NATO's ability to deter Russia has taken a hit with trans-Atlantic infighting

BRUSSELS (AP) — European allies and Canada are pouring billions of dollars into helping Ukraine, and they have pledged tomassively boost their budgetsto defend their territories.

But despite those efforts, NATO's credibility as a unified force under U.S. leadership has taken a huge hit over the past year as trust within the 32-nation military organization dissolved.

The rift has been most glaring over U.S. President Donald Trump's repeated threats toseize Greenland, a semiautonomous territory of NATO ally Denmark. More recently, Trump's disparaging remarks about his NATO allies' troops in Afghanistandrew another outcry.

While the heat on Greenlandhas subsidedfor now, the infighting has seriously undercut the ability of the world's biggest security alliance to deter adversaries, analysts say.

"The episode matters because it crossed a line that cannot be uncrossed," Sophia Besch from the Carnegie Europe think tank said in a report on the Greenland crisis. "Even without force or sanctions, that breach weakens the alliance in a lasting way."

The tensions haven't gone unnoticed in Russia, NATO's biggest threat.

Any deterrence of Russia relies on ensuring that President Vladimir Putin is convinced that NATO will retaliate should he expand his war beyondUkraine. Right now, that does not seem to be the case.

"It's a major upheaval for Europe, and we are watching it," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted last week.

Filling up the bucket

Criticized by U.S. leaders for decades over low defense spending, and lashed relentlessly under Trump, European allies and Canada agreed in July to significantly up their game and start investing 5% of their gross domestic product on defense.

The pledge was aimed at taking the whip out of Trump's hand. The allies would spend as much of their economic output on core defense as the United States — around 3.5% of GDP — by 2035, plus a further 1.5% on security-related projects like upgrading bridges, air and seaports.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte has hailed those pledges as a sign of NATO's robust health and military might. He recently said that "fundamentally thanks to Donald J. Trump, NATO is stronger than it ever was."

Though a big part of his job is to ensure that Trump does not pull the U.S. out of NATO, as Trump has occasionally threatened, hisflattery of the American leaderhas sometimes raised concern. Rutte has pointedly refused to speak about the rift over Greenland.

Article 5 at stake

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization was formed in 1949 to counter the security threat posed by the Soviet Union during the Cold War, and its deterrence is underpinned by a strong American troop presence in Europe.

The alliance is built on the political pledge that an attack on one ally must be met with a response from them all — the collective security guarantee enshrined inArticle 5of its rule book.

It hinges on the belief that the territories of all 32 allies must remain inviolate. Trump's designs on Greenland attack that very principle, even though Article 5 does not apply in internal disputes because it can only be triggered unanimously.

"Instead of strengthening our alliances, threats against Greenland and NATO are undermining America's own interests," two U.S. senators, Democrat Jeanne Shaheen and Republican Lisa Murkowski, wrote in a New York Times op-ed.

"Suggestions that the United States would seize or coerce allies to sell territory do not project strength. They signal unpredictability, weaken deterrence and hand our adversaries exactly what they want: proof that democratic alliances are fragile and unreliable," they said.

Even before Trump escalated his threats to seize control of Greenland, his European allies were never entirely convinced that he would defend them should they come under attack.

Trump has said that he doesn't believe the allies would help him either, and he recently drew more anger when he questioned the role of European and Canadian troops who fought and died alongside Americans in Afghanistan. The president later partially reversed his remarks.

In testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio dismissedcriticism that Trump has undermined the alliance.

"The stronger our partners are in NATO, the more flexibility the United States will have to secure our interests in different parts of the world," he said. "That's not an abandonment of NATO. That is a reality of the 21st century and a world that's changing now."

A Russia not easily deterred

Despite NATO's talk of increased spending, Moscow seems undeterred. The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, said this week that "it has become painfully clear that Russia will remain a major security threat for the long term."

"We are fending off cyberattacks, sabotage against critical infrastructure, foreign interference and information manipulation, military intimidation, territorial threats and political meddling," she said Wednesday.

Officials across Europe have reported acts ofsabotageand mysteriousdrone flightsover airports and military bases. Identifying the culprits is difficult, and Russia denies responsibility.

In a year-end address, Rutte warned that Europe is at imminent risk.

"Russia has brought war back to Europe, and we must be prepared for the scale of war our grandparents or great-grandparents endured," he said.

Meanwhile in Russia, Lavrov said the dispute over Greenland heralded a"deep crisis"for NATO.

"It was hard to imagine before that such a thing could happen," Lavrov told reporters, as he contemplated the possibility that "one NATO member is going to attack another NATO member."

Russian state media mockedEurope's "impotent rage" over Trump's designs on Greenland, and Putin's presidential envoy declared that "trans-Atlantic unity is over."

Doubt about US troops

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is due to meet with his counterparts at NATO on Feb. 12. A year ago, he startled the allies by warning that America's security prioritieslie elsewhereand that Europe must look after itself now.

Security in the Arctic region, where Greenland lies, will be high on the agenda. It's unclear whether Hegseth will announce a new drawdown of U.S. troops in Europe, who are central to NATO's deterrence.

Lack of clarity about this has also fueled doubt about the U.S. commitment to its allies. In October, NATO learned that up to 1,500 American troops would be withdrawn from an area bordering Ukraine,angering ally Romania.

A report from the European Union Institute for Security Studies warned last week that although U.S. troops are unlikely to vanish overnight, doubts about U.S. commitment to European security means "the deterrence edifice becomes shakier."

"Europe is being forced to confront a harsher reality," wrote the authors, Veronica Anghel and Giuseppe Spatafora. "Adversaries start believing they can probe, sabotage and escalate without triggering a unified response."

byDaniel Coleman

in

January 31, 2026

NATO's ability to deter Russia has taken a hit with trans-Atlantic infighting

BRUSSELS (AP) — European allies and Canada are pouring billions of dollars into helping Ukraine, and they have pledged to...

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Mass evictions in Lagos displace thousands including baby twins now living in a canoe

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Victor Ahansu was barely awake with his wife and baby twins before the grinding sound of bulldozers woke them. It was all the warning the family had, he said, before fleeing mass evictions in their historic community of Makoko in Lagos. Their house was demolished on Jan. 11, one of thousands taken down by the ongoing operation.

Now the 5-month-old twins and their parents live in a wooden canoe, with a woven plastic sack for shelter from the rain. The thump of hammers fills the air as other residents ofNigeria's largest city break down homes and salvage what they can.

"I have not even been able to go to work to make money, because I don't want to leave my wife and children, and the government comes again," Ahansu, a fisherman, told The Associated Press.

For decades, tens of thousands of people have lived in homes on stilts above the lagoon in Makoko, one of Africa's oldest and largest waterfront communities.

To many Nigerians, Makoko has long been distinctive. To nonprofit organizations, it has been a testing ground for ideas like floating schools. But to some developers and authorities, it'svaluable waterfront propertyin the hands of some of the megacity's poorest people.

More than 3,000 homes have been torn down and 10,000 people displaced in this latest wave of demolitions that began in late December, according to a coalition of local advocacy groups. Makoko's residents have lived here legally, but Nigeria's Land Law allows the government to take any land it deems fit for public purpose.

There is a long history of such mass evictions in the rapidly developing city of an estimated 20 million people on the Gulf of Guinea. Advocacy groups estimate that hundreds of thousands of people have lost their homes since 2023, when the current state government took office.

On Wednesday, hundreds of people protested the mass evictions across Lagos. Police dispersed them with tear gas.

Population pressures

As Lagos' population increases, people in low-income communities like Makoko have been caught in the line of fire amid government efforts to develop the megacity.

Residents told the AP that the Lagos state government in this case asked people to move 100 meters from an electricity line, but then the demolitions just kept going.

Officials at the state's Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development declined to answer questions about the Makoko demolitions and residents' allegations that there had been little or no warning before they began on Dec. 23.

The officials, however, pointed to recent comments by Lagos Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who defended the evictions and cited safety risks, saying communities had spread close to critical infrastructure.

Residents say that space in the Makoko area had been allotted to a private construction company, one of many in a city where waterfront space is often prized for luxury and other properties. The AP couldn't verify that allegation.

"I think that when (the government) is looking for centrally located land and since other places are filled up, there is the idea that you can come and clear away communities because they are less privileged and you can come up with some justification," said Megan Chapman, co-director for the Justice and Empowerment Initiatives, an advocacy group for displaced communities in Lagos.

Makoko, established in the 19th century, has survived past attempts at demolition, usually when there's a public outcry. Life meanders through narrow streets and waterways in the community nicknamed the "Venice of Africa" by outsiders. There are few public services like electricity or waste management.

Those being displaced say they have few options. Lagos has some of Africa's highest rents. A room in a tenement house where dozens of people share bathrooms can go for 700 thousand naira annually (around $500) in a city where the minimum wage is 77,000 naira ($55).

Basirat Kpetosi sat atop the ruins of her waterfront home in Makoko, frying dough in sizzling oil for sale. She was resigned to her loss.

Kpetosi said that she woke to the sound of bulldozers on Jan. 9, when her house was torn down. Now she and her five children are left with no shelter.

Kpetosi, from a family of fishermen, said that she built the home on the lagoon — two rooms on stilts made of bamboo and aluminium sheets — last year.

She said they received no compensation for its destruction, and the government is making no plans for their resettlement, even though the law requires it. In a 2017 ruling by the Lagos High Court seen by the AP, the judge ruled that mass eviction without resettlement violated the "fundamental right to protection from cruel and degrading treatment."

"We sleep in the open," Kpetosi said. "When it rained, it rained on my children and me."

For more on Africa and development:https://apnews.com/hub/africa-pulse

The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP'sstandardsfor working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas atAP.org.

byDaniel Coleman

in

January 31, 2026

Mass evictions in Lagos displace thousands including baby twins now living in a canoe

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Victor Ahansu was barely awake with his wife and baby twins before the grinding sound of bulldozers...

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Besieged by gang violence, Palestinian citizens in Israel demand more security

KAFR YASIF, Israel (AP) — Nabil Safiya had taken a break from studying for a biology exam to meet a cousin at a pizza parlor when a gunman on a motorcycle rode past and fired, killing the 15-year-old as he sat in a black Renault.

Israel Palestinian Citizens Violence

The shooting — which police later said was a case of mistaken identity — stunned his hometown of Kafr Yasif,long besieged,like many Palestinian towns in Israel, by a wave of gang violence and family feuds.

"There is no set time for the gunfire anymore," said Nabil's father, Ashraf Safiya. "They can kill you in school, they can kill you in the street, they can kill you in the football stadium."

Theviolence plaguing Israel's Arab minorityhas become an inescapable part of daily life. Activists have long accused authorities of failing to address the issue and say that sense has deepened under Israel's current far-right government.

One out of every five citizens in Israel is Palestinian. The rate of crime-related killings among them is more than 22 times higher than that for Jewish Israelis, while arrest and indictment rates for those crimes are far lower. Critics cite the disparities as evidence of entrenched discrimination and neglect.

A growing number of demonstrations are sweeping Israel. Thousands marched in Tel Aviv late Saturday to demand action, while Arab communities have gone on strike, closing shops and schools.

In November, after Nabil was gunned down, residents marched through the streets, students boycotted their classes and the Safiya family turned their home into a shrine with pictures and posters of Nabil.

The outrage had as much to do with what happened as with how often it keeps happening.

"There's a law for the Jewish society and a different law for Palestinian society," Ghassan Munayyer, a political activist from Lod, a mixed city with a large Palestinian population, said at a recent protest.

An epidemic of violence

SomePalestinian citizenshave reached the highest echelons of business andpoliticsin Israel. Yet many feel forsaken by authorities, with their communities marked by underinvestment and high unemployment that fuels frustration and distrust toward the state.

Nabil was one of a record 252 Palestinian citizens to be killed in Israel last year, according to data from Abraham Initiatives, an Israeli nongovernmental organization that promotes coexistence and safer communities. The toll continues to climb, with at least 26 additional crime-related killings in January.

Walid Haddad, a criminologist who teaches at Ono Academic College and who previously worked in Israel's national security ministry, said that organized crime thrives off weapons trafficking and loan‑sharking in places where people lack access to credit. Gangs also extort residents and business owners for "protection," he said.

Based on interviews with gang members in prisons and courts, he said they can earn anywhere from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on whether the job is torching cars, shooting at buildings or assassinating rival leaders.

"If they fire at homes or people once or twice a month, they can buy cars, go on trips. It's easy money," Haddad said, noting a widespread sense of impunity.

The violence has stifled the rhythm of life in many Palestinian communities. In Kafr Yasif, a northern Israel town of 10,000, streets empty by nightfall, and it's not uncommon for those trying to sleep to hear gunshots ringing through their neighborhoods.

Prosecutions lag

Last year, only 8% of killings of Palestinian citizens led to charges filed against suspects, compared with 55% in Jewish communities, according to Abraham Initiatives.

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Lama Yassin, the Abraham Initiatives' director of shared cities and regions, said strained relations with police long discouraged Palestinian citizens from calling for new police stations or more police officers in their communities.

Not anymore.

"In recent years, because people are so depressed and feel like they're not able to practice day-to-day life ... Arabs are saying, 'Do whatever it takes, even if it means more police in our towns,'" Yassin said.

The killings have become a rallying cry for Palestinian-led political parties after successive governments pledged to curb the bloodshed with little results. Politicians and activists see the spate of violence as a reflection of selective enforcement and police apathy.

"We've been talking about this for 10 years," said Knesset member Aida Touma-Suleiman.

She labeled policing in Palestinian communities "collective punishment," noting that when Jews are victims of violence, police often set up roadblocks in neighboring Palestinian towns,flood areas with officersand arrest suspects en masse.

"The only side that can be able to smash a mafia is the state and the state is doing nothing except letting (organized crime) understand that they are free to do whatever they want," Touma-Suleiman said.

Many communities feel impunity has gotten worse, she added, under National Security MinisterItamar Ben-Gvir, who with authority over the police haslaunchedaggressive and visible campaigns against other crimes,targeting protestsand pushing for tougher operations in east Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank.

Israeli police reject allegations of skewed priorities, saying that killings in these communities are a top priority. Police also have said investigations are challenging because witnesses don't always cooperate.

"Investigative decisions are guided by evidence, operational considerations, and due process, not by indifference or lack of prioritization," police said in a statement.

Unanswered demands

In Kafr Yasif, Ashraf Safiya vowed his son wouldn't become just another statistic.

He had just gotten home from his work as a dentist and off the phone with Nabil when he learned about the shooting. He raced to the scene to find the car window shattered as Nabil was being rushed to the hospital. Doctors there pronounced him dead.

"The idea was that the blood of this boy would not be wasted," Safiya said of protests he helped organize. "If people stop caring about these cases, we're going to just have another case and another case."

Authorities said last month they were preparing to file an indictment against a 23-year-old arrested ina neighboring townin connection with the shooting. They said the intended target was a relative, referring to the cousin with Nabil that night.

And they described Nabil as a victim of what they called "blood feuds within Arab society."

At a late January demonstration in Kafr Yasif, marchers carried portraits of Nabil and Nidal Mosaedah, another local boy killed in the violence. Police broke up the protest, saying it lasted longer than authorized, and arrested its leaders, including the former head of the town council.

The show of force, residents said, may have quashed one protest, but did nothing to halt the killings.

__ Hazboun reported from Jerusalem.

byDaniel Coleman

in

January 31, 2026

Besieged by gang violence, Palestinian citizens in Israel demand more security

KAFR YASIF, Israel (AP) — Nabil Safiya had taken a break from studying for a biology exam to meet a cousin at a pizza par...

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Ohio State hires Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State hired Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator Saturday, the second straight year coach Ryan Day has turned to a coordinator with extensive NFL experience.

Smith was the Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive coordinator the past two seasons after being the Atlanta Falcons head coach from 2021 through '23.

"He will bring immediate value to our program and was exactly what we were looking for as we set out to find our next offensive coordinator," Day said in a statement. "His track record in the NFL, experience as coordinator, player caller and a head coach checked every box during the search. He'll do a great job in helping our players reach their potential on the field while also connecting with them as people."

Smith replaces Brian Hartline, who was hired as South Florida's head coach after eight seasons in Columbus.

The 43-year old Smith has not been on a college staff since he was a defensive intern at Ole Miss in 2010.

Smith also interviewed for the Arizona Cardinals and Tennessee Titans head coach openings as well as the Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator position. He was on the Titans staff from 2011 through '20. rising from a quality control coach to offensive coordinator his last two years. He began his NFL coaching career as a quality control coach in Washington in 2007.

He is the only offensive coordinator/head coach in the NFL to have seven different running backs with at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage in that past seven years — Derrick Henry at Tennessee, Cordarrelle Patterson, Tyler Allgeier and Bijan Robinson at Atlanta, and Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell with the Steelers.

Smith has also coached quarterbacks Ryan Tannehill, Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariotta, Justin Fields, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers.

Day is hoping Smith's hire goes as well as his selection of Matt Patricia as defensive coordinator last year. The Buckeyes had the nation's top-ranked defense and allowed only 8.2 points per game.

Ohio State was 18th in the nation in scoring offense and 24th in total offense in 2025. Heisman finalist Julian Sayin will be returning at quarterback as as dynamic wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, an AP All-America selection the past two years.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphereandhere(AP News mobile app). AP college football:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/college-football

byDaniel Coleman

in

January 31, 2026

Ohio State hires Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio State hired Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator Saturday, the second straight year coach Rya...

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Seahawks' Klint Kubiak in 2nd round of head coach interviews with Raiders and Cardinals

Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak interviewed Saturday for the Las Vegas Raiders' head coaching job and was also scheduled, according to multiple reports, to meet with Arizona Cardinals officials about their vacancy.

This was the second round of interviews with Kubiak for both teams — the last two NFL clubs still searching for head coaches.

If Kubiak reaches an agreement with either team, no announcement can be made until after theSuper Bowlon Feb. 8 between the Seahawks and New England Patriots in Santa Clara, California.

Kubiak also could decide to stay in Seattle and wait another year rather than take on a challenge of turning around a franchise — either one — that since 2022 represent two of the three worst in terms of losses.

The Raiders haven't won a playoff game since their last Super Bowl appearance in the 2002 season. They have made the postseason just twice since, most recently in the 2021 season. The Raiders went 3-14 this season, resulting in thefiring of Pete Carroll.

Las Vegas has been a revolving door of coaches, and the Raiders will begin next season with a different person in charge for the third year in a row.

But the Raiders also have the top pick in this year's NFL draft and are expected to take quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Heisman Trophy winnerled Indiana to the national championshipand could be the franchise QB the organization has long sought.

Management will have nearly $90 million in salary cap space to surround Mendoza with potential talent, the second-highest amount in the league, according to overthecap.com.

Both teams have taken their time to fill this position, though the Raiders seemed to have focused recently on Kubiak. That became even more clear this week when Denver quarterbacks coach Davis Webb reportedly pulled his name from consideration.

Team minority owner Tom Brady was notably complimentary of the 38-year-old Kubiak while serving as the Fox Sports analyst during theNFC championshipon Sunday between the Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams NFC championship. Sam Darnold completed 25 of 36 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns in the 31-27 victory.

Arizona's stealthy, meandering search is nearing four weeks. Jonathan Gannonwas fired on Jan. 5 after a 15-36 recordover three years, including a 3-14 mark this season.

The Cardinals haven't officially announced any interviews, but have been linked to discussions with several candidates, including Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and former Panthers and Commanders coach Ron Rivera.

Campanile appears to be out of the running after signing a new deal with the Jaguars. Joseph was the Cardinals' defensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022.

Arizona hasn't made the playoffs since 2021 and has the No. 3 overall pick in the upcoming draft. The Cardinals' roster could be in a state of flux — particularly at quarterback. Kyler Murray is in the middle of a $230.5 million deal that could keep him in the desert through 2028, but the 28-year-old missed most of last season with a foot injury and it's unclear whether the franchise wants to stick with him after seven seasons.

It was Kubiak's work with Darnold that got the attention of both Southwest-based teams. Darnold, taken third overall by the New York Jets in the 2018 NFL draft, had been considered a bust until leading Minnesota to a 14-win season in 2024. But the Vikings moved on from Darnold, and he proved that season was no fluke by winning 14 games in Seattle en routeto leading the Seahawks to the Super Bowlagainst New England.

AP NFL:https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

byDaniel Coleman

in

January 31, 2026

Seahawks' Klint Kubiak in 2nd round of head coach interviews with Raiders and Cardinals

Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak interviewed Saturday for the Las Vegas Raiders' head coaching job...

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Jordon Hudson Planning ‘Huge Bash’ for Boyfriend Bill Belichick on ‘Same Day' as Football Hall of Fame Ceremony (Exclusive)

Kevin Mazur/Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Jordon Hudson is planning a "huge bash" for boyfriend Bill Belichick on the same day as the Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony, a source tells PEOPLE exclusively

• The eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach didn't reach the final round of voting to be inducted this year

• Tom Brady, Jimmy Johnson and Bill Parcels, as well as "many of the outspoken supporters," are invited to the summertime party to celebrate Belichick, according to the insider

Jordon Hudsonis planning a "huge bash" for boyfriendBill Belichick, after the eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach was snubbed by the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

As A-listers from all over the sports world — includingTom Brady,LeBron James,Deion SandersandPatrick Mahomes— said they're baffled after Belichick, 73, was not voted as a first ballot Hall-of-Famer, a source tells PEOPLE exclusively that Hudson, 24, is planning to celebrate the former New England Patriots coach with a party on the same day as the HOF ceremony on Aug 8.

"Jordon is planning to throw Bill a huge bash on the same day as the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremony," the insider says.

"Tom Brady, Jimmy Johnson, Bill Parcels and others who were planning on attending Bill's HOF induction ceremony in Canton are invited," the source continues, referring to some big names in the NFL world.

Other invitees, the source adds, include "many of the outspoken supporters from the wake of Belichick's HOF snub."

Jared C. Tilton/Getty

According to the source, the planned party lines up with the HOF ceremony this summer, because those invited "were already planning to travel to support Bill."

"The purpose of the bash is to celebrate alongside all of his people," the insider adds.

This year's official HOF inductees — which may include Patriots owner Robert Kraft, 49ers running back Roger Craig and Bengals quarterback Kenny Anderson — will be revealed next week.

Kevin Mazur/Getty

When Belichick was first announced as a Hall of Fame finalist in December, he set aside his feud with Kraft, 84, who wasdenied nominations for the honor more than a dozen timesafter he was involved in scandals like"Deflategate"andaccused of soliciting sex workersat a spa in Florida. (Those charges were later dropped.)

After it was revealed that Belichick, who has dealt with heavy public interest surrounding his relationship with Hudson, was not voted into the Hall of Fame when first eligible, sports stars from all leagues expressed their confusion.

Belichick's longtime quarterback Brady, 48, said, perESPN, "I don't understand it. I mean, I was with him every day. If he's not a first-ballot Hall of Famer, there's really no coach that should ever be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, which is completely ridiculous because people deserve it."

The retire athlete added, "There's no coach I'd rather play for. If I'm picking one coach to go out there to win a Super Bowl — give me one season — I'm taking Bill Belichick. So that's enough said."

Chiefs quarterback Mahomes, 30, said in a poston X, "Insane… don't even understand how this could be possible," while football coach Sanders, 58, called the snub "straight out IGNORANT," writingon Xthat Belichick is "arguably the BEST NFL COACH TO EVER COACH THE GAME!"

NBA star James, 41,saidin his own social media post, "Man there's no way I read that right! Right? Ain't no WAY Bill Belichick ain't 1st Ballot HOF!! That's IMPOSSIBLE, EGREGIOUS, and quite frankly DISRESPECTFUL!"

J.J. Watt also expressed his shock on X. "I can't be reading this right. This has to be some knock-off Hall of Fame or something, it can't be the actual NFL Hall of Fame, There is not a single world whatsoever in which Bill Belichick should not be a First-Ballot Hall of Famer," hewrote.

ESPNandUSA Todayreported earlier this month that Belichick didn't reach the final round of voting, securing only 40 of the 50 votes needed for induction. Inductees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame (also referred to as the NFL Hall of Fame) are selected by a committee of up to 50 people.

The official list of who did and didn't write Belichick's name down hasn't been released. The official list of 2026 inductees will not be announced until theNFL Honorson Feb. 5.

Belichick will not be able to be reconsidered for the HOF spot until 2027.

Read the original article onPeople

byDaniel Coleman

in

January 31, 2026

Jordon Hudson Planning ‘Huge Bash’ for Boyfriend Bill Belichick on ‘Same Day' as Football Hall of Fame Ceremony (Exclusive)

Kevin Mazur/Getty NEED TO KNOW Jordon Hudson is planning a "huge bash" for boyfriend Bill Belichick on the same day as the Pro ...

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Undercover investigation of Meta heads to trial in New Mexico in first stand-alone case by state

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The first stand-alone trial from state prosecutors in a stream of lawsuits againstMetais getting underway in New Mexico, with jury selection starting Monday.

Meta New Mexico Lawsuit

New Mexico's case is built on a state undercover investigation using proxy social media accounts and posing as kids to document sexual solicitations and the response from Meta, the owner of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. It could give states a new legal pathway to go after social media companies overhow their platforms affect children, by using consumer protection and nuisance laws.

Attorney General Raúl Torrez filed suit in 2023, accusing Meta of creating a marketplace and "breeding ground" for predators who target children for sexual exploitation and failing to disclose what it knew about those harmful effects.

"So many regulators are keyed up looking for any evidence of a legal theory that would punish social media that a victory in that case could have ripple effects throughout the country, and the globe," said Eric Goldman, codirector of the High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University School of Law in California. "Whatever the jury says will be of substantial interest."

The trial, with opening statements scheduled for Feb. 9, could last nearly two months.

Meta denies the civil charges and says prosecutors are taking a "sensationalist" approach. CEOMark Zuckerbergwas dropped as a defendant in the case, but he has been deposed and documents in the case carry his name.

In California, opening arguments are scheduled this week for a personal injury case in Los Angeles County Superior Court that could determine how thousands of similar lawsuits against social media companies will play out.

The allegations against Meta in New Mexico

Prosecutors say New Mexico is not seeking to hold Meta accountable for content on its platforms, but rather its role in pushing out that content through complex algorithms that proliferate material that can be addictive and harmful to children.

The approach could sidestep immunity provisions for social media platforms under a First Amendment shield andSection 230, a 30-year-old provision of the U.S. Communications Decency Act that has protected tech companies from liability for material posted on their platforms.

An undercover investigation by the state created several decoy accounts for minors 14 and younger, documented the arrival of online sexual solicitations and monitored Meta's responses when the behavior was brought to the company's attention. The state says Meta's responses placed profits ahead of children's safety.

Torrez, a first-term Democrat elected in 2022, has urged Meta to implement more effective age verification and remove bad actors from its platform. He's also seeking changes to algorithms that can serve up harmful material and criticizing end-to-end privacy encryption that can prevent the monitoring of communications with children for safety.

Separately, Torrez brought felony criminal charges of child solicitation by electronic devices against three men in 2024, also using decoy social media accounts to build that case.

How Meta has responded

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Meta denies the civil charges while accusing the attorney general of cherry-picking select documents and making "sensationalist, irrelevant and distracting arguments."

In a statement, Meta said ongoing lawsuits nationwide are attempting to place the blame for teen mental health struggles on social media companies in a way that oversimplifies matters. It points to the steady addition of account settings and tools — including safety features that give teens more information about the person they're chatting with and content restrictions based on PG-13 movie ratings.

Goldman says the company is bringing enormous resources to bear in courtrooms this year, including New Mexico.

"If they lose this," he said, "it becomes another beachhead that might erode their basic business."

Many other lawsuits are underway

More than40 state attorneys general have filed lawsuitsagainst Meta, claiming it is harming young people and contributing to the youth mental health crisis by deliberately designing features that addict children to its platforms. The majority filed their lawsuits in federal court.

The bellwether trial underway in California against social video companies, including Meta's Instagram and Google's YouTube, focuses on a 19-year-old who claims her use of social media from an early age addicted her to technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. TikTok and Snapchat parent company Snap Inc. settled claims in the case that affects thousands of consolidated plaintiffs.

A federal trial starting in June in Oakland, California, will be the first to represent school districts that have sued social media platforms over harms to children.

In New Mexico, prosecutors also sued Snap Inc. over accusations its platform facilitates child sexual exploitation. Snap says its platform has built-in safety guardrails and "deliberate design choices to make it difficult for strangers to discover minors." A trial date has not been set.

The jury weighs guilt, but a judge has final say on any sanctions

A jury assembled from residents of Santa Fe County, including the politically progressive state capital city, will weigh whether Meta engaged in unfair business practices and to what extent.

But a judge will have final say later on any possible civil penalties and other remedies, and decide the public nuisance charge against Meta.

The state's Unfair Practices Act allows penalties of $5,000 per violation, but it's not yet clear how violations would be tallied.

"The reason the damage potential is so great here is because of how Facebook works," said Mollie McGraw, a Las Cruces-based plaintiff's attorney. "Meta keeps track of everyone who sees a post. … The damages here could be significant."

byDaniel Coleman

in

January 31, 2026

Undercover investigation of Meta heads to trial in New Mexico in first stand-alone case by state

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — The first stand-alone trial from state prosecutors in a stream of lawsuits againstMetais getting un...

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Blast in Iran port city kills 1, wounds 14 before Strait of Hormuz naval drill watched by US

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An explosion tore through an apartment building Saturday inIran's port city of Bandar Abbas, killing a 4-year-old girl as local media footage purportedly showed a security force member being carried out by rescuers.

Iran

The blast happened a day beforea planned naval drill by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil traded passes. The U.S. military has warned Iran not to threaten its warships or commercial traffic in the strait, on which Bandar Abbas sits.

State television quoted a local fire official as blaming the blast on a gas leak. Media reported at least 14 others injured in the explosion.

A local newspaper, Sobh-e Sahel, aired footage of a correspondent speaking in front of the building. The footage included a sequence that showed a man in a green security force uniform being carried out on a stretcher. He wore a neck brace and appeared to be in pain, his left hand covering the branch insignia on his uniform.

The newspaper did not acknowledge the security force member being carried out elsewhere in its reporting. Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard did not discuss the blast, other than to deny that a Guard navy commander had been hurt.

Another explosion blamed on a gas explosion Saturday in the southwestern city of Ahvaz killed five people, state media reported.

Iran remains tense overa threat by U.S. President Donald Trumpto potentially launch a military strike on the country over the killing of peaceful protesters or the possible mass execution of those detained in a major crackdown over the demonstrations.

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Trump on Saturday night declined to say whether he'd made a decision on what he wanted to do regarding Iran.

Speaking to reporters as he flew to Florida, Trump sidestepped a question about whether Tehran would be emboldened if the U.S. backed away from launching any strikes on Iran, saying, "Some people think that. Some people don't."

Trump said Iran should negotiate a "satisfactory" deal to prevent the Middle Eastern country from getting any nuclear weapons but said, "I don't know that they will. But they are talking to us. Seriously talking to us."

Ali Larijani, a top security official in Iran, wrote on X late Saturday that "structural arrangements for negotiations are progressing." However, there is no public sign of any direct talks with the United States, which Iran's 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has repeatedly ruled out.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on Saturday called for de-escalation and said Egypt is working to bring the U.S. and Iran to the negotiating table to achieve a "peaceful and comprehensive settlement to the Iranian nuclear file," according to a statement on his phone call with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Qatar in a statement said Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani visited Tehran on Saturday and met with Larijani about "efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region."

Associated Press writers Samy Magdy in Cairo and Will Weissert aboard Air Force One contributed to this report.

byDaniel Coleman

in

January 31, 2026

Blast in Iran port city kills 1, wounds 14 before Strait of Hormuz naval drill watched by US

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An explosion tore through an apartment building Saturday inIran's port city of Ban...

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Shooting at Louisiana parade leaves 5 people wounded, including 6-year-old, sheriff says

CLINTON, La. (AP) — A 6-year-old and four other people were wounded when gunfire erupted during a small-town parade Saturday in Louisiana, sending people in the crowd fleeing for cover, authorities said.

Shooting at Louisiana parade leaves 5 people wounded, including 6-year-old, sheriff says

East Feliciana Parish Sheriff Jeff Travis told reporters the shooting happened shortly after the midday start of the Mardi Gras in the Country Parade in Clinton, about 30 miles (50 kilometers) north of Baton Rouge.

Investigators are trying to piece together what happened, why and who was responsible, but those answers weren't immediately clear even with extra law enforcement on hand at the time to help with the parade, he said. Travis said three people in the area who had firearms were taken into custody but that it wasn't clear whether they were involved in the shooting.

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Gov. Jeff Landry reacted to the shooting in a post on the social platform X, calling it "absolutely horrific and unacceptable" and urging people to pray for the victims.

Details about them and their conditions weren't immediately released. But Chief Criminal Deputy Bill Cox from the sheriff's office toldThe Advocatethat everyone was expected to survive.

The sheriff's office asked for anyone with photos or video of the shooting or nearby areas to share those with investigators.

byDaniel Coleman

in

January 31, 2026

Shooting at Louisiana parade leaves 5 people wounded, including 6-year-old, sheriff says

CLINTON, La. (AP) — A 6-year-old and four other people were wounded when gunfire erupted during a small-town parade Satur...

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Nelly Korda leads Tournament of Champions; play suspended by high winds

Before the third round was suspended due to high winds, World No. 2 Nelly Korda shot an 8-under-par 64 to vault into the lead at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions on Saturday in Orlando, Fla.

Korda, who is seeking her first LPGA Tour victory since November 2024, sat in a tie for eighth through two rounds but is now at 13-under 203 and is the clubhouse leader pending those in contention finishing 54 holes.

With the 17th hole unplayable due to high winds, LPGA officials suspended the third round at 4:18 p.m. ET. The LPGA announced Saturday evening that the third round will resume and the final round will begin concurrently at 10 a.m. Sunday.

A native of Florida, Korda occasionally wore earmuffs and gloves Saturday, but the weather didn't affect her performance, especially early in the round.

"I started off great," Korda said. "Birdied the first two holes and then made an eagle from the fairway on No. 3, so I can't complain ever starting my round like that."

Korda added five more birdies and only ran into trouble on the par-3 17th hole, notching her lone bogey of the day.

"I knew the conditions were going to be tough, so getting off to a good start like that really helped," she said. "Overall, just stayed really focused and super committed on my lines. It's really easy to doubt yourself and your lines in winds and conditions like this."

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Amy Yang finished 16 holes and currently sits in second place at 10 under, followed by fellow South Korean Youmin Hwang (16 holes) and New Zealand's Lydia Ko (15 holes) -- a three-time major champion -- who are tied for third at 8 under.

Canada's Brooke M. Henderson (66) sits alone in fifth. Beginning her round on the back nine, she notched seven birdies and only one bogey, which came on the par-4 No. 8 hole. She then birdied the last hole to complete her best round of the tournament and sits at 7-under 209.

"My shot into 18 I was really pleased with," Henderson said. "That's not an easy shot at any time, and then the wind was coming left-to-right off the lake and pin was kind of on the left side there, so happy to hit it in there pretty close and then make the putt for birdie."

Japan's Miyu Yamashita (68) also completed the third round and is currently tied for sixth at 5 under with countrywoman Nasa Hataoka and England's Lottie Woad, who each have two holes remaining.

World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand endured a tough day, sitting alone in ninth at 4-under after shooting a sloppy 1-over round with four bogeys and three birdies.

Rose Zhang is among five players tied for 10th after her 2-under Saturday showing left her at 3-under through three rounds.

--Field Level Media

byDaniel Coleman

in

January 31, 2026

Nelly Korda leads Tournament of Champions; play suspended by high winds

Before the third round was suspended due to high winds, World No. 2 Nelly Korda shot an 8-under-par 64 to vault into t...

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2026 NFL mock draft: Expert projections for top picks ahead of Super Bowl 60

Just one game remains in the 2025 NFL season. The New England Patriots andSeattle Seahawkswill face off inSuper Bowl 60to determine which team is able to emerge with the Lombardi Trophy in a Super Bowl 49 rematch.

What about the rest of the teams around the NFL? They have shifted their focus to the offseason and have begun preparing for free agency andthe 2026 NFL Draft.

The top of the 2026 NFL Draft could end up being unpredictable.Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendozais a near-lock to be the No. 1 overall selection, but Oregon quarterbackDante Moore's return to schoolhas thrown the remainder of the top five into flux.

Will the New York Jets go with a defensive talent at No. 2 with Moore off the board? If so, players like Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr. and David Bailey will draw attention. Should the Jets want to continue building up their offense, they could roll with receiving weapons like Carnell Tate, Jordyn Tyson or even Makai Lemon.

There are a few other blue-chip stars who play at lower-value positions that could interest the Jets. Notably, running back Jeremiyah Love and safety Caleb Downs could draw consideration as the team looks to improve in all facets of the game.

How could the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft look? Below are the latest expert projections with both the first-round order and the draft pool largely set.

2026 Senior Bowl week: NFL draft prospects in action

2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Round 1

Here's how the first 32 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft could unfold, according to draft experts fromCBS Sports,NFL Media,The AthleticandYahoo Sportsas Super Bowl 60 draws nearer.

1. Las Vegas Raiders

• CBS Sports (Blake Brockermeyer): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

• NFL Media (Eric Edholm): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

• The Athletic (Nick Baumgardner and Scott Dochterman): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

• Yahoo Sports (Charles McDonald and Nate Tice): Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

Yahoo Sports: "Mendoza is a clean operator whose sheer professionalism could lift the floor up for a franchise that's been in the doldrums for oh so long. Mendoza is accurate, has good size, moves well in the pocket, and constantly finds the right answer from the pocket (he's already a standout in situations like third down, the red zone and two-minute drives). He's not an overwhelming athlete, but can create and scramble for yards when things go astray."

2. New York Jets

• CBS Sports: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State

• NFL Media: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State

• The Athletic: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State

• Yahoo Sports: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami (FL)

NFL Media: "Reese is far from a finished product, and there will be pressure on the Jets to weaponize him early, but if they're patient, he could become a forceful pressure player and eventual game-changer."

3. Arizona Cardinals

• CBS Sports: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

• NFL Media: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

• The Athletic: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

• Yahoo Sports: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

CBS Sports: "Francis Mauigoa excelled during the Hurricanes' playoff run and has been a model of consistency over the past two seasons at right tackle. He's thickly built with excellent power and can move defenders against their will in the run game. He's above average in pass protection with good technique and the feet to play in space."

4. Tennessee Titans

• CBS Sports: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami (FL)

• NFL Media: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

• The Athletic: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

• Yahoo Sports: Arvell Reese, edge, Ohio State

The Athletic: "The Titans could go edge at No. 4 (Texas Tech's David Bailey), but everything in GM Mike Borgonzi's world right now has to be about helping quarterback Cam Ward. There are spots in need of upgrades all over the place, but the Titans are pretty desperate for a true WR1."

5. New York Giants

• CBS Sports: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

• NFL Media: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

• The Athletic: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

• Yahoo Sports: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

NFL Media: "Don't rule out an offensive lineman here, but Lemon and Malik Nabers could be an excellent duo for Jaxson Dart and a new Giants offense. Lemon is a tough, competitive, yards-after-catch specialist who'll fit a hard-nosed John Harbaugh team."

6. Cleveland Browns

• CBS Sports: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

• NFL Media: Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL)

• The Athletic: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

• Yahoo Sports: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah

Yahoo Sports: "Cleveland has to rebuild its offensive line, no matter who is the head coach of this team next season. TheBrownsare getting a little old up front (and, frankly, bad) so it's time to add talent at offensive tackle. Spencer Fano has the ability to start right away with long-term development upside that the Browns need."

7. Washington Commanders

• CBS Sports: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech

• NFL Media: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech

• The Athletic: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech

• Yahoo Sports: David Bailey, edge, Texas Tech

CBS Sports: "David Bailey is a natural edge rusher with the ability to win with speed and exceptional quickness in tight spaces. He's a dynamic player who can wreck a game and has shown improvement against the run."

8. New Orleans Saints

• CBS Sports: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

• NFL Media: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

• The Athletic: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

• Yahoo Sports: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

NFL Media: "The Saints don't need to splurge for a back this early, but Love might be too good to pass up. Kellen Moore thrived with a balanced Eagles attack in 2024, and he could add a terrific playmaker to a budding offense behind Tyler Shough. Imagine Love's spin moves on the Superdome turf – it could be electric."

9. Kansas City Chiefs

• CBS Sports: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn

• NFL Media: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami (FL)

• The Athletic: Rueben Bain Jr., edge, Miami (FL)

• Yahoo Sports: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

The Athletic: "Miami led the nation in sacks, and Bain was an offense-wrecking machine. He frequently drew double teams, yet still finished with 9.5 sacks and 83 total pressures, according to PFF. Lined up alongside Chris Jones, Bain immediately would revitalize the Chiefs' slumping defense."

10. Cincinnati Bengals

• CBS Sports: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

• NFL Media: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

• The Athletic: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn

• Yahoo Sports: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

CBS Sports: "The Bengals' defense, especially the secondary, had a rough season, but help is on the way. Caleb Downs is a high-IQ leader who excels in both phases. He can erase tight ends, play in the box as a run stuffer and is an excellent tackler in space."

11. Miami Dolphins

• CBS Sports: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

• NFL Media: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

• The Athletic: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

• Yahoo Sports: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

Yahoo Sports: "McCoy is still in the running to be the first cornerback selected despite not playing this season due to a knee injury. The Dolphins could draft any position and it would make sense, but they could use a young cornerback with some pedigree."

12. Dallas Cowboys

• CBS Sports: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

• NFL Media: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

• The Athletic: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

• Yahoo Sports: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

NFL Media: "It won't shock me if Styles ends up going higher than this come April, even if off-ball linebackers don't tend to come off the board in the top 10 very often in this era. Styles is a prospect bursting with upside and potential – and one of my favorite players in the entire class."

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13. Los Angeles Rams (via Falcons)

• CBS Sports: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

• NFL Media: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

• The Athletic: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

• Yahoo Sports: Aveion Terrell, CB, Clemson

CBS Sports: "[Simpson] has a strong arm, can hit every area of the field with velocity and touch and processes quickly with strong anticipation. Experience will be his biggest hurdle."

14. Baltimore Ravens

• CBS Sports: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

• NFL Media: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

• The Athletic: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

• Yahoo Sports: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn

The Athletic: "A big, powerful athlete with quick hands and plenty of grit in the run game, Ioane played both guard spots, right tackle and even a bit of center at Penn State. One of the few consistent bright spots for theNittany Lionsthis season, Ioane just feels like a Raven."

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• CBS Sports: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M

• NFL Media: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

• The Athletic: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

• Yahoo Sports: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

Yahoo Sports: "Allen has been a steadying force for Georgia's defense ever since he stepped on the field as a freshman. He has intangibles and a well-rounded game that would fit in Todd Bowles' defense. And really any defense, to be fair."

16. New York Jets (via Colts)

• CBS Sports: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

• NFL Media: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

• The Athletic: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

• Yahoo Sports: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

NFL Media: "The Jets probably can't afford to get out of Round 1 without some offensive firepower, and Tyson brings it. He's a splash-play machine and a deep threat, although his injury history could be a limiting factor."

17. Detroit Lions

• CBS Sports: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

• NFL Media: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

• The Athletic: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

• Yahoo Sports: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

The Athletic: "The Lions' offensive line could use a youth infusion, and Lomu, more than any of the other available offensive tackles, would fit perfectly with what Dan Campbell wants. He is durable (800 snaps at left tackle last season) and allowed only two quarterback hits all year, according to PFF. It's possible he could step in at guard before shifting outside, if required."

18. Minnesota Vikings

• CBS Sports: Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

• NFL Media: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

• The Athletic: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre

• Yahoo Sports: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

NFL Media: "We don't yet know if Harrison Smith will return for another season, but either way, the Vikings must upgrade at safety. I'll bet Brian Flores will love watching the highly impactful McNeil-Warren meet ball-carriers and make plays all over the field."

19. Carolina Panthers

• CBS Sports: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

• NFL Media: Keldric Faulk, edge, Auburn

• The Athletic: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State

• Yahoo Sports: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

Yahoo Sports: "Woods could go much higher than this, or much lower. His flashes are as good as any defensive player in this draft class, but he had a maddeningly inconsistent year on an underwhelming Clemson team. ThePanthersneed to continue to add needle-movers to their defense and if Woods reaches his ceiling, the Panthers could have a monster front with Woods and Derrick Brown."

20. Dallas Cowboys (via Packers)

• CBS Sports: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

• NFL Media: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

• The Athletic: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

• Yahoo Sports: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

The Athletic: "Cisse was known as one of the fastest players in South Carolina's program last year after transferring from NC State. That's some serious gas on a team that includes world-class sprinter Nyck Harbor, who has topped 22 miles per hour on the GPS."

21. Pittsburgh Steelers

• CBS Sports: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

• NFL Media: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

• The Athletic: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

• Yahoo Sports: Makai Lemon, WR, USC

CBS Sports: "Kadyn Proctor settled in this season and had his best year for the Tide. I'd consider kicking him inside to guard, where I think he can excel. He can maul in the run game and has shown better consistency in protection."

22. Los Angeles Chargers

• CBS Sports: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

• NFL Media: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M

• The Athletic: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

• Yahoo Sports: Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State

NFL Media: "The Chargers don't mind pass rushers with atypical measurements, and Howell matches the temperament they are looking for, with a violent, urgent play style. This feels like a great match to protect against Khalil Mack's potential departure/retirement."

23. Philadelphia Eagles

• CBS Sports: Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia

• NFL Media: Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

• The Athletic: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M

• Yahoo Sports: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

Yahoo Sports: "Freeling has been a big riser over the back half of the college season and might go even higher than this when this cycle is all said and done. He has good size with long arms and a frame that could add even more bulk."

24. Cleveland Browns (via Jaguars)

• CBS Sports: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

• NFL Media: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

• The Athletic: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

• Yahoo Sports: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

The Athletic: "Trying to land QB2 in this draft class (whether it's Simpson or another prospect) should be on the table for Cleveland, either by trading up or sticking at 24 and hoping he falls. If that doesn't work, though, landing Boston – a big receiver who runs like a smaller receiver (with great ball skills) – would be a fine alternative."

25. Chicago Bears

• CBS Sports: Zion Young, edge, Missouri

• NFL Media: T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson

• The Athletic: Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

• Yahoo Sports: Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech

NFL Media: "Parker's declined production in 2025 could keep him out of Round 1, but he checks a lot of boxes for the type of edge the Bears seek, with his long-arm rush a difference-making move."

26. Buffalo Bills

• CBS Sports: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

• NFL Media: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

• The Athletic: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia

• Yahoo Sports: T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson

CBS Sports: "Explosive on screens and slants, KC Concepcion can break tackles and also stretch the defense vertically. He has good acceleration, separates after the catch and attacks the ball in the air. He's also a dangerous return weapon."

27. San Francisco 49ers

• CBS Sports: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson

• NFL Media: Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah

• The Athletic: KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

• Yahoo Sports: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson

Yahoo Sports: "Miller is a right tackle with good size, quickness and light feet as a pass protector. His agility would make him a great fit for a Shanahan offense that likes to have its linemen constantly on the move."

28. Houston Texans

• CBS Sports: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

• NFL Media: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

• The Athletic: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

• Yahoo Sports: Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama

CBS Sports: "Kenyon Sadiq is a fluid mover who runs like a big wide receiver. He catches naturally away from his body, finds soft spots in coverage and is a dependable target you can count on. He offers big-play ability after the catch and is a solid blocker."

29. Los Angeles Rams

• CBS Sports: Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina

• NFL Media: Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama

• The Athletic: Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

• Yahoo Sports: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

The Athletic: "ACC offenses wisely stayed away from Terrell this year, but that didn't limit his impact. The younger brother of Falcons starter A.J. Terrell, Avieon didn't record an interception but broke up nine passes and forced five fumbles. His play is reminiscent of former LSU and NFL star Tyrann Mathieu."

30. Denver Broncos

• CBS Sports: Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

• NFL Media: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

• The Athletic: Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

• Yahoo Sports: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas

Yahoo Sports: "A long-term linebacker prospect is exactly what the Broncos need and they get a talented one here in Hill. He was injured to close the season, but the Broncos can use his talents here to give them a more complete defense with young talent at all three levels."

31. New England Patriots

• CBS Sports: Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami (FL)

• NFL Media: Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami (FL)

• The Athletic: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

• Yahoo Sports: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

NFL Media: "The Patriots' first four picks a year ago were on offense, and though they could continue helping Drake Maye, a pass rusher also makes sense. Mesidor fits their needs, assuming his age and injury history are not overly concerning to New England decision-makers."

32. Seattle Seahawks

• CBS Sports: Emmanuel Pregnon, G, Oregon

• NFL Media: R Mason Thomas, edge, Oklahoma

• The Athletic: T.J. Parker, edge, Clemson

• Yahoo Sports: Cashius Howell, edge, Texas A&M

CBS Sports: "Emmanuel Pregnon is physical at the point with excellent strength and leverage, and he's also effective as a puller. He can maul defenders and has held up well in pass protection with good hands and a strong anchor."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 NFL mock draft roundup: Pre-Super Bowl Round 1 picks, predictions

byDaniel Coleman

in

January 31, 2026

2026 NFL mock draft: Expert projections for top picks ahead of Super Bowl 60

Just one game remains in the 2025 NFL season. The New England Patriots andSeattle Seahawkswill face off inSuper Bowl 60to...

Read More