NFL Player News

Dwelley re-signed with the 49ers on Monday, Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports.

Dwelley will remain in San Francisco, where he's spent the entirety of his career since signing there as an undrafted free agent in 2018. The 28-year-old played in 12 games last season and recorded three catches for 105 yards and a touchdown. Dwelley should provide solid depth behind George Kittle as well as adding value on special teams next season.

Bryant is expected to compete with the newly signed Jordan Akins as a backup to starter David Njoku, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

As reported by Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns signed Akins to a two-year deal Friday. He has familiarity with Watson from their time in Houston together, but Bryant's been in the Cleveland system for three years. Bryant, who enters the final year of his rookie deal, has received steady playing time since being drafted out of Florida Atlantic and has been a modest contributor as a target.

Akins is signing a two-year contract with the Browns, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

A 2018 third-round pick, Akins played 73 games for Houston the past five seasons, topping 400 yards three times without ever reaching 500. His 37-495-5 receiving line last year was a career-best effort, and he's now headed to Cleveland where he'll compete for backup snaps with Harrison Bryant. Given his lack of blocking prowess, Akins might be an insurance plan for David Njoku more so than the clear-cut No. 2 TE -- a role that tends to be more about run-blocking than catching passes.

Henry and free-agent addition Mike Gesicki are in line to head the Patriots' tight end corps this coming season, Mike Reiss of ESPN.com reports.

Since signing a three-year deal with New England in March 2021, Henry had been working in a timeshare with Jonnu Smith. With Smith having recently been traded to the Falcons, however, the Patriots elected to bolster their tight end corps by inking Gesicki to a one-year pact worth up to $9 million. In that context, Henry will continue to share snaps and targets in 2023, and, given Gesicki's upside as a pass catcher, Henry's week-to-week volume figures to fluctuate this season when both players are available. In 2022, Henry recorded 41 catches on 59 targets for 509 yards and two touchdowns (down from nine scores in 2021) in 17 games. Looking ahead, the 2016 second-rounder's fantasy utility while working in tandem with Gesicki could end up hinging on his level of red-zone usage.

Parham and the Chargers agreed to a contract Friday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Parham will return to Los Angeles after testing the open market. The tight end has spent the first three seasons of his career with the team, reeling in 10 catches for 130 yards and a score over six games in 2022. Parham will provide quarterback Justin Herbert with another familiar target in 2023.

Akins is slated to visit the Browns, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Akins is coming off a 2022 campaign with the Texans in which he tied his career high in catches (37), while recording season bests in receiving yards (495) and TDs (five). If the 2018 third-rounder signs with the Browns, he'll add depth to a Cleveland tight end corps led by returnees David Njoku and Harrison Bryant.

Kmet could lose some snaps after the Bears added Robert Tonyan in free agency Thursday, Adam Jahns of The Athletic reports.

Kmet played at least 91 percent of the snaps in 14 games last year. Although that percentage may not dip much, Tonyan is familiar with the Bears offense from his days in Green Bay, when Chicago's offensive coordinator Luke Getsy was his coach. Kmet should retain close to a full snap share, but with Tonyan having caught at least 52 passes in two of the last three seasons, Kmet could lose occasional targets. However, this move should not have much impact on Kmet's fantasy value.

Gesicki agreed Friday with the Patriots on a one-year contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Gesicki remains in the AFC East, moving on after five seasons with the Dolphins to sign with a division rival. The athletic tight end took a back seat to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle in 2022, with just a 32-362-5 receiving line through 17 regular-season appearances, but he logged two straight seasons with 700-plus receiving yards from 2020-21. Now in New England, Gesicki is set to form a tight end tandem with Hunter Henry, a superior blocker and capable pass catcher in his own right. Gesicki, however, boasts deep-threat and YAC abilities unique to the Patriots' tight end room, giving him the potential to emerge as an interesting fantasy option if he can establish a successful rapport with Mac Jones this offseason.

Tonyan agreed Thursday with the Bears on a one-year deal, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Tonyan, who logged a career-high 53 catches (on 67 targets) for 470 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games with the Packers last season, adds quality depth to a Chicago tight end corps that also includes returning starter Cole Kmet. The duo will provide QB Justin Fields with a pair of solid pass catchers at the position, but the prospect of a timeshare with Kmet caps Tonyan's fantasy upside ahead of the coming season.

Thomas agreed to a restructured contract with the Panthers on Thursday, Darin Gantt of the team's official site reports.

Thomas signed a three-year extension in the 2022 offseason, and his reworked deal will help Carolina's cap flexibility. He's expected to occupy a backup role after the Panthers signed fellow tight end Hayden Hurst to a three-year contract Wednesday.