NFL Player News

Cracraft's chances of making the active roster have increased with the retirement of Aaron Burbirdge, Benjamin Allbright of KOA News Radio reports.

Burbridge, already familiar with offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello's scheme from their time together with the 49ers, was reportedly a sleeper in spring practices. After battling injuries throughout his career and now taking an early retirement, the depth chart shifts with his departure. Veteran Emmanuel Sanders and promising youngsters Courtland Sutton, DaeSean Hamilton, and Tim Patrick seem to be locks. Assuming the Broncos keep at least five wideouts, Cracraft seems like the most likely fifth option. The Washington State product has just one career reception -- a 44-yarder from Week 17 -- but adds value as a potential returner on special teams.

Wims looked good during offseason workouts and appears primed to compete for a role on offense, Larry Mayer of the Bears' official site reports.

The 2018 seventh-round pick led the NFL with 227 receiving yards last preseason, earning a spot on Chicago's 53-man roster throughout the year. He was active for four contests, including a four-catch, 35-yard outing Week 17 against Minnesota. The path to a meaningful role in 2019 appears difficult after the Bears bolstered their wideout depth with the signing of Cordarrelle Patterson and drafting of Riley Ridley, but there is some chance for Wims to make a push toward the No. 4 spot. Other candidates for depth roles include Marvin Hall, Emanuel Hall (sports hernia) and Tanner Gentry.

Isabella has a chance to earn an immediate role on offense, Darren Urban of the Cardinals' official site reports.

Larry Fitzgerald and Christian Kirk are locked in for key roles, leaving Isabella to compete with a couple other rookies (Hakeem Butler, KeeSean Johnson) and a slew of veterans (Trent Sherfield, Kevin White, Damiere Byrd, Chad Williams) for the third and fourth spots at wide receiver. The No. 4 receiver doesn't get many snaps in a typical NFL offense, but it'll be a different story in Arizona if coach Kliff Kingsbury's pro version of the Air Raid is similar to what he used at Texas Tech -- a scheme heavy on four-wide sets. Given that Charles Clay, Ricky Seals-Jones and Maxx Williams are the top options at tight end, there won't be any pressure to keep one of them on the field at all times. Of course, it's no sure thing the fourth WR will be a better choice, as the position group is full of question marks behind Fitzgerald and Kirk. Isabella's combination of speed (4.31 40), college production (3,526 receiving yards) and second-round draft status makes him an early favorite for the No. 3 job.

Jones (undisclosed) should be ready for the start of training camp Nate Mendelson of the Bills' official website reports.

Jones, Cole Beasley (abdomen) and Robert Foster (foot) all missed June minicamp, temporarily leaving John Brown unquestioned as the top receiving threat. It remains to be seen how the Bills divide snaps between the four wide receivers, with each boasting a reasonable case for consistent playing time. Jones led the team in targets, catches, receiving yards and touchdowns last season, but his averages of 11.6 yards per catch and 6.4 per target were far from impressive. Even his late-season TD outburst left plenty of room for doubt, with Jones catching 19 of 42 targets (45.2 percent) for 260 yards (6.2 YPT) and five scores in five December games.

Foster (foot) should be a full go for the start of training camp, Nate Mendelson of the Bills' official website reports.

Foster missed part of June minicamp with a foot injury, but competition for snaps is his larger concern after the Bills signed John Brown and Cole Beasley (abdomen) during the offseason. With Zay Jones (undisclosed) also still around, the team has four wide receivers that can make a decent case for regular playing time.

Arcega-Whiteside dominated red-zone drills during the Eagles' offseason program, according to Mike Kaye of NJ.com.

At 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, the second-round pick is coming off a senior season with 14 of Stanford's 29 touchdown receptions, including a slew of contested catches in the red zone. Far from a one-year wonder, Arcega-Whiteside also hit paydirt nine times in 2017 for a run-heavy Cardinal offense that threw for just 23 scores. He now faces a difficult path to regular snaps in Philadelphia, where Alshon Jeffery (ribs), DeSean Jackson and Nelson Agholor (lower body) will form the regular grouping in three-wide formations. Arcega-Whiteside's best chance at an immediate role entails the red zone, an area that's accounted for just 12 of Jackson's 53 career touchdown catches.

Berrios looked good at spring practices, putting himself in advantageous position to secure a roster spot, ESPN.com's Mike Reiss reports.

The 2018 sixth-round pick returned for the Patriots' offseason program in good health after spending his entire rookie season on injured reserve with an undisclosed issue. The team lacks sure things at wide receiver beyond Julian Edelman, but there's enough depth that Berrios could still miss out on a roster spot if his strong work from May and June doesn't carry over to July and August. His odds largely depend on the health of Demaryius Thomas (Achilles) and the suspension status of Josh Gordon, though strong work in the return game could give Berrios a strong case even if he isn't immediately needed on offense.

Dortch is building a good case for a spot on the Jets' 53-man roster, Connor Hughes of The Athletic reports.

The undrafted rookie recorded 1,800 receiving yards and 1,211 return yards in 20 games during his career at Wake Forest, scoring 17 touchdowns on offense and two more on special teams. He's one of the smallest players in the NFL at 5-foot-7, 173 pounds, so his strong work during the offseason program won't necessarily carry over to padded practices at training camp. If it does, Dortch could serve as the backup for Jamison Crowder's slot role while also returning punts and/or kickoffs. Second-year players Deontay Burnett and Quadree Henderson are hoping to win the same type of job, but the former hasn't seen return work since his sophomore year of college and the latter doesn't have much experience as a receiver.

McLaurin got regular work on both offense and special teams during the offseason program, Andrew Breitfelder of the team's official website reports.

Coach Jay Gruden said McLaurin was the top special teams player on Washington's draft board, pointing to his strong work covering kicks and punts in four seasons at Ohio State. Gruden's assessment provides an explanation for using a third-round pick on a player with just 75 receptions during his college career, though it also helps that McLaurin had 11 touchdowns last season before lighting up the 2019 Scouting Combine with a 4.35-second 40-yard dash, 37.5-inch vertical and 125-inch broad jump -- all while checking in at a sturdy 6-foot, 208 pounds. With Paul Richardson (shoulder) coming off an injury-marred season and Josh Doctson still a major disappointment, McLaurin has a realistic shot to push for regular snaps on offense in addition to his presumed role on special teams coverage units.

Anderson (undisclosed) withdrew from Saturday's "40 Yards of Gold" competition after winning his first race, NJ.com's Matt Stypulkoski reports.

Anderson missed part of June minicamp with an undisclosed injury but apparently returned to health in time to outrace Alvin Kamara in the opening round of last weekend's competition. The 26-year-old wideout then pulled out of the event, which led to speculation about a possible injury. With nothing substantiative reported so far, it's possible Anderson never intended to run more than one race. Whatever the case, he'll have a few weeks to rest before the Jets report to training camp July 24.