NFL

AP Sports WriterManning, Schlichter represent extremes in Colts' draftsBy MICHAEL MAROTBEST FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK: QB Peyton Manning. After selecting him with the top overall pick in 1998, the franchise made a dramatic turnaround. Manning led the Colts to their most successful decade since the 1960s and their first Super...

AP Sports WriterFor Bears, sweetest pick of all was PaytonBy ANDREW SELIGMANBEST FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK: RB Walter Payton. The Bears boast a record 28 Hall of Famers, from founder George Halas to 2018 inductee Brian Urlacher. But when it comes to the draft, the sweetest pick of all has...

AP Sports WriterChiefs strike gold with Mahomes after QB draft troublesBy DAVE SKRETTAKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) BEST FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK: Patrick Mahomes. Good luck finding a more recent “best first-round pick” than the No. 10 overall choice in 2017. After a learning season behind Alex Smith, the QB...

AP Sports WriterWith no 1st-round picks, Pace looks to stock Bears in draftBy ANDREW SELIGMANChicago general manager Ryan Pace is all wired and ready to go for the draft. He thinks the Bears are, too.Chicago comes in with no first-round picks for the second year in a row, having...

AP Pro Football WriterJohn Elway's name is all over Broncos' long draft historyBy ARNIE STAPLETONBEST FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK: John Elway’s first draft pick was his best: Texas A&M LB Von Miller with the second overall selection in 2011, one spot behind Cam Newton. Five years later, the two squared...

AP Sports WriterHall of Famers Roaf, Jackson, highlight Saints draft historyBy BRETT MARTELNEW ORLEANS (AP) BEST FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK: LT Willie Roaf. Drafted eighth overall out of Louisiana Tech in 1993, he became just the second Saints player enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame after linebacker...

AP Pro Football WriterHall of Famers Bednarik, Dawkins among Eagles' best picksBy ROB MAADDIBEST FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK: C/LB Chuck Bednarik. Concrete Charlie was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1949 NFL draft and is the league’s last full-time two-way player. He missed three games his rookie season and...

AP Sports WriterPatriots' draft history features many hits, a few missesBy KYLE HIGHTOWERBEST FIRST-ROUND DRAFT PICK: DL Richard Seymour. Chosen sixth overall in 2001, Seymour is the highest selection made by Bill Belichick during his Patriots tenure. He was one of the most destructive forces on the defensive side...

Lions re-sign CBs Mike Ford and Dee VirginALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) The Detroit Lions re-signed cornerbacks Mike Ford and Dee Virgin.The team announced the moves Tuesday. Ford and Virgin were exclusive rights free agents.Ford has played 22 games for the Lions and made six starts in two seasons.Virgin...

AP Pro Football WriterLook for 3 QBs in first 5 picks of NFL draftBy BARRY WILNERTalk about virtual drafts, what is a mock draft, really? Make believe.The upcoming NFL remote draft beginning Thursday night has a touch of irony to it. The producers of said mock drafts rarely are...

AP Pro Football WriterJaguars' Ngakoue calls owner's son spoiled in Twitter spatBy MARK LONGJACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) Disgruntled Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue goaded minority owner Tony Khan into a Twitter exchange Monday in hopes of escalating his public trade demand.It may have backfired.Khan, the team's senior vice...

AP Sports WriterVirtual school opens with Falcons players, coaches at homeBy CHARLES ODUMATLANTA (AP) Classes are in session for the Atlanta Falcons' virtual offseason.For coach Dan Quinn, it's a welcome opportunity to keep moving during the coronavirus pandemic.Quinn said Monday he expected there would be hurdles to overcome...