NFL Player News

Patriots rookie tight end Zach Sudfeld had a very good series of offseason workouts and was constantly open while displaying good hands, Paul Perillo of Patriots Football Weekly wrote. Perillo cautioned Sudfeld still has yet to put on pads and go through a contact practice and has battled injuries over his college career but thinks he can land a job with the team as a reserve tight end. 

Cowboys rookie tight end Gavin Escobar is expected to contribute right away in 2013, but his role coming into training camp isn't known, reports ESPN.

The report says the Cowboys picked him with the anticipation that Escobar's hands, height (6-foot-5) and ball skills would allow him to help right away as a receiving threat, especially in the red zone. But he needs a lot of work before he can be a reliable blocker.

And Escobar isn't just going to be given the No. 2 tight end role behind Jason Witten. He'll have to beat out James Hanna, and that's far from a guarantee. 

Patriots rookie tight end Zach Sudfeld has made a good impression so far and could be a candidate to help the team replace Aaron Hernandez, who was released Wednesday, reports ESPN.

The report says Sudfeld was solid in offseason workouts, showing off impressive pass-catching skills and dependable hands. He was undrafted out of Nevada, but he appears to be ready to compete for a roster spot. 

Jets tight end Konrad Reuland is a candidate to get cut this offseason, reports ESPN.

The report says the arrival of Kellen Winslow could jeopardize Reuland's spot on the roster since both are pass-catching tight ends. It also says Reuland's fate could be tied to Winslow's health since he continues to deal with a chronic knee condition. 

The Cowboys signed their 2013 second round draft pick Friday in tight end Gavin Escobar . He was drafted No. 27 overall from San Diego State.

Escobar is competing with James Hanna to be the No. 2 tight end in Dallas behind Jason Witten.

Dallas Cowboys rookie tight end Gavin Escobar was taken in the second round of the NFL Draft with the idea that he would be the No. 2 tight end behind Jason Witten. But heading into training camp, it appears like Escobar is No. 3 on the depth chart.

According to ESPN, James Hanna remained the No. 2 tight end through offseason workouts. The report says Escobar "raised his level of play as camp went on," but Hanna has made it difficult for Escobar to take his job.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham returned to practice Tuesday following offseason wrist surgery, and he talked about his health and his outlook for this season. “Everything is going well," Graham said. "I’ve been in rehab and I’ve been getting stronger. Right now I’m almost 100 percent. Going into camp, I’ll be 100 percent. It just feels good. It just feels good to be healthy finally and back playing like myself.” Graham last year was a disappointment that he wants to put behind him. “I’m a hungry player, and this is probably the hungriest I’ve ever been to kind of right the wrongs of last year, prove what this team can do and to maybe hush up some of the naysayers," he said. "For me, it’s all work and doing as much as I can to be the best player I can.” Quarterback Drew Brees is glad his top target is back on the field. “He was banged up quite a bit last year in his defense," Brees said. "He’s had an offseason now to recover and be on the mend. He feels a lot better. He’s juiced up and ready to go. It’s great to see. He’s like a kid out there a lot of times, running around and telling me to throw him the ball and he’ll go get it for me, which is great to hear from a big tight end.”

Saints coach Sean Payton said Tuesday that tight end Jimmy Graham has been able to practice following offseason wrist surgery, “I thought he had a good practice today," Payton said. "I think certainly getting him back after his offseason surgery (is a plus), and I know that he is anxious to get started on this year. Certainly I think his expectation level is high, just as ours is as well and I look forward to watching this upcoming season and him progress.”

Packers head coach Mike McCarthy has declared that tight end Andrew Quarless is "fully past his injury" according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Quarless missed all of last season after tearing two knee ligaments in 2011. "I have all the confidence in the world he's ready," McCarthy said after practice, "and when you watch him play he's probably moving better than before the injury."

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Thursday that tight end Tony Moeaki, who underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his knee this offseason, could be out until training camp. "Probably see him at training camp,” Reid said. He was asked if Moeaki would be ready when training camp starts. “We’ll see," Reid said. "But right now, I’m thinking he will be, but we’ll see how it goes. He’s working like crazy.”