Leading Off: Cubs, Pirates Gaining Ground; Panda Returns

By STEPHEN WHYNO (AP Sports Writer) ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Jayden Daniels was not sure the Washington Commanders would call his name, after months of questions about which quarterback they wanted. He’s glad they did. Washington selected Daniels with the second pick in the NFL draft on Thursday night, choosing the Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU over North Carolina’s Drake Maye, Washington’s Michael Penix Jr.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Caleb Williams, welcome to Chicago. The expectations are clear, become the franchise quarterback the Bears have craved for years and lift the founding NFL franchise to the top of the league. Other than that, there’s no pressure at all. The Bears did exactly as expected by taking Williams with the No.

In the eighth inning of Thursday’s series finale against San Diego, the Rockies’ offense transformed into the Big Purple Machine. Colorado batted around in that frame to erase a five-run deficit, plating six runs in the process. After closer Justin Lawrence cemented the team’s largest comeback of the season with a save in the ninth, the result was a signature moment of positivity amid a spring full of struggles. Yes, the Rockies (7-19) have still yet to win a series in eight tries after splitting with San Diego, surpassing last season’s futility in that regard while also setting a franchise record to start a season.

The Colorado Rapids have further bolstered their roster at goalkeeper. The club announced Wednesday that it has signed 25-year-old Ethan Bandré to a one-year contract, with two club options lasting one additional year each. Bandré signed to Rapids 2 in February of this year after spending his first two seasons of professional soccer with Sporting KC II.

Live coverage of the 2024 NFL draft from The Denver Post, including live updates, picks around the NFL and selections from the Denver Broncos. THINGS TO KNOW Broncos QB Zach Wilson | Broncos new uniforms | Throwback uniforms | Unlucky 13 Broncos draft preview | Broncos mock draft | NFL mock draft | More Broncos news Broncos positions outlook Offense Quarterbacks | Running backs | Receivers | Tight ends | Linemen Defense Linemen | Edge rushers | Inside linebackers | Cornerbacks | Safeties Related Articles Denver Broncos | Broncos select Oregon quarterback Bo Nix with 12th overall pick Denver Broncos | Renck: Broncos’ Sean Payton cannot leave first round without a quarterback Denver Broncos | Broncos draft preview: Team needs, potential targets, staff predictions Denver Broncos | In afterglow of CHSSA vote to add girls flag football, Broncos committed to helping “this season and beyond” Denver Broncos | Woulda, coulda, shoulda: 5 times in the past 8 years the Broncos had other quarterback options

If the annual playoff referendum on Nikola Jokic’s defense has already commenced, Jokic himself might have put an amusing stop to it during the first round. As self-deprecating as ever, he didn’t mince words when asked how he can guard Lakers center Anthony Davis better after a barrage of buckets forced Michael Malone to cross-match, hiding Jokic on a lesser scoring threat in Game 2. “He’s an offensive monster, and defensive, too,” Jokic said.