NFL Player News
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Harrison Bryant TE | HOU
Texans' Harrison Bryant: Strong blocking piece in 2025
Bryant ended the 2025 regular season with two receptions for seven yards on six targets. The tight end participated in 12 contests, missing four due to an injured reserve stint caused by neck and shoulder issues.
Bryant was mainly utilized as a blocking tight end for the Texans' offense and special teams throughout the 2025 regular season. In the postseason, the 27-year-old was able to show his receiving potential by logging three receptions for 21 yards on six targets in the AFC divisional-round loss to the Patriots. Bryant will enter the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
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Braxton Berrios WR | HOU
Texans' Braxton Berrios: Served as a depth option in 2025
Berrios accumulated six receptions for 37 yards on eight targets and added 81 kickoff-return yards and 25 punt-return yards over four regular-season games.
Berrios was called upon for just 60 offensive snaps and 12 special-teams snaps during the 2025 campaign. The wide receiver was utilized by the Texans as a depth option in the absence of key receivers such as Nico Collins and Jayden Higgins. Berrios enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, and it's unclear if the Texans will be interested in bringing him back in 2026.
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Justin Watson WR | HOU
Texans' Justin Watson: Season derailed by calf issue
Watson recorded three receptions for 30 yards on four targets over three regular-season games.
Watson, who also suffered a postseason-ending concussion in the wild-card win over the Steelers, logged 40 percent or more of the offensive snaps in Week 1 and Week 2 before succumbing to a calf injury that landed him on injured reserve until the Week 18 matchup against the Colts. The wide receiver only logged 19 percent of the offensive snaps and wasn't targeted in his return. Rookie Jaylin Noel seems to have absorbed Watson's role in the offense, and it is unclear if the veteran will be able to reclaim his role heading into the 2026 season.
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Jaylin Noel WR | HOU
Texans' Jaylin Noel: Completes versatile rookie campaign
Noel finished the 2025 regular season with 26 catches (35 targets) for 292 yards and two touchdowns while adding six rush attempts for 12 yards across 17 regular-season games.
In addition to often serving as the Texans' No. 5 receiver, Noel also recorded 799 yards on kickoff returns and 335 yards on punt returns. The rookie third-rounder established himself as a consistent and versatile player, participating in all 17 regular-season games as both an offensive weapon and special-teams contributor.
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Zack Kuntz TE | MIA
Dolphins' Zack Kuntz: Joins Miami on reserve deal
Kuntz signed a reserve/future contract with the Dolphins on Friday.
Kuntz has appeared in two regular-season games since being drafted by the Jets in the seventh round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine prior to being drafted but hasn't converted that athleticism into a meaningful role in the NFL. Joining the underwhelming Dolphins tight-end room could provide an opportunity for Kuntz to impress in a different organization.
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Kenneth Walker III RB | KC
Seahawks' Kenneth Walker: Wanted back by Seahawks
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said Monday that Walker is "of course" a player that the team wants back in 2026, Jayna Bardahl of The Athletic reports.
Walker reciprocated Macdonald's sentiment Friday, saying he'd "definitely stay" in Seattle if a new deal can be worked out, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports. The impending free agent played in all 17 regular-season games in 2025, rushing 221 times for 1,027 yards and five touchdowns. He also secured 31 of 36 targets for 282 yards and has been a focal point of the Seahawks' offense throughout the postseason, especially with Zach Charbonnet (knee) having suffered an ACL tear in the divisional round. Walker will have another chance to impress with a workhorse opportunity in Sunday's matchup against the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
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Daniel Thomas SAF | CLE
Lions' Daniel Thomas: Makes 23 stops
Thomas recorded 23 tackles (10 solo) and one pass defended across 12 games with the Lions in 2025.
Thomas has primarily been a contributor on special teams throughout his career, and that was the case again for much of 2025. However, he played a combined 78 defensive snaps across Detroit's final two games and accounted for 14 of his 23 stops in that span. Thomas will become a free agent this offseason and will likely sign a modest, short-term deal to serve as a special-teamer.
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Matthew Stafford QB | LAR
Rams' Matthew Stafford: Wins first MVP Award
Stafford was named the 2025 Most Valuable Player on Thursday.
As expected, Stafford's primary competition for the award was Drake Maye, with only one first-place vote separating the players. It was Stafford's first MVP award, which was well earned after he recorded a career-best 46 touchdowns while turning the ball over only 11 times across 17 regular-season games. While his future was uncertain after being eliminated in the NFC Championship Game by Seattle, Stafford indicated that he will return for the 2026 season during his acceptance speech, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
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Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR | SEA
Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Named best offensive player
Smith-Njigba was named the 2025 Offensive Player of the Year on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Smith-Njigba established himself as one of the best receivers in the league in 2025, as he led all pass catchers with 1,793 yards. He was named a First-Team All-Pro in January and now adds to his honors by narrowly beating Christian McCaffrey and Puka Nacua to be named Offensive Player of the Year. Smith-Njigba will very likely be the primary driver of the Seattle passing game in Sunday's Super Bowl LX matchup against the Patriots.
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Carson Schwesinger LB | CLE
Browns' Carson Schwesinger: Earns rookie honors
Schwesinger (ankle) was named the 2025 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Schwesinger had a standout rookie season and quickly became a leader in the middle of Cleveland's defense. He logged 156 total tackles across 16 regular-season games, while also logging 2.5 sacks and two interceptions. Schwesinger missed the final game of the campaign with an ankle injury, but the issue is not expected to affect his preparation for his sophomore year as a pro.