NFL Player News

Granson made a strong impression in spring practices and could be utilized in the Colts' passing game similar to how Trey Burton was deployed in 2020, Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan Indianapolis reports. "Kylen Granson is what we saw on tape. He's an explosive athlete," head coach Frank Reich said earlier in June. "We knew he was a real smart guy and he's picking up the offense real fast."

The Colts selected Granson in the fourth round of the draft this spring. The rookie looks like he'll have a chance to carve out a role in the offense right away, but he's behind both Jack Doyle and Mo Alie-Cox on the depth chart. Still, the Colts utilized three tight ends in the passing game last season, so room exists for Granson to have a role on offense.

Graham admitted earlier this month that he briefly considered retiring after the Bears were eliminated from the playoffs in January, Alex Shapiro of NBC Sports Chicago reports. "I wasn't sure what I was gonna do," Graham said. "But I talked to [general manager Ryan Pace] and talked to [ head coach Matt Nagy], and I'm on board and ready to do whatever it takes to get back in that position and move forward."

Graham has a non-guaranteed $7 million salary in the second season of his two-year, $16 million contract, but he doesn't sound especially worried the Bears will release him. Second-round pick Cole Kmet handled more snaps at tight end down the stretch last year, but the rookie never made an impact in the passing game, while Graham had a team-high eight touchdown receptions. On the other hand, Graham managed just 9.1 yards per catch and 6.0 per target, and he averaged less than five targets per game for a second straight season. Assuming the Bears keep him around, the 34-year-old figures to split snaps with Kmet in 2021.

Goedert is expected to serve as the Eagles' top tight end this season, Glenn Erby of USA Today reports.

Goedert outproduced Zach Ertz in 2020 as the former ascended to the top of the team's depth chart, hauling in 46 balls for 524 yards and three scores. With Ertz reportedly on the trading block or becoming a candidate for release prior to Week 1, Goedert stands to take another step forward statistically this season.

Kroft worked with the No. 1 offense throughout the spring and could supplant Chris Herndon (hamstring) atop the depth chart at tight end, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Kroft had an uneventful two years with the Bills before latching on with the Jets in March, and he's had a strong showing so far in the offseason. Kroft caught 12 of 16 targets for 119 yards and three touchdowns over 10 games in 2020, and he's had trouble staying healthy in the past three seasons. Herndon is the assumed starter entering training camp, but he's endured his own struggles and picked up a hamstring injury during mandatory minicamp. If Kroft can stay healthy he may be able to push for the starting role in training camp.

Pitts has signed a four-year deal with the Falcons worth $32.9 million, including $21.2 million guaranteed and a fifth-year team option, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.

Pitts, who the Falcons took fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, is poised to see a key role in the team's passing offense from the get-go this coming season. With Julio Jones no longer in the mix, the 6-foot-6, 246-pounder should be one of QB Matt Ryan's main targets along with Calvin Ridley, now Atlanta's clear-cut No. 1 wideout. It's a context that puts the rookie tight end firmly on the fantasy radar and makes him an upside play to target once the top-tier options at his position (Travis Kelce, George Kittle and Darren Waller) are off the board.

Knox, who's had an up-and-down start to his career since being drafted in the third round in 2019, heads into the 2021 campaign as the clear starter at tight end and has spent extra time working with quarterback Josh Allen in California this offseason as well as a hand-eye trainer, all in an effort to take his game to a higher level, Marcel-Louis Jacques of ESPN reports.

General manager Brandon Beane has been critical of the lack of production from the tight end group, to the point where Buffalo seemed a likely destination for Philadelphia's Zach Ertz this offseason. After not drafting a tight end, the Bills now seem prepared to play out the season with Knox, free-agent signee Jacob Hollister and Tommy Sweeney. While the latter two players will have depth roles, it's clear that Knox will be the pass-catching threat in a high-powered offense. He's had opportunities in the past with mixed results, as a lack of polish in his routes and the occasional bouts with the "dropsies" seem to always offset some of the Gronk-type plays he's capable of making. If Knox can sharpen up his game to match the work he's been putting in while moving past some of the injury issues (he's been hurt on a few occasions and also was out for a spell due to COVID-19 last season), he could prove to be a nice sleeper candidate at tight end. That said, this will always be an offense that relies heavily on its wide receivers, but if defenses overcompensate after having little success against Stefon Diggs and Cole Beasley in 2020, Knox could have some extra looks coming his way.

Gray has performed well during offseason workouts and could see a significant amount of playing time both occasionally spelling Travis Kelce and playing in two-tight-end sets, Adam Teicher of ESPN.com reports.

The Chiefs selected Gray in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft with hopes of grooming him as a potential replacement for the 31-year-old Kelce down the road. It appears he's off to a good start in that regard, and he could be in line for a good amount of work as a rookie if he keeps it up. Gray finished out his 2020 season at Duke with 29 catches for 285 yards and a pair of touchdowns over 10 games.

Though Fant remains firmly atop the Broncos' tight end depth chart, it remains to be seen whether Teddy Bridgewater or Drew Lock will be the team's Week 1 starter at QB, ESPN's Jeff Legwold reports.

In his third season as a pro, Fant is being counted on to be a big part of the Broncos' passing game, regardless of who earns the team's starting signal caller job. The 2019 first-rounder logged 62 catches (on 93 targets) for 673 yards and three TDs in 15 games last season, numbers that the 6-foot-4, 249-pounder will look to eclipse this season in an aerial attack that should be more balanced thanks to the return of Courtland Sutton from a knee injury, which bolsters a wideout corps that also includes 2020 first-rounder Jerry Jeudy, big-bodied Tim Patrick and KJ Hamler, a second-round pick last year.

Coach Matt Rhule pointed out Thomas has had a "great offseason" earlier this month and suggested he still has a chance to lay claim to the Panthers' starting tight end role, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.

Thomas posted a promising rookie season back in 2018 but hasn't really followed it up with much of note in each of the last two, finishing out 2020 with just 20 catches for 145 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers signed Dan Arnold and drafted Tommy Tremble this offseason to shore up the position, but it looks like Thomas will still get a fair shake for the starting job and he's put in work this offseason to keep himself in the conversation. This job battle will likely continue into training camp.

Johnson spent time working at tight end this offseason, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports.

Johnson was mostly asked to block when active on game days during his rookie year. The Saints have since talked about moving him from receiver to tight end, and Johnson practicing at that position during spring workouts all but confirms that notion. At 6-foot-4 and 231 pounds, Johnson will probably need to put on a little weight in order to excel as an in-line blocker, but the second-year Oregon product could potentially carve out a significant role as a pass catcher considering the Saints have little receiving talent at tight end behind Adam Trautman.