Rams, not 49ers, are among 7 teams listed in the Maxx Crosby sweepstakes — and more

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said in his Monday morning column, “I’d lean toward a Maxx Crosby trade happening, and maybe this week.”

As far as compensation, Breer said it’s unlikely the Las Vegas Raiders receive the haul they got for Khalil Mack eight years ago, what the Dallas Cowboys got for Micah Parsons last year, or even what the Miami Dolphins received for Laremy Tunsil back in 2019. Each of those deals included multiple first-round picks.

It’s also worth noting the age difference between those prospects at the time. Unlike them, Crosby is long removed from his rookie contract. The good news is that Crosby wants to win, which should make the San Francisco 49ers a potential suitor. Breer named seven teams. Unfortunately for Niners fans, the one he listed in the NFC West was not in the Bay Area:

We should know soon enough which path the Raiders are taking, with teams like Dallas, Chicago, Baltimore, Buffalo, New England, Philadelphia and the Rams keeping tabs on his availability.

The 49ers not being listed doesn’t necessarily take them out of the Crosby sweepstakes entirely, but Breer’s omission suggests they aren’t frontrunners in the trade that feels inevitable in the coming weeks. Perhaps the Niners value their first-round pick on a potential wide receiver in this upcoming class or at another position that is cost-controlled for the next four to five years, as opposed to Crosby.

If Crosby is traded for a deal that ends up looking affordable, it will be tough to stomach for 49ers fans—especially if Crosby ends up in the division.

Lakers reportedly could battle with Knicks, Warriors for $149 million seven-time All-Star originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Los Angeles Clippers’ 34-year-old star forward isn’t set to be a free agent until 2027. 

The two-time NBA champion is in the midst of completing the second year of his three-year $149 million contract extension he inked with the Clippers in 2024, meaning a trade must be completed for him to leave Los Angeles this summer. 

However, Yahoo Sports’ Tom Haberstroh believes there’s a world in which the Los Angeles Lakers could battle the Golden State Warriors and New York Knicks for the two-time NBA Finals MVP’s services this summer.

“Maybe it’s a case where Adam Silver levies some sort of punishment, whether it’s forcing Kawhi Leonard’s contract to be invalidated,” Haberstroh stated last Monday.  And I think that would be one of the things that is on the table, because that is what David Stern did with the Joe Smith cap circumvention with the Minnesota Timberwolves decades ago.”

“The interesting thing on that is it provides a conundrum where I think if Kawhi Leonard is now a free agent, you’re now going to see a frenzy for his services, with the likes of the Lakers, with the likes of the Golden State Warriors, or the New York Knicks."

“They would try to go get Kawhi Leonard at this stage as a free agent. That would create more hysteria and chaos around the league.”

While Haberstroh’s idea is undoubtedly far-fetched, it isn’t completely out of the equation. If it somehow materializes, the Lakers could position themselves to sign the accomplished veteran after striking out on him in 2019 (he entered free agency after winning a title with the Toronto Raptors and eventually joined the Clippers).

Leonard’s two-way dominance when healthy would make him an ideal fit in JJ Redick’s system in Los Angeles. The San Diego State product is contributing 28.0 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.0 steals per game with the Clippers this season, shooting 49.4% from the field and 38.1% from three-point land in 44 contests. 

If anything, Haberstroh’s report emphasizes the importance of closely monitoring Leonard’s situation in Los Angeles. 

More NBA: Cavaliers acquire 6-foot-3 former Pacers star, two-time All-Star via G-League trade

The Las Vegas Raiders enjoyed a productive week at the NFL Combine. John Spytek and Klint Kubiak return from Indianapolis with better clarity regarding their approach in the 2026 NFL draft. With the combine now officially in our rearview mirror, we've conducted a brand-new three-round Raiders mock draft that addresses their needs.

Round 1 (No. 1 overall): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

The Raiders had a formal interview with Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza at the NFL Combine. It was essentially a checklist item as they prepare to select him with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Mendoza claimed the meeting went "great," and we have no reason to doubt the Raiders' infatuation with him.

Round 2 (No. 36 overall): Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri

Exiting the 2026 NFL draft with a starting-caliber EDGE is a must. Trade rumors continue to surround Maxx Crosby's name. Missouri's Zion Young is a well-developed pass rusher who threatens quarterbacks with a red-hot motor. Young is also a quality early-down run defender, allowing him to get on the field quickly.

Round 3 (No. 67 overall): Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech

The Raiders desperately need a tackling machine in the middle of their defense at linebacker. Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez enjoyed back-to-back seasons with 120-plus tackles. Rodriguez was also excellent at the NFL Combine, leaping a 38.5 inch vertical and 10-foot-1 broad jump before running a 6.90 three-cone and 4.57 40. Those are outstanding testing results.

This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders 3-round 2026 NFL mock draft: Post NFL Combine edition

NEED TO KNOW

• The runner leading the U.S. Half Marathon Championships was guided off the race's course less than two miles from the finish line
• Jess McClain finished ninth, while Molly Born — who was more than a minute off McClain's pace — claimed the top spot and won the $20,000 prize
• USA Track and Field's jury of appeals ruled that it found no reason to alter the results to finish

Distance runner Jess McClain was poised to win a crucial race — until she was mistakenly guided off the course.

On Sunday, March 1, McClain was among scores of runners competing in the 2026 U.S. Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta, all vying for a top-three spot to qualify to represent Team USA in Copenhagen later this year.

That goal appeared well within reach for McClain as she approached the last two miles from of the race, The Athletic reported.

As the frontrunner, McClain was following the lead vehicle supplied by the race's host, Atlanta Track Club.

But then the vehicle erroneously veered off the course, and when McClain realized and returned to the established path, she had run an extra 400 meters (about one fourth of a mile).

McClain arrived at the finish line in ninth place, well behind the race's winner Molly Born — who had been more than a minute off McClain's pace at the time of the error, The Athletic reported. Born was given the $20,000 prize, awarded to the men's and women's winners.

Behind McClain were runners Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat, who had also veered off course. Hurley and Kurgat came in 12th and 13th place, respectively, according to Athletics Illustrated.

Following protestation filings by the impacted athletes, the jury of appeals for USA Track and Field said that it found the half marathon violated a rule that the path should be adequately marked at the point where the lead vehicle and the three runners were misdirected. But the error bears no impact on the results, their statement read.

"However, the jury of appeals finds no recourse within the USATF rulebook to alter the results order of finish. The results order of finish as posted is considered final," the jury of appeals concluded.

Runners are responsible for knowing the course, The Athletic reported, citing the race's rules.

USATF emphasized that Atlanta Track Club was charged with supplying and managing the lead vehicles. In its own statement, also released March 1, track club CEO Rich Kenah claimed "full responsibility" for the error.

"Athletes should never have to make a split-second decision between following a pace vehicle or trusting the official course," Kenah stated, adding, "Atlanta Track Club will make best efforts to ensure the affected athletes — Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat — are made whole."

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Both Atlanta Track Club and USATF are reviewing the events of the half marathon, each organization's statement said.

The final selection for runners representing Team USA in Copenhagen will not officially take place until May, USATF stated. McClain previously represented the United States last year in the World Championship Marathon in Tokyo, where she finished in eighth place.

Read the original article on People

The Dallas Cowboys chose to place the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens last Friday and it was something that just about everybody was expecting.

It happening in an official capacity was noteworthy though and sets up the next part of negotiations between the team and player. Dallas placed the non-exclusive tag on Pickens which means that he is free to negotiate with another team. Should another team offer Pickens a deal then the Cowboys have the right of first refusal, and if they choose to decline it the offering team would owe them a pair of first-round picks.

This whole process allows Pickens to test and gauge the market and provides an important point of protection for the Cowboys. It feels pretty win-win all the way around, but we are curious to hear what the rest of the class thinks.

Are you happy with how this has unfolded? Is there something you wish was different? Why?

Let us know what you think in the comments down below.