NFL Player News

Blanton signed a reserve/future contract with the Chiefs on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Blanton spent time on Kansas City's practice squad during the 2022 season after being cut by the Rams. With Los Angeles, he suited up for four games and secured both of his targets for 35 yards. He will spend the offseason competing to secure a role with the Chiefs.

Goedert recorded six receptions on seven targets for 60 yards in Sunday's 38-35 Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs.

Goedert concluded his postseason in strong fashion, and he tallied at least five receptions in all three games. His Super Bowl performance was highlighted by a pair of 17-yard receptions on a drive midway through the third quarter to help set up a field goal. In five seasons with the Eagles, Goedert has topped 50 receptions on three occasions and likely will return to the team in 2023, as he's still under a four-year contract.

Kelce recorded six receptions on six targets for 81 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 38-35 Super Bowl win over the Eagles.

Kelce was one of the few things working for the Chiefs offense in the first half, as he accounted for the team's first score of the game on an 18-yard grab. He also paced Kansas City in receiving yards, highlighted by a long grab of 22 yards. After an excellent regular season, Kelce ended the postseason with 257 receiving yards and four touchdowns across three games. He'll remain a key to the team's passing attack in 2023.

Smythe secured 15 of 20 targets for 129 yards and one score across 16 games with Miami in the 2022 regular season. He also handled two carries for one yard and a touchdown.

Smythe and Mike Gesicki both saw their receiving stats plummet under first-year head coach Mike McDaniel, whose arrival coincided with the Dolphins' usage of two-tight-end sets dropping off significantly. Gesicki is headed for free agency this offseason while Smythe is entering the final year of his contract in 2023, but that hardly guarantees that Smythe will see the overwhelming share of snaps at tight end in 2023. Even if he does, Smythe will operate primarily as a blocker and is unlikely to handle heavy volume as a pass catcher.

Dwelley had three receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown across 12 active regular-season games in 2022.

Dwelley was able to produce a couple of big plays while George Kittle recovered from an injury to start the season, but he ultimately was limited to special teams for the majority of the year. The 27-year-old will become an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but he is unlikely to land in a situation that warrants fantasy consideration after posting forgettable totals through the first five years of his pro career.

Vannett played in nine regular-season games between the Saints and the Giants, finishing with four receptions on seven targets for 42 yards and no touchdowns.

Vannett began the campaign with New Orleans before latching on with New York's practice squad in late November. He eventually joined the team's active roster but saw limited action behind rookie starter Daniel Bellinger. Vannett's overall catch and yardage totals during the campaign were his lowest since his rookie season in 2016 with Seattle. Bellinger is the Giants' clear tight end of the future, so the team isn't likely to prioritize bringing back Vannett, who will be an unrestricted free agent.

Bellinger totaled 30 catches on 35 targets for 268 yards and two receiving touchdowns during the regular season in his rookie campaign. He added one rush for a two-yard touchdown.

Bellinger saw his snap count rise steadily from Week 1 to Week 6 before suffering an eye injury against Jacksonville in Week 7. The issue required surgery and cost him four contests, but Bellinger immediately slotted back into a starting role upon his return and received the lion's share of New York's tight end snaps the rest of the way, including in two postseason contests during which he tallied three catches on five targets for 21 yards. While the rookie out of San Diego State didn't record more than five receptions or 42 yards in any game during the campaign, he made at least one catch in every contest after Week 1 and solidified his place as the Giants' tight end of the future. New York has a bevy of pass catchers along with quarterback Daniel Jones slated for free agency this offseason, so Bellinger's outlook for next year could be impacted by who the team adds, retains and parts ways with.

Gesicki is expected to part ways with the Dolphins as a free agent this offseason, Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald reports.

Gesicki secured 32 of 52 targets for 362 yards and five touchdowns across 17 regular-season appearances with the Dolphins in 2022, and general manager Chris Grier said he has "earned the right to be a free agent" after a year playing on the franchise tag. The tight end appeared a questionable fit in coach Mike McDaniel's scheme even ahead of this past campaign, and despite Miami's coaching staff relaying continued optimism that the athletic tight end would keep a key role on offense, he ended up with his lowest receiving marks since his rookie season. Though Gesicki continued to flash occasional playmaking ability when called upon, his underwhelming utilization in McDaniel's scheme makes it seem unlikely he re-signs with the Dolphins. Other franchises in the league may be more willing to feature Gesicki's receiving skill set.

Sample recorded two catches for minus-2 yards over two appearances before missing the rest of the regular season and postseason while recovering from surgery to address MCL and PCL damage to his right knee.

A second-round pick in 2019, Sample never developed into a major receiving option over the four years of his rookie deal. Though Sample could be at or near full health by the spring, the impending free agent isn't a lock to be retained by Cincinnati.

Hurst had four catches on five targets for 37 yards in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game loss to the Chiefs.

Signed to a one-year, $3.5 million deal this offseason, Hurst enjoyed a nice bounce-back campaign in Cincinnati despite missing three games due to a calf injury. After generating a 52-414-2 receiving line on 68 targets over his 13 appearances during the regular season, Hurst likely won't be keen on settling for a one-year deal as he heads back into free agency this spring. Even if the 29-year-old tight end does end up signing another one-year contract, he should at least be in store for a slight bump in pay whether he returns to Cincinnati or heads elsewhere.