NFL Player News

Following the 2022 NFL Draft, Keene (knee) and Devin Asiasi remain in the Patriots' backup tight end mix, Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic reports.

While neither of the two 2020 third-rounders are threats to supplant the team's top two tight ends, Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, the Patriots would no doubt like to see added contributions from Keene and/or Asiasi. Since being taken 101st overall out of Virginia Tech, Keene has recorded just three catches for 16 yards in six regular-season NFL games. The 23-year-old spent last season on IR, but he's presumably past the knee injury that landed him there and will look to reclaim his roster spot ahead of the 2022 campaign.

Following the recent NFL Draft, Gray remains in the mix to back up Travis Kelce along with Blake Bell and Jody Fortson (Achilles), Nate Taylor of The Athletic reports.

Of course, as long as Kelce, who logged 159 targets last season, remains available, there's not going to be much volume for Kansas City's reserve tight ends. In 2021, Gray caught seven of his 10 targets for 36 yards and a TD in 16 games. Meanwhile, Bell logged 13 targets in 16 contests and Fortson five in six outings. In the event that Kelce misses time for any reason in 2022, it's unclear who would fill in as the team's starting TE, with a time-share approach in which Gray -- a 2021 fifth-rounder -- would likely be a factor.

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.