NFL Player News

Alie-Cox has impressed in spring workouts and is expected to play a significant role on offense in 2019, Zak Keefer of The Indianapolis Star reports.

Alie-Cox had the chance to shine as the No. 1 tight end this spring while Eric Ebron (groin) and Jack Doyle (hip) were absent. Specifically, Alie-Cox showed improvement as a route runner, according to coach Frank Reich, who labeled the 25-year-old as "very average" in that area last season. Already established as a solid blocker, Alie-Cox will return to No. 3 spot on the depth chart when Doyle and Ebron return for training camp, but he's nonetheless a young player on the rise and shouldn't be forgotten in deeper fantasy formats.

Allen (undisclosed) did not participate in mandatory minicamp Tuesday, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Allen did not participate in any of OTAs the last two weeks while nursing an undisclosed injury, which still looks to be nagging at the tight end. Given that there have been no details given regarding Allen's health, it's a complete unknown as to how long the veteran could be out.

Graham admits he didn't play well last season but expects to rebound in 2019, Jim Owczarski of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. "I'm not used to losing. And for me, it was not a good year," Graham said. "And so I'm completely focused on putting my best foot forward and being the player that I am, scoring down in the red zone and being that big threat on third down."

The Packers apparently share Graham's confidence, as they elected to pay him a $5 million roster bonus in March amidst rumors he might be released. The 32-year-old tight end thus gets another shot to thrive alongside Aaron Rodgers, this time with Matt LaFleur calling the shots on offense instead of Mike McCarthy. A better season from the passing game as a whole would go a long way, but there's also something to the notion that Graham's once-elite athleticism has eroded. He produced just 5.4 yards per target his final year in Seattle and "rebounded" to 7.1 last season.

Garner was unable to practice at OTAs while still rehabbing from a torn ACL, Jake Kring-Schreifels of the team's official site reports.

Garner suffered a torn ACL in August of last season, and still seems to be working his way back from that injury. The 27-year-old has played just one regular-season game in his career thus far, and faces a loaded depth chart at tight end in an attempt to secure a roster spot for 2019.

Smith Jr. lined up all over the field during this week's OTA practice, from split out wide to in line next to the tackle, and drew praise from coaches for his performance, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

Kyle Rudolph was away from practice during the week and David Morgan is missing OTAs with an undisclosed injury, so Smith got extra work. Still, this shows how the Vikings may utilize Smith all over the field and find innovative ways to get him the ball.

Knox, a third-round rookie from Ole Miss, has shown good speed and athleticism throughout OTAs, John Murphy of the Bills' official site reports.

With Tyler Kroft out with a significant foot injury, Knox may be the best fantasy TE threat the Bills have to offer to start the season, though that might not be saying much given that the team is more geared toward running the football and has four capable receivers plus LeSean McCoy to feed in the passing game. If Kroft isn't ready for Week 1, it looks like it'll be between Knox and Jason Croom for the pass-catching TE role, with veteran Lee Smith more geared toward blocking assignments. However, given Knox's hands, athleticism and knack for overachieving, the rookie might be worth keeping an eye on for the long term.

Hurst added 20 pounds of muscle during the offseason, he announced at Thursday's press conference.

After a rookie year largely derailed by a preseason foot injury, Hurst told reporters Thursday that he has "a lot to prove" in Year 2. Hurst, a 2018 first-rounder, will have his work cut out for him, though. The Ravens inked Nick Boyle to a three-year deal in the offseason and fellow 2018 draft pick Mark Andrews looks to be a focal point of the Ravens' passing game. There should be targets available for Hurst given that Boyle is used mostly as a blocker, but it'll be on Hurst to make the most of his opportunities lest he fall further behind Andrews in the pecking order.

Akins is slotted in as the Texans' second-string tight end behind Jordan Thomas, Aaron Reiss of The Athletic reports.

The release of Ryan Griffin positioned Akins to battle for a starting job in 2019, but it appears Thomas has pulled ahead of Akins early in the pecking order. On a positive note, Reiss suggests there is a significant gap between Akins and the others below him on the depth chart. A strong showing in the preseason could also boost Akins' standing and offensive reps this season.

Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell said Hockenson could be a "mold breaker" as a rookie, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports.

Specifically, Bevell is referring to the well-publicized tendency for rookie tight ends to struggle in their first season -- presumably due to a steep learning curve that generally involves a combination of learning to block much heavier edge rushers and out-maneuver defensive backs 30-plus pounds lighter. After getting an initial look at Hockenson during the first few weeks of offseason practices, Bevell apparently believes the No. 8 overall pick is already skilled enough as both a blocker and receiver to buck that trend. Hockenson's performance at Iowa last year coupled with his pre-draft workout numbers certainly support that notion. The bigger issue for Hockenson is likely the presence of Jesse James, who signed a lucrative four-year, $22.6 million contract with the Lions earlier in the offseason and could also have a large role in Bevell's offense in 2019.

Waller is getting regular first-team work as the primary receiving tight end in the Oakland offense, Scott Bair of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock both talked up Waller earlier this spring, noting that the 26-year-old would have a big opportunity after Jared Cook left for New Orleans. A converted college wideout, Waller ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine, but he caught just 12 passes in 18 games for the Ravens after they selected him in the sixth round. He then latched on with Oakland last season and had six receptions for 75 yards over the final three weeks. The competition at tight end appears soft, consisting of Luke Willson (concussion), Erik Swoope and rookie fourth-round pick Foster Moreau. There's a real chance for Waller to carve out a handful of targets per game.