Taylor would consider permanent Exeter City role

Matt Taylor says he will have talks about the vacant manager's role at Exeter City once the season ends.

The former Grecians captain and manager has been in interim charge at St James Park since March after Gary Caldwell left the club to take over at Wigan Athletic.

He leads Exeter as they try to secure their League One survival on the final day of the season on Saturday. cat-cross.com

The Devon side must beat play-off hopefuls Bradford City and hope Leyton Orient fail to beat Burton Albion if they are to have a fifth successive season in the third tier.

"One thing which being back here in this short period has reminded me of is what a special club this is," Taylor told BBC Radio Devon.

"It's going to go through a time of difficulty financially, where it's going to have to rely on the young players, ideally through the academy system.

"I'm well skilled in relation to that, I've got a good experience in relation to seeing that work and how it works and moving parts in relation to that.

"But all those discussions will come further down the line and there's a massive task ahead and myself and the club certainly hope the players are fully focused on that."

Taylor led City to promotion from League Two in 2022 before leaving the club to take over as Rotherham United manager.

He has since also had a spell in charge of Bristol Rovers and has led Exeter in their last 12 games.

Having lost five of his first six games in charge Exeter have been beaten just once in their next six and have scored nine goals in their last four games.

"I will listen and not just will I listen to the football club, I'll listen to people close to me as well who will also have a say," added Taylor, who said it was "unlikely" that he would take the job long-term when he was first appointed on an interim basis.

"I'll listen to myself in terms of what I feel like.

"I'm a big 'feel' person in terms of what's next and there'll become a point where I will make a decision."

'We know what we have to do'

Exeter have the odds against them on Saturday as they aim to stay in the division.

Having won just once since late January they must get three points to stand a chance of staying up.

Having been 10th in League One after winning at Port Vale on 24 January, Exeter have slipped the table having won just one game in the 19 matches since.

"This is the one where there's no tomorrow, there's nothing to follow it, there's nothing post this game so this is of extra importance," he said of his side's final match.

"We know what we have to do and hope that results go our way elsewhere.

"There's nothing to follow this weekend and that makes it simpler in terms of the task at hand.

"As much as every single game you're going to win, if there's another one to come there's always something else to have in the back of your mind.

"Whereas this weekend there's absolute clarity in the situation - we have to win that game and pray to the footballing gods that they help us out elsewhere."

Crawley Town boss Colin Kazim-Richards hopes his side avoids an "explosion" as he prepares them for their crucial final day of the season clash against promotion-hunting Salford City in a bid to stay in the Football League.

The Red Devils are sat outside the relegation places on goal difference, four goals better off than second-bottom Harrogate Town, with the two clubs locked on 39 points after 45 matches, and Newport County and Tranmere Rovers still in danger just a point above.

Kazim-Richards took over the club following Scott Lindsey's dismissal in March and after winning his first two matches in charge against Gillingham and fellow strugglers Newport, Crawley are now on a run of four League Two matches without victory.

On Saturday, they host Salford who currently sit fourth in the table, and are looking to dislodge Cambridge United in third, with Neil Harris' men a point better off and with a much healthier goal difference.

"It's going to be huge. It's going to be something that the fans will appreciate because for the last seven games, they [the players] have given everything," Kazim-Richards told BBC Radio Sussex.

"It would be an absolute explosion if we don't do what we are supposed to do. Simple fact. Ten months of a season which has been an absolute grind - it's been one of those seasons where we've been stuck in the mud.

"But if we put it to bed with three points, we're looking forward to the next season. You're sending out subliminal [messages] to the rest of the league."

• League Two title, promotion, play-offs and survival at stake

After suffering relegation from League One last April, Crawley's 15-year long stint in the Football League is under serious threat.

And before the match, 39-year-old Kazim-Richards, in his first managerial job, has called on supporters to make themselves heard on Saturday.

He said: "If you can get down [to The Broadfield Stadium], I'd ask you to please come down.

"Fans are important. Especially, fans of local clubs - we need your voice. We need you here.

"I hear it's going to be 23, 24 degrees. Come down and let the players know that you're here. Come and watch us do what we need to do to keep your club safe."

Michigan State has locked in an official visit with one of the top tight ends in the 2027 class.

Allen Trieu of On3 reported on Thursday that Michigan State has scheduled an official visit with in-state tight end prospect Anthony Cartwright. This announcement of an upcoming official visit to Michigan State comes shortly after he announced his five finalists, who are Michigan State, Michigan, Miami (FL), LSU and Oregon.

According to 247Sports, Cartwright will visit Michigan State on May 29. He is also expected to visit Miami (FL) on June 5 and Oregon on June 19. These official visits will all come before his announced commitment date of June 28.

Cartwright is listed as a four-star prospect, with a recruiting rating of 89.33 in 247Sports' composite system. He ranks as the No. 20 tight end and No. 8 player from Michigan in the 2027 class. Additionally, he is ranked as the No. 389 overall prospect in the class.

Michigan State extended an offer to Cartwright nearly three years ago in October of 2023. The Spartans are one of nearly 40 schools to offer him.

With all of Cartwright's finalists being major national programs, it was essential for the Spartans to get him on campus for an official visit to have any shot at landing his commitment. This is a positive sign for the Spartans and gives them the first crack during official visit season to make a strong impression with Cartwright.

Click on the post below to read more from Trieu on the latest updates in Cartwright's recruitment.

Detroit Country Day four-star TE Anthony Cartwright just put out a top five.

In addition: Michigan State OV is set, LSU home visit coming.

The latest: https://t.co/SfQ6VhM44Tpic.twitter.com/ONtWvVetCC

— Allen Trieu (@AllenTrieu) April 30, 2026

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.

This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU football locks in official visit with priority in-state 4-star TE Anthony Cartwright

The Denver Nuggets got embarrassed by a Minnesota Timberwolves team that's missed Anthony Edwards the last two games.

Nikola Jokic isn't running from the criticism sparked by the early playoff exit, though. He's taking accountability, something his coach ought to try, but we'll get to that in a moment.

"I needed to play better," Jokic said, per ESPN. "I must play better. I think I was getting in the rhythm from the third game, but I needed to play much better."

In an uncharacteristically inefficient series for Jokic, the three-time MVP shot only 39% from the field over the first four games before heating up in the final two.

Still, it's hard to put the blame on the big man's shoulders. Jokic's running mate, Jamal Murray, was a non-factor thanks to the suffocating defense of Jaden McDaniels. Aaron Gordon was hobbled by a soft-tissue injury after a largely unhealthy season. And then there's David Adelman, who got thoroughly outcoached by Chris Finch then used injuries as an excuse for Denver's epic flameout.

"I know it just ended, but I do feel like I can't really give you a complete answer [on the bigger picture] because it was an incomplete season," Adelman said. "It felt like that throughout. It felt like survival."

No one would blame Jokic for trying to escape that loser energy. But is he really on the move? Not if it's up to him.

Jokic, who has two years (including a player option for Year 2) and $121.9 million left on his contract, said postgame "I still want to be a Nugget forever." The 31-year-old is eligible for an extension of four years, $293 million this summer.

Denver will need a big reset if it hopes to compete for a title again in Jokic's prime. Jokic seems to be patient as the franchise navigates the challenge.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Is Nikola Jokic getting traded? Nuggets star addresses future after early playoff exit

The NFL offseason always brings optimism, but nothing reshapes the league quite like the draft. With the 2026 NFL Draft now in the books, every team has added new talent, filled key needs, and, at least on paper, taken a step forward.

From franchise-altering picks at the top to potential steals in the later rounds, the league’s landscape has already begun to shift. But not all improvements are created equal. Some teams look ready to contend immediately. Others are still building. And a few may have taken a step back.

With that in mind, here are the NFL power rankings following the 2026 NFL Draft, as we sort through the hype, the fits, and what it all means for these teams heading into the season.

MORE: Makai Lemon, Philadelphia Eagles get head start on rookie contract

Going To Be A Long Season

32) Miami Dolphins. Drafted like they’re trying to patch structural leaks up front and in the middle, but they still didn’t add enough proven firepower to scare anyone on Sundays.

31) Arizona Cardinals. Leaned hard into skill talent and identity, but the draft didn’t do enough to fix the adult problems – protection consistency, front-seven teeth, and a secondary that can survive real quarterbacks.

30) New York Jets. Spent capital like they’re one draft away from relevance, yet still didn’t land the clean offensive structure pieces that stop weekly chaos. It’s upgrades, for sure, without a plan.

29) Las Vegas Raiders. Took the big swing at direction and added defensive flexibility, but they didn’t fully solve 2026 – trench depth and offensive stability still look like a work-in-progress.

28) Cleveland Browns. Drafted smart around the offense – line help and skill support – but the class can’t fix the biggest limiter if the quarterback situation stays volatile, and that’s the reality.

Could Surprise

27) Indianapolis Colts. Added useful pieces, but the draft didn’t address premium pass-rush need with enough urgency – fine work, though not season-altering.

26) New Orleans Saints. Addressed offensive speed and tried to balance the trenches, but the draft didn’t give them enough high-end stabilizers to raise the weekly floor – still too dependent on everything going right.

25) Pittsburgh Steelers. Added help now pieces, but didn’t come out with a clear identity shift – same story, same questions, just new names on the depth chart.

24) Tennessee Titans. Drafted like they’re tired of being soft – speed, pressure, physicality – but the offense still feels incomplete, and the risk level is high if the pieces don’t hit fast.

23) Atlanta Falcons. Found some utility, but didn’t meaningfully change the franchise direction – this was more fill cracks than build a contender.

It All Has To Go Right

22) Carolina Panthers. Invested in the trenches, which is the correct move. But didn’t add enough immediate difference-makers to change outcomes in 2026. Tough doesn’t automatically mean good.

21) Washington Commanders. Drafted defense-first with real intent and tried to raise the unit’s athletic floor – the only problem is they still need the offense to be competent.

20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Cleanly addressed pressure and second-level speed, which actually matters in 2026. The draft made them harder to play against for sure.

19) New York Giants. Built the team the right way – trench strength and coverage depth. The draft finally looks like a serious roster plan instead of vibes and desperation.

18) Minnesota Vikings. Focused on defensive structure and interior toughness, which was needed. But they didn’t add enough explosive game-changers. Sturdy, not scary.

17) Green Bay Packers. Worked the defensive athleticism and depth angles, but the draft didn’t deliver a headline fix for the offense. They’re still betting on internal development to do the heavy lifting.

16) Los Angeles Chargers. Addressed pressure and offensive stability, which raises the weekly floor. They’re better built, but not yet built to intimidate top teams.

Contenders

15) New England Patriots. Drafted with grown-up priorities – protect the quarterback and hunt the quarterback. And that’s how you climb without needing cute tricks.

14) Houston Texans. Went trench heavy and reduced roster fragility. The kind of draft that shows up in October when other teams are leaking points and protection.

13) Jacksonville Jaguars. Added functional bodies and improved the weekly floor. The issue is still execution and consistency, not talent access.

12) San Francisco 49ers. Drafted more offensive ammo and stayed true to the roster identity. Their success is still about health and finishing.

11) Dallas Cowboys. Treated defense like an emergency and actually invested accordingly. The draft was a direct correction, and the roster looks more complete because of it.

Contenders 2.0

10) Detroit Lions. Addressed the two things that decide games – protection and pressure. That’s smart roster math. The only knock is that the margin is thinner now, so misses get punished fast.

9) Chicago Bears. Drafted like a team that expects to win now – secondary stability and practical line help. But they still left room for criticism if the pass rush doesn’t become more disruptive.

8) Cincinnati Bengals. Drafted to make the defense less of a liability, which is all they really need with their offense. If the defensive investments hit, they’re a weekly problem again.

7) Kansas City Chiefs. Reloaded the defense and stayed disciplined, which is why they keep staying at the top while everyone else cycles. The only real gripe is they didn’t force-feed offensive help early.

6) Buffalo Bills. Built more defense and kept the identity intact – smart, predictable, effective. The question is whether they added enough ceiling-raisers, not whether they got better.

Top 5

5) Philadelphia Eagles. Restocked with purpose – trenches and flexible weapons – and the draft reinforced what already makes them hard to beat. They didn’t reinvent anything; they just got stronger where it matters.

4) Baltimore Ravens. Drafted to be more oppressive up front and more stable overall. Baltimore didn’t chase headlines; they chased control.

3) Denver Broncos. Didn’t need fireworks; they needed to maintain a strong roster structure and avoid weak links. The draft stayed in that lane. If the quarterback play holds, they’re still a real AFC threat.

2) Los Angeles Rams. Drafted for the future without sacrificing the present. Which only works when the roster is already strong… and it is. The draft keeps the machine running.

1) Seattle Seahawks. Drafted like champs – maintain the roster spine, keep the depth real, avoid desperation. Until someone proves otherwise on the field, they’re still the standard, and everyone else is just debating tiers.

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