing that he felt “betrayed.” Arizona placed Marte on the 10-day injured list with a knee injury on Aug. 21, which came after he was previously placed on the restricted list.

“It was a moment of frustration,” Marte said via translator Alex Arpiza after Monday night’s 2-1 loss, according to MLB.com. “I’m the type of person that, when something is going on in my life, I don’t like to talk about it. That morning I woke up, my body was in pain and I couldn’t react.

“No one made the decision for me. I’m the one that made the decision not to show up.”

Marte finished Monday night’s game 1 for 3 with a walk, while serving as the team’s designated hitter.

“I get along really well with Torey [Luvollo]. In that instance, I failed him by not showing up,” Marte said. “Not going to the stadium, that’s what I regret.”

On the season, Marte, a three-time All-Star, has posted 21 home runs, 67 RBIs, a 108 OPS+ and 1.9 wins above replacement over 523 plate appearances, while owning a .250/.315/.445 slash line. He has posted zero defensive runs saved in 95 starts at second base, while being the team’s designated hitter in 22 starts.

As for Marte’s contractual future, the 32-year-old is in the first season of a six-year, $116.5 million deal with the D-backs.

Arizona (73-66) is a half-game behind the San Diego Padres for the third National League wild-card seed.

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The Phillies capped an MLB-best month. The Cubs hit nine homers to set records. A catch you have to see to believe. Monday’s MLB action provided all that and much more.

Here are all the best moments from last night in Major League Baseball:

Phillies Close Successful August With W

The Phillies took on the Diamondback on Monday, which was bad news for Arizona. The D-backs were half-a-game up on the Padres for the third NL wild-card, emphasis on the past tense there: Philadelphia would win, 2-1, and push Arizona back out of a postseason spot.

It’s the fifth win in a row for Philly, its 14th in the last 16 games, and wrapped a 21-7 August that’s the best in MLB. The Braves went a perfectly reasonable and competitive 17-11 in the same time frame, and saw the Phillies narrow the gap between the two in the NL East by four games.

This one wasn’t a matter of Philadelphia dominance, however, but a close one: Aaron Nola threw five innings with just one run allowed, and the bullpen took it from there with four scoreless. Third baseman Bryson Stott hit a solo homer in the top of the second to make it a 1-0 game…

…and then right fielder Bryce Harper made it a 2-0 game with his 28th double of the year in the next inning.

Harper extended his on-base streak to 33 games with the two-bagger, and it ended up being the game-winning hit in the end: Arizona could only manage that one run against Nola, and was shut down by a full complement of Philly relievers — Philadelphia ran five different ones out there to handle the final four innings.

The Phillies are 78-60, tied with the Cubs for the top wild-card spot in the National League. They also have a better record than all but two AL teams — the Rays have more wins, while both Philly and Chicago are tied with the Yankees. The NL certainly feels loaded this year.

Orioles Hang On, Literally

The Orioles aren’t in a position where they can’t afford to lose any games, but as one of six teams within six games of the last wild-card spot in the AL, currently held by the Guardians, Baltimore can’t exactly waste opportunities with less than a month to go. The O’s very nearly did waste an opportunity on Monday, when, in a 2-1 game in the bottom of the ninth with a runner on and two outs, reliever Andrew Kittredge threw a sinker middle-in to Rockies’ center fielder Jake McCarthy… and McCarthy hit it 425 feet to center at nearly 103 mph.

As far away as that was, McCarthy’s counterpart on the Orioles, Colton Cowser, was there. Look at this grab.

A catch worthy of every post-grab fist pump, that’s for sure: Cowser not only got up to grab it, stretching himself to the limits — look at the jump he had to do to get there! — but held onto it as he fell back to the ground. Kittredge’s face says everything that Cowser’s reaction didn’t cover.

The game ended on that play, and the O’s picked up half-a-game on idle Cleveland to move to half-a-game back of the third wild-card spot.

It Must Feed

The Cubs Hit 9 Homers. Nine!

The opening game of Cubs-Brewers didn’t disappoint. Well, if you’re a Cubs’ fan, anyway. Chicago won, 17-3, in a rout powered by nine — yes, nine — home runs.

MLB was kind enough to put all nine of them together in a single video.

Three of those were hit by third baseman Alex Bregman, who now has 23 long balls on the season after bashing a dozen of them in August alone. This was his second three-homer game of the month, even. Outfielder Tyrone Taylor had one, as did left fielder Nico Hoerner. Seiya Suzuki bashed his 24th dinger of the season, while catcher Carson Kelly logged his 10th. Second baseman Matt Shaw launched one, and finally, Michael Conforto, who entered the game in the eighth as a defensive replacement in left, went yard, too.

It was a history-making game for the Cubs, as nine homers in one is a franchise record. The 62 homers Chicago hit as a team in August is a National League record, too, and Bregman’s pair of three-homer games is the first time any Cubs player has done that in 22 years, since Aramis Ramirez in 2004.

Somehow, Milwaukee still has the best run differential in the majors after that beatdown. That’s a good team right there, even if the Cubs made it seem otherwise for a night.

Red Sox Walk Off Flagging Mariners

How the Mariners have Mariners’ fans feeling of late, in one tidy image.

Can you blame them? Seattle came into Monday’s game against the Red Sox having lost four in a row, erasing the gains from a 7-3 stretch that had them in the AL West and wild-card mixes, and then blew a 7-4 lead by giving up two runs to Boston in the eighth, and then the game-tying run in the ninth. On a beautiful slide by the recently returned Roman Anthony, sure, but still. 

Here’s another angle of that slide — it merits it.

The Red Sox pushed the game into the 10th with that run, and closer Aroldis Chapman threw a clean frame with two strikeouts to put Boston in position to win. And it did: second baseman Nick Sogard bunted lead runner Wilyer Abreu over to third to open the inning, then after a pair of intentional walks to load the bases and create a force anywhere, shortstop Trevor Story came to the plate. Story has had a tough season even when he wasn’t on the IL, so the free passes were understandable, but they also didn’t pay off.

With one out and the bases loaded, Story just had to avoid a double play. And he did, by singling in the walk-off run. The Mariners are now 5.5 back in the AL wild-card race and six back in the AL West — their season isn’t over yet by any means, but this is quite the hole to be in, lagging behind five other teams for the last wild-card.

Giants Snap Braves’ Winning Streak

The Braves had won seven in a row, and an eighth felt like a distinct possibility with the Giants the next opponent on the schedule. But baseball more than any other sport works in probabilities: San Francisco would be the winner here, and convincingly, taking down Atlanta 7-3.

Giants’ DH Rafael Devers got the scoring started in the first with a home run, his 30th of the season — a 403 footer off Bryce Elder, who ended up responsible for five of San Francisco’s seven runs.

That’s the fifth 30-homer season of Devers’ career, and it’s worth pointing out that he just didn’t have it in April, but has otherwise been Rafael Devers: since May 3, he’s batting .265/.355/.554 with 28 of his 30 homers, and 27 doubles. He has a .908 OPS over his last 105 games and 451 plate appearances despite being a left-handed power hitter in the second-worst park in the majors for that very thing, per Savant.

Atlanta’s lead in the NL East over Philadelphia is now just four games. That’s both a cushion and not much of one, considering how well the Phillies have been playing, but, Monday aside, the Braves have also been playing great, too.

deGrom Powers Rangers To Dub

The Rangers picked up a win they needed, disposing of the Athletics, 8-1. It was a lineup-wide effort on the offensive side, but as far as the pitching goes, one Jacob deGrom gets the flowers. deGrom went seven innings while allowing just one run, striking out eight A’s while ceding a single baserunner on one hit.

deGrom had a tough start a turn ago, giving up eight runs and an uncharacteristic five walks in 3 ⅔ innings against the White Sox, but this is more like the guy the Rangers need if Texas is going to sneak into either the AL West crown or a wild-card spot. Right now, it’s two games and 1.5 back of those, respectively.

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