NFL Player News

Robinson and the Bears haven't made significant progress toward a long-term contract, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Pelissero believes it's unlikely a deal gets done before the July 15 extension deadline for franchise-tagged players. Barring a last-minute agreement, Robinson will play out 2021 under a one-year, $17.98 million franchise tender, hoping to hit free agency next offseason. The Bears technically would have the option to tag him again, but it would cost at least $21.58 million -- a 20 percent raise from Robinson's 2021 salary. In any case, he's already signed the tag for this season, essentially ruling out a holdout as an option for leverage. Robinson will work with new QBs this summer, after the Bears brought in Andy Dalton and Justin Fields to replace Mitchell Trubisky.

Harris hopes to become a bigger part of the Saints' passing attack this season, Rod Walker of nola.com reports.

Harris got some run as the Saints' No. 3 receiver last year, with his season highlighted by a seven-catch performance in the wild-card round of the playoffs and a 55-yard punt return in the divisional round. He aggravated a neck injury in that last game but now appears to have returned healthy for the offseason program. Michael Thomas is the only sure thing among New Orleans wideouts, so the 5-foot-6 Harris could be right in the mix for a top-three role, competing with Tre'Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway, Juwan Johnson and a few other young players. If nothing else, Harris' work on special teams should keep him on the roster for Week 1. A sizable increase from last year's total of 25 targets (in nine regular-season games) isn't out of the question, especially if Jameis Winston beats out Taysom Hill for the starting QB job in New Orleans.

Thomas participated in June minicamp, though he continues to get scans and treatment on his surgically repaired ankle, Rod Walker of nola.com reports.

A report in January suggested Thomas would need ankle and shoulder surgeries during the offseason after missing nine games in 2020. Participation in June minicamp suggests he's well on his way to a Week 1 appearance, even if the Saints decide to ease him into action during training camp. The bigger question is whether Thomas will catch most of his passes from Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill this season, with the Saints hosting a job battle at QB. An offense led by Hill likely would throw fewer passes, but either way, Thomas and Alvin Kamara will be the priorities -- even more so after the team lost TE Jared Cook and WR Emmanuel Sanders in the offseason.

Grant hauled in a deep ball from QB Tua Tagovailoa at June minicamp.

Grant appears to have returned healthy for Miami's offseason program after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 16 last year. He's missed multiple games in three straight seasons, and he'll now face a tougher path to earning snaps on offense, with the Dolphins adding Will Fuller (suspension) and No. 6 overall pick Jaylen Waddle to a receiving corps that also includes Grant, DeVante Parker, Preston Williams (foot), Albert Wilson and Lynn Bowden. The Dolphins can clear up around $4 million in cap space if they trade or release Grant, but his value on special teams (five career returns TDs) should keep him on track for a roster spot, even if he's buried on the depth chart at WR.

Mooney looked "more polished and explosive" throughout OTAs and June minicamp, according to Adam Jahns of The Athletic.

A fifth-round pick last spring, Mooney handled 98 targets and 73 percent snap share as a rookie, operating as Chicago's No. 2 receiver from Week 2 onward. He did miss the team's lone playoff game with an ankle injury, but there's been no indication it affected his offseason routine, and Mooney should retain the No. 2 spot after the Bears added only Marquise Goodwin and Damiere Byrd to their WR room in the offseason. A breakout would require QBs Andy Dalton and Justin Fields to play better than last year's duo of Mitchell Trubisky and Nick Foles, especially when it comes to downfield passing. Mooney ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the 2020 Combine, and he ranked 14th in the league last season with 24 targets at 20-plus yards downfield (though he caught only four, T-61st). Mooney still figures to be the main deep threat in Chicago, even if Goodwin/Byrd poach a few of those targets.

Rodgers could play a role both in the Packers offense and on special teams, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic.

Per Schneidman, Rodgers is "a natural slot receiver" and "can also serve as a gadget piece out of the backfield on jet sweeps, reverses and other motion action," so his skill set should complement the more experienced receivers on the roster. It's too early to tell exactly what type of snap count Rodgers is looking at in his rookie season, but he'll have a chance to open the season in the No. 4 spot on the depth chart. While his role on offense is unsettled, it seems likely Rodgers will be a key contributor on special teams, as the Packers don't yet have a designated return man and Rodgers took back 70 kicks -- including 68 punts -- during his four years at Clemson.

The Browns expect Schwartz (hamstring) will be ready when training camp begins July 27, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Schwartz brings elite speed at wide receiver, but he has a host of more experienced players in front of him, so expectations should be measured for the third-round pick out of Auburn. The rookie could carve out some long-term value if he shows he's capable of being more than just a deep-ball threat, but Schwartz will likely begin his professional career as a situational receiver.

Zaccheaus is a candidate to see increased work in the Falcons' passing game in 2021 as a result of Julio Jones' departure from Atlanta, Deen Worley of USA Today reports.

Zaccheaus approaches the coming season with the potential to see a significant increase in his target share now that Jones no longer in the mix. Calvin Ridley now profiles as the team's clear-cut top wideout, while Russell Gage should be locked into a starting role in the slot. The Falcons will still need another outside receiver opposite Ridley in three-wideout sets, and Zaccheaus could be an early favorite to fill that opening. If Zaccheaus can impress in the preseason, the speedster has a chance to carve out a more prominent role in the offense, and in turn, gain value as a fantasy sleeper.

Sims appears to be on the roster bubble this summer, according to ESPN's John Keim.

Sims made the team as an undrafted rookie in 2019 and even scored four TDs over the final four weeks of the season, but he then managed just one score (and 265 receiving yards) in 12 games last year. His ability to contribute in the return game should help his cause, but it won't necessarily be enough to guarantee a roster spot after Washington added wideouts Curtis Samuel, Adam Humphries and Dyami Brown (a third-round pick) this offseason. Sims likely will line up with the second-team offense at the start of training camp, while competition for kick/punt returns includes WRs DeAndre Carter and Isaiah Wright and CB Danny Johnson.

Harry's agent has requested a trade, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.

The Patriots' busy offseason suggests they aren't expecting much from Harry, as the team signed WRs Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne in addition to TEs Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith. With Jakobi Meyers also returning and reportedly looking like the No. 1 receiver at spring practices, Harry might be only fourth or fifth on the depth chart when training camp opens. The 32nd overall pick from the 2019 NFL Draft has been a huge disappointment through two years, producing only 9.2 yards per catch and 5.4 YPT on 81 targets (21 games). Injuries and poor QB play have contributed to the struggles, but Harry's inability to get open has been just as much of a problem.