CULTURE

Footer Column 2

Footer Legal

Footer Main

Nav Bar

OTHER

SPORTS

Subscribe, at any level, to play

Thanks for your interest in Defector Crosswords!

Become a subscriber today to get unlimited access

Thanks for reading!

Plans start at $8/month.

Subscribers enjoy unlimited, ad-free browsing.

Register to continue

Or click here to subscribe for unlimited, ad-free access!

Our gift to you: This year's post is unlocked. Register your email to get even more free articles.

Welcome to the 2025 Hater's Guide!

Just register your email:

This blog is free to read.

This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Tom Ley

NFL Tells Brendan Sorsby He’s Not Their Problem Right Now

David Roth

Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana Hoosiers prepares to take the snap of the ball at the line of scrimmage during the Indiana Hoosiers versus the Miami Hurricanes College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

Making Noises At Jim Nantz, With Aaron Schatz

Samer Kalaf

NFL coach Jeff Ulbrich jogging out of the tunnel.

Jeff Ulbrich’s Dreadful Son Was Behind The Shedeur Sanders Prank Call

Shedeur Sanders is selected at the NFL Draft

Shedeur Sanders’s Weekend Of Humiliation Ends With Him Going To The Browns

Israel Daramola

The Draft Tunnel Is Too Long

Quarterback Kirk Cousins #18 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts to the supporter section after hitting the Golden Spike prior to the Atlanta United facing the FC Cincinnati at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on April 20, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.

It Usually Takes A Little Longer Than This To Realize You Don’t Want Kirk Cousins

Hamilton Nolan is a journalist based in New York City. Subscribe to his work at <a href="https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.hamiltonnolan.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1687350200913000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0naFbUVOe-5ZgtPDtIM3gz">HamiltonNolan.com</a>.

Hamilton Nolan

KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 28: Jacksonville Jaguars fans cheer during Day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station on April 28, 2023 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Jaguars Junction: Draft Day

Drake Maye wears "Draft Me" sunglasses during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on March 2, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Podcasts

Data, Romance, And The NFL Draft, With Alec Lewis

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

Minnesota Vikings fan dressed up in Viking costume at a National Football League game in the Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by LAYNE KENNEDY/Corbis via Getty Images)

Jamboroo

I Am Ready To Become The Worst Kind Of Sports Cock

Ray Ratto

KANSAS CITY, MO - APRIL 27: Detroit Lions fans and cheerleaders in the first round of the NFL Draft on April 27, 2023 at Union Station in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire)

The NFL Draft Is Sicko Prom

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - FEBRUARY 29: J.J. McCarthy of Michigan poses for portraits at the Indiana Convention Center on February 29, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

J.J. McCarthy Is A False Flag, And Other Notes From A Burgeoning Draft Pervert

CINCINNATI, OHIO - NOVEMBER 12: C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on November 12, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

C.J. Stroud Proves That You Are Right To Be Batshit Over The Draft

Trey Lance #5 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up during pregame warm ups prior to playing the Denver Broncos at Levi's Stadium on August 19, 2023 in Santa Clara, California.

Trey Lance’s Draft Position Never Meant Anything

Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud during his session at the NFL Combine in March of 2023.

Positively Covered In Belichick Dander, With Rivers McCown

Sam Bradford with Roger Goodell. There's a ton of money behind him, and it slowly fades away. Then Sam Bradford disappears too.

The Rookie Wage Scale Has Poisoned The NFL

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 26: Bryce Young #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide and Robby Ashford #9 of the Auburn Tigers pose for a picture after the Crimson Tide's 49-27 win at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Very Short Debates

Can Bryce Young Grow?

Jordan Akins catches a ball for a two-point conversion

The Miracle Texans Screw Themselves Out Of The No. 1 Pick

Kalyn Kahler

The Bengals Don’t Want To Talk About Jackson Carman

Defector Up All Night

Is The NFL Draft Going To Be Crazy?

Malik Willis seen pointing upwards after the LendingTree Bowl, a real event.

Talking Draft Boards And The Ketchup Bottle Test, With Austin Gayle

What Did The Bengals Know About Jackson Carman?

INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 13: Cooper Kupp #10 of the Los Angeles Rams makes a touchdown catch over Eli Apple #20 of the Cincinnati Bengals during Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium on February 13, 2022 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

This Is A Wide Receivers’ League Now

Who Is Prospect X? The Hunt For The Best-Kept Secret Of The 2022 NFL Draft

From “Camp Body” To “Big Bubble” To “Wood-Toter’s Ass”: A Scouting Terms Glossary

CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 29: Fans wait for the start of the 2021 NFL Draft at the Great Lakes Science Center on April 29, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

NFL Draft