NFL Player News

Robinson will play 2021 under a franchise tag, as he didn't sign a multi-year contract before the Thursday deadline, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Reports from the past week suggested it was a long shot for Robinson and the Bears to work anything out. The soon-to-be 28-year-old thus stands to make $17.98 million this upcoming season, before hitting free agency (or receiving a second franchise tag) next spring. Robinson probably isn't thrilled, but his decision to sign the franchise tender in March suggests he isn't planning a holdout. Coming off back-to-back seasons with 150-plus targets, he'll hope to get a QB upgrade after the Bears added Andy Dalton and Justin Fields in the offseason.

Godwin and the Buccaneers were unable to reach agreement on a long-term contract before Thursday's 4:00 p.m. ET deadline, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Panthers OT Taylor Moton was the only franchise-tagged player to sign a long-term contract in the days/hours leading up to the deadline. The Bucs reportedly intend to continue negotiations with Godwin next offseason, but he'll first play out 2021 under a franchise tender for $15.98 million. While the Bucs have a deep group of pass catchers, Godwin and Mike Evans both figure to see at least seven or eight targets per game from QB Tom Brady.

Mickens could have an uphill battle to win a roster spot this summer, Greg Auman of The Athletic reports.

The 27-year-old set a new career high with seven receptions last season, but the overwhelming amount of his contributions came on special teams, where he amassed 439 total return yards and logged 125 snaps overall. Mickens had some offseason off-field trouble in March in the form of a gun charge, and he then got some talented, younger competition for his return job when Tampa Bay drafted Jaelon Darden in the fourth round in the spring. Mickens attended voluntary OTAs and even mentored Darden on the finer points of the return game, but the two will be locked into a head-to-head battle come training camp.

Hopkins was able to build on-field chemistry with quarterback Kyler Murray during the Cardinals' offseason program, Bob McManaman of The Arizona Republic reports.

Murray was banged up at the end of last year, but he and Hopkins returned healthy for the start of the offseason program, participating in both voluntary OTAs and mandatory minicamp. The 29-year-old wideout accounted for 29.4 percent of Arizona's targets last season, ranking third in the NFL with 1,407 receiving yards and tied for second with 115 receptions. A better rushing attack or a bounce-back season from offseason acquisition A.J. Green could cost Hopkins a few targets this year, but he's still among the handful of favorites to lead the league in the category.

Godwin and the Buccaneers will continue discussions Wednesday, hoping to reach agreement on a long-term contract before Thursday's 4 p.m. ET deadline for franchise-tagged players, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

If no deal gets done, Godwin will be locked in for a $15.98 million franchise tender. The Bucs already have a host of veteran players on expensive contracts, but given that most of those expire after 2021 or 2022, it's easy enough to make room for Godwin if they backload cap hits on his long-term deal. The 25-year-old wide receiver played 12 games in the regular season and four more in the playoffs in 2020, catching 81 of 116 targets for 1,072 yards and eight touchdowns in 16 appearances overall. The Bucs have a similarly impressive roster in 2021 -- including excellent depth at wide receiver -- so while Godwin should remain efficient, his volume may not return to its 2019 level (121 targets in 14 games, 8.6 average).

Watson is trending downward for a roster spot as training camp approaches, per Greg Auman of The Athletic.

It's not so much what Watson did or didn't do during offseason workouts and minicamp, but rather it's a product of Tampa Bay's depth at wide receiver and his minimal role for most of last year. Watson posted a 7-94 line over his first three 2020 contests but didn't see another target the rest of the way, and he was inactive for three of the Buccaneers' four postseason games. The fourth-year wideout will be on the final year of his rookie contact in 2021, and although he has been a steady force on special teams with 20 tackles on coverage units over three seasons, Auman points out Watson is now competing with younger depth linebackers and defensive backs for that spot as well.

Harry plans to attend Patriots training camp if he's still with the team, NFL reporter Josina Anderson reports.

Harry's agent requested a trade last week, but it doesn't sound like the 2019 first-round pick will hold out if the Patriots keep him around. The team isn't likely to get much in a deal considering Harry has caught just 45 passes for 414 yards and four touchdowns in 21 NFL games. While there isn't a significant cap benefit to releasing him, the Patriots would clear up $1.4 million in 2021 cap space if they're able to work out a trade.

Toney is likely to be brought along slowly by the Giants to start the coming campaign, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic.

Toney was selected by the team 20th overall in this year's draft, and as a rookie he'll contend for touches with free-agent acquisition Kenny Golladay, as well as returning veterans Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton. While Toney's superb playmaking ability could have him contributing on special teams as a returner out of the gate, he'll likely be eased into the offense in specialized packages. As the University of Florida standout grows into a more polished route runner as the season rolls along, however, an increase in his offensive role is a plausible expectation.

Jeudy is a candidate for a breakout season in Denver, according to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic.

Jeudy enters his second year with the Broncos with high expectations based on his rookie campaign. Despite dealing with a nagging ankle injury at times last season and playing with three different starting quarterbacks, Jeudy amassed 856 receiving yards in 2020. Looking ahead, the return of fellow wideout Courtland Sutton from an ACL injury should open up even more opportunities for Jeudy in the middle of the field, where his impressive skills as a route runner can shine. Though the Broncos still need to decide who will be delivering the ball to Jeudy and Co. in 2021, a noticeable step forward in production for the 22-year-old receiver is a plausible outcome.

Reagor expects to play the slot this year, though he did clarify that he'll also line up outside, Jimmy Kempski of Philly Voice reports.

Reagor ran just 21 percent of his routes from the slot last year, primarily lining up on the perimeter while Greg Ward worked as the No. 3 receiver and slot specialist. The Eagles are now bringing in another first-round pick, DeVonta Smith, to join Ward, Reagor, Travis Fulgham and others in the WRs room. Smith and Reagor, the two recent first-round picks, are the safe bets to occupy top-three roles, and the amount of slot work they end up seeing could depend on whether Ward or someone else earns the third spot this summer. In any case, Reagor appears locked in as a starter, coming off a rookie season with only 31 catches for 396 yards and one touchdown in 11 games.