Zone Coverage

Every year, the NFL Top 100 list sparks debate. Players, coaches, media members, and fans all have their own opinions about who is ranked too high, too low, or left off entirely. The 2026 edition is no different, but one omission stands above the rest: Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft. Some might regard the list as nothing more than a popularity contest. Still, players’ careers need to receive that type of recognition. Kraft was not merely overlooked.

Many a Wisconsonite spit out their Spotted Cow when Jordan Love was announced as the 72nd-ranked player in the NFL’s slowly unveiling top-100 list. Is that really a fair assessment of Love’s play in 2025? Let’s start with the obvious. If the NFL started over today from scratch with one huge draft, Love would not be the 72nd player selected. He’d go far higher, as would most other quarterbacks in this quarterback-driven league. But that isn’t what this annual poll reflects.

Last summer, the excitement was palpable for fans of the Minnesota Vikings. After winning 14 games the year prior, the Vikings were expected to compete for an elusive Super Bowl appearance. Their franchise quarterback, J.J. McCarthy, was set to take over as the team’s starter, and the vibes during the offseason program made it feel like the Vikings were in for a magical year. Then the games began.

The Green Bay Packers made a pre-training camp extension, but it may not be who many expected. Rather than a long-awaited major deal for tight end Tucker Kraft or defensive lineman Devonte Wyatt, the Packers offered linebacker Isaiah McDuffie a one-year extension. Previously, McDuffie entered 2026 on the final year of his existing deal. Now, he’s signed with Green Bay through 2027 with a new deal worth $4.85 million. Steady. Reliable. Durable. Special teams captain.

Locks NBA Summer League (0.75 Unit) Memphis Grizzlies/Golden State Warriors Over 186.5 (-110; Odds via Caesars): 6:00 PM CT on ESPN This one should be easy with how these teams are playing this summer. The Grizzlies were flashing the offense in a big way up in Salt Lake City, dropping 111 and 100 points in the two games where their true roster played.

The Iowa Wolves have churned out their fair share of NBA talent over the years, and for most of them, Summer League is where they truly shined. Jordan McLaughlin, Naz Reid, and even Zyon Pullin from last year’s team all gained experience and showcased their talent in the G League before developing enough to warrant a call-up to the main roster. This summer is really no different.

As we make our way through the driest part of the NFL offseason, I, like most sports addicts, had to look elsewhere to get my fix. Fortunately, the World Cup gave us a “Will Reichard wire” moment that made me feel right at home as a Minnesota Vikings fan. This summer has been chock-full of high-profile sporting events. Chief among them is the FIFA World Cup, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico. The United States’ brief run ended after Belgium thrashed them 4-1.

The Minnesota Twins had gone 25 years without selecting a catcher in the first round of the MLB Draft. In 2001, they took hometown hero Joe Mauer; this year, it’s the Georgia Tech phenom Vahn Lackey. Vahn Lackey turned 21 on July 7 and wasn’t on most people’s radar as a top-three pick heading into 2026. He had a solid sophomore season in 2025, with a .347/.421/.500 slash line, but didn’t show much power with six home runs and 42 RBI.

One of the hardest things to grasp as a sports fan is the harsh truth that, despite our wish to see patterns, trends, and trajectories, development is often non-linear. Jordan Addison is a perfect example. We all want to see the patterns that make sense to us. A player flashes early in their career, finds a solidified role by Year 2, and then continues to develop into a franchise star thereafter. Fans are comfortable with a player developing ahead of schedule.

The Green Bay Packers should have plenty of interesting battles to watch during training camp. Often — and understandably — the focus is on the weaker groups where the battles are most tenuous. But which position group is strongest heading into the summer? Quarterbacks Jordan Love is a top-10 quarterback in the NFL, while Tyrod Taylor provides a reliable veteran backup option. Behind them, Kyle McCord and Kyron Drones will battle for the QB3 spot.