NFL Player News

Hockenson (knee) is ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn right ACL and MCL, Alec Lewis of The Athletic reports.

Hockenson suffered his knee injury the day after Christmas. According to Lewis, even though Hockenson is making quick progress, the Vikings don't plan to rush him back, and the tight end's status for Week 1 remains in question. There's chance he opens the season on reserve/PUP. If so, veterans Josh Oliver and Johnny Mundt are next up on the depth chart.

Ertz could be at risk of losing playing time at tight end to rookie second-round pick Ben Sinnott, Ben Standig of The Athletic reports.

Ertz signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Commanders early in the offseason, getting about two-thirds of the money guaranteed. It's backup-level money, but with a good chance at a starting job given the lack of veteran competition in Washington. Sinnott looks like a real threat, however, coming in as a second-round pick after putting up a 49-676-6 receiving line his final season at Kansas State and then running a 4.68-second 40-yard dash time during the pre-draft process at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds. The rookie could steal enough playing time to make Ertz irrelevant for fantasy even if the 33-year-old gets most of the snaps in clear passing situations early on.

The Falcons exercised Pitts' 2025 fifth-year option, Field Yates of ESPN reports.

It's a no-brainer move for the Falcons, even if Pitts, the No. 8 overall pick of the 2021 Draft, is coming off back-to-back disappointing seasons after going over 1,000 yards as a rookie. The hope in Atlanta is that the acquisition of Kirk Cousins coupled with the new coaching staff can help maximize Pitts' abilities. Pitts' figures to be a popular 2024 rebound candidate in both real life and fantasy football.

Kelce and the Chiefs agreed to terms Monday on a two-year extension that makes him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The exact terms of Kelce's new extension have yet to be disclosed, but coming off another Super Bowl title and heading into his age-35 season, Kelce's pay rate will top his position. The four-time All-Pro had logged seven consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards before being held to a 93-984-5 receiving line in 2023, but in Kansas City's four postseason contests he operated in prime form, scoring three touchdowns while never falling below 70 receiving yards. The Chiefs added veteran wideout Marquise Brown (heel) and rookie first-round pick Xavier Worthy this offseason, and both players are capable of taking the top off opposing defenses, which could open things up for Kelce during the 2024 campaign. Those additions may also foreshadow a more aggressive offensive game plan led by star quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Knox signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent Saturday.

After four years at Arkansas, Knox transferred to South Carolina for his fifth-year senior season. He compiled a 37-312-2 receiving line for the Gamecocks. He switched positions from wide receiver to tight end in 2021. Knox joins a tight end room that includes T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Johnny Mundt and Nick Muse in Minnesota.

Holker is slated to sign with the Saints as an undrafted free agent, Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette reports.

Holker left BYU for Colorado State for his senior season and posted an impressive 64-767-6 receiving line in a pass-happy offense. Holker is a finesse, move tight end who functions best in space and not attached to the line as a blocker. He'll join a depth charted headed by Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill in New Orleans.

Spann-Ford plans to sign with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Spann-Ford spent six years in Minnesota's program, wrapping his college career with a 95-1,061-7 receiving line as a three-year starter. He led the team with 42 catches in 2022 and has plus size at 6-foot-7 and 260 pounds. Spann-Ford will try to make a strong impression behind Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker and Peyton Hendershot in Dallas.

The Buccaneers selected Culp in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 246th overall.

Culp is an athletic tight end who serves as a flier for Tampa Bay in the final round of the draft. He was a member of the explosive Washington offense in 2023 but was limited to only 16 catches for 208 yards. He struggled to remain on the field consistently as a tight end, but he was part of kick and punt coverage units -- which is likely also his clearest path to an NFL roster.

The Patriots selected Bell in the seventh round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 231st overall.

This is a pick that Bill Belichick would have made in New England. Bell is a very interesting prospect with a "tweener" type of frame, but legitimate athleticism that could get him on the field in a variety of ways. He began his career at South Carolina, where he played tight end but also had a role in the run game. From 2021 to 2022, Bell caught 55 of 73 targets for 728 yards and seven touchdowns while tallying 80 rushes for 301 yards and three scores. He transferred to Florida State and continued to produce as a pass catcher (39-503-2), but the 'Noles did not use him in the run game. At 6-foot-2 and 241, there's not a conventional role for him in an offense, so New England will have to get creative. Having 4.61 speed and a 124-inch broad jump will help his cause, however. Bell may be a seventh-round selection without a conventional role, but his tools and versatility should keep him on the radar in the later rounds of dynasty drafts.

The Bengals selected McLachlan in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, 194th overall.

McLachlan marks the second tight end to land in Cincinnati during the draft, as the team also selected Eric All in the fourth round. McLachlan was a strong receiving weapon with Arizona throughout his collegiate career, as he racked up a combined 79 receptions for 984 yards and six touchdowns across his final 25 games. While those numbers are promising, he will need to improve as a blocker to find the field regularly.