NFL Player News

Kelce caught 10 of 15 targets for 133 yards during Kansas City's 31-9 loss to the Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV.

Kelce led the Chiefs in both targets and yards Sunday, and he capped the postseason with three straight games over 100 receiving yards. Still, as the Chiefs' offensive line (sans both starting tackles) proved unable to match Tampa Bay's pass rush and protect an already-hobbled Patrick Mahomes, Kelce's ability to move the chains wasn't enough to keep the offense competitive. The normally sure handed tight end also dropped a potentially game-changing third-down pass in the first half. Still, Kelce is coming off a season in which he set the all-time tight end yardage record (1,416) while also scoring a career-high 11 touchdowns, and he's now logged three straight campaigns with over 1,200 receiving yards. He's locked in as the unquestioned top tight end for 2021 fantasy drafts, assuming there are no questions about Mahomes' health after he undergoes offseason toe surgery, as Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports is expected. The only question will be whether Kelce warrants a first-round selection.

Njoku had no comment when asked if the Browns are the right team for him, Nate Ulrich of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.

When asked that question Friday on the Jim Rome Show, Njoku avoided the topic. "I'm not going to answer that right now," said the tight end. "I have no comment towards that at this moment." Njoku has one year remaining on his contract, but his role was diminished significantly in 2020 after Cleveland added Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant during the offseason prior to the season. That was something he foresaw last July, when he and his agent requested a trade (which was later rescinded). Of the three tight ends, Njoku logged the lowest share of offensive snaps (33.9 percent), behind Hooper (59.5 percent) and Bryant (55.6 percent).

The Panthers signed Sullivan (abdomen) to a reserve/future contract Wednesday, Will Bryan of the team's official site reports.

As a rookie with Seattle this past season, Sullivan only appeared in one game a Week 8 contest against the 49ers in which he played one snap on special teams. The 2020 seventh-round pick should at least now be fully recovered from his November sports hernia surgery, but he'll be looking to impress with a new organization heading into the 2021 campaign.

Daniels recorded eight catches (on 11 targets) for 92 yards and one touchdown in 12 games during the 2020 campaign.

Daniels endured a number of injuries this season and ultimately sat out Weeks 11-14 due to an ankle issue. While he finished with the second-most offensive snaps (365 of 1,131) behind Dan Arnold (470) and ahead of Maxx Williams (326) among Cardinals tight ends, Daniels put up a similar line to the latter's 8-102-1 in three additional appearances and on one more target. Heading into the offseason, only Williams is under contract, with the future of unrestricted free agents Arnold and Daniels up in the air.

Woerner appeared in 14 games for the 49ers during the 2020 season, finishing with three receptions for 36 yards and no touchdowns.

Injuries to San Francisco's top two tight ends opened up some sparse playing time for the rookie. Most of Woerner's time on the 53-man roster was spent on special teams, but he impressed his position coaches as early as training camp with his combination of size and speed (similar to what another late-round tight end, George Kittle, did before exploding into a star in San Francisco). It would be a stretch to assume Woerner could replicate Kittle's rise to stardom, but the 22-year-old does fit the profile of this next generation of tight ends who possess plus athleticism at the position. Woerner could jump as high as second on the depth chart for the 49ers in 2021, but for now, he will be a fantasy afterthought until he gets an opportunity to prove himself.

Dwelley finished with 19 receptions for 245 yards and a touchdown with the 49ers in 2020.

The 25-year-old began the year third on the depth chart behind star tight end George Kittle and newly acquired veteran Jordan Reed. Dwelley still saw an increase in both playing time (500 offensive snaps) and production after the rest of the tight end room dealt with injuries at various points during the season. Kittle is here to stay and Reed will be an unrestricted free agent this upcoming offseason, so the 49ers' decision regarding the latter will impact whether or not Dwelley will be extended past his expiring rookie contract for the 2021 season.

Trautman hauled in 17 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown as a rookie in 2020 over 15 regular-season games.

With Jared Cook operating as New Orleans' primary tight end for most of the season, Trautman was minimally involved in the receiving game as a rookie. His single-game high for receptions was just three (twice) and his high for yardage was 45, though his outlook for 2021 is a bit more encouraging. The veteran Cook is set to be a free agent, and after spending a third-round pick on Trautman in 2020, the team may be confident enough in him to let Cook walk. If Trautman is New Orleans' primary pass-catching tight end next season, he could be a productive fantasy player, though who's under center will certainly factor into his production.

Johnson caught four passes for 39 yards in his first NFL season.

The rookie out of Oregon barely saw the field in his inaugural campaign, and it will be difficult to project him for much more usage in his second season. Johnson produced his minimal numbers despite multiple injuries in the Saints' receiving corps throughout the season. If Michael Thomas, Deonte Harris, Tre'Quan Smith and Emmanuel Sanders can remain healthy in 2021, targets will become even more limited.

Hill, who missed the team's final game due to a knee injury, finished the 2020 regular season with 928 passing yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions as a passer while contributing 457 rushing yards and eight additional rushing scores.

Hill got his first taste of action as a starter this season, filling in for Drew Brees in four games, throwing for 834 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions. He also chipped in four rushing touchdowns in that span and finished the season with career highs in carries (87), rushing yards (457) and rushing touchdowns (8). The possibility of Drew Brees' retirement is very real, and if the future Hall of Fame quarterback does call it quits, Hill -- assuming his knee isn't a long-term concern -- will likely compete for the Saints' starting job in 2021. Jameis Winston is set to become a free agent, but if he sticks around, he'll surely be in the mix for the starting job, too.

Mundt caught all four of his targets for 53 yards during the 2020 regular season. He played just 121 offensive snaps.

The fourth-year tight end has been deployed primarily in a blocking role throughout his tenure with the Rams, and that's unlikely to change if he returns to the organization next season. Mundt is a restricted free agent this offseason.