NFL Player News

Likely is expected to work out of the slot as the Giants' receiving tight end this season, John Fennelly of USA Today Giants Wire reports.

According to Fennelly, Likely and Jaxson Dart have already developed a connection during offseason workouts. With Likely expected to be detached from the line of scrimmage, he shouldn't be asked to block much and can focus on making plays in the passing game. Theo Johnson is expected to handle most of the traditional tight end duties for New York. Likely could soak up a good chunk of the short-area, middle-field targets vacated by Wan'Dale Robinson, who left for the Titans in free agency.

While Henry returns as the Patriots' top tight end, slotting behind him on the team's depth chart has yet to be solidified following Julian Hill's season-ending knee injury, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

As things stand, Eli Raridon, FB/TE Jack Westover, CJ Dippre and Tanner Arkin are in the mix for tight end targets that don't go Henry's way this season, though it's possible depth is added at the position in the coming weeks. Henry is coming off a 2025 regular season in which he turned in a 60-768-7 line on 87 targets in 17 regular-season games in 2025, and looking ahead to the coming campaign he's on track to maintain a steady weekly fantasy floor while working as a key weapon for QB Drake Maye in New England's passing game.

Johnson remains the Saints' top tight end after New Orleans added Noah Fant in free agency and selected Oscar Delp in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Luke Johnson of NOLA.com reports.

Johnson restructured his deal with the Saints in March to free up cap space and is coming off a career year, but the team's offseason investments at tight end gives him more competition for targets. Fant represents another proven receiving option, while Delp's athleticism could make him an upgrade over departees Jack Stoll and Foster Moreau. New Orleans also added a first-round wideout in rookie Jordyn Tyson (undisclosed), further muddying the target share picture. While Johnson's role in the passing game is secure, matching last year's volume of a career-high 103 targets and 77 receptions will likely be a tough ask.

Engram is a candidate to increase his production in his second season with the Broncos despite the team's addition of wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in the offseason, Susanna Weir of the Broncos' official site reports.

Engram could benefit from decreased defensive attention as opponents focus on containing Waddle. Per Chad Jensen of SI.com, Engram seems to have earned more trust from Denver's coaching staff compared to his first year with the team, and the veteran tight end enjoyed a strong minicamp in June. Rookie fifth-round pick Justin Joly was the most notable offseason addition to a Broncos tight end room that also includes Adam Trautman, Nate Adkins and Lucas Krull.

Bowers (knee) practiced "at full speed" during OTAs and minicamp, Ryan McFadden of ESPN reports.

Bowers was plagued by a knee injury during most of the 2025 campaign and was ultimately placed on IR for the final two weeks of the regular season. However, he's been able to get back to full health during the offseason and has several other factors working in his favor ahead of the 2026 campaign. First, he'll be working with a pair of new quarterbacks in Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza, and Cousins was reportedly enthralled with Bowers during spring workouts. Second, the Raiders brought in Klint Kubiak -- "who has shown the ability to scheme the ball to his best pass catchers" -- as their new coach. Third, Las Vegas currently has an untested WR room, so Bowers is likely to feature at the team's top pass catcher.

The Bears have signed Roush to a four-year, $7.35 million contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The Bears thought highly enough of Roush to take the Stanford product in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 69th overall. However, as a rookie, the 6-foot-6, 267 pounder's path to steady targets isn't apparent while working in an offense that returns TEs Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet.

Ahead of training camp, Zach Selby of the Commanders' official site relays that Okonkwo (who signed a three-year deal with the team in March) and QB Jayden Daniels have already developed a strong connection through their work during OTAs and minicamp.

With Zach Ertz (knee), who drew 72 targets in 13 regular-season contests in 2025, no longer in the mix, Okonkwo tops a Washington TE depth chart that also includes returnees John Bates and Ben Sinnott, a duo that combined for 29 targets last season. During his fourth and final campaign with the Titans, Okonkwo put up a 56/560/6 receiving line on 79 targets across 17 regular-season outings. Given that the 2022 fourth-rounder has already developed chemistry with a signal-caller who Selby notes often likes to get tight ends involved in the offense, Okonkwo is a candidate to see an uptick in production in his new locale in 2026. It's a context in which the tight feels like he "can finally just unleash," while operating as one of Daniels' key pass-catching options along with top WR Terry McLaurin.

Titans head coach Robert Saleh has praised Helm's physical development this offseason and named the tight end as a player who "hopefully" will "take a big jump" during the 2026 season, Jim Wyatt of the team's official site reports.

Helm set a franchise rookie tight end record with 44 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns while suiting up for 16 regular-season games in 2025. Added competition may limit his fantasy ceiling, but a strong offseason would give Helm a chance to earn a larger role in Tennessee's offense, and the departure of Chig Okonkwo for the Commanders opens up notable receiving opportunities. Helm appears the favorite to win the No. 1 tight end job during training camp, with Daniel Bellinger and Kylen Granson fitting into complementary roles.

Gray is expected to reprise his complementary No. 2 tight end role behind Travis Kelce during the 2026 season, Matt McMullen of the Chiefs' official site reports.

Gray caught 21 of 37 targets for 178 yards without a touchdown while suiting up for 16 regular-season games in 2025, a notable step back from the 40-437-5 line he totaled in 2024. He remains a versatile contributor on offense and special teams, but Gray's limited receiving production will likely keep him of the fantasy radar. There's a chance Gray will carry greater relevance if Kelce is forced to miss time.

John Shipley of SI.com considers Boerkircher the favorite to secure the Jaguars' No. 2 TE role behind Brenton Strange.

Strange inked a lucrative extension with the team last month and remains Jacksonville's clear-cut No. 1 TE on the heels of a 46-catch effort in 12 regular-season games in 2025. Boerkircher -- whom the Jaguars took 56th overall in the 2026 NFL Draft -- is thus slated to compete with fellow rookie Tanner Koziol, as well as returnees Quintin Morris and Hunter Long for slotting behind Strange ahead of Week 1. After logging a total of 38 career catches through five collegiate seasons, Boerkircher figures to make his initial mark as a pro in the blocking game, with the 24-year-old's long-term fantasy upside hinging on whether he's able to make strides as a pass catcher down the road.