ESPN predicts LSU safety AJ Haulcy’s landing spot in 2026 NFL Draft

As the 2026 NFL Draft draws closer, mock drafts have begun to expand, giving fans a better look at what their team might do on Day 2 — or, in this case, where college fans’ former stars might land at the next level.

LSU football is expected to have one marquee name taken in the first round: cornerback Mansoor Delane, who has been mocked to go anywhere from the fifth pick to the 12th. Beyond Delane, however, things begin to get uncertain. Safety A.J. Haulcy is expected to go in round two or three, but where exactly he lands between pick 33 and 96 remains a huge unknown.

ESPN gave Tiger fans an early prediction Thursday morning, however, putting together a three-round mock draft that included rotating selections from Mel Kiper Jr., Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates.

Yates was the one to take Haulcy off the board, sending the former Tiger up north to Pittsburgh.

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“Pittsburgh has long had room for physical safeties with plus ball skills,” Yates wrote. “Haulcy fits that bill with crunching strength and eight interceptions over the past two seasons.”

Mocking Haulcy to the Steelers is a bit of a curious choice. Pittsburgh already has a full safety room, featuring Jalen Ramsey, Deshon Elliot, Darnell Savage, and Jaquan Brisker at the top.

Elliot and Ramsey are both on multi-year deals, while Savage and Brisker are only under contract through 2026, so the room could look drastically different in 2027, potentially opening a spot for a second-year Haulcy to step into a starting role. However, considering the Steelers’ older roster and recent free agency moves, this doesn’t seem like the team that would be drafting for the future.

While this landing spot would likely relegate Haulcy to special teams duties as a rookie, he would have a strong veteran presence in Pittsburgh that could aid his development. It would be a bit disappointing if Tiger fans didn’t get to see much of Haulcy early in his pro career, but if it helps him become an impact starter in the long run, it would be a win.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: ESPN predicts LSU safety AJ Haulcy’s landing spot in 2026 NFL Draft

Real Madrid are prepared to part ways with Eduardo Camavinga for a fee between €50m and €75m, following a lackluster performance that exposed his inconsistent impact at the Bernabeu. The club’s coaching staff has expressed frustration over his slow progression, prompting speculation that this could be his final season in Spain.

Potential buyers include Paris Saint‑Germain and several Premier League clubs, while Madrid is also eyeing alternatives such as Enzo Fernández and Rodri to strengthen their midfield. A sale would free funds for a new holding midfielder and address the squad’s tactical needs.

Kevin Durant has long been one of the league's best closers, but he's taken it to a new level recently.

Since the All-Star break, Durant has arguably been the NBA's best closer by volume in the clutch. In his age-37 season, he leads the league in clutch field goal percentage over that stretch. He's maintained his elite efficiency despite playing in 14 clutch games, tied for the league lead.

Clutch efficiency

Best To Worst Clutch FG% Post All-Star Break In The 2025-26 NBA Regular Season (Min. 20 Clutch FGA) :

1. Kevin Durant — 62.5%
2. Jamal Murray — 56.0%
3. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander — 55.6%
4. Jalen Brunson — 55.0%
5. Nikola Jokic… https://t.co/DH1Ul7mKEipic.twitter.com/OzclcNSYlD

— Stat Defender (@statdefender) April 3, 2026

Since the All-Star break, Durant has a clutch field goal percentage of 62.5%, which leads the league by a wide margin. No other player even has more than 60%, with Denver's Jamal Murray in second with a clutch field goal percentage of 56%.

Durant has scored on opposing defenses at all three levels, shooting 57.1% from deep while scoring 4.3 points per clutch game. While he hasn't been as effective from the free-throw line, converting just 76.2% of his attempts there, the 19-year vet has helped keep Houston's offense afloat in the clutch despite regularly seeing double and even triple-teams.

Heading into the playoffs, defenses could ramp up the pressure on Durant and Houston's otherwise pedestrian clutch offense to further try to force the ball out of his hands. That predictability could pose an issue for the Rockets if they encounter a clutch situation in the playoffs, but Durant has proved as of late that he's adapted.

Houston only has a 7-7 record in their 14 clutch games since the All-Star break, but with Durant still closing games at an elite level down the stretch, it's hard to count the Rockets out in those situations.

This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Since All-Star break, Kevin Durant is top closer in clutch for Rockets

• Man City become the first club in FA Cup history to reach eight consecutive semi-finals.
• Haaland silenced critics with his 28th career hat-trick, moving City closer to a domestic double.
• Pep Lijnders praised the mentality of Haaland and the calm speed of Abdukodir Khusanov.

Manchester City’s stand-in head coach during the 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Liverpool has heaped praise on two key members of the squad from the win.

Erling Haaland rediscovered his clinical edge with a spectacular hat-trick as City dismantled an insipid Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium, securing a record-extending eighth consecutive FA Cup semi-final berth.

Despite Pep Guardiola serving the second game of a touchline ban, the newly-crowned Carabao Cup winners dominated proceedings, with Haaland converting a 38th-minute penalty won by Nico O’Reilly before doubling the lead with a header from Antoine Semenyo’s cross just before the interval.

Match Report & Player Ratings: Manchester City 4-0 Liverpool (FA Cup Quarter Final)

While Liverpool had early chances through Florian Wirtz and a wasteful Mo Salah – who later saw a second-half penalty saved by James Trafford – City remained ruthless, as Semenyo clipped in a delightful third and Haaland completed his 28th career hat-trick to seal progression and keep the club’s domestic cup double ambitions firmly on track.

The “Fast and Calm” anchor of City’s defence

Speaking to reporters during the post-match press conference, assistant manager Pep Lijnders was quizzed for his thoughts on yet another impressive performance from central defender Abdukodir Khusanov.

“Every time I see Khusa [Abdukodir Khusanov] on the training pitch, in the hall, I say [to him], ‘FAST! FAST!’ He’s so fast! But he is calm as well, he defends so smart, and it helps if you have a lot of speed in the back,” said the Dutchman.

Lijnders hails Haaland’s 28th career hat-trick

Erling Haaland was another star performer, after the Norwegian’s hat-trick developed either side of the half-time interval was enough to put the game well beyond the reach of the Merseysiders.

“Feeling the responsibility, and press, and play, and come to set, and run in-behind, and to be in the box available, and to keep the ball when the oppositions defends man-to-man; there are a lot of things we ask [of him]. And to do that every three days,” Lijnders said.

“It shows character again, and mentality that he comes back in this fashion! He’s a machine to work with, and I like the guys who train like that – compliments to him!”

Guardiola “really pleased” as City chase domestic double

Lijnders was managing the side from the touchline whilst head coach Pep Guardiola watched on from the stands, serving the second of a two-game ban for an accumulation of yellow cards in domestic action.

“Pep [Guardiola] is really pleased, that’s most important. It’s not easy to please him,” Lijnders revealed. “We played a good game. First 25 minutes were too open. Then we started to control and created more chances. We deserved [the win].

“He [Guardiola] complimented the guys who played the last weeks and didn’t play today. He was really happy because it’s special if you go eight times to Wembley in eight years in a row. It’s finals now, the part of the season where business has to be done. The boys feel that.

“Wembley is special, I’m happy for the fans. These are special days.”

“Not good enough” – Erling Haaland dissects recent Manchester City struggles after Liverpool FA Cup hat-trick

For Manchester City, the dominant victory represents a historic milestone as they become the first club to reach eight consecutive FA Cup semi-finals, keeping their ambitions for a domestic cup double firmly alive.

Having already secured the Carabao Cup last month with a win over Arsenal, Pep Guardiola’s side has now successfully booked their return to Wembley on the weekend of April 25-26.

Beyond the tactical masterclass displayed in the absence of their manager, the result provides another psychological boost heading into a defining April schedule, with Erling Haaland back in peak goal-scoring form and a nine-point gap to close on Arsenal in the Premier League.

Nike outfitted World No. 2 Jannik Sinner in a dazzling pink kit for the Sunshine Double. The pastel kit was a welcome change for the Italian who has been wearing colors that closely resemble condiment bottles.

It appears Nike was once and done with its stellar Sinner kits because he is back to dark colors once again as he hits the court at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters.

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A fan shares appropriate comparison

Sinner is all smiles on the court in doubles with Zizou Bergs. Doubles seem to bring out a more joyful side to his personality on court, but his dark colored Nike kit does not.

One fan compared Sinner’s clay court kit to an employee’s uniform in a sporting goods store.

Better days are coming. We know he will lighten up in the required Wimbledon whites for his title defense this summer.

Sinner gave Nike credit for doing a good job with his kits especially since the apparel manufacturer is involved in many sports. He also said that he and his team will have more input on the Nike kits in 2027.

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Let’s hope his input brings back more Sunshine Double looks (and the pink sneakers) and ends this condiment cloning era.

Watch Jannik Sinner do double duty at the Rolex Monte-Carlos Masters on the Tennis Channel. On April 5, Bergs and Sinner defeated Casper Ruud and Tomas Machac in their straight set Round of 32 doubles match, and he begins his singles campaign on April 7.