NFL Player News

Pickens has impressed throughout the Cowboys' training camp, Dan Rogers of SB Nation reports.

Pickens had a spectacular season in 2025, reeling in 93 catches for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns, all of which were career highs, over 17 regular-season contests in his first year with Dallas. The wide receiver did tail off as the season came to a close, though, averaging 57.4 receiving yards and 4.0 catches over the team's final five games after averaging 95.2 yards and 6.1 receptions over the team's previous 12 contests. Pickens will look to put together a more complete campaign this year, and he has already been connecting on all cylinders with quarterback Dak Prescott, using his advanced ball-tracking ability to make acrobatic plays throughout training camp. The Cowboys have as good of a receiving duo as any team in the league, as the talented Pickens will be paired with No. 1 option CeeDee Lamb again in 2026.

Brown remained the Patriots' No. 1 option in the passing game during Tuesday's joint practice with the Colts, Ethan Hurwitz of SI.com reports.

Brown started his day off by beating Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner in a 1-on-1 situation, and once full-squad reps began, the wide receiver was heavily targeted. The 29-year-old is entering his first season in Josh McDaniels' offense, working with emerging star Drake Maye at quarterback. Brown and Maye connected five times at practice Tuesday, including a 10-yard score on an in-breaking route where Brown split two defenders to reach paydirt. The wide receiver and the Eagles had grown tired of each other after a four-season marriage in Philadelphia from 2022-2025, and Brown will now provide the Patriots with a clear No. 1 option in their passing game after being traded June 1. He has recorded four straight 1,000-plus yard campaigns and has finished with seven or more receiving touchdowns in six of his seven NFL seasons leading into 2026.

Beckham will play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Vikings, Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post reports.

It's not a surprise considering Beckham is in a fight for a roster spot after he was listed as a third-string wide receiver on the Giants' initial unofficial depth chart. The 33-year-old is competing with a handful of other veteran wideouts for a couple spots. Beckham has largely been out of the league, injured or ineffective for much of the past two seasons.

Kelce said Wednesday that he wants to "prove to myself that I can play at a better level than I did last year" this upcoming season, Nate Taylor of ESPN.com reports.

"That's probably the biggest thing for me, is making sure I'm accountable to the guys in this [locker] room and every single play that I'm out there," Kelce continued. "[Just] being more accountable when the ball is in the air. There were a few games last year that I felt like I put on myself. In the blocking world, being able to get my guy so we can spring guys for bigger gains. And just being a better leader." Kelce led the Chiefs in receiving last season, but his 50.1 yards per game were his fewest in the last 12 years. He did average 11.2 yards per catch, though, which was a big jump from his 8.5 yards-per-catch average in 2024. Kelce is turning 37 years old in less than two months and doesn't move like he used to, but he still knows how to get open and has undeniable chemistry with Patrick Mahomes. Kelce should remain a big factor on third downs and in the red zone for Kansas City, but he's no longer one of fantasy's top tight ends.

Collins has been in top form at practice ahead of the 2026 campaign, John Harris of the Texans' official website reports.

Collins took a bit of a step back in 2025, catching 71 of a career-high 120 targets for 1,117 yards and six scores over 15 regular-season contests. On the surface, it certainly appears to have been another impressive campaign, which it was, but his 4.7 receptions per game, 74.5 yards per contest and six scores were the wide receiver's lowest figures since 2022. Quarterback C.J. Stroud had a down year in 2025, and if he can get back on track this season, Collins could reap the benefits most substantially. The wideout made a series of impressive plays at practice Tuesday, connecting with Stroud on a handful of occasions. Collins is still considered to be a fantasy WR1 option in 2026, and he appears to be on track to hit the ground running Week 1 against Buffalo.

Jefferson and newly named starting quarterback Kyler Murray have been starting to click at practice, Will Ragatz of Bring Me The Sports reports.

Jefferson will be working with a new starting quarterback for the fourth season in a row after Minnesota named offseason addition Kyler Murray as their starter Tuesday. The two players connected on a handful of big plays at practice Wednesday, including a gain of roughly 35 yards on a deep post. Jefferson is coming off a down year during which he caught 84 of 141 targets for 1,048 yards and two touchdowns, both of which were career lows, over 17 regular-season contests while working with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer at quarterback. Now with the expectation of more stability with Murray under center, the 27-year-old superstar wide receiver is looking to get back on track. Murray also seems to understand the most important aspect of quarterbacking the Vikings: get Jefferson the ball as often as possible.

St. Brown is the top option in a wide receiver room that Lions' head coach Dan Campbell described as the "best it's ever been" in camp since Campbell's arrival in 2021, Dharya Sharma of Athlon Sports reports.

St. Brown is entering his sixth season in Detroit, and he just notched his fourth straight campaign with over 1,100 receiving yards. The 26-year-old caught 117 of a career-high 172 targets for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns over 17 regular-season contests in 2025. Jameson Williams has come into his own has a prolific big-play threat, opening the field up for St. Brown in the middle of the field. Additionally, Detroit has high hopes for second-year wideout Isaac TeSlaa and free-agent addition Greg Dortch this season. Having an impressive group of wide receivers around St. Brown could prove to benefit the 26-year-old, allowing him to see higher quality targets in Year 1 under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing.

Smith-Njigba is always willing to be coached up in an attempt to be a better player, Anthony Moeglin of Roundtable Sports reports.

Smith-Njigba is coming off of a 2025 campaign during which he caught 119 on 162 targets for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns over 17 regular-season games, ultimately being named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year. That hasn't stopped him from challenging himself, though. "He's the only No. 1 wideout I've been around where you can challenge him, and he's not taking it personally... he wants to be coached, he wants to be challenged," said Seahawks wide receiver coach Frisman Jackson. It's hard to imagine that Smith-Njigba has another level to his game, but with Seattle's former top running back Kenneth Walker leaving for Kansas City in free agency, the team may have to lean on the passing game at times in 2026, potentially leading to even more opportunities for Sam Darnold to connect with his star wide receiver in the passing game.

Hasty and the Patriots agreed on a one-year contract Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports.

Hasty will return to the Patriots after spending the 2025 campaign on the Dolphins' practice squad following his release by New England last August. The running back appeared in 15 regular-season contests with the Patriots in 2024, compiling 69 yards on 20 carries while also reeling in 10 of 12 targets for 59 yards and a score. Hasty was also utilized on special teams, registering 238 kickoff-return yards and his best path towards making New England's initial 53-man roster in 2026 is as a special-teams asset.

Roberts and the Steelers agreed on a one-year contract Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Roberts will return to the Steelers after spending the 2023 and 2024 campaigns with the team before recording 90 total tackles (42 solo), a fumble recovery and a pass defensed over 17 regular-season contests with Las Vegas last season. The 32-year-old will provide Pittsburgh with another veteran reserve option behind Payton Wilson and Patrick Queen at inside linebacker in 2026.