Eric Smithling

New Orleans

Writer at Athlon Sports

Contributing Writer at Yardbarker

Writer at Yardbarker, Athlon Sports

Articles

Saints GM Mickey Loomis pours cold water on team drafting QB in first round

23 hours ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

The New Orleans Saints could go in any number of directions with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but selecting a quarterback appears less likely a day before the first round begins.
NFL Draft watch: Best bet in first round for each NFC team

1 day ago | yardbarker.com | Adam Gretz |Eric Smithling |Bruce Ewing |Jack Dougherty

After months of mock drafts and mind-numbing speculation, the NFL Draft is upon us. The first round is Thursday (8 p.m. ET, NFL Network, ESPN, ABC, ESPN Deportes), followed by rounds 2 and 3 on Friday (7 p.m. ET, NFL Network, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes). The draft will conclude with the final four rounds on Saturday (noon ET, ABC, ESPN, ESPN Deportes, NFL Network). Ahead of the first pick in Green Bay, Yardbarker NFL writers identify the best bet in the first round for each NFC team.
Four reasons why Cam Ward to the Titans could go horribly wrong

1 day ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

With the 2025 NFL Draft's first round a little over 24 hours away, all signs point toward the Titans, who own the No. 1 overall pick, choosing Miami quarterback Cam Ward. That could be a mistake. While the Titans will celebrate landing a potential franchise cornerstone, Ward is by no means a perfect fit. Here are four reasons why the pick could go horribly wrong. 1. Lack of receiversIf (or when) Ward is selected at No. 1, he'll inherit an offense light of top-flight offensive weapons.
2025 NFL Draft Q&A: TV times, most picks, deepest position, more

2 days ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

The 2025 NFL Draft is almost upon us. Before the football world gravitates toward Green Bay, here's what you should know heading into the league's premier offseason event. 1. What is the draft schedule and how much time do teams get to make their picks? The first round is Thursday (8 p.m. ET, NFL Network, ESPN, ABC, ESPN Deportes), followed by rounds 2 and 3 on Friday (7 p.m. ET, NFL Network, ABC, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes).
Stanley Cup playoffs takeaways: Alex Ovechkin adds to historic career with OT winner

2 days ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

Oilers offense hits dry spellEdmonton’s offense took much too long to find a spark in a bonkers 6-5 Game 1 loss to the Kings. The Oilers couldn't buy a shot on goal during the final six minutes of the first period and the first half of the second period, experiencing a shocking dry spell for a team that led the league in shots per game (32) during the regular season.
Who else? Capitals' Alex Ovechkin breaks scoreless tie in Game 1 vs. Canadiens

2 days ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

Ovechkin's shot somehow got under Canadiens defenseman David Savard, who tried to block the puck with his right leg, before finding the back of the net. Per the ESPN broadcast, Ovechkin's goal tied him with Hall of Famer Mario Lemieux for the seventh-most playoff power-play goals (29) in NHL history.
Spencer Strider's IL stint continues Braves' miserable 2025 start

2 days ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider can't catch a break. Strider made his season debut on April 16, his first start in over a year. It will again be a while before he gets back on the mound. On Monday, the Braves announced that Strider (strained hamstring) has been placed on the 15-day injured list retroactive to April 18 after he suffered his injury while playing catch during an off day.
Watch: Jets rally for comeback Game 1 win vs. Blues

4 days ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

The Jets (56-22-4) are coming off the best regular season in franchise history, which began in 1999-2000 as the Atlanta Thrashers, setting the team record for most points (116). Winnipeg has eight playoff appearances in the past 11 seasons, including three consecutive. While regular-season success hasn’t been foreign, postseason success has.
Watch: Mitchell Robinson's slam dunk riles Knicks crowd in Game 1

4 days ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

Robinson rose above Pistons center Isaiah Stewart for the ferocious one-handed jam off a miss on a floater from point guard Jalen Brunson, giving New York a one-point lead, 46-45, in a back-and-forth first half that ended with the Knicks holding a 57-55 advantage. Robinson, a 2018 second-round pick (No. 36 overall), only played 17 games this season, debuting on Feb. 28 after rehabbing from May 2024 ankle surgery, his second procedure on the ankle in six months.
Watch: Nationals' Dylan Crews has breakout performance vs. Rockies

4 days ago | yardbarker.com | Eric Smithling

Washington Nationals outfielder Dylan Crews had his breakout MLB game against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday. Crews, the No. 2 overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft (behind college teammate and Pirates ace Paul Skenes), shook off a rough start to his major league career with his first career two-home run game in a 12-11 win. The former LSU Tiger hit a two-run home run in the top of the second inning off of starting pitcher Chase Dollander, giving the Nats a 2-0 lead.