The New York Jets traded Pro Bowl players Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams for multiple high-round draft picks.
The Philadelphia Eagles added several players, including OLB Jaelan Phillips, to bolster their roster for a playoff run.
Both the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals land as winners and losers for their respective trade deadline moves.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall at 1 Jets Drive. Or The Star. Or even Cincinnati’s Eastern Bloc facilities.

What was shaping up as a very quiet NFL trade deadline turned out to be anything but Tuesday, as the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts engaging in some serious blockbustering. The Bengals made a move, too, if not the one they really needed to. There was also a fair amount of secondary activity as well, with some contenders loading up for playoff runs while several pretenders embraced their reality and began laying the groundwork for what they hope are brighter days ahead.

Who made out like bandits? Who might wind up with buyer’s remorse? Without further ado, your winners and losers as this year’s trade market officially closes its doors:

WINNERS

New York Jets

Wow. Just wow. A 1-7 team just jettisoned Pro Bowl-caliber players Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams in return for three first-round picks, a Round 2 selection and castoffs Adonai Mitchell and Mazi Smith – once highly regarded draft prospects who failed to reach their potential in Indy and Dallas, respectively, but should have opportunities to fill positions of need in Gotham. But this is obviously about the future, the NYJ now set up to largely influence the 2026 and ’27 drafts in what will be their latest hard reset.

Indianapolis Colts

Surrendering two first-round picks for Gardner is a bold and expensive move to be sure. It’s also one that tells the locker room of the AFC-leading squad that there’s belief this team is ready to compete for a championship. Now. GM Chris Ballard doesn’t lightly part with his beloved draft picks, yet this is the kind of gamble that could further galvanize his team and fan base.

Howie Roseman

Quite an eventful bye week for the mastermind of the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles, the club’s wily personnel guru adding OLB Jaelan Phillips and CBs Michael Carter II and Jaire Alexander in recent days. Seems like a pretty good haul, if not really a cost-prohibitive one, for a team that needed secondary depth and more pass rush off the edge – and it arrives at a time when the idle Eagles just got pushed back atop the NFC standings.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Currently on pace to be the first 2,000-yard receiver in league history, the budding Seattle Seahawks superstar will now be teamed with newly acquired WR Rashid Shaheed – a deep threat who wasn’t previously in Seattle’s arsenal, and a guy who can not only stretch defenses but should also open more space underneath for JSN and even (currently injured) Cooper Kupp.

Mickey Loomis and John Spytek

The New Orleans Saints’ Loomis, the league’s longest-tenured general manager, and the Las Vegas Raiders’ Spytek, who’s in his first year on the job, did nice jobs serving their organizations at a time when neither is particularly competitive. Loomis got a fourth- and fifth-rounder for Shaheed, who’s on an expiring contract. He also unloaded OL Trevor Penning, who wasn’t in the Saints’ long-term plans, to the Los Angeles Chargers. Spytek got a similar return (picks in Rounds 4 and 6) for WR Jakobi Meyers, who repeatedly stated he wanted out of Sin City even though his deal is also set to run out. It may not seem like much, but picking up some mid-rounders for players likely to be half-season rentals amounts to a good day’s work for both men.

Logan Wilson

An off-ball linebacker who was benched by the league’s worst defense statistically (Cincinnati) now gets a chance to start for the league’s second-worst defense – and maybe a former Wyoming Cowboy will thrive anew as a Dallas Cowboy. Coordinator Matt Eberflus’ scheme, which doesn’t utilize much blitzing, is heavily reliant on second-level players thriving in space, so this is a big opportunity for Wilson to sink or swim on a unit that was badly in need of a life raft.

Cincinnati Bengals

A team that’s been historically reluctant to engage in trade talks has been laudably active this year, especially so given how the franchise remains in the clutches of a highly frustrating season. The proactive acquisition for temporary QB Joe Flacco last month was the right move to try and salvage the season. Yet offloading Wilson, who was no longer a part of Cincy’s future (or current lineup) is a cagey stroke, especially since the team clears out his base salaries of at least $6 million apiece in 2026 and ’27 – and at a position where most teams are reluctant to spend that much.

LOSERS

Cincinnati Bengals

They purged Wilson and his money but decided to consign Pro Bowl DE Trey Hendrickson to two more months in football purgatory when he could have been a highly valuable commodity to leverage for the needed rebuild of Cincy’s own defense. But the Bengals could apparently deviate from their tendencies only so much. Now it’s up to Hendrickson and Flacco – and maybe injured Joe Burrow eventually? – to help this team win enough 41-38 games to somehow get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

Jerry Jones

You’d like to give him the benefit of the doubt. Or maybe you don’t. But in the past two months, he’s gotten rid of (possibly) generational DE Micah Parsons, watched his team field a laughingstock of a defense on the way to a 3-5-1 start and 11th place standing overall in the NFC, two games out of the final wild-card spot. Then Jones turns around and effectively spends a chunk of his Parsons’ windfall for Williams, a 27-year-old three-time Pro Bowler … if not a player who was ever able to transcend his circumstances in another dysfunctional organization. Williams is locked up through the 2027 campaign, which is a plus. Conversely, neither he nor Wilson is a pass rusher, so hard to envision these moves putting Dallas over the top – certainly not this year and maybe not in the next few.

New England Patriots

They have more available cap space – by far – than any team in the league and had recently accumulated extra mid-level draft picks by trading backups Keion White and Kyle Dugger last week. But the first-place Pats either couldn’t or wouldn’t extend their resources to bring in another stud. And maybe that’s OK given the alleged rebuild under first-year coach Mike Vrabel seems to be going swimmingly. Yet maybe they’ll rue not doing more to fend off the charge that seems likely to come from the perennial AFC East champion Buffalo Bills.

James Gladstone

It’s exceedingly early, but the bold deal the Jacksonville Jaguars’ rookie GM did in April to get Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter with the draft’s No. 2 pick hasn’t produced many early returns. Now, with Hunter and WR1 Brian Thomas sidelined by injuries, Gladstone forked over two more future picks for Meyers, who’s averaged all of 31 receiving yards over the past four weeks and now must quickly internalize Liam Coen’s offense. That’s a hefty mortgage for one position – and one that doesn’t have a whole lot of curbside appeal at this moment.

Kyler Murray

This isn’t to suggest he was on the block. But the timing couldn’t be more coincidental. Murray was in street clothes Monday night, when his Arizona Cardinals clobbered the Cowboys – and subsequently invited another round of questions as to whether journeyman Jacoby Brissett should be anointed the club’s permanent starter given how much better the offense has looked with him at the controls. Murray was never going to be traded this year. But with his contractual guarantees set to run out after the 2026 campaign, it’s worth wondering – especially if the Cards continue jelling with him on the sideline – if Murray might be on the move a few months from now.

New York Jets

They basically seem like they’re down to one foundational piece, WR Garrett Wilson, unless their recent first-round blockers (Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou) live up to their advance billing. But moving on from Gardner and Williams says a lot about how rookie coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey regarded their roster and culture … and maybe how those departed players felt, too. But apparently they presented owner Woody Johnson with a plan – if one that’s likely going to require several more years to attempt to bring this woebegone franchise, one that’s league-long streak of missing the playoffs (dating to 2010) will extend, back to relevance.

Quincy Williams

Tough to see your brother shipped out − i.e., Quinnen Williams is literally Quincy Williams’ brother. Come on, Jerry, no package deal? Especially when you were obviously looking for help at linebacker?

The award – which aims to be FIFA’s version of a Nobel Peace Prize – will be presented on an annual basis to an individual or group of individuals who have helped unite people in peace through unwavering commitment and special actions.

“In an increasingly unsettled and divided world, it’s fundamental to recognize the outstanding contribution of those who work hard to end conflicts and bring people together in a spirit of peace,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a Wednesday, Nov. 5 statement.

Infantino added the award “will recognize the enormous efforts of those individuals who unite people, bringing hope for future generations.”  

The announcement comes before Infantino will appear at the America Business Forum in Miami on Wednesday, Nov. 5, where U.S. President Donald Trump and Argentine World Cup champion Lionel Messi are among speakers at the event.

Infantino has attended several events in the past few weeks to promote the World Cup and the sport’s ability to provide peace and unity globally.

Infantino joined Trump at the Summit for Peace in Egypt on Oct. 13, and attended the Future Investment Initiative in Saudi Arabia on Oct. 28.

Infantino also accepted an Atlantic Council Global Citizen award in New York on Sept. 24, where he reiterated the World Cup will resemble 104 Super Bowls – likening the soccer tournament to the popular NFL championship game for American sports fans not keen on the sport.

Infantino added the World Cup will have 7 million people in attendance, and 6 billion people watching worldwide.

The World Cup “will be not just the biggest sporting event, but the biggest social event the world has ever seen,” Infantino said in his acceptance speech.

“We need to have occasions to unite the world, to bring everyone together, to bring people together so that they can meet, they can exchange, they can know each other, and they can all learn from each other. This is what the FIFA World Cup is about.”

Trump announced the World Cup draw would be held at the Kennedy Center in late August. The draw will set the schedule for all 104 matches of next summer’s tournament co-hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The World Cup begins on June 11, 2026, and the final will be on July 19, 2026.

I don’t want to be the guy who has to point this out, but the good, well-intended folks on the College Football Playoff selection committee have a Michigan problem. 

Check that, an Ohio State and Michigan problem after the first week of the CFP rankings. 

Because the Buckeyes haven’t beaten Michigan since 2019, and frankly, Ohio State looks lost in the bitter rivalry. The Buckeyes, though, are only a secondary part of the problem — and only because of their part in the process. 

The whopper of a problem is Michigan, currently ranked No. 21 with three games to play. Two of those games are against two of the lower-tier of the Big Ten (at Northwestern, at Maryland) and the last is against You Know Who. 

Again, I hate to be the guy who has to say this, but what in blue blazes happens if Michigan wins out and reaches the Big Ten championship game — and then loses to Indiana?

We could have quite the dicey situation of 10-3 Michigan vs. 9-3 Oklahoma for a CFP spot. And Oklahoma beat Michigan by 11 in September.

I don’t need to tell you a win over No. 1 Ohio State would trump all, including an 11-point win head-to-head. Why? Because, well, who the hell really knows? 

But you better believe it will.

When you’ve got the head of the selection committee talking about how fortunate it is to have three former coaches — Chris Ault, Mark Dantonio, Mike Riley — within the 13-member committee, you can see where this is headed. 

Mack Rhoades, athletic director at Baylor and the guy tasked with herding the cats, was talking about “lines of scrimmage” when explaining the difference between Ohio State and Indiana and Texas A&M. I literally laughed out loud. 

Why do I have this vision of Dantonio, one of the toughest dudes in the coaching fraternity, pounding his fist about the lines of scrimmage while staring down all? But I digress. 

It’s only Week 1. How bad could it get?

The fortunate

No. 1 Ohio State

The defense sure looks elite, but has faced these quarterbacks: Arch Manning (in the first road start of his career), C’zavian Teasett, Parker Navarro, Desmond Williams, Drake Lindsey, Luke Altmyer, Hunter Simmons and Ethan Grunkemeyer. 

Riveting. And you could make an argument November gets easier.

But, you know, lines of scrimmage.

No. 7 BYU

The classic “they’re unbeaten, so what else are we going to do’ choice. The schedule: Portland State, Stanford, ECU, Colorado, West Virginia, Arizona, Utah, Iowa State.

Let’s see what Kalani Sitake’s group has for Texas Tech this weekend. Deal with the tortillas — and the Red Raiders’ lines of scrimmage — and then I’m a believer. 

No. 10 Notre Dame

If this were Iowa State playing this schedule, the Cyclones would be ranked in the 20s. 

The Irish blew a late lead at home to Texas A&M, and never really threatened Miami in the season opener — despite the one possession game. Outside of that, there are these six wins:

Purdue hasn’t won a Big Ten game, Arkansas hasn’t won an SEC game, Boston College hasn’t won an ACC game, and home wins against USC, NC State and Boise State.

I’m gonna puke.

The frantic

No. 2 Indiana

It’s clear the committee was using eye test for Ohio State (lines of scrimmage!), yet the far and away eye test team of the field is Indiana. 

The Hoosiers blew the doors off Illinois and physically manhandled Oregon in their two ranked games, and then annihilated everyone else (with the exception of Phil Parker’s defense at Iowa). Like Ohio State, Indiana is ranked in the top five in the nation in scoring offense and defense ― against a more difficult schedule.

Eye, meet test.

No. 6 Ole Miss

No matter what the Rebels do, they’re not moving ahead of Georgia (where they lost and blew a two possession lead in the fourth quarter) and Alabama (which beat Georgia). Unless, of course, Georgia or Alabama lose. 

If Georgia and Alabama continue winning, the Ole Miss ceiling is more than likely No. 5 — and a spot in the first round playing host to dangerous South Florida (of course the Bulls are beating Memphis in Round 2). 

No. 18 Miami

Barring a collapse in front of them, the Canes are done. That win over Notre Dame in the season opener? Means nothing.

The Canes could win out (including a difficult roadie at Pitt), finish 10-2 and still be behind the Irish. As long as the Irish keep winning, there’s no chance Miami is making up ground. 

I mean, unless their lines of scrimmage start dominating games.  

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.

The Nashville Predators lost 3-2 in overtime to the Minnesota Wild on Nov. 4 at Grand Casino Arena.
Marcus Johansson’s overtime goal was allowed after officials ruled that Predators goalie Justus Annunen intentionally dislodged the net.

The NashvillePredators’ loss to the Minnesota Wild had one of the strangest endings to a hockey game you’ll ever witness.

At the 3:38 mark of overtime, forward Marcus Johansson scored to clinch a 3-2 win for the Wild on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Except, the puck never entered the net.

‘I feel like we got screwed tonight,’ Predators forward Michael McCarron told reporters at Grand Casino Arena after the loss.

On the play, seconds before Johansson touched the puck, Predators goaltender Justus Annunen slid hard into the left post. His skate dislodged the net from its moorings while the Wild had possession of the puck. When the puck found Johansson on the right post, his initial shot hit the outside of the net, then a second shot was ruled a goal by the officials, though it never went in the net.

The officials ruled that Annunen intentionally dislodged the net during an ‘imminent scoring opportunity’ as per NHL rule 63.7. The call was confirmed after a video review from Toronto.

‘The explanation was (the officials) were anticipating it was a goal,’ Predators coach Andrew Brunette said. ‘I disagree with his opinion. That’s the way it is.’

After the game, the NHL released an explanation, saying ‘the actions of Nashville’s Justus Annunen caused the net to be displaced prior to the puck crossing the goal line. Therefore, the referees awarded Minnesota’s Marcus Johansson with a goal.’

But on replay, it’s clear that Johansson’s initial shot would not have gone into the net were it in place. The shot hit the outside of the net, bouncing back to him for a second shot only because the net was dislodged.

‘I don’t know how the ref can stand there with a straight face and call it a goal,’ McCarron said. ‘Then they call Toronto and they still decide it’s a goal. I’m dumbfounded.’

Steven Stamkos befuddled at overtime goal decision

The bizarre conclusion punctuated a fantastic game, including some late heroics from Predators forward Steven Stamkos.

With the Wild holding a 2-1 lead late in the third period, Stamkos scored on a one-time shot from the left circle with 0.3 seconds remaining to tie the game.

‘It was hell of a shot,’ Brunette said. ‘Only a few players in the history of the NHL can make that shot.’

That goal clinched at least a point for the Predators (5-6-4, 14 points).

‘One of our better games of the season,’ he said. ‘We dictated play for most of the night.’

Like Brunette, Stamkos disagreed with the call, shocked that officials would make that ruling given what happened.

‘The confusing part for us was why it was so emphatically called a goal,’ Stamkos said. ‘I get it, the net came off. If the puck goes in right away, no problem if the net’s off. But he missed the net. And the puck actually bounced back to him because the net was sideways and hit the side and it popped back. My interpretation of the rule is if the net wasn’t off, the puck wouldn’t have come back to him and have an open net.’

Nashville now has four overtime losses on the season, including three straight.

The Predators host the Philadelphia Flyers on Nov. 6 (7 p.m. CT, FanDuel Sports Network).

Alex Daugherty is the Predators beat writer for The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network.

The NFL regular season is halfway over and the trade deadline is behind us.

Big names were moved in the final hours of deadline day. New York Jets stars Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams were dealt to Indianapolis and Dallas, respectively, as the team goes for an overhaul. Smaller deals saw wide receivers Rashid Shaheed and Jakobi Meyers sent to Seattle and Jacksonville, respectively.

Those were the last moves teams could make for the regular season. The biggest moves from here on out have to wait until the offseason – including the NFL Draft.

The 2026 NFL Draft features a mix of talent at positions, namely linebacker, wide receiver and defensive line. The quarterback class isn’t as good as hoped but still offers multiple first-round talents, including at the top of Round 1.

As the dust settles from the trade deadline, how have things changed in our latest mock draft? Here’s a new prediction for the first round with the order from Tankathon:

2026 NFL mock draft

1. New Orleans Saints: QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

The Saints drafted a quarterback in 2024 and 2025 but when you have the No. 1 overall pick, you take a shot on the best passer available. Mendoza’s surprisingly fast release for his size (6-foot-5, 225 pounds) maximizes his processing abilities. He’s also a solid scrambler who can extend plays with an understanding of pocket pressure.

2. Tennessee Titans: Edge Rueben Bain Jr., Miami

With a No. 1 overall quarterback already on the roster, Tennessee opts for one of the best players in the class at a valuable position. Bain has improved his play in 2025 with physicality at the point of attack, which should fit right in at the NFL level. His bull rush and bend provide a solid foundation to being a consistent edge rusher and his strength means he can set the edge in run defense as well.

3. New York Jets: QB Ty Simpson, Alabama

Simpson may be in the conversation for QB1 in the class by the time the 2025 college football season is over. He waited behind Bryce Young and Jalen Milroe for his opportunity and he’s made the most of it. Simpson offers an impressive combination of mobility and accuracy; he can quickly feel pressure in the pocket, identify his man, adjust and reset before making a quick throw. If not for his lack of starting experience, Simpson would be well in the conversation for the No. 1 pick.

4. Miami Dolphins: S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Miami needs impact starters on both sides of the ball and it may be hard to find a more impactful player on defense than Downs. The Buckeyes defensive back can play all over the formation with the athleticism, size, and football IQ to cover wide receivers, tight ends or running backs. He’s our top prospect in the class and only falls this far because of positional value.

5. New York Giants: WR Jordan Tyson, Arizona State

The Giants could go either skill position or offensive line at No. 5 here. Looking at the board, we went with the former and gave New York the top wideout in the class. Tyson has an NFL-ready skillset that should provide instant impact across from Malik Nabers. He’s a stellar route runner for his age with the suddenness to create separation at will. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds with impressive verticality, he can high-point deeper passes to win in contested catch situations.

6. Cleveland Browns: QB Dante Moore, Oregon

From one Oregon passer to another. Moore took over the reins in Eugene in 2025 and has made plays with his strong arm and legs this season. His layering, as well as short and intermediate accuracy, have taken a step this year, which boosts his stock ahead of the draft. His mobility will be an asset as well at the next level and can provide Cleveland with an option for the future at quarterback.

7. Las Vegas Raiders: LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State

Reese is one of the biggest risers in the draft class this season. The Buckeyes’ linebacker has outlier size (6-foot-4, 243 pounds) with elite athleticism. What makes him different is his versatility and football IQ. He can effectively rush the passer, read and react correctly in run defense to force a tackle for loss and cover a tight end, sometimes all within the same drive. Las Vegas needs someone to help Maxx Crosby on defense and Reese’s versatility fits the bill.

8. Cincinnati Bengals: Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn

The Bengals defense needs all the help it can get. They’re last in yards and points allowed league-wide. Between help in the secondary and help up front, we went with the latter. Faulk’s movement skills and elite size for an edge (6-foot-6, 285 pounds) should make him an impact starter as a rookie. He’s a high-motor rusher who’s played at multiple spots on the defensive line. He’s also one of the youngest players in the class, which gives Cincinnati a player to build around going forward.

9. Washington Commanders: RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

Washington needs impact players at skill positions on offense. With Tyson off the board, they take the No. 1 running back in the class. Love is the ideal archetype of the modern running back. At 6-foot and 214 pounds, he has NFL size with sprinter speed to be a game-breaking back whenever he touches the ball. The former track star boasts route-running abilities and solid hands to be a three-down back immediately.

10. Baltimore Ravens: DT Peter Woods, Clemson

Baltimore’s slowly working its way farther down the order but still sits in a position to get a high-potential player. Woods was the No. 1 prospect for many analysts entering the 2025 college football season but he’s yet to fully maximize his impressive toolkit of traits. At his best, he shows shades of Jalen Carter. But can he get there consistently? The Ravens would be the right staff to find out.

11. Los Angeles Rams (via Atlanta Falcons): CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee

The Rams have one of the best young fronts in the NFL but could use more star power on the back end to complete the unit. Unfortunately, McCoy hasn’t played in the 2025 college football season due to an ACL injury, but when he’s on the field, he’s one of the best in the country. He has prototypical size and athleticism with the ability to fit in multiple schemes.

12. Arizona Cardinals: Edge T.J. Parker, Clemson

Parker is one of the better run defenders at the position in the class with a 6-foot-3, 265-pound frame. He’d be another young piece for the future of the defensive line alongside Walter Nolen and Darius Robinson. Running back and safety were also in consideration but the positional value gives Parker the nod.

13. Houston Texans: OT Spencer Fano, Utah

Houston’s offensive line desperately needs help. They get it here with one of the best tackle prospects in the class. There are some concerns about Fano’s lean build at 6-foot-6 and 305 pounds but you can’t argue with his movement skills, balance and hand usage. He’s a sure-handed pass protector already and would be a welcome sight for C.J. Stroud.

14. Dallas Cowboys: CB Aveion Terrell, Clemson

Dallas has paid DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs handsomely, yet still has one of the worst pass defenses per play in the league. Terrell may be slightly undersized at 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds but excels in zone coverage. He’s the younger brother of Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell and brings athleticism and a tenacious attitude to the position.

15. Minnesota Vikings: OT Francis Mauigoa, Miami

Minnesota’s offense has sputtered with injuries along the offensive line. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy is in his first full season as a starter and could use more help in front of him. Mauigoa plays right tackle and may end up as the long-term heir to Brian O’Neill at that spot or he could kick inside to guard earlier than later. It may seem like a frivolous pick but considering how things have looked for the Vikings, insurance could go a long way.

16. Carolina Panthers: WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

Carolina’s properly in playoff contention thanks to one of the top rushing attacks in the league. With this pick, Carolina looks to improve its passing offense as well. Tate has taken on a larger role in 2025 in Columbus and thrived as a big-play wide receiver. His reliable hands and route-running would complement 2025 first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan on the outside.

17. Kansas City Chiefs: TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon

Like Baltimore, Kansas City continues falling down the order as it stacks up wins. They still get a contributor on offense with this pick as Sadiq could be a tight end of the future. He’s the top player at the position in the class as a proper mismatch at 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds. He’s a willing blocker and vertical threat at the position who could be a versatile player for this offense.

18. Chicago Bears: CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

This may be recency bias, considering the Bears just let Joe Flacco drop 470 passing yards on them in Week 9. Delane would be a welcome addition for the pass defense. He’s not an outlier athlete and there are concerns about his leaner frame at 6-foot-1 and 187 pounds. But he’s a shutdown cornerback in college who opposing quarterbacks avoid entirely. He’s sticky in man coverage with ideal technique and has the football I.Q. to thrive in zone as well.

19. Cleveland Browns (via Jacksonville Jaguars): OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

Cleveland’s offensive line is years removed from its dominant heights under Kevin Stefanski. Now, the unit could use some help. It’s hard to find a more outlier athlete at the position in this class than Proctor. He needs some work with his consistency but when he’s on, there are few tackles more terrifying than him.

20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Edge David Bailey, Texas Tech

At this point, the top cornerbacks are off the board. It’s between wide receiver or edge rusher at this spot. We went with Bailey, one of the most productive edge rushers in college football. Like Derrick Harmon in 2025, Bailey is a safe bet to continue his production in the NFL. He’s a bit undersized (6-foot-3, 250 pounds) to set the edge in run defense but offers you so much as a designated pass rusher immediately.

21. Detroit Lions: Edge LT Overton, Alabama

Detroit’s done well to avoid injuries on the defensive line this season compared to last and get another long, tall edge rusher to deploy opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Overton can set the edge in run defense with a physical style of play. At 6-foot-5 and 278 pounds, he could line up at multiple spots on the defensive line as well.

22. Los Angeles Chargers: Edge Cashius Howell, Texas A&M

Howell is another undersized edge rusher at 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds with the speed to get after the quarterback regularly. He’s already deploying speed to power, spin and cross-chop moves in college that should stick at the NFL level. The Chargers could use more help off the edge and Howell could be a versatile piece to use in coverage as well.

23. San Francisco 49ers: OT Caleb Lomu, Utah

San Francisco’s barrage of injuries makes it hard to get a proper picture of the starters but the 49ers could use help on the offensive line. Lomu is still raw in his development but has impressive athletic traits. He’s played left tackle at Utah and could end up there for the 49ers or at right tackle.

24. Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay Packers): LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

Linebacker’s been a weak spot for the Cowboys this season and DeMarvion Overshown can only do so much to paper over that. Styles was initially viewed as the top linebacker in Columbus before Arvell Reese’s rise. He’s similarly sized (6-foot-4, 238 pounds) with impressive movement skills. He’d be a welcome fit in the middle as an athletic, reliable tackler.

25. Buffalo Bills: WR Chris Brazzell II, Tennessee

Buffalo’s rushing attack is one of the best in the league once again this year. They opt to get Josh Allen another weapon in the passing game here with the 6-foot-5, 200-pound Brazzell. The Volunteers wideout offers elite burst off the line with verticality to win contested catches. He’s operated well underneath in 2025 to show some development in his game.

26. Seattle Seahawks: OG Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

Seattle addressed wide receiver at the trade deadline by acquiring Rashid Shaheed, moving that need down the priorities. Instead, they’ll continue to upgrade the offensive line with one of the safest picks in the round. Ioane is the top pure-guard prospect with a mix of size, strength and mobility. He’ll need some development technically but the foundation is there for a long-term starter.

27. Los Angeles Rams: QB LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina

In a curveball late in the round, Los Angeles plans for the future with one of the most physically impressive quarterbacks in recent draft history. Sellers’ background as a soccer player comes through in his scrambling ability at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds. He has plenty of elite tools but needs time to refine his game. He could sit behind Matthew Stafford for a year and get up to speed before eventually taking over.

28. Denver Broncos: QB John Mateer, Oklahoma

Mateer had first-round potential to start the season before suffering a hand injury. He’s been spotty since returning from that injury in a matter of weeks and should improve as the season wears on. At his best, Mateer has solid mobility, good processing and a strong arm that operates out of multiple angles. Quarterback, Denver has one of the best rosters in the NFL. They need an upgrade at the position to maximize it.

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Edge Zion Young, Missouri

Young’s been one of the most productive edge rushers in the country with 30 pressures and five sacks through eight games. At 6-foot-5 and 262 pounds, he has the kind of size that the Buccaneers like at the position with an attitude that’ll endear him to the coaching staff. His hand usage and size will help him stick at the next level.

30. New England Patriots: WR Chris Bell, Louisville

Drake Maye’s taken a step forward in year two, and the offense needs to take a step up in personnel around him. It’s between offensive line and wide receiver at this spot. We go with the latter and pick Bell, the linebacker-sized wideout with speed. His physicality against press coverage will offer something different to the Patriots’ wide receiver room.

31. Philadelphia Eagles: CB AJ Harris, Penn State

Philadelphia’s trade for Jaire Alexander to potentially play outside cornerback opposite Quinyon Mitchell shows they need help at the position. If Alexander or the other options at the position don’t work out, Harris could be the right call here. The Penn State cornerback has NFL size at 6-foot-1 and 191 pounds with an aggressive mentality and athleticism to stick at the position.

32. New York Jets (via Indianapolis Colts): Edge Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon

New York dealt cornerback Sauce Gardner to Indianapolis for two first-round picks and wideout Adonai Mitchell at the trade deadline. Now the Jets are looking for building blocks for the future. Coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey both come from teams that built up the trenches to some of the most dominant units in the league. Uiagalelei has NFL size at 6-foot-5 and 272 pounds with the right mix of strength and athleticism to line up in multiple spots on the defensive line.

There’s movement, already, in the NBA’s balance of power.

That’s particularly the case in the Western Conference, where the Los Angeles Lakers have withstood injuries to LeBron James (sciatica) and Luka Dončić, though he has come off the injury report. Austin Reaves even missed a game, but no matter; the Lakers have answered most early tests this season, which does raise the question of how the team will look once James returns.

Atop the East, however, there was a surprise battle for first place on Tuesday, Nov. 4, with the Chicago Bulls topping the Philadelphia 76ers.

It’s still very early in the season, but there’s nonetheless plenty to sort through.

Here are USA TODAY Sports’ NBA power rankings after Week 2 of the 2025-26 regular season:

* Parentheses show movement from last week’s rankings

USA TODAY Sports NBA power rankings — Week 2

1. Oklahoma City Thunder, 8-0 (—)

Only undefeated team, and they’ve done it without All-Star Jalen Williams.

2. Los Angeles Lakers, 6-2 (+9)

On a four-game winning streak, and two of those were without Luka Dončić.

3. San Antonio Spurs, 5-1 (+3)

Victor Wembanyama blocks more shots per game (4.7) than 14 teams do.

4. Houston Rockets, 4-2 (+3)

Only two losses have been against Thunder and Pistons, and Kevin Durant is leading the NBA’s top-rated offense (123.2).

5. Chicago Bulls, 6-1 (+9)

Biggest surprise of the season, Bulls lead the NBA in assists per game (30.2).

6. Denver Nuggets, 4-2 (-3)

The league’s best assist-to-turnover ratio (2.13), but only victory against a team with winning record is against the Timberwolves.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers, 4-3 (-4)

They ranked first in offensive rating (121.0) last year. So far this season, they’re 26th (111.3).

8. New York Knicks, 4-3 (-3)

One year after ranking last in bench points per game (12.7), Mike Brown’s Knicks are better … but not by much (27.1; 28th)

9. Golden State Warriors, 5-3 (-7)

Dubs, not surprisingly, lead the league in made 3s per game (16.4).

10. Philadelphia 76ers, 5-2 (+3)

Blown 24-point lead against the Bulls spoils what had been an excellent start.

11. Detroit Pistons, 5-2 (+1)

Cade Cunningham’s development as a playmaker continues; he ranks third in assists per game (9.6).

12. Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-3 (-4)

Losses against Lakers and Nuggets prove Minnesota needs to beat better opponents. Knicks up next on Wednesday.

13. Milwaukee Bucks, 5-3 (-4)

Giannis Antetokounmpo is accounting for 26.9% of Milwaukee’s points in the games he plays in.

14. Miami Heat, 4-3 (+1)

A one-point win at the Clippers showed Miami will keep running — leading all teams in pace (106.43) — and defending.

15. Los Angeles Clippers, 3-4 (-5)

Too many turnovers, 18.0 per game, which ranks last in the league.

16. Boston Celtics, 3-5 (+1)

Very few turnovers, an NBA-best 11.4 per game.

17. Atlanta Hawks, 4-4 (+1)

Could’ve been worse, but Trae Young missing a month continues a string of bad luck with injuries to start the season.

18. Toronto Raptors, 4-4 (+3)

Wins against Cavs, Bucks and Hawks were indicative of how Toronto, which leads the NBA in assist ratio (20.8), spreads the ball.

19. Portland Trail Blazers, 4-3 (+4)

Credit Tiago Splitter for getting young Blazers to buy in on defense in the face of tumult. Portland leads league in steals per game (12.1) by wide margin.

20. Orlando Magic, 3-5 (—)

New season, same problems; Magic tied for 28th with just 10.4 made 3 pointers per game.

21. Utah Jazz, 3-4 (+3)

They clean up the glass and lead the NBA in rebounds per game (49.6), none bigger than the putback that beat Boston.

22. Memphis Grizzlies, 3-5 (-6)

Things are getting ugly with disgruntled Ja Morant, making eventual trade seemingly inevitable.

23. Phoenix Suns, 3-5 (+3)

Devin Booker averages 31.0 points per game. The next closest Sun, Dillon Brooks is at only 19.3.

24. Indiana Pacers, 1-6 (-2)

Sometimes, you just have bad luck. The Pacers have had very (very) bad injury luck.

25. Dallas Mavericks, 2-5 (-6)

The offense, now without Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, lacks punch and ranks last in rating (103.6).

26. Charlotte Hornets, 3-5 (-2)

Losing to previously winless Pelicans hurts, the Brandon Miller (left shoulder) injury is even worse.

27. Sacramento Kings, 2-5 (+1)

Zach LaVine has led the team in scoring in all but one game; Russell Westbrook did so in the other. They need more from Domantas Sabonis.

28. Washington Wizards, 1-6 (+1)

Offensive rating now a grim 105.5, ranked 29th.

29. New Orleans Pelicans, 1-6 (-2)

They won their first game, but now face a new injury to Zion Williamson.

30. Brooklyn Nets, 0-7 (—)

Sole winless team in NBA, ranked dead last in net rating with an abysmal -15.5.