Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline had accident with his ATV.Hartline has tweeted that he is ‘doing well.’OSU says Hartline expects to be released from hospital later Sunday.

Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline has been hospitalized after he was injured in a vehicular accident in Delaware County, Ohio.

According to a statement released by the Ohio State athletic department late Sunday afternoon, Hartline and a friend who’s unaffiliated with Ohio State were transported to Riverside Hospital early Sunday with non-life-threatening injuries sustained in an all-terrain vehicle accident. The statement said that Hartline is hoping to be released from the hospital later Sunday.

Hartline flipped his all-terrain vehicle early this morning on his property, the school said. Tracy Whited, a spokesperson for the Delaware County Sheriff’s office, said it received a call about a rollover crash involving Hartline at approximately 1:20 a.m. Deputies said Hartline was the driver of the Polaris side by side. An ambulance was dispatched to the scene.

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‘I appreciate everyones (sic) support,’ Hartline tweeted late Sunday afternoon. ‘I crashed my side by side on my property and have been taken to the hospital for further evaluation.

‘I am doing well.’

The Buckeyes held their annual spring game on Saturday.

Hartline, who has been Ohio State’s wide receivers coach since 2018 and was promoted to offensive coordinator in January, has been calling plays for the offense in spring practice.  

The Tampa Bay Rays’ rampage is over. Reality will finally settle over the American League East, and it’s going to be a wild ride.

A 13-0 start didn’t convince anyone Tampa Bay would run and hide with the division, but it could have been far more significant had its division rivals scuffled out of the gate. Yet as the Rays rightfully stole the headlines until their first loss (and even a two-game losing streak), the division’s longtime bully was doing more than enough to keep up.

The New York Yankees won or split their first five series for the first time since 2010, and at 10-6 are tied with Toronto, four games behind Tampa Bay. No, the Rays probably are not going wire-to-wire, not in baseball’s only division where all five teams are .500 or better.

East teams are 37-15 against clubs from other divisions.

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Sunday, Gerrit Cole tossed his fourth career shutout and struck out 10, equaling Ron Guidry with 23 double-digit strikeout games, most in Yankees history. His next start: Toronto, at Yankee Stadium, as the divisional intramurals continue heating up.

This week’s rankings (Last week):

1. Tampa Bay Rays (-)

Emerging ace Jeffrey Springs expected to miss two months with elbow issue.

2. New York Yankees (-)

Anthony Volpe batting just .191, but has swiped seven bases, including three-steal game out of leadoff spot.

3. Atlanta Braves (-)

Squad coming together during six-game win streak: Vaughn Grissom notches game-winning hit, Max Fried returns from hamstring injury Monday.

4. Minnesota Twins (+1)

Not unlike Miami, Pablo Lopez has 1.73 ERA, one win in four starts.

5. Milwaukee Brewers (+3)

6-4 road record best indicator in this hot start.

6. San Diego Padres (-2)

Star-studded lineup producing .720 OPS, just 18th in majors.

7. Toronto Blue Jays (+5)

Deal Rays their first two losses, but Alek Manoah (6.98 ERA) searching for answers.

8. New York Mets (-)

Pete Alonso leads the majors with eight home runs.

9. Houston Astros (-2)

A sight they hope to see often: Hunter Brown dominating Texas over seven innings.

10. Cleveland Guardians (-1)

Needing some arms reinforcements after Triston McKenzie, Aaron Civale hit IL.

11. Los Angeles Dodgers (-5)

Lost five of last eight, including Cubs series to old friend Cody Bellinger.

12. Baltimore Orioles (+1)

Starters rank 23rd in innings pitched, making every game a bullpen puzzle.

13. Seattle Mariners (-3)

Luis Castillo’s 0.61 WHIP leads active pitchers.

14. Arizona Diamondbacks (+1)

Potentially telling seven-game stretch at Cardinals, vs. Padres.

15. Philadelphia Phillies (-1)

Have given up at least eight runs in five of 16 games.

16. Boston Red Sox (+2)

Worth it: Rafael Devers slams seven quick homers.

17. St. Louis Cardinals (-1)

Lars Nootbar hits key homer in return. Now they go?

18. Chicago Cubs (+2)

Ian Happ’s $61 million extension ensures at least half the everyday lineup could return next year.

19. Texas Rangers (-)

Corey Seager’s .359/.469/.538 line heads to IL with left hamstring strain.

20. Miami Marlins (+4)

Jean Segura still seeking first extra-base hit amid .185 (10 for 54) start.

21. Los Angeles Angels (-4)

Shortstop Zach Neto, picked 13th overall, is first in 2022 draft class to reach majors. Will he have staying power?

22. Pittsburgh Pirates (-)

Just a walk-off loss from taking three of four in St. Louis.

23. San Francisco Giants (-2)

Lose two in Detroit, then face indignity of return trip to make up Sunday’s rainout.

24. Chicago White Sox (-1)

Dylan Cease pitching OK, but walk rate up 27%.

25. Cincinnati Reds (+3)

Jonathan India out quickly with .424 OBP, .933 OPS.

26. Detroit Tigers (-1)

Verdict on Javy Baez’s tenure so far? Thumbs down.

27. Colorado Rockies (-1)

Your 3-4-5 in the rotation: Austin Gomber (8.16 ERA), Ryan Feltner (8.78) and Jose Ureña (9.90).

28. Kansas City Royals (-1)

Matt Duffy has an .864 OPS without drawing a single walk.

29. Washington Nationals (+1)

Random prediction: Reliever Mason Thompson will be club’s All-Star.

30. Oakland Athletics (-1)

Lost on a walk-off, lost in extra innings, lost while giving up 17 walks. At 3-13, still mixing it up.

It’s been about five weeks since Brock Purdy had elbow surgery and the San Francisco 49ers quarterback isn’t letting his rehabilitation process slow him down from his ultimate goal.

‘I want to win. I want to help the team win. I’ll do whatever it takes,’ Purdy said.

‘We had such a great team. We were on a roll. And I want to just pick up where we left off, and obviously go win a championship. I think that’s everybody’s goal and that’s what it should be. So, that’s my mindset.’

Purdy, speaking to USA TODAY Sports on behalf of Buffalo Wild Wings last Friday, says he will be in Kansas City, Missouri for the 2023 NFL draft.

Purdy’s journey from last pick in the 2022 NFL draft to going 7-1 as 49ers starter after quarterbacks Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance went down to injury was inspiring last season.

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The 49ers reached the NFC championship but lost to the Philadelphia Eagles. Purdy faces a lengthy rehabilitation process this offseason after having surgery March 10 to repair a torn UCL in his right elbow that he suffered during that game.

He’s expected to start throwing again three months after his surgery, and his recovery could last 6-8 months, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said during NFL owners’ meetings March 28.

Here’s more from Purdy’s interview with USA TODAY Sports:

Q: What are some things you’ve done in the last month since your surgery?

Purdy: I still have my body to work out and to do different things to push myself and stay in shape. So that’s been great. And now obviously, just the film study part of it. Being quarterback, the physical part is important, but the mental part is the most important. So, being able to watch the games, the good and the bad from last year. And just learn, and challenge, and push myself to just grow in different areas. You know, go through progressions and then pocket movement and just stuff like that. So, it’s been a good offseason.

Q: What’s a typical day like for you during the rehab process?

Purdy: Honestly, just every day, I’m doing rehab obviously with my arm. But then just my body. I’m doing my lower half lifts, doing some cardio, staying in shape. And then after that, I’ve got vision and brain training and then some film study. So, there’s definitely stuff I’m doing that I got to hone into and hunker down. Just because it’s the offseason doesn’t mean I get to sleep in and then stay up late. It’s not nothing like that. It’s a grind, but I love it and I’m thankful for it.

Q: Which game is one you turn on your said, ‘You know what, I did kind of everything I really wanted to do in that game?’

Purdy: There’s a lot of great moments I feel like we did as a team, and I think for myself, just watching that first half of that Tampa Bay game. Just sort of getting hit first play the game, but then getting up, and going and putting up some points on the board. And obviously it’s against Tom Brady and the Bucs so you just feel like there’s some sense of urgency, watching that game. And it felt really good playing. So, I feel like building off that and how I went in that game, mentally locked in, that’s something I can learn from it and hope to build on moving forward.

Q: Have you really grasped the weight of your success last year, going 7-1 in all the games that you played? Has that registered to you like ‘I can actually really play this position and play at a high level’?

Purdy: Yeah, I mean, during the season, it’s funny you say that. You focus on one game at a time. Once you do win or whatever, it’s like ‘All right, I gotta be ready for this next one.’ And then after that, the next one. So, it’s cool to do some reflecting. It’s like life in general. You get to sort of see where you’re at what you’re doing, where are you going, and be thankful for what’s happening. And so, I’m very grateful, I’d say, just how things have gone and how things have played out, and being ready for an opportunity, and even having an opportunity. So, sort of how I look at it, and I’m very thankful for it.

Q: What would be your advice to the person who gets picked last in the draft this year?

Purdy: Man, I would just say opportunity. You know, for me, I just wanted an opportunity. Yes, I was drafted last. Yes, I had this name of Mr. Irrelevant. But for me, I look at it as an opportunity. I get to go show an NFL organization what I’m about. And so I think that’s all you can ask for and really, it doesn’t matter where you get drafted if you get drafted. I think that’s what any rookie is asking for, if you’re hungry for it, and having the drive to go show and prove yourself right. So, that’s what I would say to the next Mr. Irrelevant and I’m excited for whoever it is.

Jalen Hurts is feeling the love in the City of Brotherly Love.

Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed on a five-year, $255 million deal, a person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports, that makes the quarterback the highest-paid player in NFL history. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose financial terms of the agreement. The deal includes $179.3 million guaranteed and a no-trade clause.

Hurts’ new contract keeps him in Philadelphia through 2028.

The deal places Hurts ahead of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers for the top spot among all players in average annual salary.

Hurts is coming off a season in which he led the Eagles to a 14-1 record and a trip to Super Bowl 57. He compiled career highs in passing yards (3,701), touchdown passes (22) and passer rating (101.5) in his third season and second as a starter. His efforts earned him second-team All-Pro honors, and he finished second in NFL MVP voting.

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Hurts became the eighth Black quarterback in NFL history to start in a Super Bowl and joined Patrick Mahomes in the first Super Bowl to feature two Black starting quarterbacks.

Even in the 38-35 Super Bowl 57 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Hurts was exceptional. He produced 374 total yards and four touchdowns, though he did have a costly fumble that was returned for a touchdown.

The Eagles drafted selected Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft. He has 7,906 passing yards, 44 touchdowns and 19 interceptions in his career. On the ground, he’s produced 1,898 yards and 26 touchdowns. He 23-11 in his career as a starter. 

What deal means for quarterback market

Hurts isn’t the only big-time quarterback from the 2020 draft class eligible for a new contract extension. 

Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow and Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert, who were selected No. 1 and No. 6, respectively, are in line to cash in. The signal-callers are entering the fourth year of their rookie contracts, with their fifth-year options expected to be exercised if an extension isn’t reached by the May 1 deadline. Both the Bengals and the Chargers expressed optimism this offseason that extensions would be completed at some point for the franchise quarterbacks.

Burrow led the Bengals to a Super Bowl 56 appearance, and Herbert has the most passing yards by a quarterback in his first three seasons. Both their contracts will presumably exceed Hurts’ once completed. 

Hurts’ contract also could alter the outlook for Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson. The Ravens placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Jackson in March amid a contract stalemate. Hurts’ deal could give the Ravens and Jackson a benchmark, with the Eagles QB resetting the market yet not giving their star a fully guaranteed deal like the one Deshaun Watson received last offseason from the Cleveland Browns. 

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on Twitter @TheTylerDragon.

If two games against the Albuquerque Isotopes at Southwest University Park are any indication, San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis, Jr. is ready to return to Major League Baseball.

On Thursday and Saturday during his rehab assignment with the El Paso Chihuahuas, Tatis went a combined 9-for-11 with five home runs and 11 RBI. At one point, he had a hit in eight straight at-bats.

Tatis Jr. played on a road trip to Sacramento, where he hit one homer with the team, and then a six-game home stand against Albuquerque much to the satisfaction of El Paso fans. The six-game series began last Tuesday and wrapped up Sunday.

Tatis Jr., who was a National League All-Star in 2021 and the first shortstop in MLB history to win multiple Silver Slugger Awards before the age of 23, hit three home runs on Thursday and two more on Saturday.

Tatis didn’t get the best reception in Sacramento, hearing a few boos that are expected to follow him in opposing parks as he completes an 80-game suspension for performance enhancing drugs, but while in El Paso he was in the friendly confines of SWUP.

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Fans cheered him the loudest when his name was called and he also played a solid right field for the Chihuahuas, a change for him as he played shortstop before the suspension.

‘He’s worked hard since he’s been with us and he’s really putting in the time to do what he has to get ready for his return to San Diego,’ Chihuahuas manager Philip Wellman said.

Wellman managed Tatis Jr. with Double-A San Antonio in 2017 and 2018 before Tatis jumped past El Paso to San Diego and the big leagues, and since then Tatis Jr. has asked to do his rehab assignments with Wellman and hitting coach Raul Padron.

‘Fernando has been patient and to see what he’s done is impressive considering he didn’t have live at-bats for many months,’ Wellman said.

Tatis, Jr., who is the son of former MLB player Fernando Tatis, is eligible to return to the majors on April 20.

‘He’s a good guy, he hangs out with us and he’s really put in the time to be the best he can,’ Chihuahuas reliever Jake Sanchez said. ‘He’s such a great player. The three home runs he hit on Thursday was amazing. We asked if that was the first time he did that and he said ‘no’.’

Tatis finished his time on a solid note on Sunday, going 2-for-5 with a home run to left field in his first at-bat of the day and a single later in the game.

It pays to break out.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts on Monday agreed to a five-year contract extension, worth up to $255 million, with a staggering $179.3 million in fully guaranteed money. The deal includes a no-trade clause and makes Hurts, 24, the highest paid player in NFL history.

Hurts, a second-round selection in the 2020 NFL draft, completed his third season in the league, which earned him his first career Pro Bowl nomination. He played himself into the Most Valuable Player conversation and led the Eagles to a 14-3 record, the No. 1 seed in the NFC and a trip to Super Bowl 57, where Philadelphia eventually lost to the Chiefs.

Hurts’ contract knocked Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the subject of trade rumors to the Jets, from the top spot as the league’s highest-paid player after Rodgers signed a massive contract extension in March 2022.

Hurts’ deal continues to reinforce the trend that has dictated the salary cap in the modern-day NFL: as league revenues soar, the game’s best passers are negotiating record-setting deals seemingly every offseason. According to Over The Cap, the 14-richest contracts currently in the NFL go to quarterbacks.

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Who is the highest-paid NFL player in 2023?

Here is Over The Cap’s full list of the top 12 earners in the league by annual average salary: 

1. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles: $51 million2. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: $50.2 million3. Russell Wilson, Denver Broncos: $49 million4. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals: $46.1 million5. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns: $46 million6. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs; $45 million7. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: $43 million 8T. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams: $40 million8T. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys: $40 million8T. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams: $40 million8T. Daniel Jones; New York Giants: $40 million12. Derek Carr, New Orleans Saints: $37.5 million

Hurts’ position as the highest-paid player may not last long. Current Raven quarterback Lamar Jackson has made his displeasure with Baltimore’s negotiating public. Whenever he does agree to terms on a contract — whether with Baltimore or another squad — the average annual salary should come close to Hurts’, or surpass it.

Then there are Joe Burrow, 26, of the Cincinnati Bengals and Justin Herbert, 25, of the Los Angeles Chargers, who were both draft selections in 2020, as Hurts was. The difference in their rookie contracts is that, because Burrow and Herbert were first rounders, their teams can exercise fifth-year options that retain their rights for an additional season. 

NFL’s highest-paid players by position in 2022

All playersQuarterbackRunning backWide receiver Tight end TackleGuardCenterKickersEdge rusherSafetyCornerbackLinebackerInterior defensive linemen

It wasn’t the man who won the 2023 Boston Marathon that came as a surprise, but rather the man who didn’t.

While Evans Chebet of Kenya pulled away from the pack on a rainy Monday morning, breaking the tape in Copley Square in 2 hours, 5 minutes and 54 seconds to become a back-to-back champ, heavy favorite and reigning world record-holder Eliud Kipchoge was languishing more than 3 minutes behind.

Kipchoge finished sixth in his first appearance at the Boston Marathon – a stunning result, if only because he has been so dominant for so long. 

It was just the third time in 20 marathons that he hasn’t crossed the line first.

Chebet told reporters after the race that his focus was on defending his title, not beating Kipchoge.

‘The bottom line was that we trained well,’ Chebet told reporters. ‘Our confidence in the quality of our training made us feel good about taking on this race.’

Despite having never run the course in Boston before, Kipchoge entered Monday’s event as the heavy favorite, given all he’s achieved. For the better part of the past decade, the 38-year-old has appeared almost unbeatable, winning two Olympic gold medals, breaking the world record and becoming the first and only known man to run 26.2 miles in less than two hours, albeit in a time trial. 

Kipchoge typically trains on flat ground and has had some of his most iconic performances on flat courses, so there were questions about how he would tackle the course in Boston, which features a notoriously hilly stretch after the midway point of the race, including the infamous Heartbreak Hill.

The answer, at least in the early going, was that he didn’t plan to hold anything back.

Kipchoge set the pace from the start and was front and center in the lead pack for the first half of the race, churning up miles at around a 4:40 pace. As a light drizzle began to fall, the group slowly dwindled from more than 20 to a dozen to just seven, with the defining moment coming at a water station around the 19-mile mark.

In top-tier competitions, elite runners have their own numbered tables at each water station, with bottles containing their sports drinks of choice. Kipchoge maneuvered around another runner and attempted to grab one of his bottles from a table but missed it and kept going.

By Mile 20, he had fallen 16 seconds behind the leader. And by Mile 21, that gap had grown to nearly a minute.

As Kipchoge drifted behind, the top three began to separate themselves from the rest of the field. Chebet took off down the home stretch to win, followed by Tanzanian runner Gabriel Geay and Benson Kipruto of Kenya, who is one of Chebet’s training partners. Geay and Kipruto finished second and third, respectively.

Scott Fauble was the top-finishing American, placing just behind Kipchoge in seventh, with a time of 2:09:44.

‘I would have loved to have gone out with that (lead) pack, but they were too fast,’ Fauble told reporters. ‘Most of them blew up, even Eliud Kipchoge. I almost caught him.’

Obiri shows off track speed in victory

Hellen Obiri was a late entry to the women’s field for Boston, having been convinced by her coach to enter the race just late last month. 

Her performance Monday proved it to be the right decision.

Obiri used her foot speed down the stretch to separate herself from the rest of the field and win in a time of 2:21:38, giving her a surprising victory in what was a tight race up until the final mile.

It was Obiri’s first win in a marathon in what was just her second career race at the distance. The Kenyan has made a name for herself running slightly shorter distances on the track, winning silver medals in the 5000-meter events at both the 2016 Rio Olympics and 2021 Tokyo Games.

Obiri was in the mix from the start, but the race was up for grabs until the very end, with a lead pack of at least five runners all jockeying for the top. 

‘My coach told me that the marathon is about patience,’ she told reporters after her win. ‘So I tried to be patient until the right time.’

Amane Beriso of Ethiopia and Lonah Salpeter of Israel finished second and third, respectively, with American Emma Bates not far behind in fifth.

Marcel Hug, Susannah Scaroni dominate wheelchair races

Marcel Hug of Switzerland broke his own course record by nearly a minute in the men’s wheelchair division, crossing the finish line in a time of 1:17:06.

The 2020 Paralympic gold medalist in the marathon, Hug will get a $50,000 bonus for his course record. He won by a whopping margin, finishing more than 10 full minutes ahead of runner-up Daniel Romanchuk.

The women’s wheelchair race, won by American Susannah Scaroni, wasn’t much closer. Scaroni, 31, won with a time of 1:41:45 – more than 5 minutes ahead of the rest of the field.

Notes

► This year’s race marked the 10th anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing, which left three people dead and hundreds more injured. The victims were honored during a ceremony Saturday, which was exactly 10 years after the April 15, 2013 attack.

► This year’s field included roughly 30,000 runners, including 27 registrants in the non-binary division, which was offered for the first time.

Contact Tom Schad at tschad@usatoday.com or on Twitter @Tom_Schad.

The Chinese Basketball Association disqualified two of its teams from the playoffs after determining the teams were engaged in match-fixing, according to multiple published reports.

The teams’ head coaches and general managers were banned for three to five years and the teams were fined more than $700,000 each, according to reports.

The league announced on Monday that the teams, the Shanghai Sharks and Jiangsu Dragons, had been found guilty of ‘being negative in competition’ during Games 2 and 3 of their quarterfinal playoff series.

The CBA Disciplinary and Ethics Commission said Shanghai displayed ‘negative contention’ in the second game of the three-game series (which Jiangsu won 97-90), while Jiangsu demonstrated a ‘lack of competitive effort’ in the third game, which Shanghai won 108-104 to advance, according to Mark Dreyer of China Sports Insider.

In the last two minutes of a pivotal game between the teams, the Dragons committed five turnovers and the Sharks went on a 10-0 run and advanced to the semifinals.

‘English-language reports in Chinese state media have referred to this as ‘being negative in competition’ or ‘lack of competitive effort,’ but this is match-fixing plain and simple,’ Dreyer reported.

Yao Ming, the NBA Hall of Famer and president of the Chinese Basketball Association, told ChinaDaily.com, “We conducted a very prudent investigation to help us make the decision based on precise matters. We believe that everybody feels quite distressed about this.’’

Ming played for the Sharks from 1997-2002 before he was taken with the No. 1 pick of the 2002 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets.

The 2023 NFL draft’s defining characteristic might end up being its unpredictability.

With less than two weeks remaining until the picks begin in Kansas City, Missouri, little is certain about how things will pan out. While some conventional wisdom has been established among pundits in a few areas, there’s no distinct pecking order at many key positions, and different decisions by a handful of teams could lead the draft in a number of wildly distinct directions. 

Here’s our latest first-round look with our 2023 NFL mock draft.

(Note: The Miami Dolphins were stripped of their first-round pick for tampering with Tom Brady and Sean Payton.)

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1. Carolina Panthers (from Chicago Bears) – Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

It’s anyone’s guess as to where Frank Reich and general manager Scott Fitterer (as well as owner David Tepper) will land as the franchise’s decision-makers weigh a defining decision at quarterback. Mounting speculation and shifting odds, however, have many outsiders turning their attention to Young. Unfazed in the face of pressure, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner seems uniquely equipped for taking on the challenges inherent to shouldering an offense that can’t assure much in the way of support. If the mystery lingers, we could be in for one of the most suspenseful pre-draft sequences since 2018, when the Browns kept their choice of Baker Mayfield at No. 1 largely under wraps until the eleventh hour.

2. Houston Texans – C.J. Stroud, QB, Ohio State

Could Houston throw a wrench into the top of the draft and bypass a quarterback with this pick? It would be a deliriously bold decision for a franchise that has been lacking direction for the last two years, so let’s table it as merely a fun thought exercise for the moment. Stroud could help Houston finally start to move on by giving new coach DeMeco Ryans a smooth and accurate distributor behind center.

3. Arizona Cardinals – Will Anderson Jr., DE/OLB, Alabama

Arizona trading out of this slot is likely the most consequential move that could still take place before the draft. As it stands, however, Anderson should be the clear choice for a defense in dire straits. However he’s deployed by new coach Jonathan Gannon, the two-time unanimous All-American edge rusher would step in as a playmaker for a unit that could be soon losing its last one remaining in disgruntled Pro Bowl safety Budda Baker, who has requested a trade.

4. Indianapolis Colts – Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida

Owner Jim Irsay summed up the current moment in the draft process with a seemingly meaningless tweet Sunday, leaving fans to decipher any intention behind how he decided to order the photos of the top four quarterbacks in the draft. Richardson earns this spot not due to Irsay placing him first among those photos, but instead for the remarkable potential he would bring to a franchise burned out on short-term solutions. If this pairing does materialize, it would be a boon to both Richardson and coach Shane Steichen, whose track record suggests he’d do a fine job of making use of the 6-4, 244-pounder’s dazzling deep passing and singular mobility.

5. Seattle Seahawks (from Denver Broncos) – Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech

If the first four picks do end up as three quarterbacks and Anderson with no trades taking place, this could be the draft’s inflection point. While Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter could be a strong consideration here, there’s still a case for Wilson, who can deploy his massive 6-6, 271-pound frame to push the pocket or wrangle running backs in the backfield. Given that the Seahawks could stand to upgrade at multiple spots in the front seven, Wilson might be a best-of-both-worlds option as someone who can create havoc on the edge yet consistently crash inside. 

6. Detroit Lions (from Los Angeles Rams) – Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois

7. Las Vegas Raiders – Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon

To slow Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert in the AFC West, the Raiders will need to dedicate far more resources at cornerback than they have so far this offseason with free-agent signings David Long Jr. and Duke Shelley. Even in a deep class at the position, Gonzalez represents the best option for stopping the bleeding for a unit that allowed a league-worst 98.8 passer rating last season. 

8. Atlanta Falcons – Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas

Would a running back selected in the top 10 picks – the first since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 in 2018 – be a luxury for a Falcons team that has posted consecutive seven-win seasons and doesn’t look to be on the verge of a breakout? Almost definitely. But GM Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith have used their initial two first-round picks on skill-position players in tight end Kyle Pitts and wide receiver Drake London, and maybe they view the electric Robinson as a figure capable of elevating second-year quarterback Desmond Ridder with his contributions as a runner and a receiver.

9. Bears (from Panthers) – Paris Johnson Jr., OT, Ohio State

With a stated dedication to prioritizing premium positions, new general manager Ryan Poles might be drawn to an offensive tackle as he contemplates the options for using his bounty from the trade back from No. 1. Though Johnson was a backup for the Buckeyes during Justin Fields’ junior season at Ohio State, he could get the chance here to be a long-term pass-protecting solution for his friend and former teammate. 

10. Philadelphia Eagles (from New Orleans Saints) – Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia

Amid uncertainty about how teams view Carter after he pleaded no contest to charges of racing and reckless driving in connection with a fatal car crash in January, agent Drew Rosenhaus declined to have the Georgia standout visit with teams outside the top 10. Even if Carter does tumble slightly on draft day, Philadelphia makes for a sensible floor. The Eagles demonstrated their interest in Bulldog defenders last year with first-round defensive tackle Jordan Davis and third-round linebacker Nakobe Dean – who could help the front office fill out its picture of Carter – and defensive tackle is one of the few areas where the Eagles are due for an immediate upgrade.

11. Tennessee Titans – Peter Skoronski, OT, Northwestern

New general manager Ran Carton has made it clear that he wants the Titans to maintain their rugged offensive identity even after last year’s implosion. There are a few offensive linemen who can bring some stability to this rebuilding effort, but perhaps none better fit for the job than Skoronski, a technician who looks to be a trusted starter – whether he stays at offensive tackle or kicks inside to guard – from Day 1.

12. Texans (from Cleveland Browns) – Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State

Why not go all in with Stroud and provide the passer with a target whom he knows and trusts? The shifty Smith-Njigba has built-in chemistry with the quarterback after their prolific run in Columbus, which included the two hooking up for 95 receptions, 1,595 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021 before a hamstring injury ruined the receiver’s season last year. Regardless of the Texans’ pick at No. 2, Smith-Njigba offers significant value to a receiving corps that ranks among the NFL’s shakiest.

13. New York Jets – Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia

If the Aaron Rodgers trade isn’t completed by the first day of the draft, the drama of this pick will take a backseat to questions about the timeline for the standoff with Green Bay. Regardless, finding cohesion for the offensive front has to be a top priority for Joe Douglas, and Jones is an ascendant talent who might help promote the long-term stability that has been so lacking along the line.

14. New England Patriots – Darnell Wright, OT, Tennessee

If the Patriots are serious about enhancing the level of support for Mac Jones, trotting out Riley Reiff, 35, as the first-team right tackle should be out of the question. Wright might have his early struggles with NFL pass rushers who can exploit his bad habits, but he’s a far better long-term answer at a key position than any of New England’s other options at this point.

15. Green Bay Packers – Lukas Van Ness, DE, Iowa

While Rashan Gary and Preston Smith constitute a fine pair of starting edge rushers, the former is coming off a torn ACL suffered last November and the latter will turn 31 in November. Nicknamed ‘Hercules,’ Van Ness presents Green Bay with the kind of powerhouse pass rusher the team seeks  out, though he’ll need to learn how to work his way around offensive tackles rather than always trying to barrel through them.

16. Washington Commanders – Joey Porter Jr., CB, Penn State

Despite the franchise’s expected sale, the Commanders will have trouble turning the page on the field without some assistance in the secondary to hold off the rest of the NFC East’s offenses. There’s no shortage of confidence or physicality to Porter Jr., a battle-tested coverage man who refuses to cede anything easy.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Deonte Banks, CB, Maryland

Mike Tomlin has voiced his passion for molding young players who require some refinement. With Banks, Tomlin would have the opportunity to bring along a supremely gifted cornerback with the size (6-0, 197 pounds) and speed (4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash) to handle any matchup the AFC North throws at him.

18. Lions – Calijah Kancey, DT, Pitt

One year after jolting its edge rush with Aidan Hutchinson and sixth-round gem James Houston, Detroit might be inclined to make a similar splash on the interior. At 6-1 and 281 pounds, Kancey will take on a different role from many other defensive tackles, but there’s no questioning the chaos his rapid first step can unleash.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma

In bringing in Baker Mayfield to compete with Kyle Trask to be Tom Brady’s successor, the Buccaneers appear have telegraphed a patient approach to a rebuild. If Tampa Bay is going to wait at least a year to make a big investment for its quarterback of the future, it would be wise to bring on a left tackle like Harrison to elevate pass protection and allow Tristan Wirfs to remain on the right side.

20. Seahawks – Zay Flowers, WR, Boston College

Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider can hit both sides of the size extremes in the first round by following up the Wilson pick with the 5-9, 182-pound Flowers. Adding the big-play dynamo would ease some of the burden on Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf while unlocking new possibilities in the downfield attack for Geno Smith. 

21. Los Angeles Chargers – Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

While Los Angeles’ offense undoubtedly would benefit from an infusion of speed in the receiving corps, GM Tom Telesco has an established track record of demanding substantial size in his top pass catchers. Stocky and surehanded, the reliable Mayer fits the bill of what Telesco looks for and can be an immediate asset to Justin Herbert as a threat down the seam despite his suboptimal speed. 

22. Baltimore Ravens – Nolan Smith, OLB, Georgia

The Ravens have a way of scooping up heady prospects who fall further in the draft than many expect. Eric DeCosta and Co. can continue the trend by selecting the savvy Smith, who should step in on Day 1 as a strong run stopper with untapped potential as a pass rusher.

23. Minnesota Vikings – Will Levis, QB, Kentucky

This would represent a precipitous fall for Levis, who could be the third quarterback off the board in the first five picks. But if teams in the early-to-mid first round take a pass, Minnesota makes for a fascinating fit after GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has repeatedly left the door open for the team to pounce on a passer. With his rifle arm strength and confidence to take advantage of it, Levis would certainly make for a change of pace from the cautious Cousins, whom the 6-4, 229-pound signal-caller could sit behind before pushing for the starting role in 2024.

24. Jacksonville Jaguars – Brian Branch, S, Alabama

This is a pairing that materialized in the last mock draft, so let’s run it back. The versatile Branch’s penchant for finding the ball no matter where he initially lines up would come in handy for a burgeoning Jacksonville defense that could take off in 2023. 

25. New York Giants – Emmanuel Forbes, CB, Mississippi State

After throwing significant resources at resolving the issue at wide receiver, GM Joe Schoen might want to flip his focus to stopping opponents’ passing games rather than igniting his own. A ballhawk who recorded 14 interceptions in three years, Forbes would pair with Adoree’ Jackson to give the Giants a dynamic tandem of playmakers at cornerback. 

26. Dallas Cowboys – Bryan Bresee, DT, Clemson

The Cowboys haven’t called on a defensive tackle in Round 1 since 1991, but the defensive front’s interior is the foremost question mark for a defense that otherwise looks like one of the league’s most promising collections of talent. A former No. 1 overall recruit, Bresee still might have his best football ahead of him after injuries marred his time at Clemson.

27. Buffalo Bills – Jordan Addison, WR, USC

At the NFL scouting combine, Addison boasted he ‘crushed it’ in his interview with the Bills. The confidence is justified for the Pitt transfer and 2021 Biletnikoff Award winner, as his savvy and smoothness as a route runner would make him an appealing option as this offense’s needed No. 3 receiver.

28. Cincinnati Bengals – Dalton Kincaid, TE, Utah

Drew Sample’s return and Irv Smith’s arrival shouldn’t change Cincinnati’s bottom line at tight end, especially given the larger complications the passing attack could face in keeping Tee Higgins and/or Tyler Boyd as both receivers enter the final year of their deals. Adept at creating separation and bringing down even the most difficult catches, Kincaid sizes up as a useful safety valve wherever he lands. 

29. Saints (from San Francisco 49ers via Miami Dolphins and Broncos) – Myles Murphy, DE, Clemson

In the wake of Marcus Davenport’s departure, it would behoove the playoff-hungry Saints to find a dynamic threat opposite Cam Jordan – or someone who could eventually take over for the 33-year-old defensive cornerstone. Murphy would be the Saints’ second first-round edge rusher in three years, but Payton Turner has managed to tally just three sacks while playing in 13 games in two years.

30. Eagles – O’Cyrus Torrence, G, Florida

Philadelphia seems like a strong candidate to trade out of this slot, but if the team stands pat, Howie Roseman doesn’t need to be sold on adding more talent along the offensive line. The 6-5, 330-pound Torrence would help the Eagles prepare for the looming post-Jason Kelce future by solidifying the right guard spot and allowing Cam Jurgens to eventually take over at center. 

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Keion White, DE, Georgia Tech

The defending champions have routinely taken the long view in their roster construction, and that tactic could point them toward White, a 6-5, 287-pound former tight end who moves much more nimbly than most defensive linemen his size. If White can harness his considerable athleticism by developing a better pass-rush plan, he could make for a potent pairing with 2022 first-rounder George Karlaftis.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.

The NBA’s first-round playoff schedules are set. The No. 8 seeds in the Eastern and Western conferences were secured with the final two play-in games Friday.

The Milwaukee Bucks earned the top seed in the East and the Denver Nuggets earned the No. 1 seed in the West.

The first round began with four Game 1s on Saturday and four Game 1s on Sunday. The No. 3 seed Philadelphia 76ers hosted the No. 6 seed Brooklyn Nets in the frst game on Saturday, while the Nuggets hosted the No. 8 seed Minnesota Timberwolves in the final game on Sunday night. 

The most anticipated weekend matchups: Golden State Warriors-Sacramento Kings on Saturday, and Los Angeles Lakers-Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Clippers-Phoenix Suns on Sunday.

Here are playoff schedules, TV information, storylines and predictions for each first-round series:

Follow every game: Latest NBA Scores and Schedules

EASTERN CONFERENCE

No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 8 Miami Heat

Game 1: Heat 130, Bucks 117

Game 2, Wednesday: Miami at Milwaukee, 9 p.m., ET, NBA TV

Game 3, April 22: Milwaukee at Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET, time and TV TBD

Game 4, April 24: Milwaukee at Miami, time and TV TBD

Game 5, April 26: Miami at Milwaukee, time and TV TBD,

Game 6, April 28:  Milwaukee at Miami, time and TV TBD

Game 7, April 30: Miami at Milwaukee, time and TV TBD

Season series: Tied, 2-2

Key storyline: The Heat had the No. 25 offense and the No. 27 3-point shooting team, and that’s going to be a problem against Milwaukee’s No. 4 defense. The Bucks’ offense, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, will make the Heat pay for those missed shots..

Zillgitt’s prediction: Bucks in five

No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Atlanta Hawks

Game 1: Celtics 112, Hawks 99

Game 2, Tuesday: Atlanta at Boston, 7 p.m. ET, NBA TV

Game 3, April 21: Boston at Atlanta, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN

Game 4, April 23: Boston at Atlanta, 7 p.m. ET, TNT

Game 5, April 25: Atlanta at Boston, time and TV TBD

Game 6, April 27: Boston at Atlanta, time and TV TBD

Game 7, April 29: Atlanta at Boston, time TBD, TNT  

Season series: Celtics won, 3-0

Key storyline: Hawks coach Quin Snyder helped improved a dangerous offense (Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Bogdan Bogdanovic) since taking over on Feb. 26, but the defense still has issues and that will be a problem against Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum and the Celtics’ No. 2 offense.

Zillgitt’s prediction: Celtics in five

No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers vs. No. 6 Brooklyn Nets

Game 1: 76ers 121, Nets 101

Game 2, Monday: Brooklyn at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m., TNT

Game 3, April 20: Philadelphia at Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m., TNT

Game 4, April 22: Philadelphia at Brooklyn, 1 p.m. ET, TNT

Game 5, April 24: Brooklyn at Philadelphia, time and TV TBD

Game 6, April 27: Philadelphia at Brooklyn, time and TV TBD

Game 7, April 29: Brooklyn at Philadelphia, time TBD, TNT

Season series: 76ers won, 4-0

Key storyline: The Nets have thrived under tumultuous conditions, but stopping Joel Embiid, James Harden and the Sixers offense is a difficult ask for the Nets in a seven-game series.

Zillgitt’s prediction: Sixers in five

No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 New York Knicks

Game 1: Knicks 101, Cavaliers 97

Game 2, Tuesday: New York at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT

Game 3, April 21: Cleveland at New York, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Game 4, April 23: Cleveland at New York, 1 p.m. ET, ABC

Game 5, April 26: New York at Cleveland, time and TV TBD

Game 6, April 28: Cleveland at New York, time and TV TBD

Game 7, April 30: New York at Cleveland, time and TV TBD

Season series: Knicks won, 3-1

Key storyline: The Knicks need to find a way to score on Cleveland’s top-ranked defense, and the Cavs, just 20-21 on the road, likely will need a win at Madison Square Garden, which means they need Donovan Mitchell to score efficiently.

Zillgitt’s prediction: Cavs in seven

WESTERN CONFERENCE

No. 1 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 8 Minnesota Timberwolves

Game 1: Nuggets 109, Timberwovles 80

Game 2, Wednesday: Minnesota at Denver, 10 p.m. ET, TNT

Game 3, April 21: Denver at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Game 4, April 23: Denver at Minnesota, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT

Game 5, April 25: Minnesota at Denver, time and TV TBD

Game 6, April 27: Denver at Minnesota, time and TV TBD

Game 7, April 29: Minnesota at Denver, time TBD, TNT  

Season series: Tied, 2-2.

Key storyline: Minnesota center Rudy Gobert, coming off a one-game suspension for punching teammate Kyle Anderson in the season finale, has a bad back. That puts a lot of pressure on Karl-Anthony Towns and the Timberwolves to stop two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

Zillgitt’s prediction: Nuggets in six

No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies vs. No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers

Game 1: Lakers 128, Grizzlies 112

Game 2, Wednesday: Los Angeles at Memphis, 7:30 p.m. ET, TNT

Game 3, April 22: Memphis at Los Angeles, 10 p.m. ET, TNT

Game 4, April 24: Memphis at Los Angeles, time and TV TBD

Game 5, April 26: Los Angeles at Memphis, time and TV TBD

Game 6, April 28: Memphis at Los Angeles, time and TV TBD

Game 7, April 30: Los Angeles at Memphis, time and TV TBD

Season series: Lakers won, 2-1

Key storyline: The new guard (Memphis and Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane) faces a compelling challenge from the old guard (the Lakers and LeBron James and Anthony Davis). This is an atypical 2-7 series with pressure on both sides.

Zillgitt’s prediction: Grizzlies in seven

No. 3 Sacramento Kings vs. No. 6 Golden State Warriors

Game 1: Kings 126, Warriors 123

Game 2, Monday: Golden State at Sacramento, 10 p.m. ET, TNT

Game 3, April 20: Sacramento at Golden State, 10 p.m. ET, TNT

Game 4, April 23: Sacramento at Golden State, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Game 5, April 26: Golden State at Sacramento, time and TV TBD

Game 6, April 28: Sacramento at Golden State, time and TV TBD

Game 7, April 30: Golden State at Sacramento, time and TV TBD

Season series: Warriors won, 3-1

Key storyline: Can the Kings, making their first playoff appearance since 2006 behind the strong play of Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox, handle the pressure of playing the defending champs and Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green? Both defenses have their hands full with the offensive movement of the other team.

Zillgitt’s prediction: Warriors in six

No. 4 Phoenix Suns vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers

Game 1: Clippers 115,  Suns 110

Game 2, Tuesday: Los Angeles at Phoenix, 10 p.m. ET, TNT

Game 3, April 20: Phoenix at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV

Game 4, April 22: Phoenix at Los Angeles, 3:30 p.m. ET, TNT

Game 5, April 25: Los Angeles at Phoenix, time and TV TBD

Game 6, April 27: Phoenix at Los Angeles, time and TV TBD

Game 7, April 29: Los Angeles at Phoenix, time TBD, TNT

Season series: Tied, 2-2

Key storyline: No Paul George to start the series for the Clippers, and Kawhi Leonard might not be enough against a loaded Suns squad with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton that has excelled in short time since acquiring Durant.

Zillgitt’s prediction: Suns in six

Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt