NFL Player News

Paulsen will sign with the 49ers, CSN Bay Area reports.

Valued primarily for his blocking, Paulsen has 82 receptions in six professional seasons, with only three of those catches coming last year for the Bears. San Francisco seems to be targeting the middle tiers of free agency, also reaching early agreements with QB Brian Hoyer, FB Kyle Juszczyk and WRs Pierre Garcon and Marquise Goodwin.

The Patriots have traded a fourth-round draft pick to the Colts in exchange for Allen and a sixth-round selection, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

In securing the services of Allen, the Patriots have signaled that they are poised to part ways with fellow TE Martellus Bennett. Allen, whose blocking ability has earned the praise of coach Bill Belichick, has three years left on the four-year, $29 million contract that he signed with Indy last March. The 27-year-old profiles as a solid all-around tight end, who will provide the Patriots with a complementary option/insurance policy for oft-injured Rob Gronkowski. Allen himself is no stranger to the injury report, having missed a combined 23 games (including 15 in 2013) over the past four seasons, but when healthy, the 6-foot-3, 265-pounder can do some damage in the red zone. Over the course of 57 NFL contests to date, he's hauled in 19 TDs.

The Colts are expected to trade Allen to the Patriots, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports.

It's unclear what the Patriots will give up in the anticipated deal, but assuming the move is completed, we'd expect that it paves the way for the departure of Martellus Bennett via free agency. Allen is coming off a 2016 season in which he caught 35 passes for 406 yards and six TDs in 14 games for Indy. With the Patriots he'd provide the team with both valuable insurance for, as well as a complementary option to, oft-injured tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Duarte signed an exclusive rights contract with the Dolphins on Wednesday, Omar Kelly of the Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.

Duarte didn't appear in any games as an undrafted rookie with the Dolphins in 2016, though he was on the active roster for a few weeks. He'll look to make the opening week roster and see some on-field action in 2017.

New head coach Anthony Lynn said he plans to use Henry and Antonio Gates together, but the frequency with which the team uses two-tight end formations will depend on the opponent, Chargers.com reports.

The 22-year-old Henry flashed tremendous upside as a rookie, turning his 53 targets into 36 catches for 478 yards (13.3 YPR, 9.0 YPT) and eight touchdowns. Meanwhile, Gates had 53 catches for 548 yards and seven touchdowns on 92 targets (10.3 YPR, 6.0 YPT), largely relying on red-zone volume for his production. Henry has a real shot to overtake Gates as the team's No. 1 tight end in 2017, offering a far higher ceiling than his aging counterpart. Either way, both players figure to be significantly involved in the Philip Rivers-led passing attack.

Supernaw will not receive a restricted free agent tender from the Titans, Jason Wolf of the Tennessean reports.

Not receiving a tender means that Supernaw will become an unrestricted free agent on Thursday. He had four receptions for 62 yards last season, both of which were career highs for the six-year veteran. Wherever he signs, he shouldn't be looked to for much fantasy value.

Christian was released by Buffalo on Monday.

Christian had just one reception for 14 yards after being promoted to the Bills' active roster in December of the 2016 season. Wherever he signs, he shouldn't be expected to have much fantasy value in 2017.

Kelce underwent offseason shoulder surgery, Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star reports. "He'll probably miss some time throughout the offseason, but he'll be ready, I believe, for camp," head coach Andy Reid said of the tight end Wednesday.

Calling the procedure a clean-up, Reid replied, "I don't think so," as it pertains to a significant injury. As for the timetable mentioned, it's unclear if Kelce will be healthy in time for minicamp or training camp, which are separated by approximately six weeks on the NFL calendar. No matter the precise date that he's cleared for all activity, it appears as if he'll enter the 2017 season intact. If so, Kelce will be aiming to improve his number of catches, target count, and receiving yardage for the fourth straight campaign.

Malleck (neck) signed a contract with the Steelers on Wednesday, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Malleck spent training camp with the Giants in 2016 before suffering a neck injury and being released just prior to the start of the regular season. He'll have an opportunity to compete for a depth role as a tight end and special teams player in Pittsburgh in 2017.

Donnell will not be re-signed by the Giants this offseason, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports.

Donnell has spent all four of his professional seasons with the Giants, but he's failed to build on his faux-breakthrough 2014 campaign that included 63 catches for 623 yards and six touchdowns. In fact, besides that season, the 28-year-old boasts just 47 catches for 346 yards and three scores in his career. While missing 10 games over the past two seasons has contributed toward that decline in production, Donnell is nonetheless now slated to resume his career elsewhere in 2017.