Wolf News

Taylor Lewan’s Daughter Chugs A Water After Dad Slams A Beer At Nashville Predators Game

Chip off the ol' block. The Nashville Predators are in Music City taking on the Vancouver Canucks in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Preds are currently down 2-1 in the series and looking to tie it up at home before heading back to Canada for game 5. And they've got plenty of help from Smashville cheering them on. Taylor Lewan, former offensive tackle for the Tennessee Titans, is a fixture in Bridgestone Arena when his hometown NHL team is playing. So of course he's there today for game 3, and he's got his family with him as they cheer on the Preds. And during the first period of the game, the camera found Lewan in the stands and turned to him to hype up the crowd with his signature move: Pounding a beer. Lewan put on an impressive performance for sure, but after he finished it was his daughter's turn to hype up the crowd. Now, of course his daughter's a little too young to chug a beer, but she's obviously learned a thing or two from watching ol' dad, so she threw back a water as the crowd cheered her on - and dad looked on with pride. https://twitter.com/KieserNick/status/1784698679955169634 Raisin' em right. And of course fans were loving it: https://twitter.com/ChattTitansFans/status/1784703710330839517 https://twitter.com/diver39/status/1784705306200584326 https://twitter.com/PuckPicks1/status/1784702921289912544 It's a family tradition.

NASCAR Cameraman Caught Zooming In To Get A Closer Look At The Ladies

We see you Mitch... NASCAR on FOX has taken a lot of criticism for their Cup Series race coverage this year, from horribly timed commercial breaks to zoomed-in camera angles that end up missing some of the best action on the track. And it seems that one cameraman may have his eye on other things as he's looking through the lens. During the pre-race coverage for today's Würth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway, FOX analyst Larry McReynolds was in his studio with the monitors in the background showing the various camera shots. But eagle-eyed viewers noticed that one camera seemed to be focused on something other than the racetrack. A monitor labeled "Mitch" showed the camera zoom in on some ladies that apparently caught the cameraman's eye, before zooming back out to get back to the job at hand. https://twitter.com/letsgetrowdy/status/1784647646931529731 Of course Mitch might be the cameraman who's assigned to get crowd shots, but the quick zoom in and out to go back to the track was pretty funny as it made it look like Mitch was just trying to get a glimpse of the scenery in the stands. I mean hey, you've got that powerful zoom, might as well use it. Denny Hamlin ended up taking home the trophy after holding off a hard-charging Kyle Larson in the closing laps. But it seems like Mitch might have been the real MVP. https://twitter.com/BrandonKettelle/status/1784687996165394480

House Cat Snatches Owl Out Of Mid-Air On Backyard Patio

Don't sleep on the house cat. Anyone who owns a cat knows that deep down, each one still thinks they're a tiger. Constantly leaping on things, play fighting, catching mice, or chasing squirrels, the impressive athletic capabilities of these felines are never too far from being unleashed. They also tend to have a bit of an ego and sometimes will try to go up against an animal much larger. But this ego has its benefits, as we see in a backyard security cam video from a few years ago. At first glance, the family's house cat is just enjoying the night by lounging on a patio chair. But take a closer look and you see it has something lined up directly in sight. An owl, presumably a great horned owl, was staring straight at the cat under the table, the two of them locked up in an intense stare down. After a few tense seconds, the owl makes its move, swooping up and around a pile of cushions to try and blindside the cat. But unfortunately for the owl, the cat was ready. It leaps into the air and cleanly snags the attacking raptor, sinking its teeth in and bringing it into the ground, where it proudly stands over its kill. The owl was a small one, most likely an inexperienced youth, but still, the fact the cat was able to take it out with ease proves yet again we're living with tiny tigers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gs34GpLEUEI

Bald Eagles Defend Their Nest From Hungry Bear In Katmai National Park

Survival of the fittest. Here we have some incredibly rare and raw footage, of two of the most ruthless creatures in all of the wilderness. We’re talking about a bald eagle, and a mother brown bear. When it comes to protecting her cubs, mama bear is going to do whatever she can at all costs to keep them safe and healthy, until she lets them go off on their own after about 3 years. With that being said, we have a mother brown bear with her cubs, who had just sniffed out a bald eagle’s nest. Realizing the opportunity in front of her, she makes a move on the nest, even though there are a couple of eagles nearby. The pair of eagles do everything in their power to defend the eaglets in the nest, including swooping down in pairs and taking swipes at the bear. Unfortunately for the nest, the bald eagles don’t appear to pose much of a threat to the mama bear, who ravages the nest while the eagles hopelessly circle above. And according to the person filming, the eagles were devastated: “We visited Katmai National Park in southwestern Alaska from June 5th to June 7th, 2018 and participated in activities very few people in the world are able to do. We stayed at a place called the Katmai Wilderness Lodge, where the guides are experts on grizzly bears and take you out to see them – VERY close. On June 5th, we saw this mother grizzly and her cubs for the first time resting on the side of a cliff. We got some great photos and passed by her several more times throughout the day. On June 6th, however, we saw something very different. In a spot not too far from where she was the previous day, we saw an eagles’ nest on a dead tree on the side of a cliff. Two eagles were sitting on it and the mother grizzly was very close to them. The grizzly bear and her cubs were eating grass right next to the nest, and the eagles were very frightened. They likely annoyed the bear too much, and she decided to attack the nest! She jumped right into the nest, and ate the eaglets that were inside. Her cubs watched from a short distance away all while the mother grizzly bear was getting dive-bombed by the eagles flying above. All of the footage you see in this video was recorded by my father from the boat we were on. We were a mere 50-60 feet away from this entire battle, and it was such an incredible sight, it is likely we’ll never see this again. Within two minutes, everything was finished, and the mother grizzly went on with her day back up the hill away from the nest. The eagles sat there in despair for several hours after their babies were eaten. By June 8th, the eagles abandoned their nest, and have not returned since. They have now learned their lesson to not make a nest within reach of a grizzly bear.” As heartbreaking as it is to see a mother bald eagle hopelessly watch her eaglets die, the mama bear is simply doing everything she can to make sure her cubs and herself have enough food to survive the night. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLaPc3L-GMQ&t=3s

Golden Eagle Digs Into Pronghorn’s Back

Eagles… symbols of freedom, ‘Merica, and Harley Davidson, there’s a certain elegance that’s associated with eagles, especially the bald eagle. But ain’t nothing elegant about this… Golden eagles in particular have been known to drag mountain goats off a cliff, used to hunt wild pigs, and have even been documented trying to fly away with small children. Skilled, ruthless hunters of the sky… when you look at your pet parakeet, eagles are more akin to flying dinosaurs then they are that bird you keep in a cage at home. If you need any more proof, check this out. Video was captured somewhere out West, perhaps Wyoming, featuring a golden eagle with its talons dug deep into the back of a pronghorn, or American antelope as they’re commonly known. As the antelope stumbles about, the eagle’s talons dig deeper and deeper, as it eats the antelope alive, bite by bite. If there’s a worse way to die, I’m not sure I’ve seen it... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i_vZeST950&t=1s

Ranking The 10 Best 2024 NFL Draft Classes: Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers & Caleb Williams-Led Bears Among Biggest Winners

It’ll be years before we know for sure who the big winners and losers from the 2024 NFL Draft were. For now, we can settle for reflecting on what happened over the course of three days, seven rounds, and 259 total picks. Factoring in a blend of my personal top 100 big board, the number of picks each team was allotted, the status of said teams, and how deep their rookie classes are, continue reading for my ranking of the top 10 NFL Draft hauls! All groups of draft picks will have custom-made titles that range from self-explanatory to whimsical to esoteric and may or may not be fully justified throughout this deep-dive article. Let’s proceed. The picks will be listed as they went for each team, with parentheses indicating where I had them on my big board if I did. Top 100 Big Board: Last 10 Out 101. Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina 102. DeWayne Carter, DL, Duke 103. Elijah Jones, CB, Boston College 104. Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane 105. Calen Bullock, S, USC 106. Tanner Bortolini, OL, Wisconsin 107. Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice 108. Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon State 109. Blake Fisher, OT, Notre Dame 110. Giovanni Manu, OT, British Columbia

Ranking The 10 Best 2024 NFL Draft Classes

1. Los Angeles Chargers — Who’s Got It Better?

• 1-5: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame (6)
• 1-34: Ladd McConkey, WR, Georgia (11)
• 3-69: Junior Colson, LB, Michigan (59)
• 4-105: Justin Eboigbe, DL, Alabama (N/A, close)
• 5-137: Tarheeb Still, CB, Maryland
• 5-140: Cam Hart, CB, Notre Dame (77)
• 6-181: Kimani Vidal, RB, Troy
• 7-225: Brenden Rice, WR, USC (72)
• 7-253: Cornelius Johnson, WR, Michigan

I’m probably the biggest Ladd McConkey stan in the greater NFL Draft community. He was my 11th-rated player overall, and the Chargers traded up to the 34th pick to get him. They also got a surefire Pro Bowl tackle in Joe Alt with their first-round pick. Jim Harbaugh had to add some ex-Michigan standouts to the mix, landing an instant starter in linebacker Junior Colton and toolsy wideout Cornelius Johnson in the seventh round. Johnson lit up the Combine, but we could see the Bolts’ other seventh-rounder, Brenden Rice, really push for significant snaps as a rookie. The USC star is the son of Jerry Rice, and was the No. 72 prospect on my big board. Big Notre Dame cornerback Cam Hart should also push for a starting job. As for the rest, Alabama’s Justin Eboigbe stands out. He’s the classic high-motor rotational interior d-lineman who can really help the Chargers’ perpetually leaky run defense. Shouldn’t neglect to mention Troy ball-carrier Kimani Vidal. He’s compact with a low center of gravity, has great burst. Vidal is a more impactful addition than most realize since JK Dobbins is on a one-year deal. Gus Edwards is on a cheap two-year contract, too. What a haul for Harbaugh’s first draft in LA. This class could really vault the Chargers into the AFC playoff picture right away. https://twitter.com/ChaseDaniel/status/1784070015828070502 2. Chicago Bears — Belle of the Knowing Ball

• 1-1: Caleb Williams, QB, USC (1)
• 1-9: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington (5)
• 3-75: Kiran Amegadjie, OL, Yale (44)
• 4-122: Tory Taylor, P, Iowa
• 5-144: Austin Booker, EDGE, Kansas (84)

GM Ryan Poles didn’t have many picks, but he sure did make them count. When you get to draft a no-brainer No. 1 selection like Caleb Williams, it may be a little ridiculous to suggest that the Bears have one of the elite hauls of any NFL team. The way I think about it is, Poles executed the ballsy trade to acquire this pick in the first place before last year’s draft. If you count what he got in that package, you could technically say wide receiver DJ Moore is part of this Bears ’24 class. Let’s not do that, though. Chicago might’ve gotten a new WR1 in Rome Odunze with the ninth pick. Yale’s Kiran Amegadjie is a likely future starter at left tackle or left guard — and perhaps sooner than later. Kansas pass-rusher Austin Booker famously schooled Packers first-rounder Jordan Morgan at the Senior Bowl and could easily start on the edge opposite Montez Sweat. Doesn’t hurt to have a sensational punter like Tory Taylor. Williams hilariously assured the Iowa specialist that he won’t be kicking too often. It’s awesome to have Taylor nevertheless, because he can help the Bears’ stellar defense stay ahead of things on the field position front. Hard to crush it more than the Bears did when you factor in the limited assets available to them. And you know what? Sweat was traded for with what would’ve been Chicago’s second-round pick in this draft. The more you zoom out, the more there is to like big picture-wise with what Poles has pulled off via draft capital. https://twitter.com/robertmays/status/1784242410530189476 3. Philadelphia Eagles — The Annual Howie Roseman [Philly] Special

• 1-22: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo (7)
• 2-40: Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa (10)
• 3-94: Jalyx Hunt, EDGE, Houston Christian
• 4-127: Will Shipley, RB, Clemson
• 5-152: Ainias Smith, WR, Texas A&M (85)
• 5-155: Jeremiah Trotter Jr., LB, Clemson (N/A, close)
• 5-172: Trevor Keegan, OL, Michigan
• 6-185: Johnny Wilson, WR, Florida State (83)
• 6-190: Dylan McMahon, OL, NC State

https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1784309734037733547 This really comes down to the fact that two players apiece at premium positions were had well above market value. Howie Roseman is perhaps the most proactive GM in terms of wheeling and dealing on draft day, or in any other high-profile trades. He worked his magic again throughout the draft, but when it came to his first selection at No. 22, he let the best cornerback in the class, Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell, fall right to him. Mitchell will start right away, as will versatile Iowa chess piece Cooper DeJean. He’s a return man in addition to a defensive back who could align anywhere and be better than most of the Eagles’ incumbents in the secondary. Roseman got a couple steals at wide receiver, too, in Texas A&M slot man Ainias Smith (152nd pick) and Florida State size-speed freak Johnny Wilson (185th pick). They were 85th and 83rd on my big board respectively. Combine all that with a couple solid o-line depth pieces, a legacy linebacker in Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (dad is an Eagles Hall of Fame), and an exotic edge rusher in Jalyx Hunt who’s a converted safety, and it’s safe to say Philly has done it again with a great rookie haul. https://twitter.com/BaldyNFL/status/1783908884262097074 https://twitter.com/thomasrp93/status/1784586755812769929 4. Los Angeles Rams— Don’t F With These Picks

• 1-19: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State (22)
• 2-39: Braden Fiske, DL, Florida State (38)
• 3-83: Blake Corum, RB, Michigan (86)
• 3-99: Kamren Kinchens, S, Miami (FL) (73)
• 5-154: Brennan Jackson, EDGE, Washington State (N/A, close)
• 6-196: Tyler Davis, DL, Clemson (N/A, close)
• 6-209: Joshua Karty, K, Stanford
• 6-213: Jordan Whittington, WR, Texas
• 6-217: Beaux Limmer, OL, Arkansas (N/A, close)
• 7-254: KT Leveston, OL, Kansas State

Les Snead is the GM who’s most allergic to top draft picks, so much so to the point that this is literally the first time during Sean McVay’s tenure that the Rams have had a first-round choice! They used it on Florida State EDGE Jared Verse, who might’ve gone higher in other years if not for the massive run on QBs, offensive tackles and wide receivers near the top. Pairing Verse with Braden Fiske made for one of the best moments I’ve ever seen in the draft. I’ll show their phone call at the bottom of this section. So while LA made the most of its first couple picks, I was so impressed with how they made out the rest of the way. Another stellar pass-rusher in Brennan Jackson, who could’ve easily gone a couple rounds earlier. Clemson’s Tyler Davis adds more depth to the interior d-line, and Arkansas center Beaux Limmer does that on the other side of the ball. Blake Forum had such a decorated career at Michigan and will take some carries off workhorse Kyren Williams. What a 1-2 punch that should be to complement Matthew Stafford and the passing attack. Miami safety Kamren Kinchens slid a bit due to underwhelming athletic testing, yet he could easily start as a rookie. Kicking woes from last season led Snead to draft Stanford’s Joshua Karty. Drafting a specialist isn’t for everyone. When you have four sixth-round picks, it’s easier to justify a flier, especially to address a glaring need. As good as last year’s rookies were for the Rams, this group has a chance to make a similar impact. https://twitter.com/RamsNFL/status/1784273808058388723 5. Pittsburgh Steelers— The Bullying Band of Backyard Brawlers

• 1-20: Troy Fautanu, OT, Washington (18)
• 2-51: Zach Frazier, OL, West Virginia (40)
• 3-84: Roman Wilson, WR, Michigan (42)
• 3-98: Payton Wilson, LB, NC State (26)
• 4-119: Mason McCormick, OL, South Dakota State (N/A, close)
• 6-178: Logan Lee, DL, Iowa
• 6-195: Ryan Watts, CB, Texas

Damn the Steelers. Just when it looks like they’re on the precipice of collapse, Mike Tomlin wrests them back from the brink, they manage not to have a losing record, and no matter where they’re drafting, they generally keep their cupboard stocked every single year in the draft with quality players. This felt like a particularly momentous class for Pittsburgh. Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier will start at left tackle and center respectively from the jump. Sure-handed, speedy slot guy Roman Wilson can win big on downfield routes, which fits nicely with Russell Wilson and doesn’t leave George Pickens as the only home-run threat. SO MANY WILSONS! NC State linebacker Payton Wilson is somebody I could’ve picked in the first round. Medical red flags dropped him all the way to Round 3, Pick 98. Put a savvy athlete of his caliber next to Patrick Queen, and you’re cooking with gas at that position. South Dakota State’s Mason McCormick should start at guard at some point as well. The Steelers sent a message with this class. They’re quadrupling down on bully ball, and they don’t care who knows it. https://twitter.com/MathBomb/status/1782492066918039852 6. San Francisco 49ers— The Richest Get Richer Rookie Class

• 1-31: Ricky Pearsall, WR, Florida (31)
• 2-64: Renardo Green, CB, Florida State (91)
• 3-86: Dominick Puni, OL, Kansas (69)
• 4-124: Malik Mustapha, S, Wake Forest (82)
• 4-129: Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville (61)
• 4-135: Jacob Cowing, WR, Arizona
• 6-215: Jarrett Kingston, OL, USC
• 7-251: Tatum Bethune, LB, Florida State

What an outstanding job by John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan. If anyone knows a great running back when he sees one, it’s the 49ers head coach. Isaac Guerendo was one of the biggest steals of the draft to me. Had him 61st, and he didn’t go until Pick 129. Dude is electric, with 4.3 speed and a 6.94-second 3-cone at 221 pounds. Guerendo could easily beat out Elijah Mitchell for the RB2 spot and help take some carries off of Christian McCaffrey. Dominick Puni is an excellent athlete up front and a perfect fit for Shanahan’s scheme. He’ll start at guard for sure. Then you have Renardo Green, who in retrospect, I should’ve had rated higher than he is. Green is excellent in man coverage and can make an immediate splash. The path to a prominent role is a little less clear for first-rounder Ricky Pearsall. That said, he’s such a good route-runner, so sure-handed and such a big-play threat that I’m sure Shanahan will figure out a way to feed him even with CMC, Brandon Aiyuk, and Deebo Samuel to account keep happy. Quick aside: Thank you again to the 49ers organization and Pearsall for making me some bank. https://twitter.com/MattFitz_gerald/status/1783705199212683369 Getting thumper Wake Forest Malik Mustapha well after I’d be comfortable waiting for him was another great value pick by San Francisco. Those first five picks are as good as any in this entire class. Considering how late in the draft order they were since they played in the Super Bowl, 49ers fans couldn’t have asked for much more. PS, look at how Texans superstar CJ Stroud reacted to Pearsall going off the board. https://twitter.com/brgridiron/status/1783834025255387507 7. Washington Commanders— Depth for Days [/] That Plays(?)

• 1-2: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU (4)
• 2-36: Johnny Newton, DL, Illinois (21)
• 2-50: Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan (43)
• 2-53: Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State (88)
• 3-67: Brandon Coleman, OT, TCU
• 3-100: Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice (107)
• 5-139: Jordan Magee, LB, Temple
• 5-161: Dominique Hampton, S, Washington
• 7-222: Javontae Jean-Baptiste, EDGE, Notre Dame

The Commanders had the unenviable task of picking a QB right after a slam-dunk No. 1 pick in Williams. Thankfully, Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels made that decision rather easy, although his reckless playing style and slender frame should give Washington a little trepidation. Beyond Daniels, new GM Adam Peters had a fine showing. Illinois defensive lineman Johnny Newton was a great get at pick 36. Michigan nickel Mike Sainristil is a stud. Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott is a sturdy blocker and an underrated, dynamic pass-catcher. Luke McCaffrey is the latest from his family to enter the NFL and could very well start as a slot receiver. Temple linebacker Jordan Magee is another pick I like, except he’ll likely struggle to find a role behind Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu, and Jamin Davis. That’s where I run into a little confusion about this Commies class. A lot of promising players, yes, but they just drafted Quan Martin in the second round last year to play nickel. I guess Sainristil boots him out to a proper safety spot? McCaffrey is a converted QB who’s still learning the finer points of playing receiver. Plus, it’s a crowded room in Washington at the position. TCU’s Brandon Coleman is a raw pass blocker who looks like he’ll be expected to start at left tackle. Interesting choice. And will the second-rounder Sinnott start, or be relegated to TE2 duties behind veteran Zach Ertz? Most glaring of all is Newton. He’s certain to be behind Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen for the time being. Is he a situational, subpackage pass-rusher? Kind of odd, no? It’s a good crew overall. I just question how some of the puzzle pieces fit together. Hence the dual meaning in this class’ title. There’s depth for days. That plays to the general public almost always. But who actually, you know, plays a clear-cut, significant starring role from this whole nine-pick platoon outside of Daniels? Like Nick Saban, I also love Sainristil. Quan Martin will just have to deal with riding the pine or pivoting positions. https://twitter.com/awfulannouncing/status/1784023449859674563 8. New Orleans Saints— A Rare-For-Them Masterclass in Asset Management

• 1-14: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State (19)
• 2-41: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama (27)
• 5-150: Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina (39)
• 5-170: Bub Means, WR, Pitt (N/A, close)
• 5-175: Jaylan Ford, LB, Texas
• 6-199: Khristian Boyd, DL, Northern Iowa (N/A, close)
• 7-239: Josiah Ezirim, OT, Eastern Kentucky

Spencer Rattler feels like one of the steals of the draft. The South Carolina QB could very well push Derek Carr this season for the starting job. If Carr starts struggling, you can bet the Saints faithful will start clamoring for Rattler. But beyond the potential QB of the future and my 39th-rated overall player going at Pick 150, New Orleans did a fine job the rest of the way. Pitt wideout Bub Means and Northern Iowa d-tackle Khristian Boyd flirted with being in my top 110 prospects before falling out. Means could easily push the likes of AT Perry for playing time. Boyd could push past Nathan Shepherd or 2023 first-rounder Bryan Bresee in the rotation. I would barely bat an eye. The crown jewels of this Saints class are indubitably Oregon State offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga and Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. Fuaga is a probable Week 1 starter at left tackle. McKinstry should have no trouble carving out a significant role. For a front office that makes kicking the salary cap can down the road an annual sport in and of itself, the Saints just had what I’d consider their best all-around draft since 2017. https://twitter.com/MattOLearyNY/status/1783138003722043460 9. Cincinnati Bengals— Paving The Warpath for Vengeance

• 1-18: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia (25)
• 2-49: Kris Jenkins, DL, Michigan (49)
• 3-80: Jermaine Burton, WR, Alabama (37)
• 3-97: McKinnley Jackson, DL, Texas A&M
• 4-115: Erick All, TE, Iowa (N/A, close)
• 5-149: Josh Newton, CB, TCU
• 6-194: Tanner McLachlan, TE, Arizona State
• 6-214: Cedric Johnson, EDGE, Ole Miss
• 7-224: Daijahn Anthony, S, Ole Miss
• 7-237: Matt Lee, OL, Miami (FL)
• UDFA: Austin McNamara, P, Texas Tech

Some may call me a homer for being a Bengals fan and ranking them in the top 10. Those first three picks were absolute fire. McKinnley Jackson fits a need at nose tackle even if it’s a little rich. Erick All could easily be TE1 if he rallies back from a torn ACL at full strength. Matt Lee could be the successor at center to Ted Karras. Getting him in the seventh round rocked. Finding perhaps the best punter this side of Tory Taylor in Austin McNamara as a UDFA was a nice cherry on top of this group. Circling back to the aforementioned top three. Kris Jenkins should be in the rotation right away at a position of weakness. He’s an excellent run defender, which the Bengals desperately had to get with DJ Reader fleeing to Detroit in free agency. Amarius Mims could beat out Trent Brown for the starting right tackle job, but if he doesn’t he’s in line to start in 2025. Mims allowed zero QB hits and zero sacks in 402 pass blocking snaps at Georgia. That’s pretty good. I’d feel worse about the Jermaine Burton pick if Cincinnati legend T. J. Houshmandzadeh wasn’t training him (he is), and didn’t personally announce the pick with glee. Burton is an immediate upgrade over Tyler Boyd who can play outside or in the slot, not to mention he’s decent long-term insurance for Tee Higgins, who’s playing on the franchise tag and has demanded a trade. https://twitter.com/MattHarmon_BYB/status/1784049570848325722 This class does indeed pave the warpath for Joe Burrow’s revenge tour. No more fluky injuries. No more wanting depth on either side of the trenches. In my opinion, the Bengals had one of their best drafts ever. Only 2020’s haul of Burrow, Higgins and Logan Wilson in the top three bests what they just got in Mims, Jenkins and Burton — not to mention the stellar additions on Day 3. https://twitter.com/bengals_sans/status/1783683186658062663 10. Miami Dolphins— Most With The Least Beasts of The (AFC) East

• 1-21: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State (49)
• 2-55: Patrick Paul, OT, Houston (55)
• 4-120: Jaylen Wright, RB, Tennessee (70)
• 5-158: Mohamed Kamara, EDGE, Colorado State (99)
• 6-184: Malik Washington, WR, Virginia (80)
• 6-198: Patrick McMorris, S, California
• 7-240: Tahj Washington, WR, USC (N/A, close)

The athletic profiles of Chop Robinson and Mohamed Kamara should quell concerns about Miami’s depth on the edge going forward. With Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb coming off season-ending injuries, and Andrew Van Ginkel lost to Minnesota in free agency, the Dolphins rightly prioritized that position with two potential studs in Robinson and Kamara. Beyond them, Mike McDaniel had to have pounded the table for blazing-fast Tennessee tailback Jaylen Wright. He’s a great insurance policy for a brutal position, and could help the likes of Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane stay fresh throughout the 2024 campaign in anticipation of another postseason push. I also love the selection of Virginia wideout Malik Washington at Pick 184. I had him 80th on my big board, and it’s wild that he lasted so long. At a certain point, the speed-coveting Fins couldn’t resist. USC’s Tahj Washington is essentially the slim-fit version of Washington, and both should vie for time in the slot. PFF tells me Malik led all receivers in missed tackles forced (35) en route to 111 receptions for 1,384 yards and nine TDs this past season. Tahj managed 1,062 yards and eight TD grabs on only 59 catches, with just one drop on 74 targets. Translation: Both Washingtons are very good at football. https://twitter.com/WingfieldNFL/status/1784324114540327103 Last but not least to talk about, Houston left tackle Patrick Paul is among the best pass blockers at the position in this class. He’s a strong standby option for oft-banged-up vet Terron Armstead, and a capable heir apparent. Aaaand that’s a wrap on the top 10. Thank you for reading if you’ve made it this far. Please enjoy roasting me sometime down the road, years later, when the teams I didn’t mention prove to have drafted way better. Below are the honorable mentions, so as to include half of the NFL and give myself some outs in the future. I have cheeky nicknames for those teams’ classes, too.

Best 2024 NFL Draft Classes: Honorable Mentions

11. Minnesota Vikings— Purple People Pleasers

• 1-10: JJ McCarthy, QB, Michigan (14)
• 1-17: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama (13)
• 4-108: Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon (68)
• 6-177: Walter Rouse, OT, Oklahoma
• 6-203: Will Reichard, K, Alabama
• 7-230: Michael Jurgens, OL, Wake Forest
• 7-232: Levi Drake Rodriguez, DL, Texas A&M Commerce
• UDFA: Gabriel Murphy, EDGE, UCLA (76)
• UDFA: Dwight McGlothern, CB, Arkansas (N/A, close)

A couple very nice UDFA signings for Minnesota, preceded by a strong top three with my QB4 JJ McCarthy — who's more like QB3 or QB2 now given that the Vikings are easily the best spot for a rookie field general to land — and Dallas Turner, my top EDGE defender. Even Oregon corner Khyree Jackson has a real chance to start on the boundary. Nice fit in Brian Flores' exotic defense. https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/status/1783872144897638711 12. Indianapolis Colts— No Risk-It, No-Biscuit: A Tribute to Bruce Arians

• 1-15: Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA (15)
• 2-52: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas (41)
• 3-79: Matt Goncalves, OT, Pitt
• 4-117: Tanor Bortollini, OL, Wisconsin (106)
• 5-142: Anthony Gould, WR, Oregon State (97)
• 5-151: Jaylon Carlies, S, Missouri
• 5-164: Jaylin Simpson, S, Auburn
• 6-201: Micah Abraham, CB, Marshall
• 7-234: Jonah Laulu, DL, Oklahoma

The man who shepherded Andrew Luck to instant superstardom, Bruce Arians, who won a Super Bowl with Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Arians coined the rhyming paradigm above, and GM Chris Ballard swung for the fences with some of these. Two very good but very undersized players in Anthony Gould and Jaylin Simpson. Formerly medically retired pass-rush artist Laiatu Latu in Round 1. Boom-or-bust wideout Adonai Mitchell. Pitt tackle Matt Goncalves coming off a season-ending injury. Some MACtion with Micah Abraham. Two power conference players I've legit never even heard of. This was a bonkers class. I love it. Have a feeling Latu and Mitchell will prove to be huge hits. https://twitter.com/BaldyNFL/status/1783676637793362058 13. Kansas City Chiefs— Special VEACH-URES

• 1-28: Xavier Worthy, WR, Texas (29)
• 2-63: Kingsley Suamataia, OT, BYU (90)
• 4-131: Jared Wiley, TE, TCU
• 4-133: Jaden Hicks, S, Washington State (71)
• 6-211: Kamal Hadden, CB, Tennessee (54)
• 7-248: CJ Hanson, OL, Holy Cross

Brett Veach, ladies and gentlemen. He did it again. Got the fastest dude in Combine history in Xavier Worthy via a trade with the Buffalo Bills. Let's just hope for Buffalo's sake that Keon Coleman (great personality) is the truth. Looking at this Chiefs draft holistically, it's damn good beyond the splashy Worthy move. Kingsley Suamataia will get a real crack at starting at left tackle, but what I really want to get to is after that. Veach is particularly sharp at drafting Day 3 players in the secondary. That makes me more bullish on Jaden Hicks than I already was. Feels like I'm on an island with how much I love Kamal Hadden. The guy has had an interesting journey of transferring and does have some injury history. However, is playing in the SEC and allowing a passer rating of seven when targeted, like, bad? https://twitter.com/PFF_College/status/1784333702027264040 14. Detroit Lions— Brad Holmes — WOO!

• 1-24: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama (20)
• 2-61: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., CB, Missouri
• 4-126: Giovanni Manu, OT, British Columbia (110)
• 4-132: Sione Vaki, RB/S, Utah
• 6-189: Mekhi Wingo, DL, LSU
• 6-210: Christian Mahogany, OL, Boston College (75)

Sohuldn't we just take what Lions GM Brad Holmes does in the draft as gospel at this point? Nobody's doing it better than him since he took over the gig in Detroit. That's why this moribund franchise is suddenly a juggernaut in the NFC who should've played in the latest Super Bowl if not for a possibly accursed collapse. Terrion Arnold might be my favorite human being in this whole 2024 draft. He's also a hell of a cornerback who'll start from Day 1. Why the, "WOO!" title, you ask? I think the couple tweets below will explain the rest. https://twitter.com/RussNFLDraft/status/1651996832405368840 https://twitter.com/BenjaminSolak/status/1784278468613554617 https://giphy.com/gifs/yeah-flair-ric-yUI3a7RwLhOFy 15. Baltimore Ravens — After Our Biggest Steal, We Just Started Throwing Darts

• 1-30: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson (23)
• 2-62: Roger Rosengarten, OT, Washington
• 3-93: Adissa Isaac, EDGE, Penn State (79)
• 4-113: Devontez Walker, WR, North Carolina (101)
• 4-130: TJ Tampa, CB, Iowa State (48)
• 5-165: Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall
• 6-218: Devin Leary, QB, Kentucky
• 7-228: Nick Samac, OL, Michigan State
• 7-250: Sanoussi Kane, S, Purdue

Not a bad collection of prospects for Baltimore by any means. Never hurts to invest in the cornerback position. I'm not in love with Roger Rosengarten, but far be it from me to question the Ravens' assessments of offensive linemen. They have a tremendous track record. Devontez Walker is a good downfield threat for Lamar Jackson. He's kind of a one-trick pony in that regard, though. The big steal is Iowa State cornerback TJ Tampa, who complements the undersized, super speedster first-rounder Nate Wiggins nicely. I don't think the Ravens are getting anything out of the rest of their Day 3 picks. Not that you can expect much from those selections in general. I just didn't see much to merit higher placement in this draft class hierarchy. https://twitter.com/Schultz_Report/status/1784274663557759341 16. Green Bay Packers — Too Many Picks To Know What To Do With Them All: A Case Study 1-25: Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona (46) 2-45: Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M (52) 2-58: Javon Bullard, S, Georgia (63) 3-88: MarShawn Lloyd, RB, USC 3-91: Ty’ron Hopper, LB, Missouri 4-111: Evan Williams, S, Oregon 5-163: Jacob Monk, OL, Duke 5-169: Kitan Oladapo, S, Oregon State (108) 6-202: Travis Glover, OT, Georgia State 7-246: Michael Pratt, QB, Tulane (104) 7-255: Kalen King, CB, Penn State Trying to figure out what to do for the Packers in mock drafts was a challenge, and they almost give off the vibe that they didn't know what to do, either. Drafting three safeties is a bold strategy, Cotton. Adding another running back with a Day 2 pick when you already have Josh Jacobs and AJ Dillon is interesting. Like the Ravens, Green Bay is excellent at developing the offensive line. I just thought there were better options than Jacob Monk and Travis Glover at those spots, seeing as how I've never heard of them. Double-dipping at linebacker with Ty'ron Hoppper at Pick 91 was really rich. Edgerrin Cooper was a solid pick. No pressing need to go back to the well so soon. I did like how the Pack got Michael Pratt in the seventh round, and until Jordan Morgan proves he can't play, I'll believe in him as a starting guard for the Cheeseheads. Javon Bullard is a logical choice to start at safety. I won't be surprised if Kitan Oladapo gets some serious action as well. https://twitter.com/packers/status/1784420211417833609 https://giphy.com/gifs/simongibson2000-daniel-day-lewis-there-will-be-blood-im-finished-9r2SHBt57WVelxd9t1

Hiker Walks Into Den & Comes Face-To-Face With A Hissing Mountain Lion

I swear this must be a nightmare. Something about caves always seems so eerie to begin with. Not knowing what could be in there, lurking in the dark. And you damn well know multiple animals make use of these marvels so you're basically walking into a hungry critter's kitchen. Gonna be a hard "NOPE" from me, hoss. But, some people just need to know what is around the next corner and can’t help themselves. I respect that, but that sometimes comes with a price. Mountain lions are one of the largest members of the cat family, with adult males weighing up to 200 pounds and standing up to three feet tall at the shoulder. Commonly known as cougars in certain areas, they are solitary animals that prefer to spend most of their time in remote, rugged territory. They are able to make their homes in a variety of places, from dense forests to rocky cliffs and they use dens for protection and for rearing their young. Cougar dens are typically hidden well in caves, crevasses and tight places for protection. These beasts are not something you want to come face-to-face with. This man was hiking in Washington State when he decided to explore a cave. He films as he walks inside it using his flashlight to see. He turns a corner after he got about 12 feet deep into the cave and is looking right at a cougar curled up in the corner. The big cat immediately looks angry and lets out a terrifying hiss before the man turns and gets out of there. Gonna need a new pair of shorts after that.... frightening to say the least. You never want to look a cougar in the eyes, especially cornered in tight spaces like that.

@llbhazzerd Got this footage of a mountain lion when I crawled 12 ft back in a cave. #wildlife #closeup #sketch #cougar #mtnlion #cave ♬ original sound - Bartwyld

“Just Thought It Had Cool-Colored Fur” – Illinois Hunter Harvests Rare Hairless Buck

Now this is something you don't see... well, ever. We see a number of strange bucks every hunting season. From "cactus bucks" with velvet wrapped completely around its antlers, to red stags wandering through Alabama, a buck with an arrow through its head, and even bucks with Christmas lights and trail cameras tangled in their antlers. But this? This is a first. According to Field & Stream, Jay Kehrer was hunting on a plot of 40 acre land in Hamilton County, Illinois, right by a small town called Dale. Last fall, they began to spot a strange looking whitetail through their trail camera. Kehrer told the outlet: “We were getting trail cam pictures of a deer that looked like it had reddish color fur. We use Spypoint cell cams because we live about 100 miles away from where we hunt. It looked red in the sunlight and then in the shade, it would look chocolate." Kehrer contemplated even hunting the buck at all because it was rather young, but he was concerned another hunter would go after it, considering its odd appearance. At the beginning of Illinois' second gun season on December 1st, that's when he considered harvesting the buck: “On opening night, all of a sudden, my son and I look out in the field and it was that red-colored deer. We were like ‘Oh my gosh, there it is!’” Still unclear what they had on their hands, besides it being an unusual buck, Kehrer asked his son Lucas if he wanted to take a shot at the buck, but he said he was looking for a bigger deer. That's when Kehrer decided to take the shot himself, and was successful. That's when they knew they had something crazy on their hands: "We walk up on the deer, and we’re like, ‘what are we looking at, here?’ It was not what we were expecting at all… I was never thinking it was a naked deer. I just thought it had cool-colored fur. It seemed like a healthy deer. We know some game wardens and called the local captain of the area. He had one of his deputies come to look at it. He contacted a state biologist." They weren't sure why the deer was hairless, but Kehrer was pretty certain it didn't have mange, a disease that causes patchy skin and visible sores. Lice can also cause deer to lose hair and so can something commonly known as "rain rot," but completely bald? This deer looked like it was completely shaved, except for a few areas... scent glands, pubic areas, and tips of it's ears. Of course, the number one concern for any hunter is... can I eat it? And according to his local butcher, the meat looked perfectly fine. Very lean since it didn't have much fur to keep it warm, but nevertheless, completely fine. “We took it to our local butcher shop. They do hundreds of deer every year and said it seemed perfectly healthy."

Wyoming Grizzly Bear Tries To Chase Down Three Big Moose

Despite the moose probably have a weight advantage,  nobody wants any part of a grizzly bear. Grizzly bears are absolute killers of an animal. They are massive, have a nose that can track stuff down miles away, and bite force that nothing ever wants to encounter. Especially a moose. That’s a creature well versed in the power of a grizzly. Yearly, grizzlies target the young of moose, making it a known fact that they are nothing to mess with. These moose were on edge as soon as they saw the grizz. The nice sized bull was the first to say “I’m out” as he takes off running after locking eyes with the beast. The grizzly then picks up its speed. The two cows quickly realize what’s happening and follow suit. This grizz was willing and able to try and take down a mature moose… that says enough about the strength of these animals. The moose made away fine, but this is crazy. Even an animal as large as a moose has to be on edge out there worried about a single predator. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0Xc026zGqc

“It’s Your Funeral” – Eric Church Threatened To Walk Away From His Record Deal If His Label Didn’t Release “Smoke A Little Smoke” As A Single

Eric Church has always been one to do things his way - even if that means taking some big risks. Obviously Church took a big risk with his performance from Stagecoach Festival this weekend when he decided to perform an hour and a half acoustic medley with a gospel choir during his headlining set on Friday night. Reactions were decidedly mixed, with many complaining that it wasn't the place for that type of set, while Church's fans loved every minute of it. It was a bold decision, but it's far from the first that Church has taken in his career. And while some are claiming that his performance was "career suicide," that's something he's heard with a lot of decisions he's made throughout his nearly two decade career. In fact, his own label told him the same thing about one of the singles he wanted to release back in 2010. Church wanted to send “Smoke a Little Smoke” to radio as his third single from Carolina after having little success with the first two releases from the album, “Love Your Love the Most” and “Hell on the Heart.” He had listened to his label up to that point, putting out radio-friendly singles that would get his music on the charts and, as his label assured him, help advance his career. Well both of the first two singles reached the top 10 of the charts – and that’s about it. So Church wanted to try something different. He had been playing “Smoke a Little Smoke” during his live shows and had been watching the crowd’s reaction. In his words, “They were tearing the walls down.” But the label wasn’t keen on releasing a stoner anthem to radio (remember, this was 2010 – the first state didn’t legalize marijuana for recreational use until 2012). Church stuck to his guns. In fact, he did more than that: He threatened to walk from the label if “Smoke a Little Smoke” wasn’t released as his next single. “I went to the label, I said ‘This is what we’re putting out, or I’ll never make another album. I’ll never record for you again.’” And when they were put in that position, they didn't have much choice. But they did have a warning for Church: "It's your funeral." Well “Smoke a Little Smoke” became his next single – and despite the fact that the song’s radio performance was unremarkable (and there were radio stations that refused to play it altogether), sales of Chief’s music spiked and he was able to prove to the label that his musical instincts were correct. In fact, it’s because he was right about “Smoke a Little Smoke” that Church says he was able to have the freedom to do what he wanted with the next record, Chief, which is still his best-selling album to date. Seems like reports of his career's death were greatly exaggerated - just like they are after his Stagecoach performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxWjtWONuGc

Wolf Runs At Full Speed With Calf In Its Mouth, Jumps Fences With Ease

What an athletic animal. Wolves are the largest members of the dog family and can grow up to six feet in length, nose to tail. They can weigh up to 175 pounds, depending on their subspecies and location. Wolves are carnivores and mainly hunt large ungulates like elk, deer, moose and bison. They are opportunistic hunters and will also eat smaller animals such as beavers, rabbits and rodents. Wolves are social animals and typically hunt in packs. Sometimes, they will hunt alone if the opportunity presents itself. A lone wolf has a harder time hunting large prey animals, which typically require the strength and coordination of a pack to take down. Wolves are notorious for their ability to hunt sheep and other livestock, and this behavior has caused conflicts between wolves and farmers for centuries. Wolves will typically attack sheep when other prey animals are scarce or when the opportunity presents itself. This wolf is seen running full speed through a field beside a road carrying a calf in its mouth. The wolf cuts and jumps clean over a fence with the baby cow still in its mouth, not missing a step. It cuts in front of the vehicle, takes a leap and ends up clearing the fence on the other side. It takes of into the distance with a fresh meal to go. These animals don't mess around when it comes to food. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC_QZtddMbE Joe Rogan was loving it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA8gzohiXWU

Lone Wolf Chases Down Herd Of Bighorn Sheep

Nature can be one cruel beast. Beautiful but cruel. Something like this is spectacular, rare and violent all in one. A family was driving down the road in Alberta, Canada, near Banff National Park, when they came across a pack of bighorns running on the road with a wolf chasing behind them. Grey wolves are an apex predator that can run in bursts up to 35 miles an hour. A bighorn can only get up to 20 miles an hour. Yes, they never really stood a chance and that game of chase. Slowly but surely that wolf gains inch after inch of ground on them. The sheep at the end of the line could feel the wolf coming and cuts off to try and get away. The wolf follows and quickly takes it down for the count. The mother in the car casually tells her kids what’s happening. “He’s going in for the kill, guys.” She ain't wrong... Well, I guess everyone needs to learn its nature at some point. This is pretty crazy footage and something that is so rare to see especially on a road. The wolf takes a second to catch its breath then hooks onto the sheep like its light work and drags up to the tree line. It stops for a quick bite then keeps on pulling it into the woods. And just think... these are basically dogs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gjo94EOgoC4

Bison Gores Elk, Lone Wolf Feasts On The Carcass

Man, does National Geographic capture some cool footage or what? When you see a video of an elk being taken out, it's safe to assume it was a grizzly bear or pack of wolves that got to it, but in a crazy video we see you can't trust any species in the wild. Because the predator isn't always who you'd think... The video begins with a lone wolf chasing an elk through a grassland in Yellowstone National Park. It got close and was able to get a weak bite on the elk's backside, but it escaped into a herd of nearby bison. Prey animals have been known to join larger herds to escape attacks, like this mule deer getting away from a coyote, but what happened this time was completely out of the blue... One of the bison decided he didn't like the elk hanging around in their ranks, maybe wary of the wolf's attention it was bringing and decided to take bold action against this unwelcomed guest to keep himself and the others safe. The bison charged the unexpecting elk, catching it clean on the side, even lifting it into the air. The elk was stunned but was stuck in quite a predicament. If he left the herd he'd be taken out by the wolf. But if he stayed, he'd be attacked by an angry bison. A rock and a hard place if I've ever seen one. The elk decided to roll the dice with the bison, but unfortunately, luck wasn't on his side. It attacked a second time with a vengeance, this time driving the elk to the ground and goring it multiple times in a fatal blow. As the herd moved on, the wolf patiently waited, eventually moving in and feasting on the fresh carcass in probably the easiest meal it would ever get. Nature never fails to show you how brutal it can be... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qyfEXrn-cg

Woman Falls And Plays Dead To Escape Charging Bison

It's open season on idiots at Yellowstone these days. We saw a 9-year-old girl get air mailed (she was fine though) after her parents got too close (way to go dad), and even more recently, we saw an elderly lady get gored at Yellowstone after she tried to pet a bison, yes PET A BISON. It should go without saying, but don't try and put a bison people... Anyways... now we have another lady who barely escaped, in fact... tripping over her own feet might've saved her life. A unnamed woman was recently touring Yellowstone National Park and found herself running for her life when she got too close to a charging bison. She tripped, fell flat on her face, and then played dead. The charging bison pumped the brakes right before running her clean over. According to KBZK, the woman was a "Montana local" and knew that she should "play dead," but I have to ask... if you know to "play dead" when a bison tries to smash you like a bug, then how come you don't know to stay the hell away from them? Like, ya know? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGM0kcOCbkw I mean, here's the bison warning from Yellowstone right now... Basically, keep your distance from moose, stay WAY the hell away from bears, and Bison? Don't even think about it... And yet somehow, we have a new story every day with some bozo wandering right up to the herd to get a pic for the 'Gram. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCtkFZJlr3G/

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