NFL Player News

Forristall slots in as the Browns' No. 3 tight end following the 2022 NFL Draft, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Forristall appeared in just two games with the Browns in 2021 and signed a reserve/future contract with the team in January. Cleveland is expected to utilize fewer sets with multiple tight ends this season, so the 24-year-old is unlikely to see a major uptick in snaps in 2022.

Pederson was waived by the Chiefs on Thursday, Matt Derrick of ChiefsDigest.com reports.

Pederson signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs after the 2021 campaign, but he's been let go after the draft process. The undrafted free agent out of Louisiana Monroe has yet to make his NFL debut.

With the addition of rookie tight end Greg Dulcich in the third round of the draft, Okwuegbunam may find himself sharing duties at the position in 2022, Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com reports.

Though Okwuegbunam's starting tight end position is likely secure at this point, the addition of Dulcich through the draft could certainly cut into the veteran's playing time next season. Okwuegbunam became poised to be the Broncos' starting tight end with the departure of Noah Fant to Seattle as part of the deal to acquire Russell Wilson. Dulcich, however, caught the eye of head coach Nathaniel Hackett as an impact player. "When you have a guy that can stretch the field like he can, it's really exciting," Hackett said of the UCLA product. Regardless of how the tight end pecking order plays out in 2022, the arrival of Wilson at quarterback will likely help to elevate the fantasy production of the entire Denver pass-catching group.

Saubert re-signed Wednesday with Denver on a one-year deal, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos' official site reports.

Saubert appeared in all 17 games with Denver last season, recording eight catches on 12 targets for 47 yards and a touchdown. He's been a solid blocker and consistent contributor on special teams for the Broncos, the two areas where he's likely to provide most of his value if he earns a spot on Denver's Week 1 roster. With the departure of Noah Fant to Seattle, the Broncos are down their top pass-catching tight end from 2022, but Albert Okwuegbunam and rookie third-round pick Greg Dulcich are bigger threats than Saubert to absorb Fant's vacated targets.

Mitchell (knee) expects to receive full medical clearance by June, Benjamin Raven of MLive.com reports. "I'm seven months out, seven months and some weeks," Mitchell said. "I'm pretty much back. I'm doing everything from running, cutting, running routes. I'm expected to be fully cleared by June at the latest. I'll be ready to go by training camp. I'm excited."

Mitchell presumably fell to the fifth round of last week's draft due to an ACL injury he suffered last September. When healthy, the Virginia Tech product should slot no lower than fourth on the depth chart entering training camp. If all goes right this summer, Mitchell could possibly challenge Brock Wright and Garrett Griffin for the No. 2 role at tight end behind T.J. Hockenson -- while possibly getting snaps at H-back as well.

Granson faces increased competition for the No. 2 tight end role with the Colts drafting two tight ends in the 2022 NFL Draft, The Athletic reports. The Colts selected Jelani Woods in the third round (73rd overall) and Andrew Ogletree in the sixth round (192nd overall).

Granson entered the offseason as a potential starting tight end after the retirement of Jack Doyle, but the Colts re-signed Mo Alie-Cox in free agency and then drafted two tight ends. It's unlikely Woods or Ogletree will compete for a significant role in the passing game, but Granson will need to earn the No. 2 tight end role in the offense this summer.

The Vikings selected Muse in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 227th overall.

Muse played most recently at South Carolina, where he served as a rotational tight end after transferring there from William & Mary. Muse wasn't especially productive in college but showed standout athleticism at his pro day workout, logging a 4.71-second 40 at a big 6-foot-6, 258 pounds. He's an interesting developmental tight end for the Vikings.

The Buccaneers selected Kieft in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 218th overall.

Kieft comes to the league from Minnesota with 10 career receptions, so blocking will be his path to getting on the field in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers led off Day 3 of the draft by selecting Washington's Cade Otton, so Kieft has plenty of competition as it is. If Rob Gronkowski returns to Tampa Bay, Kieft is at risk of not making the roster.

The Falcons selected FitzPatrick in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 213th overall.

FitzPatrick (6-foot-7, 262 pounds) played 38 games (13 starts) for Georgia over three seasons but managed to record just 17 receptions for 200 yards and a touchdown. He's an interesting pick for Atlanta, especially if his blocking skills translate to the NFL level. The Falcons aren't very deep at wide receiver, so FitzPatrick may be called upon to handle the inline blocking while fellow tight end Kyle Pitts lines up outside more frequently.

The Steelers selected Heyward in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 208th overall.

Heyward joins older brother Cameron Heyward on the Steelers as Pittsburgh now has four sets of brothers on its roster. The redshirt senior is probably more of a fullback or H-back at the NFL level rather than tight end, where he played at Michigan State. Listed at 5-foot-11, 233 pounds at the NFL Combine, Heyward's 4.72 40-yard dash was about what most expected given his lack of high-end athleticism, but he's a determined player whether he's blocking or catching passes.