On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
The Indianapolis Colts had an interesting selection with the 80th overall pick by selecting Minnesota Golden Gophers cornerback Justin Walley.
Support, Love & Family 〽️@JustinWalley_ chose Minnesota for all the right reasons and it led him to the @NFL and the @Colts‼️ #pROWGophers pic.twitter.com/qpiJgn0vZw
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) April 26, 2025
The Colts needed more help at safety, as well as linebacker, offensive line, defensive tackle, and running back depth. However, Walley stuck out the most to Chris B allard in the third round, and now he's a Colts defender.
Lou Anarumo might have had a say in this, but it's a selection hard to understand after Charvarius Ward and Corey Ballentine were signed in free agency, despite the latter being more of a backup than anything else.
While it's a difficult pick to see a fit for on the surface, Walley did show out in 2024 for Minnesota. Per Pro Football Focus, he notched an overall defensive grade of 71.1, coverage of 71.3, and run defense of 71.4.
Walley can be inserted as a nickel cornerback, which Indianapolis didn't necessarily have behind Kenny Moore II. While Walley only logged 35 snaps at slot and 442 on the outside, versatility is what Indianapolis values most in their draft picks. It also adds e ven more competition to an already loaded defensive back room.
Walley finished his career with 155 tackles (113 solo), 27 passes defended, seven picks, and a defensive score. Walley has the talent to make an impact for Indianapolis, even if there's a bit of a question mark over this draft add. It's not enthralling, but this draft grade is still somewhat respectable for a full position room.
However, there were more pressing needs on the roster, and cornerback didn't need to be addressed this early, so it gets just under the top marks available.
Grade: C+
Recommended Articles
More must-reads:
- Report reveals how hard Warriors tried to trade for LeBron James
- Big Ten's College Football Playoff expansion idea is 'absurd,' ESPN host says
- The 'Second-leading receiver by NFL team' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Green Bay Packers: Luke Musgrave’s Wife’s Stunned Reaction to Jordan Love’s Wife’s Personal Post
Former Yankees Outfielder Rips Aaron Boone, Brian Cashman
The New York Yankees have been having a rough couple of months, losing their once-dominant lead of the AL East. Now, both Yankees manager Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman are on the receiving end of some tough words by a former player, outfielder Clint Frazier. Boone has been criticized by a number of analysts (not to mention Yankees fans) for lineup and mid-game moves that range from head-scratching to downright bizarre, especially for a team that has been having a hard time securing wins. Cashman has repeatedly defended Boone, arguing that is knowledge of the players' capabilities is driving his decisions. To Frazier, Cashman's defense of Boone is self-serving because Cashman is the person who is responsible for Boone's tenure as manager. “When Cashman comes out and gives support to Boone, lowkey, I kind of feel like that’s self-preservation,” Frazier said on his podcast. “I know his resume is insane, but when he gives the confidence boost to Boone, I was saying ‘he’s got to, because Booney is the frontline of defense for him. I brought this guy in, and I have to support him, because he’s my guy.' Boone is Cashman’s shadow a little bit." Frazier, who played for the Pinstripes from 2017 to 2021, went on to discuss the Yankees' playoff chances, criticizing Boone for his lineup and mid-game decisions, which he claims will impact the team negatively during the post-season. “You need to make sure that you aren’t walking into it with bad decisions, because these are the decisions they’ll be doing in the playoffs,” he said. “They’re going to be way more under the microscope in the playoffs... You’ve got to make sure that you’re buttoned up and ready to go. If you start firing from the hip, it becomes a mockery of what every guy is trying to do.” While the Yankees are doing better now than they were at the time of Frazier's comments, surpassing the Boston Red Sox for second place in the AL East and securing the top spot in the AL Wild Card standings, they still aren't consistent. For New York to secure a trip to the World Series for the second year in a row, they're going to have to play better, which requires Boone to make better decisions. Make sure to bookmark Yankees On SI to get all your daily New York Yankees news, interviews, breakdowns and more! Yankees Have Advantage in Cody Bellinger Sweepstakes Former Yankees Pitchers Swap Places On NL Contender Hall of Famer Explains Leaving Red Sox for Yankees Mariano Rivera's Injury End of Yankees Old-Timer's Game? Four Yankees Among MLB's Top 25 Free Agents
Commanders fans receive hopeful Terry McLaurin update
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels has suggested on multiple occasions that he is "one hundred percent" confident he will "be throwing some passes to" wide receiver Terry McLaurin during the 2025 season. It seems Daniels may have had some inside information. NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated revealed Friday that the situation involving the Commanders and McLaurin "is in a better spot than it’s been" since the 29-year-old requested a trade on July 31. "The sides started out pretty far apart," wrote Breer, "so there was a lot of ground to make up. Maybe the deadlines in the next couple of weeks will help push an agreement through." The "pretty far apart" line may be referencing a previous report that claimed "one person with knowledge of McLaurin’s contract negotiations" said he had "asked for more than" the average annual value attached to DK Metcalf's five-year, $150M deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. That same story insinuated that Washington may be more comfortable paying McLaurin around $27M or $28M per season via a multiyear extension. Coming off their trip to this year's NFC Championship Game, the Commanders likely won't be trading McLaurin's rights anytime soon. At this point, Washington acquiring a suitable replacement for McLaurin and getting him familiar with the team's offense in time for the Commanders' Week 1 game against the New York Giants is unrealistic. For an article published on Aug. 18, ESPN's Ben Solak wrote that he believed the McLaurin-Commanders standoff would eventually end "with a compromise extension before Week 1." It's unclear what McLaurin will do if this does not occur before the Giants matchup on Sept. 7, but it sounds like the two sides could work something out.
'Off the table': Cowboys have strong stance on Micah Parsons as saga gets uglier
Following Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones‘ latest comments on the Micah Parsons situation, the All-Pro pass-rusher took the increasingly common step of scrubbing his X profile of Cowboys material. The Cowboys have been known to prolong negotiations, regardless of price hikes, and they are well down this road once again with another standout. Multiple teams have inquired about Parsons’ availability, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said during a "SportsCenter" appearance. Nothing is moving on that front, as Dallas continues to hold tight during its latest contract saga. That aligns with what we heard last week, with GMs indicating they have not gotten the sense Parsons is available following his trade request. Noting it would take a Herschel Walker-like offer for the Cowboys to move Parsons, so it's "off the table," and Fowler points to team optimism a deal can still be finalized before the season. It should also be noted Parsons’ camp is less optimistic. Jones attempting to go around high-powered agent David Mulugheta in negotiations has understandably irked Parsons, who employs an agent to negotiate his contract. The longtime Cowboys owner referencing a $200M guarantee also reflects what is likely a five- or six-year Dallas extension offer. With the cap soaring annually, players are increasingly opting against long-term deals. The Cowboys prefer them, but it is notable Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb convinced the team to budge here by each scoring four-year extensions. It would surprise if Parsons signed for beyond four years, but Jones continues to reference his negotiations with the player — talks Parsons classified as informal — this offseason. A Cowboys source mentioned the 49ers’ Nick Bosa situation re: Parsons. San Francisco did not have Bosa signed until four days before the 2023 regular season. Bosa played in Week 1 despite holding out until his extension was done. Parsons has spoken out about how not practicing during a negotiation can negatively impact a season, and he long preferred to have his deal done by training camp. The Cowboys are well past that artificial deadline, as these talks now remind of the Prescott and Lamb pace. Neither of those performers requested a trade, which is a notable difference between this Parsons back-and-forth and previous Cowboys extension struggles. While Fowler adds Mulugheta certainly didn’t tell Jones to stick the team’s offer “up their (expletive),” the Cowboys going to these lengths to avoid dealing with one of the game’s top agents has been an interesting chapter. Jones taking this route is not out of character. But Parsons taking issue with it to the degree he has would seem to require the team to change course and huddle up with Mulugheta — if the intent is to finalize a deal before Week 1. The Cowboys’ Thursday night assignment in Philadelphia to open the season also gives them less time than they had with Prescott last year. Mentioning the Packers, Cardinals and Ravens as potential trade fits, Fowler outlines what would certainly be a robust market if the Cowboys did decide to explore what the top player would fetch in a trade. Of course, dealing Parsons would significantly weaken the 2025 Cowboys. Jones mentioned during his Michael Irvin podcast conversation the prospect of franchise-tagging Parsons next year. That would be an option, but the Cowboys are not giving up on a 2025 deal yet.
Malik Beasley cleared in gambling probe: Three teams that could sign the sharpshooter
While it was once a possibility that his NBA career had come to a sudden close, Malik Beasley is once again free to sign with any NBA team. After knocking down 309 three-pointers in 2024-25 and nearly inking a new three-year, $42 million deal with the Detroit Pistons, Beasley's plans for the future were quickly put on hold. In June, authorities began investigating the sharpshooter before launching an official investigation into allegations of gambling within the league. Now, nearly two months later, Beasley has been officially exonerated from this federal gambling investigation. In some ways, the damage has already been done, though. The contract Beasley once hoped to sign with Detroit is long gone after the team brought in Caris LeVert and Duncan Robinson. But that doesn't mean his time with the Pistons is over. Here are three teams that could sign Beasley now that his professional future is no longer hanging in the balance. Detroit Pistons While it seems likely that the 28-year-old returns to the Pistons after a career renaissance, the most Beasley could sign for 2025-26 is $7.2 million, according to ESPN front-office insider Bobby Marks. Detroit made sure to retain its final roster spot while closely monitoring Beasley's situation. But if he does decide to find a new home, it won't happen because of a massive payday. Beasley's best chance outside of Detroit is joining a bona fide contender on another "prove it" deal. At this point in the summer, free-agency money has already dried up. But that doesn't mean the nine-year veteran isn't a coveted asset for teams with championship aspirations. New York Knicks The New York Knicks are the main known team outside of Detroit that has shown significant interest in Beasley. According to Jake Fischer of The Stein Line, New York has kept close tabs on him since the Knicks' first-round playoff bout with the Pistons. New York already shored up its guard depth in a big way with the signing of Jordan Clarkson. But the team would be delighted to add another capable scorer in Beasley, especially on a veteran's minimum deal. After using the taxpayer portion of the team's mid-level exception on Guerschon Yabusele, New York wouldn't have much to offer Beasley outside of a shot at a title. Following a year that saw him average 16.3 points on a blazing 41.3% from deep, accepting the minimum may be too tough a pill to swallow for Beasley. If not, though, he could be an underrated addition to a Knicks roster with a serious chance to bring home the city's first title in over 50 years. Oklahoma City Thunder Malik Beasley joining the Oklahoma City Thunder would be a classic example of the rich getting richer. After winning the franchise's first title last season, the Thunder don't have any notable weak spots. With reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leading a talented cast of well-rounded scorers and defenders, a prominent role wouldn't be a guarantee for Beasley. But he would have the opportunity to serve in a unique role as OKC's lone experienced sharpshooter. Beasley would be the third-oldest player on an incredibly youthful Thunder squad. He wouldn't have as flashy a role as he did in Detroit last season, but Beasley would be a strong get with a coveted skill set for the reigning champs.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
