NFL draft week has arrived at last, Round 1 set to open Thursday night in downtown Detroit. Thirteen prospects will be in attendance, including the three quarterbacks widely projected to be the top three selections of this year’s ‘Player Selection Meeting’ – former Southern California star Caleb Williams expected to hear his name called first by Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Beyond that, some drama is certainly expected – notably the possibility of a major trade for one of the passers significantly shaking up the first round. Should be an eventful weekend as the league’s capstone offseason event unfolds.

Here’s my final projection for the initial 32 picks:

1. Chicago Bears (from Carolina Panthers): QB Caleb Williams, USC

Any slim notion that the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner might be available to other teams evaporated with Justin Fields’ trade to Pittsburgh. Williams has drawn (unfair) comparisons to Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers and peak Russell Wilson – which certainly means he’ll be expected to settle a position that’s usually been in flux in the Windy City for the past century. A multi-threat weapon who can make throws with the highest level of difficulty, Williams should essentially complete Chicago’s rebuild.

NFL DRAFT HUB: Latest NFL Draft mock drafts, news, live picks, grades and analysis.

2. Washington Commanders: QB Jayden Daniels, LSU

Some late-developing smoke over the past week regarding his interest (disinterest?) in playing just outside the nation’s capital – though that’s eminently more likely than Daniels’ apparent mutual affection for the Raiders. No quarterback in this draft possesses the 2023 Heisman winner’s elite combination of running and passing ability, Daniels capable of a backbreaking bolt to the end zone via land or air. Given the multiple ways he can stress a defense – not to mention the state of Washington’s offensive line – seems logical to go for the highly mobile passer who can increasingly rely on his passing prowess as his blocking improves.

3. New England Patriots: QB Drake Maye, North Carolina

Though not a certainty Daniels goes second, this feels like the draft’s first legit pivot point – whether it’s whom the Pats pick, quarterback or not, or if they potentially trade out of this spot for what would certainly be a significant bounty of assets. Yet a team that has painfully witnessed Buffalo’s Josh Allen take its divisional throne might be too enticed by Maye, who has a somewhat comparable skill set – including the big arm that can certainly be an asset in the AFC East’s weather conditions – and size (6-4, 223). Maye slipped a bit in 2023 after being the ACC Player of the Year in 2022 but also didn’t have the same weapons at his disposal. If he does need a season – or maybe less – to dial into the NFL, New England does have veteran QB Jacoby Brissett as a stopgap.

4. Arizona Cardinals: WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State

Rampant speculation that a trade could happen here given the Cards aren’t desperate for a franchise quarterback like so many other teams and have a general manager (Monti Ossenfort) who’s proven more than willing to execute a draft night blockbuster. Yet while Arizona has numerous holes, the club also already owns six of this draft’s top 90 selections – and, at some point, you can’t turn down premium players who fill major needs. Harrison would certainly do that for a club that clearly lacks anything resembling a WR1 following the free agent departure of Hollywood Brown.

5. Minnesota Vikings [PROJECTED TRADE with Los Angeles Chargers]: QB J.J. McCarthy, Michigan

The Vikes have been expected to deal up for a quarterback to replace departed starter Kirk Cousin since acquiring a second first-round pick from the Texans last month. And a move down makes sense for the Bolts, who are resetting from a personnel and cultural standpoint under a regime led by new HC Jim Harbaugh. Ironically, this scenario has Minnesota obtaining the quarterback who led Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines to two College Football Playoff appearances and last season’s national championship. McCarthy displayed ample physical tools over 28 college starts and has renowned intangibles. However Michigan’s dominance limited his exposure to many high-leverage situations, leaving questions about his ability to carry an NFL team. Yet the Vikings could be an ideal landing spot given their roster – notably All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson – HC Kevin O’Connell and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, both former NFL passers. Veteran QB Sam Darnold is also on hand in 2024, meaning a young passer like McCarthy wouldn’t have to play immediately.

6. New York Giants: WR Malik Nabers, LSU

Daniels’ primary target the past two seasons in Baton Rouge, Nabers really blossomed during a 2023 All-American campaign, when he caught 89 balls for 1,569 yards and 14 TDs. And if the Giants are compelled to move forward with QB Daniel Jones, which will almost certainly be the case regardless in 2024, giving him a bona fide weapon is obviously the sensible move – both from a pure football perspective, not to mention the opportunity to advance Jones’ development and/or make him a more attractive trade prospect in 2025 if Big Blue moves on then instead.

7. Tennessee Titans: OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame

The massive (6-9, 321), unanimous 2023 All-American – and son of legendary Chiefs lineman John Alt – is widely regarded as the best blocker in this draft and a plug-and-play blind side tackle for an offense that desperately needs one. And given the Titans addressed the offensive skill positions in free agency (WR Calvin Ridley, RB Tony Pollard), may as well continue leveling up the line after they made LG Peter Skoronski their first-round pick in 2023. So let’s drop Alt in next to him in a bid to continue improving the protection around second-year QB Will Levis. And don’t forget, new HC Brian Callahan hired his father, legendary O-line coach Bill Callahan, to remediate a front five that surrendered 64 sacks in 2023, tied for most in the AFC.

8. Atlanta Falcons: DE Laiatu Latu, UCLA

While it’s almost universally expected they’ll opt for defense in Round 1, the Falcons are another squad in a unique spot – one likely to be coveted by others yet allows Atlanta to move down and accrue picks while still getting a top defender. However Latu could be a compelling option. The Pac-12’s defensive player of the year in 2023 – when he also earned the Lombardi Award and Ted Hendricks Award for being the country’s best collegiate defensive end while posting an FBS-best 1.8 tackles for loss per game – Latu racked up 35 TFLs, 23½ sacks, five forced fumbles and a pair of interceptions in two seasons with the Bruins. A neck injury suffered while he attended the University of Washington temporarily relegated him to medical retirement, but Latu said at the scouting combine that his current medical reports suggest he’s no longer at high risk. The Falcons’ doctors would, of course, have to agree, but strong case they’d enlist this year’s most advanced, productive and versatile pass rusher if they do. Atlanta would also have unique insight given new DC Jimmy Lake was Latu’s head coach at UW.

9. Bears: WR Rome Odunze, Washington

Trading down could be temping for Chicago, which has a draft-low four selections, as well. Yet the Bears, who have been busily building a proper supporting cast for Williams, are also dangerously thin at wideout behind DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, who will be 32 by Week 1 and is only under contract for this season. Spectacular as Harrison and Nabers are, plenty of proponents for Odunze, an All-American last year and All-Pac-12 member the past two. The 6-3, 212-pounder has a sterling off-field reputation plus the ball skills and production (92 catches, for 1,640 yards, 13 TDs in 2023) to be a co-WR1 with Moore in 2025 and beyond.

10. New York Jets: TE Brock Bowers, Georgia

Yet another team with a fascinating array of options. GM Joe Douglas, who knows he and HC Robert Saleh are on the hot seat entering this season, wouldn’t have far to go if he wants to get one of this draft’s elite wideouts. Despite an offensive line reinforced through free agency, this would also be a great spot to further fortify the blocking in front of QB Aaron Rodgers. A trade back could still net an impact player and, perhaps, the second-round pick the NYJ don’t currently possess. But sticking and picking could bring a threat of Bowers’ estimable caliber. Despite being limited by an ankle injury for a good chunk of the 2023 season, Bowers, the only two-time Mackey Award winner ever, had 26 TD catches during his three-year college career and averaged nearly 60 grabs for 850 yards as the rare player at his position who could dominate a game offensively – sometimes as a ball carrier. He’d be quite a run-after-catch threat between the hashes with WRs Garrett Wilson and Mike Williams operating outside and RB Breece Hall holding defenders in the box.

11. Chargers [PROJECTED TRADE with Vikings]: OL Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State

Harbaugh gets what he apparently covets here – an aggressive lineman who exemplifies the Bolts’ new philosophy. A right tackle for the Beavers, Fuaga is excellent in pass protection and especially nasty as a run blocker. He’ll be the first Round 1 O-lineman in Oregon State’s history and can probably play anywhere up front aside from center – but would settle in nicely to his familiar spot on QB Justin Herbert’s front side.

12. Denver Broncos: QB Bo Nix, Oregon

It might seem like a steep price for a passer who’s somewhat unremarkable physically, and maybe the Broncos – this is their only pick in the top 75 – can trade back and still get Nix. They were only too willing to eat Russell Wilson’s high-calorie contract, however Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci seem like a crash diet. Nix has the mobility, accuracy – yes, some of his record 77.5% completion rate in 2023 was juiced by the Ducks’ offense – and quick decision-making HC Sean Payton values, plus a nose for the goal line (38 rushing TDs in five college seasons). And with an FBS-record 61 starts under his belt, rookie passers don’t come much more ready-made.

13. Las Vegas Raiders: DE/OLB Dallas Turner, Alabama

Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the SEC last season while racking up 10 sacks, he has a case as this draft’s premier defensive prospect – one who can bend around blockers and maybe change any D’s complexion. Turner would add more juice to the defense of new HC Antonio Pierce, a former linebacker himself. Lining up opposite DE Maxx Crosby and taking advantage of new DT Christian Wilkins, Turner could be a good solution to the Silver and Black’s prime challenge: neutralizing Kansas City’s Mahomes.

14. New Orleans Saints: OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu, Penn State

Given the performance, or lack thereof, thus far by former first-round LT Trevor Penning plus the knee issues and cost associated with RT Ryan Ramczyk, the Nittany Lions’ 2023 All-American makes too much sense – particularly given the amount of abuse (physical and otherwise) taken by QB Derek Carr in 2023.

15. Indianapolis Colts: CB Quinyon Mitchell, Toledo

He’s got size (6-0, 195), blazing speed (4.33 40 time) and ball skills, two of his six interceptions over the past two seasons turned into pick-sixes. And Indy needs cover help outside, particularly in a division where enemy QBs C.J. Stroud and Trevor Lawrence are bound to put the ball in the air frequently.

16. Seattle Seahawks: DT Byron Murphy II, Texas

New HC Mike Macdonald made his bones as a defensive coach and joins a franchise that watched the Rams’ Aaron Donald wreck shop for a decade. The NFL is also increasingly reliant on players who can disrupt quarterbacks up the middle – something Murphy can do effectively and likely much more so if teamed alongside veteran DT Leonard Williams.

17. Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Terrion Arnold, Alabama

The first-team All-American features confidence, production and toughness. And the Jags live in a world where they better be ready to defend the AFC South champion Texans and a suite of playmakers that now includes WR Stefon Diggs at Stroud’s disposal.

18. Cincinnati Bengals: OL Troy Fautanu, Washington

This team usually drafts ahead of its needs, yet offensive line has been a perennial one since QB Joe Burrow came to town in 2020. An All-Pac-12 performer with sweet feet, Fautanu has All-Pro ability and the versatility to thrive at tackle or guard.

19. Los Angeles Rams: DE Jared Verse, Florida State

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Brian Thomas Jr., LSU

The 6-3, 209-pounder put down a 4.33 40 at the combine in the wake of a season when he had 1,177 yards on 68 catches – a quarter of those receptions resulting in TDs. And with Diontae Johnson now in Carolina and newly signed free agents Van Jefferson and Quez Watkins currently the best options at WR2, an upgrade opposite George Pickens – and he has consistency issues himself – seems like a sizable priority.

21. Miami Dolphins: OL Graham Barton, Duke

A left tackle for the Blue Devils, the two-time All-ACC selection is likely headed inside in the NFL due to his relatively short arms. And the Fins could use help there after losing Connor Williams, apparently, and Robert Hunt during free agency.

22. Philadelphia Eagles: OT JC Latham, Alabama

His defensive needs aside, if a blocker with this much potential is available, could Philly EVP/GM Howie Roseman really help himself? The 6-6, 342-pound Latham has experience at guard, and there’s a hole there with Cam Jurgens sliding into the center spot vacated by retired Jason Kelce. But Latham’s long-term home is right tackle, and with All-Pro Lane Johnson turning 34 next month and out of guaranteed money, he could be following Kelce out the door in the near future.

23. Chargers [PROJECTED TRADE with Cleveland Browns via Houston Texans and Vikings]: WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia

The Bolts’ trade with Minnesota allows them to address two glaring needs in Round 1 – offensive line and, here, receiver following the departures of starters Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. McConkey would provide Herbert with a reliable option either outside or from the slot, where he could maybe best complement 2023 first-rounder Quentin Johnston, who struggled as a rookie.

24. Dallas Cowboys: OL Jackson Powers-Johnson, Oregon

Plenty of needs for a team that has been restricted from doing much with free agents due to its bloated salary cap. The 2023 Rimington Trophy winner as the country’s best college center, ‘JPJ’ – who excels as a run and pass blocker – could replace departed C Tyler Biadasz or slide one spot to the left and allow LG Tyler Smith to kick out to the longtime post vacated by LT Tyron Smith. Also worth noting, RG Zack Martin is out of contract in 2025.

25. Green Bay Packers: OT Tyler Guyton, Oklahoma

Well, we know GM Brian Gutekunst won’t take a receiver at this spot. Guyton, a former tight end incidentally, would bring high-end potential and flexibility to a line that’s lost LT David Bakhtiari and G Jon Runyan Jr. Guyton played some left tackle for the Sooners but was mostly on the right side. That could provide options in Green Bay, where incumbent OT Zach Tom has also lined up on either end of the line.

26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DE Chop Robinson, Penn State

His eye-popping athleticism – the 6-3, 254-pounder ran a sub-4.5 40 at the combine – doesn’t necessarily align with his production, which included 9½ sacks and 17½ TFLs in two seasons with the Nittany Lions. But he could be a real asset to a defense that was reliant on the blitz in 2023 and just lost OLB Shaq Barrett.

27. Cardinals (from Texans): DL Darius Robinson, Missouri

The 6-5, 285-pound All-SEC selection has the size and athleticism to play inside or out while thriving against the run or pass – all traits a defense that’s weak up front and allowed the second-most points in the league in 2023 could badly use.

28. Buffalo Bills: WR Adonai Mitchell, Texas

After divorcing themselves from Diggs and Gabe Davis this offseason, the Bills clearly need to replenish the wideout position beyond free-agent gadget signing Curtis Samuel. Mitchell has Velcro hands, postseason bona fides, size (6-2, 205) and exceptional speed (4.34 40 time) – a combo that should dovetail with Josh Allen, who likes to go deep but can benefit from a larger catch radius on intermediate throws. A Georgia transfer, Mitchell found the end zone 11 times during his only season with the Longhorns.

29. Raiders [PROJECTED TRADE with Detroit Lions]: QB Michael Penix Jr., Washington

A strong pro day certainly didn’t damage his stock. If not for his history of knee and shoulder problems, which predates Penix’s time with the Huskies, he’d probably be projected as a top-10 selection. So trading back into the first round to get him could be a real steal for Las Vegas, while also allowing the Lions – GM Brad Holmes has indicated he’s committed to strengthening the roster without necessarily making a bold move for the reigning NFC North champs – to build capital, likely adding a second- and third-round pick in this scenario. Penix’s past two seasons with the Huskies were sublime (67 TD passes, 19 INTs). The Heisman runner-up to Daniels last season, his performance against Texas in the CFP (430 yards, 2 TDs passing) was an all-timer, the southpaw lasering the ball over the field. His maturity and experiences are also plusses.

30. Baltimore Ravens: OT Amarius Mims, Georgia

A right tackle who already knows OC Todd Monken’s playbook, Mims’ 87-inch wingspan and 6-8, 340-pound frame help him block out the sun. He could start straight away following the trade of previous RT Morgan Moses to the Jets.

31. San Francisco 49ers: DT Johnny Newton, Illinois

The Big Ten’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year, who’s 6-2 and 304 pounds, is strong, tough, twitchy and certainly disruptive enough to upgrade and deepen the Niners’ precious D-line, which took some hits in free agency.

32. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Jordan Morgan, Arizona

It would be fun to give the champs a toy like Texas WR Xavier Worthy, who set the combine record with a 4.21 40-yard dash. But a gaping hole seemingly remains on Mahomes’ blind side. Too big a need to ignore unless LT Donovan Smith re-signs or HC Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach have a yet-to-be revealed plan that makes more sense than gambling on 2023 third-rounder Wanya Morris. Barring that, Morgan could be the answer – and a significant improvement – particularly in pass pro.

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.

Monday, the New York Jets agreed to trade Zach Wilson, the second overall pick of that year’s draft, to the Denver Broncos. According to a person familiar with the situation, the Jets pick up a sixth-round draft pick in the deal while also sending a Round 7 selection to Denver. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal is not yet official.

Wilson becomes the fourth passer selected in Round 1 of the 2021 draft to wash out with the team that drafted him. He joins Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Mac Jones, who have all switched addresses within the last year. However Wilson’s failures are among the most glaring.

Selected to replace Sam Darnold and reset the contractual clock at the position – and after a spectacular pro day at BYU – Wilson ultimately proved a regression from Darnold, who had almost no help around him during his three seasons with the team. The NYJ effectively threw in the towel on Wilson in 2023 after trading for four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers … then were quickly forced to turn back to the BYU product, who again miserably failed in his third attempt to produce at a level commensurate with his draft billing.

Wilson’s completion rate (57%) and passer rating (73.2) rank among the league’s worst over the past three seasons, that futility married to 23 TD passes and 34 turnovers. Wilson was on the losing end of 21 of his 33 professional starts.

NFL DRAFT HUB: Latest NFL Draft mock drafts, news, live picks, grades and analysis.

Wilson joins a Denver quarterback depth chart that currently only includes veteran journeymen Jarrett Stidham and Ben DiNucci, though the Broncos are also expected to draft another passer later this week. And while Wilson should push for a job on the roster, his lack of accuracy and poor decision-making to this point in his career don’t portend a fruitful marriage with coach Sean Payton.

ZACH WILSON TRADE GRADES

Denver Broncos: C+

They move back 53 spots on Day 3 of the draft in order for Payton to assess a once highly regarded prospect. For a team that had to add to its quarterback room, might as well take a flier on physical talent for virtually nothing rather than hope a Brock Purdy clone materializes.

New York Jets: F

There’s no other way to assess Wilson’s tenure other than an unmitigated disaster – especially when you consider the Jets could have taken WR Ja’Marr Chase, OT Penei Sewell, CB Patrick Surtain II or LB Micah Parsons instead while maybe giving Darnold a fighting chance. Heck, even Lance returned a fourth-rounder when he was dealt by the San Francisco 49ers to the Dallas Cowboys last summer. About the only thing the Jets accomplished Monday was removing themselves from the uncomfortable position of owning the 2024 draft’s final two picks – meaning they would’ve had to deem one player they picked slightly more worthwhile than ‘Mr. Irrelevant.’

***

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on X, formerly Twitter @ByNateDavis.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is under fire this week after a pair of news outlets, including the New York Times, reported that 23 Chinese swimmers quietly tested positive for the same banned substance prior to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

WADA confirmed the substance of the news reports over the weekend, including the number of positive tests and the substance involved, trimetazidine. But it said it did not push for the swimmers to be punished at the time because it had accepted the findings of a Chinese investigation, which said the positive tests were caused by contamination at a hotel kitchen and the athletes were innocent.

WADA also said it did not have the power to disclose the positive tests, under current anti-doping rules, because China’s anti-doping arm (CHINADA) ruled that no anti-doping violations were committed.

The scandal has sparked outrage in some corners of the anti-doping world, with U.S. Anti-Doping Agency chief Travis Tygart among those criticizing WADA and CHINADA for ‘(sweeping) these positives under the carpet).’ It’s also raised both new and old questions about the convoluted processes and guardrails of the global anti-doping system, with the next Summer Olympics in Paris now less than 100 days away.

So what’s all the hubbub about exactly? Here’s a breakdown of what happened, what the key players have said and why the Chinese swimming case has inflamed so many long-standing frustrations in the world of Olympic sports.

When did this scandal start?

In a virtual news conference Monday, WADA offered a detailed timeline of the events courtesy of general counsel Ross Wenzel, who worked on the case for WADA as an outside lawyer prior to assuming his current role in 2022.

According to Wenzel, Chinese anti-doping authorities collected 60 urine samples at a national swimming meet that ended January 3, 2021. More than two months later, on March 15, CHINADA informed WADA that it had recorded 28 positive tests. In April, CHINADA said it would investigate, with the help of public health authorities.

By the end of May, CHINADA relayed the preliminary findings of its investigation, which found trace amounts of the banned substance at a hotel where all 23 of the athletes were staying − specifically, in spice containers at the hotel’s kitchen and drainage units in its hotel. It informed WADA on June 15 that it would not be charging the swimmers with anti-doping violations, officially ruling that the positive tests were caused by environmental/food contamination.

What is trimetazidine, or TMZ?

If this substance sounds familiar, it’s because it garnered headlines in another bombshell doping scandal not too long ago. Trimetazidine, or TMZ, was the banned substance at the heart of the controversy involving Russian figure skater Kamila Valieva at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

TMZ is used to treat angina and other heart-related conditions and has been on WADA’s prohibited substances list since 2014, because it can improve endurance and blood flow.

Valieva, who has since been banned for four years, claimed she unknowingly ingested TMZ through a strawberry dessert that was given to her by her grandfather.

How did it allegedly get into the Chinese swimmers’ hotel kitchen?

In its investigation, Wenzel said CHINADA did not ask each of the 23 Chinese swimmers who tested positive for TMZ, individually, about how they might have ingested it. Athletes who claim contamination as the reason for a positive drug test are generally required to identify the potential or likely source of contamination.

Wenzel said CHINADA ‘didn’t hypothesize in their report’ why trace amounts of a banned heart medication were found in the kitchen of a hotel where elite swimmers were staying during competition.

‘The ultimate source, meaning how the TMZ got into the kitchen, was not discovered,’ Wenzel said.

So what did WADA do? What could it have done?

WADA officials said that because of a surge in COVID-19 cases in the region at the time, they were not able to travel to China to investigate. They largely relied on CHINADA’s reporting of the facts, which has since raised some eyebrows given the Chinese government’s careful control of the sporting infrastructure there.

WADA’s science department did some digging on the circumstances of the tests, the quantities involved and the substance itself. The department’s head, Olivier Rabin, said his team contacted the original manufacturer of TMZ, which shared confidential and unpublished information about the substance. WADA also considered − and later ruled out − the possibility that athletes could have been microdosing.

WADA noted that all of the positive tests were limited to athletes who, according to CHINADA, stayed in the same hotel, while athletes who stayed in a different hotel did not test positive.

‘All of those athletes were in the same place at the same time when the positives arose, and all of these sample results were at consistently low levels,’ Wenzel said.

WADA could have challenged CHINADA’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). But Wenzel said it decided in early July not to do so, because it couldn’t find sufficient evidence to prove that this wasn’t a case of contamination and its lawyers believed that such an appeal would almost certainly fail.

WADA accepted CHINADA’s decision not to punish its athletes, considered the athletes innocent for all intents and purposes, and did not publicly acknowledge the case prior to the start of the 2021 Olympics later that month. China’s 30-person swimming team went on to win six medals at the Tokyo Games, including three golds.

Why wasn’t this disclosed at the time?

Here’s where this all gets pretty complicated. While WADA is at the top of the anti-doping food chain, much of the actual system is facilitated by national anti-doping bodies like CHINADA or USADA. WADA essentially makes the rules and ensures they’re being followed.

National anti-doping bodies are required to publicly disclose when an athlete tests positive for a banned substance, even if they determine that the anti-doping violation wasn’t the athlete’s fault. However, if the anti-doping body determines that no violation occurred in the first place, they don’t have to say anything. And that’s what happened here.

WADA officials said they couldn’t have publicly disclosed anything about the case unless CHINADA did so, or they decided to take it to CAS. Neither occurred, so WADA stayed quiet for nearly two years, until news reports emerged over the weekend.

‘It’s a question about whether you want or not to expose the innocent athletes, right?’ WADA president Witold Banka said Monday. ‘We have to take into account that through publishing the names of athletes without anti-doping rule violations, you expose the innocent athletes and you can damage their image. So this is a discussion which is very important, and our role is to protect innocent athletes as well.’

What has USADA said?

That statement sparked an incendiary back-and-forth with WADA over much of Saturday, in which WADA took the unusual step of releasing a statement purely to bash Tygart and USADA. Specifically, it called his statement ‘defamatory’ and ‘politically motivated.’ Tygart then released his own statement, chalking WADA’s up to ‘scare tactics.’

‘When you blow away their rhetoric, the facts remain as have been reported: WADA failed to provisionally suspend the athletes, disqualify results, and publicly disclose the positives,’ Tygart said Saturday afternoon. ‘These are egregious failures, even if you buy their story that this was contamination and a potent drug ‘magically appeared’ in a kitchen and led to 23 positive tests of elite Chinese swimmers.’

How is this different from the Kamila Valieva case?

WADA stumped for Valieva to be punished in her case, and there have been questions about how its handling of the Chinese swimmers’ positive tests could potentially influence Valieva’s appeal − or give her grounds to claim that she was treated unfairly.

Wenzel said there were key differences in the Valieva case, however, some of which are fairly technical. In Valieva’s case, for instance, Wenzel said WADA wasn’t able to rule out the possibility that Valieva had knowingly ingested TMZ several days before she tested positive, and the reasoning she initially gave for the positive test wasn’t supported by ‘the pharmacological secretion profile of TMZ.’

What happens next?

In the short-term, probably nothing. None of the parties involved seem interested in relitigating the facts of the case. WADA officials spent nearly two hours Monday defending their handling of it, and Banka said: ‘If we had to do it over again now, we would do exactly the same thing.’

This scandal figures to raise plenty of questions in the leadup to this summer’s Games, which begin July 26, and could lead to some uncomfortable moments when Chinese swimmers line up to compete in Paris. There is also a slight chance that it could result in a federal investigation in the U.S. Under the Rodchenkov Act, passed in 2020, the Justice Department can pursue criminal prosecution in international doping incidents that might have impacted U.S. athletes.

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

The Buffalo Sabres will try to end the NHL’s longest playoff drought with the coach who last got them to the postseason.

Lindy Ruff, 64, was hired Monday to replace Don Granato, who was fired last week after the Sabres’ playoff drought hit 13 seasons. Ruff, himself, had been fired by the New Jersey Devils when the team took a big step back after making the playoffs following a 112-point season in 2022-23.

Ruff previously coached the Sabres from 1997-98 to 2012-13.

“As I went through the hiring process, it quickly became clear Lindy was the person for the job,’ general manager Kevyn Adams said in a statement. ‘He has experience, a proven track record, familiarity with young players, and so much more. I want to be clear though that this hire was not made with nostalgia in mind. Lindy is the right person for the job now and any history with our organization and community is simply an added bonus.’

Here’s what to know about the Sabres’ new/old coach:

All things Sabres: Latest Buffalo Sabres news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Lindy Ruff is the winningest coach in Sabres history

Ruff set franchise records in regular-season games coached (1,165), regular-season wins (571), playoff games coached (101), and playoff wins (57) during his first time with the team from 1997-98 to 2012-13. He went to the playoffs eight times, including three trips to the Eastern Conference final and one to the Stanley Cup Final in 1999. He coached the Sabres when they last made the playoffs in 2010-11 and was also their coach when the drought started the following season. He won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year in 2005-06.

Lindy Ruff has a famous quote in Buffalo sports history

The Sabres lost to the Dallas Stars in the 1999 Stanley Cup Final in the third overtime of Game 6. After the game, video replay showed that Brett Hull had his foot in the crease on his winning goal, which was against the rules at the time. In a Sabres postseason rally, Ruff wrapped up his appearance by saying, ‘No goal.’ Ruff would join the Stars the season after the Sabres fired him 17 games into the 2012-13 season.

Lindy Ruff is the fifth-winningest coach in NHL history

Ruff’s 864 career regular-season wins with the Sabres, Stars and Devils rank fifth in NHL history and is second among active coaches behind the Florida Panthers’ Paul Maurice (869). His 935 combined wins in the regular season and playoffs are tied for fourth in league history. He took the Stars to the playoffs twice and the Devils once (after a 40-point improvement). He was a finalist for coach of the year for the fourth time in his career last season. Ruff’s record is 864-679-78 in the regular season and 71-61 in the playoffs.

The Sabres have tried many coaches during the playoff drought

Since Ruff was first fired, the Sabres have been coached by Brian Rolston, Ted Nolan, Dan Bylsma, Phil Housley, Ralph Krueger and Granato without making the playoffs.

Lindy Ruff also played for the Sabres

Ruff began his NHL career as a Sabres defenseman in 1979-80 but switched to forward. He played nine-plus seasons in Buffalo before being traded to the New York Rangers in 1988-89. He was Sabres captain from 1986-87 until his trade. He finished his playing career with 300 points in 691 regular-season games and made the playoffs nine times. Including his playing and coaching time, he has spent parts of 25 seasons with the Sabres.

“This is a team ready to take the next step,’ Ruff said in a statement. ‘I am both humbled and honored to be trusted to help this team win now. It is not a job that I take lightly. It is my goal to ensure that players believe in each other, play for each other and love being a Buffalo Sabre.’