Good Morning, Stumpers!

Everybody remain calm, but it’s Draft Day! Where’s this quote from, “I want my picks back, and I want David god damn Putney, just because I feel like it.“ Anybody? Feel free to reply to this email with the answer. We’ve got an SGS Mock Draft for you today! So BUCKLE UP! Happy Thursday everybody, may your team pick exactly who you want today!

Today’s Rundown

What’s in today’s edition?

•  An SGS MOCK DRAFT! The Top 10!

• 🏀 Going Over Some Playoff Action! Game 2’s!

• 🔴 St. Johns is on a recruiting war path! They are RELOADED!

• 🥹 Avs Captain Plays First NHL Game in 3 Years!

On This Day

On This Day…

💥 Manning Draft Day Refusal

In the 2004 draft, the San Diego Chargers held the first pick of the draft and decided to select QB Eli Manning out of Ole Miss. The only problem, Manning had publicly stated that he would REFUSE to play for the Chargers.

Despite this, the Chargers drafted him anyways. They quickly turned around and traded Manning to the Giants for Philip Rivers, who New York selected with the fourth pick of the draft. The Chargers also received a 2005 first round pick for Manning, which they used on linebacker Shawne Merriman, who ended up being one of the best players in Chargers history. I’d say both teams did pretty well from this trade.

Today’s Trivia

🧠 Test your sports knowledge…

Yesterday’s Trivia Answer: B. Second Most! Hank Aaron only sits 7 home runs behind the all-time leader Barry Bonds.

Before We Dive In…

👀 Yesterday’s Must See’s

• 🔨 JAYLEN BROWN THROWS THE HAMMER DOWN

• 🤣 They couldn’t find a better band-aid for Kristaps???

• 🔥 First look at Paige in her Dallas Wings threads

• 🏀 The Jalen Green GAME! WOW!

🔍️ Stump Spotlight

DRAFT DAYYYYY

🕰️ An SGS Top-10 Mock Draft

Just like everyone else, we know absolutely nothing about what’s going to happen tonight. So, what’s the difference between us and everyone else? We’re honest about it. So, we could go 0/10, or even 10/10. Who knows? Let’s get into it!

1. Tennessee Titans - QB Cam Ward, University of Miami: This one is obvious, similar to Caleb to the Bears last year. He is far and away the best QB in this draft, and Tennessee needs a franchise guy badly. Match made in heaven.

2. Cleveland Browns - WR/CB Travis Hunter, University of Colorado: The best player in the draft goes second to the Browns. If the pick ISN’T Hunter, find me in front of the Browns facility tomorrow morning rioting.

3. New York Giants - DE Abdul Carter, Penn State: People have said that Carter is a slam dunk Hall of Famer, and if that’s true, he’ll join a list of Giants pass rushers that defined their generation. Strahan, Taylor, and Carter? Could it be too good to be true?

4. New England Patriots - OT Will Campbell, LSU: Sorry, Pats fans. You hoped for Carter or Hunter, but that just isn’t what’s going to happen. New head coach Mike Vrabel understands football is won in the trenches, and Campbell fills a much needed spot on the OL of New England.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars - RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State: This one could go a few ways, but I think this is where the best RB in recent college memory will go. I’d be shocked if the Jaguars don’t go offense here, but I think the potential of Jeanty will be too much for the Jags to pass up on. The other name to watch here is WR Tetairoa McMillan, but his stock has been falling lately.

6. Las Vegas Raiders - OT Armand Membou, Mizzou: If the Jags don’t go Jeanty, he’ll go here, but if they do, I think Vegas goes for the trenches. Membou shot up draft boards after the Combine and has stayed through the rest of the process. He has ideal size with elite athleticism. Vegas invests in the future.

7. New York Jets - TE Tyler Warren, Penn State: With a new QB, new head coach, and new player caller, the Jets go with one of the most versatile offensive weapons in the draft. Warren is an elite run blocker and pass catcher that makes the perfect player to keep on the field for every down.

8. Carolina Panthers - LB/DE Jalon Carter, Georgia: The Panthers have been in love with Carter since the beginning of the draft process. A North Carolina native, Walker is one of the most unique players in the draft who can play LB and also rush the passer. He’s a defensive coordinators dream.

9. New Orleans Saints - QB Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss: If you were thinking of a specific QB here, you must have been thinking Dart! Nobody else, right? Look I get it, Shedeur Sanders has been mocked to the Saints a lot, I just think there’s too much smoke there. When there’s smoke, there’s fire. Dart has been doing nothing but impressing every team he meets and shooting up everyone’s draft board. This one is a shocker but that’s draft night, baby! Kellen Moore gets his guy.

10. Chicago Bears - OT Kelvin Banks Jr, Texas: This isn’t the most flashy pick, but the Bears need to protect their most important asset, Caleb Williams. They get a versatile guy in Banks, who can play both guard and tackle. Just because it isn’t sexy doesn’t mean it won’t work.

The Hot Stove

🏀 NBA First Round Game 2’s

Celtics def. Magic, 109-100 (Lead Series 2-0): This was the Magic’s chance. Jayson Tatum was out after his bone bruise in Game 1, so they had a chance here to turn the series on its head! Unfortunately for them, Boston still had a Finals MVP, a Unicorn, a 6th man OTY, and a Derrick White on their team. This one was at arms distance for a while. Orlando cut it to 4 late, but the Celtics never wavered! Boston up 2-0!

Cavs def. Heat, 121-112 (Lead Series 2-0): Two words. Donovan. Mitchell. The Heat, as they always do, fought til the very end. They even brought this to a 2-point game LATE! But D Mitch had none of it, he erupted for 17 fourth quarter points to help the Cavs go up 2-0. After the game Darius Garland had to answer what was going well for the team, and he said “We have to keep picking on Tyler Herro” 🍿🍿🍿 This series is going to Miami, and I smell a battle!

Rockets def. Warriors, 109-94 (Series Tied 1-1): After playing 7 minutes of game time, Jimmy Butler had to leave the game with a ‘pelvic contusion’ AKA a HARD FALL! He will get an MRI tomorrow and his status is up in the air! That could be postseason altering news for the West! Despite this, Jalen Green needs his flowers, he went off for 38 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds. Big performance from Houston’s young star! I’ll tell you what, there is a MASSIVE fight brewing in this series, and when it happens, you’ll hear it everywhere.

⛈️ Red Storm Add Another Piece

St. John’s has been busy this offseason after their earlier than expected exit from the tournament this past season. Pitino didn’t waste much time reloading their roster for another run at a title. Their latest addition, Cincinnati transfer Dillon Mitchell, is a former 5-star recruit who averaged 9.9 points and 6.9 rebounds last season. This is the fifth transfer to commit to Pitino and the Johnnies, joining Ian Jackson (North Carolina), Bryce Hopkins (Providence), Joson Sanon (Arizona State), and Oziyah Sellers (Stanford). These 5 will join All-Big East selection Zuby Ejiofor to round out the core of St. John. This all but cements the program as a pre-season top-5 program and puts their transfer portal class as the best in the nation. The Red Storm didn’t just recruit, they reloaded.

🥹 Avs Captain Plays First NHL Game in 3 Years

It would be tough for any player to return from injury and put themselves in the middle of an NHL Playoff Series, but what about if you were sidelined for three years? That’s the case for Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog, who last saw action just about three years ago on June 26th, 2022. Landeskog, or as Avs fans call him, Gabe, last stepped on the ice when he and his Avs captured the Stanley Cup over Tampa Bay. He has been sidelined since that game due to a chronically injured right knee. Last night against the Dallas Stars, captain Gabe came back. His no. 92 arena is seen all over the arena, and finally fans will be able to cheer him on while he skates for their team once again. No matter how the Avs of Gabe performed yesterday, this is an absolutely remarkable comeback story. Congrats, Gabe!

⬇️ Quick Links

• 🤝 Lions make Joseph highest-paid safety in NFL

• 🙏 Bears icon Steve McMichael passes away at 67

• 😅 Judge drops suit against Ja Morant, cites self-defense

• 🐯 Flau’jae returning to LSU for one last run

What To Watch

🏀 NBA Playoffs - Round One

• NBAtv: Nuggets @ Clippers (10:00 PM)

• TNT: Knicks @ Pistons (7:00 PM), Thunder @ Grizzlies (9:30 PM)

⚾️ Major League Baseball

• MLB Network: White Sox @ Twins (1:10 PM), O’s @ Nationals (6:45 PM)

• More To Watch: Mariners @ Red Sox (1:35 PM), Brewers @ Giants (3:45 PM), Rays @ DBacks (9:40 PM), Rangers @ Athletics (10:05 PM), full schedule

🏒 NHL Playoffs

• TBS: Panthers @ Lightning (6:30 PM), Golden Knights @ Wild (9:00 PM)

• ESPN: Maple Leafs vs Senators (7:00 PM)

⚽️ Soccer

• Concacaf Champions Cup: Vancouver vs Inter Miami (10:30 PM)"

• Coppa Italia: Bologna vs Empoli (3:00 PM)

⛳️ Zurich Classic of New Orleans is LIVE from the great state of Louisiana and TPC Louisiana in Avondale, LA! Last years winner: Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry!

The Moment You’ve Been Waiting For

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