NFL Player News

Williams signed a one-year contract with the Cardinals on Wednesday, Kyle Odegard of the team's official site reports.

The Cardinals needed more depth at tight end after letting Troy Niklas walk in free agency. Williams, who's now with his fifth organization in three years as a professional, will have a chance to claim the No. 3 role behind Jermaine Gresham (Achilles) and Ricky Seals-Jones. It helps that he's familiar with Arizona's new head coach, Steve Wilks, who was Carolina's defensive coordinator when Williams spent training camp with the Panthers last summer.

Wright signed a contract with the Chiefs on Friday, Adam Caplan of ESPN reports.

Although Wright hasn't appeared in a game in two seasons, the former college wideout was a modestly effective receiver during his first three years in the league, when he caught a total of 13 touchdowns in 41 games for the Buccaneers, Patriots and Lions. However, he'll face heavy competition for a roster spot in Kansas City, as Demetrius Harris, Orson Charles and Jace Amaro will all jostle with him for slotting on the depth chart under the established Travis Kelce.

Vannett is slated for a larger role in the Seahawks offense in 2018, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

The TE room in Seattle was a revolving door this offseason, with free agents Jimmy Graham (to Green Bay) and Luke Willson (to Detroit) moving on and Ed Dickson entering the mix. Known for his blocking ability, Dickson has averaged 1.4 catches per game during his eight-year career, so he isn't a great candidate to fill the void left behind by Graham and Willson. Among the remaining tight ends on the roster, Vannett has built a rapport with Russell Wilson, however minuscule, in two campaigns with the Seahawks. Increasing his share of the offensive snaps from 7.9 percent on 2016 to 26 percent last season, Vannett has corralled 15 of 19 passes for 156 yards (8.2 YPT) and one touchdown since he was selected in the third round two years ago.

O'Malley signed a one-year contract with the Giants on Friday, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports.

O'Malley, who went undrafted out of Penn in 2016, signed with the Giants last December after spending the majority of his career on the Raiders' practice squad. He only appeared in one game for Big Blue, logging seven offensive snaps (but none on special teams) without seeing a target in the passing game. O'Malley will likely remain in a depth role entering the 2018 season.

Niklas agreed Wednesday with the Patriots on a one-year contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

A 2014 second-round pick, Niklas was limited by a variety of injuries during his four seasons in Arizona, catching 19 passes for 203 yards and three touchdowns in only 41 games. Listed at 6-foot-6, 270 pounds, he's one of the larger tight ends in the NFL, so he should at least be useful as a goal-line blocker if he stays healthy. Niklas will provide depth behind Rob Gronkowski and Dwayne Allen, though the latter could end up as a cap casualty before Week 1. Regardless, it's hard to envision a scenario in which Niklas is a major part of the New England passing attack.

Hodges signed a contract with the Jets on Tuesday, Ethan Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

Hodges, a sixth-round selection in the 2017 Draft, was waived-injured by the Vikings back in September and then spent six weeks on the Panthers' practice squad. He'll now compete with Neal Sterling and Jordan Leggett for a reserve tight end role this season.

Smith (knee) traveled to Los Angeles for on-field workouts in mid-March with teammates Marcus Mariota, Corey Davis, Rishard Matthews, Taywan Taylor and Tajae Sharpe, Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com reports.

Despite suffering a torn MCL in a divisional-round playoff loss to New England, the 2017 third-round pick wasn't wearing a knee brace in the group photo from the recent workout session. His ability to run routes and catch passes suggests he should be available next week when the Titans begin their offseason program under new head coach Mike Vrabel. Smith should see a slight uptick from last year's total of 30 targets, but there won't be a ton of room for growth unless Delanie Walker struggles to stay healthy. The two tight ends have similar physical profiles, with Smith perhaps setting up as the heir apparent to his 33-year-old teammate. Walker will turn 34 in August, with Smith then celebrating his 23rd birthday just 10 days later.

Niklas visited the Patriots on Monday, WEEI.com reports.

Niklas logged 11 catches for 132 yards and a touchdown in 15 games for the Cardinals in 2017. If the 2014 second-rounder does join the Patriots, he'd provide the team with added depth at tight end behind Rob Gronkowski, who is expected back for the 2018 season after having reportedly mulled retirement.

Hooper was mentioned by head coach Dan Quinn at this week's NFL owners meetings as one player who the Falcons expect elevated performance from in 2018, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. "I'm really looking forward to where Austin Hooper is going to go," Quinn said this week at the NFL owners meeting, "In the run game, he can get better... (but) he's a really committed football guy. I think there will be a big jump."

Hooper increased his catch total from 19 during his rookie campaign to 49 in his sophomore season, but Quinn still sees substantial room for growth in the young tight end's game. It's likely that improvement as a blocker would help Hooper increase his snap count from last season's 76.6 percent, but more consistent production as a receiver would also significantly bolster his chances of being a part of the Falcons' long-term plans. Hooper enjoyed a promising first half of the season in 2017, averaging nine fantasy points per game in PPR scoring through Week 10 before seeing that figure tumble to 3.2 in the second half.

Paulsen and the Falcons agreed to terms Wednesday on a one-year contract, Will McFadden of the team's official website reports.

After parting ways with Levine Toilolo earlier this offseason, the Falcons found themselves in need of a blocking tight end. Paulsen has never been a prolific receiving threat in his seven-year career -- he recorded a career-high 28 catches for Washington in 2013 -- but is capable in both pass protection and in opening holes for running backs. The 49ers utilized Paulsen almost exclusively as a blocker in 2017, with the 31-year-old drawing just two targets across 144 offensive snaps over 14 games.