The draft is about to waft through the NFL’s wide-open window of opportunity. And this one is unpredictable, bud. It’s either going to blow with hurricane force or not be strong enough to fly a kite. How can it be predictable when the guy shooting the breeze is Deion “Prime Time” Sanders? Deion basically is in control of this lottery’s narrative and destiny. The Hall of Fame player now serves as head coach at Colorado, where his son Shedeur has been an outstanding quarterback long predicted to be a high choice in this draft. The old man controls his son. And since the season ended, as often happens, Shadeur has been poked and prodded to the point where he could go as high as No. 3 overall to the Giants (Tennessee is going to take Miami QB Cam Ward No. 1), No. 9 to the Saints, or fall like a skydiver with an unopened chute. The draft will be held in Green Bay, and the NFL always brings in collegians who figure to be taken high, so Commissioner Roger Goodell can be the gracious host and hug them after they’re picked. Well, Shadeur is not among the 17 invited. And I make that a telltale sign. It tells me that, if Shedeur’s stock is falling, Deion doesn’t want his kid, who, like his dad, has a tremendous ego (which I like in my quarterbacks) on camera making faces. Under normal circumstances, I can’t believe the NFL wouldn’t want him there. But Deion is protecting his kid. He’s on record saying that, if he doesn’t care for the franchise that selects Shedeur, Shedeur may not be departing. The NFL doesn’t surf. It doesn’t like waves, and it no doubt sees Deion as a tsunami. Meanwhile, Colorado receiver/corner Travis Hunter, the best pure player in the draft, says if he can’t play both positions in the NFL, he’s done with football. Travis could go as high as second overall, to Cleveland, which also can use a QB, but probably isn’t going there. I’m not a fan of Ward, who probably wouldn’t have gone in the first round last year. He has nowhere near the accuracy of Shadeur, who has NFL stuff but was victimized by an awful offensive line at Colorado. The draft will begin in prime time on Thursday. And “Prime Time” will be the showrunner controlling the wind. … From Joe Hortiz, GM of the NFL Team That Used To Be Here, who, picking 22nd overall, can go anywhere the wind blows: “That’s when you make your biggest mistake, when you’re so focused on one position. … I feel we can go out and play a game tomorrow and be damn good in that game.” … Nico Iamaleava wanted $4 mil in NIL from Tennessee. He’s going to UCLA, where the money will not be close to what he could have received in Knoxville. But he could be in movies. … It wasn’t the most accomplished Masters. But it certainly was one of the more dramatic turns at Augusta. Not many champions have had more highs and lows than Rory McIlroy. … Masters participants are not supposed to talk about “mud balls,” which apparently are as plentiful as pimento cheese sandwiches at Augusta, according to unafraid Jordan Spieth. Oh, how I love God’s 350 Little Green Acres. … Augusta does not giveth. It taketh. … Under penalty of being sent to El Salvador, cell phones (thankfully) are not allowed at Augusta. And yet, miraculously, most patrons are still breathing when they leave the grounds. … McIlroy’s third shot into Rae’s Creek on Augusta’s 13th may have been the most pathetic golf shot I’ve seen since I blew up at Balboa and hooked one into the cherished Pershing Drive bike lanes. … And then on the 15th Rory pushes an eagle putt after a fabulous approach. Golf. Not fair. Major golf. Insanely so. … Bryson DeChambeau should have had scuba gear in his bag, which may have been available in the pro shop. … In the final pairing with McIlroy, Bryson said they didn’t say one word to each other all day. Maybe Rory can’t swim? … Lost in the azaleas was an absolutely brilliant round by Justin Rose. Seven shots back? Ten birdies? On Sunday? … Of course, this already has become the greatest Masters. It was terrific, but really, it was the greatest Masters of last Sunday. … Phil Mickelson has won three of the four majors, but finished second in the U.S. Open six times. Phil finished second in 11 majors. That is something. Not enough. … Ken Griffey Jr. was allowed inside the ropes to take photos at the Masters, and they were all over the web. Nice job. How about the photogs who break their asses and easily could have taken every one of those shots? No one in our business works harder than the shooters. … Chris Paul, 20 years into his NBA career, played in all 82 games for the Spurs. Does he not realize this is 2025, and time off is important? Some of his younger contemporaries must look at him in disgust. … The Suns’ Mat Ishbia is being called the worst owner in NBA history. The Association can last 10,000 years — which isn’t going to happen, because I’m optimistic people are going to wise-up — and that crown isn’t going to be removed from Donald T. Sterling’s head. … Latrell Davis, the Aztecs’ latest basketball transfer portal traveler, can play, and they’re saying he could be State’s first-ever British player. How quickly we forget Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, who played point guard for SDSU before transferring to El Alamein. … Brian Dutcher bringing in nationally ranked prep guard Elzie Harrington has made this one good SDSU offseason. … Minor league Albuquerque scored three runs on a bases-loaded walk. How? New Mexico. The Land of Enchantment. … Lee Corso is retiring. Good. If he had done so around 35 years ago, Marshall Faulk would have won the Heisman. Why would any so-called voter with so-called intelligence listen to him? … Happy birthday, Rick Smith. My childhood idol, and the indefatigable chronicler of our games (check Partletonsports.com). … Saw a video of the Marlins’ loanDepot Park 10 minutes prior to first-pitch, and, this being Easter Week, I must be honest, there weren’t 200 people in the stands. How do these franchises survive? … The NFL is hiring a sports betting researcher. Pete Rozelle didn’t have much hair when he passed. Wherever he is now, he must look like Mr. Clean, with the remains of what was for years sparse foliage in his hands.. … SDSU football season ticket sales are down 33% for the second season of “Aztecs No So Fast.” Problem. … Dan Graziano: “I always feel bad for an unnamed GM, because what do you put on your office door?” … I, too, was having water pressure problems, until I turned to Yugoslavian engineering and bought a black market Commando 450 shower head out of the back of a van. … Ja Morant has to be the next president of the NRA. … Anyone know the Padres’ magic number? Our Easter egg hunt will cost $5,600.