NFL Player News

Hopkins suited up for five games but played just two offensive snaps during the 2020 regular season.

The fourth-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft owns the athleticism to take a step forward next season, and he could have more of an opportunity with fellow tight ends Gerald Everett and Johnny Mundt both set for free agency. Still, it's rare for a second-year tight end to leap right into fantasy relevance, and Tyler Higbee is still the No. 1 option at the position. It's likely best to take a wait-and-see approach with Hopkins until the dust settles following the draft and free agency.

Moreau should take on a larger role in 2021, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reports.

With Jason Witten retiring, Moreau should return to the No. 2 TE role, a spot he held throughout most of his 2019 rookie season. He logged 371 offensive snaps and 21 catches in 13 games as a rookie, before dropping to 256 snaps and seven receptions in 2020. The 2019 fourth-round pick won't see many targets if Darren Waller stays healthy next year, but Moreau does appear capable of handling a larger role if the opportunity arises, as his 34 targets in the NFL have yielded 314 yards and seven TDs.

Higbee finished the 2020 regular season with 44 receptions for 521 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games. He also added three catches for nine yards through Los Angeles' two playoff contests.

The fifth-year tight end was a popular 2020 breakout target after piling up 43 receptions, 522 yards and two touchdowns over the final five games of the 2019 campaign. Unfortunately, the production didn't carry over. To start, the Rams turned to the rushing attack more frequently. After having the eighth highest passing-play percentage (62.0) during the 2019 campaign, Los Angeles dipped to a 26th-ranked 55.8 mark this season. Additionally, fellow tight end Gerald Everett finished with career-high totals in receptions, receiving yards and offensive snaps to cut into Higbee's production. While Everett hits free agency during the offseason, the Rams also selected tight end Brycen Hopkins in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and he's athletically gifted and a potential Everett replacement. Los Angeles could also add to the position in the draft or free agency.

Knox hauled in six of eight targets for 42 yards and a touchdown Sunday in the Bills' 38-24 loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.

Though the Bills ultimately weren't able to keep pace with the high-octane Kansas City offense, Knox did his part to stake Buffalo to an early 9-0 lead. His three-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter was his second score of the postseason, continuing his late-season trend of being a key weapon for quarterback Josh Allen in the red zone. Knox failed to find paydirt through the team's first 10 games of the season -- he missed four contests in that span due to various issues -- before he scored five times in the Bills' final nine games (including playoffs), drawing 12 red-zone looks during that stretch. The Bills are unlikely to add much competition at the position through the draft, free agency or trade market this offseason, so Knox should retain his spot atop the depth chart entering the 2021 campaign.

Kelce secured 13 of his 15 targets for 118 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's 38-24 win against the Bills in the AFC Championship Game.

Kelce evidently has Buffalo's number, as he does most every team in the NFL, with his only other multi-TD performance of the season coming Week 6 against the Bills. It was a seemingly favorable matchup, with Buffalo surrendering an NFL-worst 92 receptions to opposing tight ends during the regular season. Kelce predictably cashed in. The three-time All-Pro enjoyed a ludicrous start to the playoff rematch, setting a Chiefs franchise postseason record with nine first-half receptions Sunday. Heading into a Super Bowl matchup against the Buccaneers on Sunday, Feb. 7, Kelce carries a streak of six consecutive outings with 10-plus targets and at least one TD catch.

Tonyan recorded four receptions on four targets for 22 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 31-26 loss to the Buccaners in the NFC Championship Game.

Tonyan continued to fill the role of red-zone threat, scoring from eight yards away midway through the third quarter. Between both 16 regular-season contests and two playoff games, Tonyan managed 12 touchdowns and emerged as a trusted option for Aaron Rodgers. Tonyan will enter the offseason as a restricted free agent, though it's likely that the Packers will tender him a contract after his breakout performance throughout the 2020 campaign.

Arnold recorded 31 receptions (on 45 targets) for 438 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games during the 2020 season.

Arnold paced position mates Maxx Williams, Darrell Daniels and Seth DeValve in all statistical categories, including offensive snaps (470 of 1,131, or 41.6 percent). On top of that, Arnold ranked third on the team in receiving yards and TD catches, and fifth in receptions and targets. His 14.1 YPC ranked first among qualified tight ends, a shade ahead of Rob Gronkowski's 13.8. Arnold enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, so it'll be interesting to see if the Cardinals retain him or he takes his services elsewhere.

Lewis (knee) does not carry an injury designation for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Buccaneers, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Lewis had his practice reps customarily managed this week, but his availability was never truly in question. He's set to handle his usual blocking role behind top tight end Robert Tonyan.

Lewis (knee) didn't practice Thursday, Olivia Reiner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Lewis continues to have his practice reps capped due to a knee injury that's lingered all season. The veteran tight end still looks to be on track for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Buccaneers, and Friday's final injury report of the week will reveal how the Packers have evaluated his status.

The Packers listed Lewis (knee) as a limited participant in practice Wednesday.

Lewis has regularly had his practice reps capped all season, so there's no real reason to fret about his availability for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Buccaneers. He's only been targeted once in the last four games, filling mostly a blocking role for the Packers.