"As we sit here, Travis Hunter is a Jacksonville Jaguar. Thinking about the sport of football and the power of the game itself, it's capacity to ignite belief," the 34-year-old Gladstone said. "Belief in ourselves, belief in others. Belief in achieving what many may deem impossible. Travis Hunter embodies belief. He's a rare person. He's a rare player. But he is a reminder that the boundaries of the game of football were built to be challenged. The decision to draft him was actually a statement - a statement for how we plan to move and who we are. And we want him to be nothing more than him. Because when he is, he elevates the space around him. From the football field, to the city, to the game of football itself. Travis Hunter is who we've been hunting up.

"I couldn't be more jacked to be sitting right here beside him to introduce you to the man of the hour," Gladstone said.

The Jaguars entered the draft with 10 total picks and made tidal waves at the outset on Thursday, trading the fifth and 36th pick, a fourth-round selection (126) in 2025 and their first-round pick in 2026 to the Cleveland Browns for the No. 2 pick, a fourth-rounder (No. 106) and a sixth-round selection (200).

The Florida native was giddy about being called home by the Jaguars. He hadn't talked to anyone in the organization since February at the NFL Scouting Combine until his agent intimated something might be coming. Hunter said he started looking for homes in the area because he just had a feeling it would wind up being Jacksonville.

"They believe in me ... they trust in everything that I've done. I've just got to go out there and prove it right," Hunter said Friday. "It's definitely a lot of motivation. They sacrificed a lot to get me. That means they believe in me. And that just validates that I need to go ahead and just do my job."

Hunter's NFL job description is not yet written in ink. He knows for certain he'll wear No. 12 and be on the field as much as the coaching staff allows.

Hunter was drafted to be a wide receiver but will also get chances at cornerback as the plan stands Friday. Coen said sports science, position coaches, team physicians and personnel bosses would all have input on the best way to deploy Hunter.

He played both positions and averaged over 113 snaps per game at Colorado in 2024. He was the Heisman winner, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, AP college football player of the year, and the Jaguars are convinced he's just getting started.

Hunter said he's already on a first-name basis with quarterback Trevor Lawrence. They met at an Adidas commercial shoot in Hawaii, and is a proud member of the unofficial Brian Thomas Jr. fan club. The Jaguars' first-round pick last season, Thomas was the 23rd overall pick and set the Jaguars' single-season rookie touchdown receptions and receiving yards records.

Whether Hunter gets a chance to defend Thomas on the practice field remains to be seen.

"We do have to be fluid throughout," Coen said. "We'll have a plan right now of primarily on offense with learning the defensive system and practicing on the defensive side of the ball as well throughout this offseason program. We have to be fluid throughout this whole process.

"You have to be an elite communicator, that's what I learned being in college," Ward said. "I think that's why we were able to have one of the best offenses at Miami last year. Continuing to get better each year, in and out, and making sure we're always communicating.

"Being a teammate, being a real locker room guy, also holding people accountable. ... At the end of the day, it all starts on the practice field. Nothing translates to game day if you don't rep it over and over. I plan on getting to work."

Between an embrace with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and the lunchtime introductory press conference in Nashville on Friday, Ward had a celebration with his parents and "small circle" in Wisconsin and estimated he closed his eyes at 4 a.m. before a 5:30 wake-up call to appear on "Good Morning America." Ward was soon aboard "Miss Amy's" private jet -- the mode of transportation belonging to Titans principal owner Amy Adams Strunk -- for the dawning of his first day as a pro quarterback.

Make that, a franchise quarterback, a label not lost on Ward.

"Somebody who can lead their teammates for numerous amount of years, not just one season," Ward said. "You've got to be consistent in the National Football League. That's why you see some of the best quarterbacks out here, Pat (Mahomes), Josh (Allen) and Lamar (Jackson) in the playoffs every year. That's where I want to get to in my career, real fast."

Ward said he doesn't get enough credit for processing what he sees on the field and his feel for the pocket. He plans to prove the Titans made the right pick.

"That's all I really need, all I need is one shot, I'll make the most of it," Ward said. "For them to draft me No. 1 overall, I know they don't regret it. I'm going to make sure they don't."

College football's all-time leader in career passing touchdowns with 158, Ward played at FCS Incarnate Word, Washington State and Miami in five seasons. Preparation is a constant with Ward, whose coaches praised his eagerness to put in overtime watching film and fighting to get better.

"It's something that you do fall in love with," Ward said. "I really didn't start learning football until I got to Wazzu. As I progressed throughout my career, I started to love it even more. I just think over time I've gotten better, learned how to watch film the right way."

Ward was introduced by former Houston Oilers quarterback Warren Moon, who appeared in-person at the team headquarters to sign off on Ward wearing the jersey number 1.

"A lot of our journeys are similar about what we were told about not being good enough," Moon said. "As far as the number an everything is concerned. I wore the No. 1 for a lot of reasons and I wore it for a long time. ... I'm excited to see what he's going to do with his legacy and wearing this number."

Ward said he called Moon last month but didn't know the live presentation was going to take place. He said the player, not the person, makes the number, and he knows he will be judged by performance. He said he didn't know about Moon until February and began watching his highlights to make sure the Pro Football Hall of Famer was legit.

"He was," Ward said with a laugh.

Also on Friday, the Dallas Cowboys picked up the fifth-year option on offensive tackle Tyler Smith.

Hutchinson, the second overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, is in line to pocket $19.872 million, while Williams is set to take home $15.493 million. The wideout was selected by the Lions with the 12th overall pick of the same draft.

Hutchinson, 24, has provided a massive presence on defense in Detroit while also earning a Pro Bowl selection in 2023.

He recorded 28.5 sacks in 39 games (all starts) before sustaining a fractured tibia and fibula in the third quarter of a 47-9 road victory against the Cowboys on Oct. 13.

Williams, 24, hauled in 58 catches for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games (11 starts) in 2024. He has 10 touchdowns in 33 career games (21 starts).

Smith, 24, will receive $23.4 million in 2026. He has started all 47 games in which he has played and been selected to the Pro Bowl twice in his first three years since being selected by the Cowboys with the 24th pick in 2022.

The fifth-leading rusher in league history was arrested on a misdemeanor count of driving while impaired on Friday morning in Hennepin County, Minn.

Peterson, 40, attended the Vikings' draft party on Thursday night at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

The Minnesota State Patrol said Peterson was pulled over at 3:20 a.m. on Friday morning after allegedly driving 83 mph in a 55-mph zone. He failed a breath test, according to law enforcement.

He was taken into custody and released on a $4,000 bond about two hours later, according to official records. His next court date is May 9 in Minneapolis.

Peterson's previous legal issues include allegations of child abuse and domestic violence as well as financial improprieties.

Peterson starred for the Vikings from 2007-16, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and four first-team All-Pro nods in that span. He was named NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 2,097 yards in 2012.

Peterson retired after the 2021 campaign with 14,918 rushing yards and 120 touchdowns in 184 games with seven teams. He will become eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2027.

An estimated 125,000 people were gathered outside historic Lambeau Field on Thursday before the start of the draft, per local news reports. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city of Green Bay had a population of 105,744 in 2023.

"This is Green Bay's Super Bowl," said Donnie Renard Jr., who was part of a three-generation delegation that also included his father, Donnie, and 20-year-old son, Tommy.

Renard made the trip from Wabeno, Wis., about 85 miles north of Green Bay. His son is from Wausau in the center of the state, and his dad -- a lifelong Packers fan -- still lives in Green Bay.

"My dad's actually been to a Super Bowl, a Pro Bowl, the Hall of Fame Game and now the draft," said Renard, adding that they would be back on both Friday and Saturday.

All three of the Renards were pleased with the selection of Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden with the 23rd pick in the first round. The speedy Golden was timed in a blistering 4.29 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.

"I like it," Tommy Renard said. "We needed a true No. 1, and I think he's going to be it."

Golden is the first wide receiver drafted in the first round by the Packers since Javon Walker in 2002. He spent two years at Houston before transferring last season to Texas, where had 58 receptions for 987 yards and nine touchdowns.

"It's always been a dream of mine to go in the first round," Golden said. "And to know that they haven't picked a receiver since 2002, it's truly a blessing."

Golden said he is looking forward to playing with Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who passed for 3,389 yards last season despite missing two games, and 4,159 yards in 2023. He threw for a combined 57 touchdowns over those two seasons.

"Talented quarterback, he can get outside the pocket and make plays, and he damn sure can throw the ball," Golden said. "I'm going to let him know as soon as I see him, 'Man, you've got a reliable target. You can trust me.' But trust is built over time, so going out there, like I said, and competing, and gaining everyone's trust, that's where it first starts."

Despite being from nearby Kaukauna, about 25 miles south of Green Bay, Adam Schmidt was decked in two Minnesota Vikings jerseys.

"I became a Vikings fan in kindergarten," said Schmidt, pulling up the outer jersey to reveal an older one underneath. "... It still kind of fits. Randy Moss."

Schmidt said he thought the first day of the draft was a huge success, despite the size of Green Bay, or maybe because of it.

"I think it was awesome. Not just for Green Bay, but the entire area," Schmidt said. "It's tough to host a huge event like this while still having that small-town atmosphere. It feels awesome and I think the whole community is really proud."

Cleveland also has picks 36, 67 and 94 before the festivities end Friday. The Chicago Bears (39, 41), Houston Texans (34, 58), Seattle Seahawks (50, 52) and Buffalo Bills (56, 62) are set to enter the second round with multiple picks.

Here's a look at the best players available with 32 picks in the books:

CB Will Johnson, Michigan

WR Luther Burden III, Missouri

OLB Mike Green, Marshall

DE Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina

CB Shavon Revel Jr., East Carolina

QB Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

OT Marcus Mbow, Purdue

DT T.J. Sanders, South Carolina

OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

QB Jalen Milroe, Alabama

DE Jordan Burch, Oregon

S Xavier Watts, Notre Dame

OT Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota

CB Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame

OT Emery Jones Jr., LSU

DE JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State

CB Trey Amos, Ole Miss

DE Landon Jackson, Arkansas

CB Jacob Parrish, Kansas State

DT Deone Walker, Kentucky

OT Cameron Williams, Texas

S Kevin Winston Jr., Penn State

WR Isaiah Bond, Texas

CB Azareye'h Thomas, Florida State

WR Kyle Williams, Washington State

DT Alfred Collins, Texas

DE Jared Ivey, Ole Miss

CB Darien Porter, Iowa State

TE Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green

DT Joshua Farmer, Florida State

RB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

Having already added Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter with the third overall pick, the Giants swung a trade with the Houston Texans and chose Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart 25th overall.

Houston received two picks to be made on Friday (No. 34 overall in the second round and No. 99 overall in the third round) plus a 2026 third-rounder.

The move adds Dart to a suddenly crowded Giants quarterback corps. In March, New York signed 36-year-old veteran Russell Wilson to a one-year, $10.5 million deal and gave 31-year-old Jameis Winston a two-year, $8 million contract.

"Russ will be our starter," Giants coach Brian Daboll said after Dart was selected. "(Dart) can come in, sit behind a couple veteran quarterbacks and learn."

Dart acknowledged he isn't accustomed to sitting and watching, but said he relishes the opportunity before him.

"Yeah, (not starting is) definitely new, but for me, this is just where my journey starts," Dart said.

"I'm stepping into an amazing room with a Super Bowl-winning quarterback who can see it from a different lens at such an elite level. I can't wait to go learn from him, go learn from all the other guys in (quarterback) Tommy (DeVito) and (quarterback) Jameis (Winston) in the room and then just the team as a whole," he added.

Dart and Cam Ward, selected No. 1 overall by the Tennessee Titans, were the only quarterbacks chosen in the first round. By obtaining Dart in the opening round, the Giants ultimately would be able to keep him on a fifth-year option.

Dart started his college career at Southern California in 2021 but transferred to Ole Miss when Caleb Williams was set to take over as the Trojans' QB. Williams was chosen No. 1 overall in the 2024 draft by the Chicago Bears.

As a three-year starter for the Rebels, Dart completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 10,617 yards and 72 touchdowns with 22 interceptions. Last season, he guided Ole Miss to a 10-3 record, including a win over Duke in the Gator Bowl, while connecting on 69.3 percent of his throws for 4,279 yards. He threw for 29 TDs and was picked off six times.

That said, Thursday packed plenty of punch in the first 32 picks. Who were the winners and losers of Round 1? Here are three nominees for each:

Winner: The Jaguars (and Trevor Lawrence)

It's a new day in Duval County. The franchise has been stuck in the mud and is moving on to Lawrence's third full-time head coach in five years. So new GM James Gladstone sent a big package to Cleveland, moved up three spots to No. 2 and snagged Heisman winner Travis Hunter, who plans to play both wide receiver and cornerback in the pros. (Would Trent Baalke have made that move?) Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. should make a terrific receiving tandem for Lawrence.

Winner: Green Bay

The NFL probably doesn't need to bring the draft to every city that has a franchise, but Green Bay was a standout choice for the history of the Packers and Lambeau Field. The Packers fans in attendance got to celebrate the unthinkable: their team drafting a wide receiver in the first round. Green Bay hadn't done so since taking Javon Walker in 2002, mid-Brett Favre era. Speedster Matthew Golden of Texas could be Jordan Love's No. 1 target this year.

Winner: The SEC

Although just one of the first six selections came from a Southeastern Conference school, it didn't take long for the floodgates to open. The SEC ended the night with 15 first-round picks, nearly half of the first round, tying its own record set in 2020. Honestly, the 2020 mark was more impressive because the league hadn't expanded to add Texas and Oklahoma yet. In the most predictable move of the night, the Philadelphia Eagles grabbed Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell at No. 31, adding to a defense that resembles an All-SEC first-team unit.

Loser: Shedeur Sanders

That quote that circulated this week from a veteran NFL assistant coach was an all-timer. "He's so entitled." "He blames teammates." "He's not that good." But that quote wasn't the reason Sanders dropped out of the first round. If anything, it may have been a window into an overall feeling around the league that Sanders wasn't first-round worthy. The question becomes who will snap up Sanders on Day 2, and whether he stands a chance at a starting job in 2025.

Loser: Cowboys fans

Jerry Jones has a thing for offensive linemen named Tyler. The Cowboys' owner and self-appointed general manager spent first-round picks on the left side of their offensive line in Tyler Smith (2022) and Tyler Guyton (2024). Now, Alabama's Tyler Booker is headed to Dallas to play right guard. Most Cowboys fans would have preferred just about anything else with the No. 12 pick, very high for an interior lineman. For context, he's replacing the retired Zack Martin -- picked 16th overall in his draft.

Loser: Tommy DeVito

Wheel another chair into the New York Giants' quarterback room. After taking edge rusher Abdul Carter third overall, the Giants traded back into the first round for a QB, passing over Sanders to pick Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss. You'd be hard-pressed to find a more confusing quarterback group than Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, Dart and DeVito. Barring injury, the local boy affectionately known as "Tommy Cutlets," who made eight starts the past two years, doesn't stand a chance of making the roster now.

Gladstone said the Jaguars won't be shy about how they viewed Hunter.

"There are players who have the capacity to alter a game," Gladstone said. "There are players who have the capacity to alter the trajectory of the team. There are very few players who have the capacity to alter the trajectory of the sport itself. Travis, while he has a lot to still learn, in our eyes has the capacity to do just that."

The party atmosphere wasn't limited to Gladstone, a 34-year-old running his first draft after nine years with the Rams.

"Arik Armstead FaceTimed us from Green Bay," first-year head coach Liam Coen said. "You couldn't hear anything. It was a crazy atmosphere."

Gladstone described feeling the room light up when Hunter entered the room at the NFL Scouting Combine. Out of fear of tipping their hand, Gladstone kept the team's interest in acquiring the pick and the player to themselves until reaching out to Hunter's agent.

"When he walks into the room, the light turns on. That (15-minute interview) was a moment that resonated with us," Gladstone said. "It was really telling with the mind, the curiosity, the interest in growth."

Gladstone said preparation made the franchise confident in making the move -- and sacrificing next year's first-round pick -- standing on the principle that he wouldn't be pleased if he looked back at "not doing something out of fear."

"That's not something I intend on doing the rest of my life," he said. "Not being scared. Courage goes a long way."

"This is certainly a statement for how we plan to move, how we plan to operate," Gladstone said Thursday night of the bold move to acquire the Heisman Trophy winner.

Hunter showed no fear of the unknown as a college player, averaging more than 115 snaps per game as a wide receiver and cornerback.

"He is somebody who is deserving as a first-round draft pick as a wide receiver. And he is worthy as a first-round pick as a corner," Gladstone said. "We're excited about just getting him in the boat, so to speak."

Gladstone said the Jaguars considered Hunter "rare" as a player and a person. He was universally praised by evaluators for his mental approach as a key reason he became a productive player at two vital positions.

"The accountability -- the way that he's in the facility at 5 a.m. training his body. He's a 4.0 student. Goes on the field, he impacts the game. On both sides of the ball, he impacts the game," Coen said. "He's got a great feel for the game itself. Really good ball skills. He can do something with it after the catch."

In addition to the second overall pick, which they used to select the 2024 Heisman winner, the Jaguars also received a fourth-round pick and sixth-round pick. The Browns received the No. 5 overall pick and selected Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham. Cleveland also received second- and fourth-round picks this year, and a first-round pick in 2026.

Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi said the franchise was almost certain Ward would be the pick before the NFL Scouting Combine in February even before meeting the person because of what they saw from him as a player.

"We pretty much had all the questions answered probably three weeks (before) the draft," he said.

At No. 3, the New York Giants selected Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter and the New England Patriots followed by making a promised upgrade to the offensive line in front of 2024 No. 3 pick Drake Maye. The Patriots welcomed LSU left tackle Will Campbell at No. 4.

Despite speculation other teams were angling to move ahead of the Raiders, Las Vegas held onto the No. 6 pick and went with Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024. The Raiders were No. 32 in the league in rushing with 1,357 total yards and no ballcarrier with more than 420 yards.

Ward passed for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns, both single-season school records, last season at Miami, being named ACC Player of the Year. He began his collegiate career with two seasons at FCS Incarnate Word before transferring to Washington State, where he played two more seasons, before his final season at Miami.

Hunter, who followed coach Deion Sanders from Jackson State to Colorado, had 96 receptions last season for 1,258 yards, averaging 13.1 per catch with 15 touchdowns.

Jeanty finished his college career with 4,769 rushing yards and 50 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 80 passes in his career with six scores.

We're slapping letter grades on each pick in the first round with a summary of what we love, dislike and all things in between.

Let's start at the top:

1. Tennessee Titans: QB Cam Ward, Miami

Picking atop the draft for the first time since 1978 when the Houston Oilers selected Earl Campbell, the Titans get the only QB in this class worthy of a first-round pick. Ward might not bring the cachet of Caleb Williams (No. 1 in 2024) or the fanfare of Heisman winner Travis Hunter, but he's the right pick for a franchise mired in mediocrity with no clear answer in place at the NFL's most important position.

Grade: A-

2. Jacksonville Jaguars (via trade with Cleveland Browns): WR-CB Travis Hunter, Colorado

First-time GM James Gladstone, running his first draft at the ripe old age of 34, was raised in scouting under the close watch of gambling GM Les Snead with the Rams, where the franchise lived for years on the premise no price was too steep for premier talent. No matter how many snaps Hunter gives the Jaguars, he's an upgrade at multiple positions because of playmaking skills and gamebreaking ability. Hunter chatted with Jacksonville's offensive and defensive coordinator on Thursday night when the pick was made, further the notion he will be one of the most fascinating stories to watch during the 2025 season.

Grade: A+

3. New York Giants: OLB Abdul Carter, Penn State

With Brian Burns on one side and Carter on the other and NT Dexter Lawrence in between, the Giants are building an unblockable front. Carter is a relentless pass rusher who lives in the backfield and gives the Giants their version of Micah Parsons.

Grade: A

4. New England Patriots: OT Will Campbell, LSU

The devil's advocate problem here is all about prototypes. Campbell's wingspan is under 78 inches and the smallest reach taken at the NFL Scouting Combine in more than 15 years. He's an exceptional athlete, with a dancer's feet and lateral agility, and power is an asset. Maybe he winds up at guard, and that "if" is massive considering the stakes at No. 4. Not only this investment, but the insurance policy he represents for 2024 No. 3 pick Drake Maye.

Grade: B-

5. Cleveland Browns (via trade with Jacksonville Jaguars): DT Mason Graham, Michigan

Active inside with Myles Garrett on the edge, Graham has the motor to make an impact. But he's undersized and his overall production at the position is lacking. The refuse-to-lose mentality is well-suited with defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, but the value at this point in the draft leaves us wondering what could have been in Cleveland. We'll be marking this moment for hindsight comparison to Ole Miss DT Walter Nolen and Oregon DT Derrick Harmon. We would go lower with this grade if the trade compensation with the Jaguars, including a future first-rounder, wasn't a consideration.

Grade: C+

6. Las Vegas Raiders: RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

A perfect match for the Pete Carroll plan, Jeanty defines the idea of bell-cow back and becomes the Raiders' version of Marshawn Lynch. Las Vegas had nothing at the position last year and finished 32nd in the league in rushing. This pick represents an enormous depth-chart upgrade. Good luck finding one bigger in a year-over-year comparison.

Grade: A+

The 2024 Heisman Trophy winner plans to play both wide receiver and cornerback in the NFL.

The Jaguars moved up three spots from No. 5 overall. Per reports, they also sent the Browns second- and fourth-round picks in the 2025 draft and their first-round selection in 2026. Jacksonville will also receive 2025 fourth- and sixth-round picks from Cleveland.

In 2024, Hunter hauled in 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns, adding one rushing touchdown. On defense, he recorded four interceptions, 11 pass breakups and 36 tackles.

At Miami last season, Ward passed for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns, both single-season school records, en route to being selected the Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year.

Ward began his collegiate career with two seasons at FCS Incarnate Word before transferring to Washington State, where he played two more seasons ahead of his final season at Miami.

In his second year at Incarnate Word, he passed for 4,648 yards and 47 touchdowns. In 25 games at Washington State, he threw for 6,963 yards and 48 touchdowns with 16 interceptions. He completed 65.5 percent of his passes (644-for-983) with the Cougars.

Last season for the Hurricanes, he connected on 67.2 percent of his passes and was intercepted just seven times.

Will Levis started 12 games for the Titans last season, throwing for 2,091 yards and completing 63.1 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns and 12 picks.

The Titans provided Ward with another target, signing former Seattle Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett to a one-year deal on Wednesday.

Sharpe was the subject of a $50 million lawsuit in Nevada earlier this week, with a woman accusing him of sexually assaulting her, battering her and using his fame to control and subjugate her while they were in a relationship.

"My statement is found here and this is the truth," Sharpe said Thursday in what appeared to be a screenshot of a text message posted to social media. "The relationship in question was 100% consensual.

"At this juncture I am electing to step aside temporarily from my ESPN duties.

"I will be devoting this time to my family, and responding and dealing with these false and disruptive allegations set against me. I plan to return to ESPN at the start of the NFL preseason.

"I sincerely appreciate the overwhelming and ongoing support I have received from my family, fans, friends and colleagues."

The Pro Football Hall of Famer began appearing on ESPN's "First Take" in September 2023. He signed a multi-year contract extension with the company last summer.

Buzbee and his client shared an audio call that is alleged to feature Sharpe threatening to "choke the (expletive) out of" her. The female voice in the call replied, "I don't wanna be choked," and the voice purported to be Sharpe said, "Yes, you do. I don't think you have a choice in the matter."

Sharpe's attorney Lanny Davis said his client and the plaintiff were engaged in "a consensual, adult relationship that included role-playing, sexual language and fantasy scenarios." He also said that Sharpe didn't mean the words literally.

In a previous statement, Sharpe claimed the lawsuit is filled with "lies, distortions and misrepresentations." He also took aim at attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the plaintiff, saying Buzbee "targets" Black men.

Also on Thursday, Front Office Sports reported that when Sharpe worked for Fox as the co-host of FS1's "Undisputed," he was accused of choking a female production assistant in the workplace.

Per the report, Sharpe was not sued in the case, and he and Fox settled with the woman for several hundred thousand dollars.

"There was no incident of choking involving Shannon on the FS1 set," a representative of Sharpe's said in a statement to Front Office Sports. "On one occasion, he and a few colleagues were involved in some light physical interaction in a playful context. Fox Sports later chose to resolve the matter privately."

Everything beyond that remains in flux, leaving sportsbooks adjusting odds based off breaking news and reports of teams interested in moving up or down within the top 10.

Travis Hunter has emerged as the strong favorite to go No. 2 overall. Whether the Cleveland Browns keep the pick or deal it, Colorado's two-way star moved from -1800 at DraftKings on Thursday morning to -2500 to go second overall by the afternoon. Hunter also is the -5000 favorite to go No. 2 overall at BetMGM.

The momentum for Hunter also has impacted Penn State pass rusher Abdul Carter. He is now the -1600 favorite at DraftKings and -2000 at BetMGM to go No. 3 overall -- a pick currently held by the New York Giants.

The teams that ultimately hold the second and third picks is part of the drama building up to Thursday's first round. That's followed by plenty of uncertainty from the fourth pick on.

LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell is the heavy -475 favorite at DraftKings to go No. 4 where the New England Patriots currently sit.

Running back Ashton Jeanty has emerged as the -250 favorite at DraftKings and -300 at BetMGM to go No. 5. That pick is currently owned by Jacksonville, which would appear to have bigger needs than at running back. But the former Boise State star reportedly is coveted by a number of teams that may be looking to move up, including Chicago at No. 10.

As of Thursday morning, Jeanty had been backed by the most total bets at BetMGM to go No. 4 with 12.7 percent, despite Campbell being the heavy favorite. Jeanty is the favorite to go No. 5, and has been backed by the most money to do so with 31.5 percent.

Others in the mix with the fifth overall pick include Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham (+350 at DraftKings, +360 at BetMGM) and Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan.

"The NFL Draft brings in lots of attention from bettors," BetMGM trading manager Christian Cipollini said. "Trades, breaking news, and other factors can alter the draft in a moments notice. BetMGM is hoping Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty falls out of the top 5, but besides that every pick is a case by case situation."

One of the most rapidly evolving "situations" is that of Hunter's former teammate, quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Once in the mix to be the No. 1 overall pick and long thought to be the certain second quarterback off the board, reports have surfaced about a potential slide completely out of the top 10.

As of Thursday afternoon, Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart had emerged at +300 at DraftKings to go No. 9 overall, where New Orleans is believed to be considering a quarterback with Derek Carr's status for 2025 uncertain. Meanwhile, Sanders was +2200 to go ninth overall.

The son of Colorado coach and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Deion Sanders, where Shedeur Sanders winds up is one of this draft's biggest question marks. His shortest odds within the top 10 at DraftKings was +1200 at No. 3, although that's widely believed to be where Carter will go.

The story was similar at BetMGM, where Sanders was +1200 to go No. 3, but his only other odds shorter than -3000 to go in the top 10 was +1200 at No. 9 overall.

The team with the shortest odds to select Sanders was Pittsburgh at -145. The Steelers, who have remained in communication with Aaron Rodgers this offseason, currently hold the 21st overall pick.

Cleveland was +220 to select Sanders, followed by the New York Giants (+450), New Orleans (+1000) Las Vegas (+1200) and the Los Angeles Rams (+1500). No other team had shorter odds to select Sanders than the New York Jets at +2500.

The Browns are considered a candidate to trade into the second half of the first round to target a quarterback. The Raidders hold the Nos. 6 and 37 overall picks, the Saints Nos. 9 and 40. The Rams own the 26th overall pick, but no others until the 26th pick of the third round.

Terms of a potential new deal were not reported.

The first round of this year's draft is set to take place Thursday from Green Bay, Wisc., and will air on ESPN for the 46th consecutive year. NFL Network also televises the league's draft.

The NFL draft has turned into a three-day event with the second and third rounds set to take place Friday, while rounds four through seven are completed Saturday.

The Tennessee Titans have the first overall draft pick and are expected to kick off the festivities by selecting quarterback Cam Ward from Miami.

Entering the draft with the No. 10 pick, Bears general manager Ryan Poles indicated he might have something up his sleeve before the start of the 2025 NFL Draft.

"I think this one is going to be a little wild," Poles said.

Getting their hands on the top running back in the draft might require the Bears to make a trade. Chicago has four of the top 72 overall picks in the draft.

FanDuel and other sportsbooks sent a strong signal that they have a read on Poles when they made the Bears the favorites at -180 to draft Jeanty. They were +340 behind the Jaguars and Raiders at sunrise.

Jacksonville was still -125 ahead of the Bears at -100 to draft Jeanty at DraftKings Sportsbook as of Noon CT on draft day. The Bears started the day at +300 via DraftKings.

New Bears head coach Ben Johnson and Poles made wholesale changes to the offensive line in the offseason and have indicated a stronger emphasis on the running game was in the offing. It appears Poles took Jeanty's open letter to NFL decision-makers to heart.

Jeanty, the runner-up in Heisman Trophy voting to Travis Hunter Jr., shared these thoughts with GMs in his note last week: "It's tackle football ... you know what I'm saying? I'd draft the guy they can't tackle. Thank you for your time."

Jeanty rushed for 2,601 yards with 29 touchdowns in 2024 and had more than 1,733 yards after first contact, which would have still led the FBS. Arizona State battering ram Cam Skattebo was second to Jeanty in rushing with 1,711 yards.

The Bears signed running back D'Andre Swift as a free agent prior to the 2024 season. Swift would likely still be part of the RB pecking order given his past with Johnson when they were both in Detroit.

Might the New Orleans Saints be preparing a similar tune Thursday night with the No. 9 pick in the draft?

According to CBS Sports, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart is the preferred prospect for the Saints. Few media pundits, even those converted from NFL scouting roles, mentioned Dart as the QB2 behind Cam Ward, the presumptive No. 1 pick of the Tennessee Titans. Most didn't consider Dart an option until very late in the first round.

Insider Aditi Kinkhabwala reported Thursday that "Dart won't fall past the No. 9 pick and the Saints," citing sources who were adamant the Rebels' all-time passing leader would be selected ahead of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders.

ESPN reported the Saints might not be the only team ready to hitch their wagon to Dart.

The New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers favor Dart as the QB2 in the draft, per the report, which said the Giants met with Dart several times and made additional trips to campus to learn more about Dart as a person.

It wouldn't be the first time the Giants went the Ole Miss route to find a franchise quarterback. Longtime Giants quarterback Eli Manning, acquired in a trade for Philip Rivers involving the Chargers in 2004, has already publicly endorsed the fellow Rebels product.

"I like Jaxson Dart," Manning said in January of the QB class. "I've probably watched him more than anybody, just from watching Ole Miss games. I've been around him and (he's) been a great kid, been in the same offense for three years and been successful. Seen him grow and progress and seems to be able to make all the throws."

Dart attended the Manning Academy passing camp in high school and has remained close to several in the Manning family. He said his transition to the Giants and their offense would be "smooth" based on similar concepts employed by head coach Lane Kiffin.

New Orleans' draft history at quarterback is thin with one bold exception, who just so happens to be another Manning via Ole Miss. Archie Manning was the No. 2 pick in the 1971 draft by the Saints, who have never picked another passer in the first round.

The Saints are a team in transition under first-year head coach Kellen Moore with uncertainty around the health of starter Derek Carr. General manager Mickey Loomis said in a pre-draft press conference on Wednesday that the Saints might not have full clarity on Carr's shoulder injury or a timeframe for his return to the field before the draft.

Dart led the SEC with 4,279 passing yards and had 29 touchdown passes and six interceptions in 2024. He passed for a career total of 10,617 yards in three seasons with Ole Miss and one at Southern California. He was first in the nation in yards per attempt with 10.8, making him a candidate to employ Moore's play-action, deep-ball dependent scheme.

"I'm excited to be a Tennessee Titan!!" the longtime Seattle Seahawks receiver posted Wednesday night on X. "I'm super thankful and grateful. Let's get it!! God you get all the glory!!"

The deal is for $4 million and worth up to $6 million with incentives, ESPN reported.

The Seahawks parted ways with Lockett, 32, on March 5 after 10 seasons. Seattle saved $17 million, including a $5.3 million roster bonus that was due March 16.

Lockett finished with 49 catches for 600 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games (14 starts) last season.

A one-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, Lockett has 661 receptions for 8,594 receiving yards and 61 touchdowns in his career. Each total ranks second only to Hall of Famer Steve Largent in Seattle history.

Lockett was selected by the Seahawks in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Kansas State.

The Titans and Seahawks are scheduled to meet in Nashville during the 2025 season. The NFL schedule will be released in mid-May.

Nicknamed "Mongo" and known as a colorful character both on and off the field for the Bears, McMichael succumbed to a long battle with ALS on Wednesday, dying in hospice surrounded by friends and family.

Jarrett Payton, a longtime family friend, spokesman and son of McMichael's former teammate Walter Payton, expressed his condolences and described his final moments on social media.

A two-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, McMichael enjoyed a 15-year career in the NFL as a defensive lineman. Originally drafted by the New England Patriots in the third round of the 1980 NFL Draft, McMichael spent the next 13 years in Chicago, where he rose to stardom, becoming a regular starter in 1983.

He set a Bears record by playing in 191 consecutive games from 1981 to 1993.

Born in Houston in 1957, McMichael starred at the University of Texas, where he became a consensus All-American.

In the pros, as McMichael's production and impact became more significant, the Bears also ascended, culminating in a Super Bowl championship in the 1985 season, the same year McMichael was first named an All-Pro.

McMichael followed that up with back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons as a remarkably productive defensive tackle, never racking up fewer than 40 tackles (including a 108-tackle season in 1989) until his final year with the Green Bay Packers in 1994.

He finished his career with 847 tackles and 95 sacks to go along with two interceptions, 13 forced fumbles and 17 fumble recoveries.

Even following his retirement, McMichael was never far from the limelight, enjoying a brief professional wrestling career, doing radio and TV work and also becoming the head coach of an arena football team, the Chicago Slaughter.

"The world just lost the incredible Steve "Mongo" McMichael!" former wrestler Ric Flair posted on social media. "He was my best friend through it all! An amazing athlete and human being!"

"Mongo" made his battle with ALS public in 2021, earning an ALS Courage Award shortly thereafter.

McMichael was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024 after he and his family publicly pushed for his induction to attempt to get McMichael in before his eventual death.

That campaign was successful, but McMichael was unable to attend his induction in person, instead receiving his bust and gold jacket at his home in Illinois.

"Steve McMichael told everyone he would fight ALS with the same tenacity he showed for 15 seasons in the National Football League. And he did just that," Hall of Fame president Jim Porter said in a statement.