NFL Player News

Nacua is heading into the final season of his rookie contract, and the 2023 fifth-round pick is a candidate to get the franchise tag from the Rams for the 2027 campaign if a long-term deal isn't worked out before then, Brock Vierra of USA Today Rams Wire reports.

Nacua has delivered elite production since entering the NFL, racking up 4,191 receiving yards through three regular seasons with the Rams, but some off-field concerns could be giving the Rams pause about extending the star wide receiver long-term. With the team in win-now mode in the twilight of 38-year-old quarterback Matthew Stafford's career, Nacua is poised to remain a key contributor for the Rams in 2026, even if the two sides don't work out an extension prior to the start of the season.

Freiermuth is a candidate to take on a larger role in Pittsburgh's passing game during the 2026 campaign, Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Freiermuth was targeted only 54 times in 17 regular-season games in 2025, tying Jonnu Smith for the lead among Pittsburgh's tight ends while Darnell Washington drew 43 targets. Smith is no longer on the team, and while the Steelers made a high-profile addition at wide receiver by bringing in Michael Pittman, they also lost running back Kenneth Gainwell, who led the team with 73 catches last season. It's worth noting Aaron Rodgers typically hasn't relied heavily on tight ends, as no player at the position has recorded more than 767 receiving yards in a regular season on a team quarterbacked by Rodgers.

Christensen (Achilles) signed a contract with the Panthers on Friday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Christensen is back in Carolina after being cleared for contact earlier in July while recovering from an Achilles injury. His return gives the Panthers added depth and versatility along the offensive line. Christensen has made 34 starts for the Panthers over the past five regular seasons, playing primarily at guard.

Robinson struggled to get on the same page with quarterback Cam Ward early in spring practices, but they built chemistry and momentum as the offseason progressed, Jim Wyatt of the Titans' official site reports.

Robinson signed a four-year, $78 million contract with the Titans in March on the heels of a 16-game, 2025 regular season with the Giants in which he caught 92 of 140 targets for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns, setting career highs in the last two categories. The slot receiver unsurprisingly needed some time to gain familiarity with his new quarterback, but the connection between Robinson and Ward has been trending in the right direction heading into training camp. Robinson will compete for targets in a wide-receiver room that also includes rookie fourth overall pick Carnell Tate, veteran Calvin Ridley and 2025 fourth-round picks Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike.

Maye noted Thursday that things have been going well with him and A.J. Brown since the wideout's arriving in a June trade, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports. "It has been awesome," Maye said on that topic. "I'm really looking forward to playing with him. I'm looking forward to getting to camp and building some chemistry. And I know there's already some there for me. You just gotta throw it near him, and he'll make a play."

The Patriots parted ways with last year's top receiver, Stefon Diggs, in March but added Romeo Doubs via free agency prior to dealing for Brown, giving Maye a pair of new weapons atop the team's WR depth chart. As Patra notes, Brown is coming off a down season by his standards (78/1,003/7), but a fresh start while working with a talented young QB like Maye could help spur a bounce-back season on his part. Maye is coming off a 2025 regular season in which he threw for 4,394 yards with 31 TDs and eight picks in 17 games and ran for 450 yards and four rushing scores en route to finishing as the runner-up for last year's NFL MVP award. On the heels of that strong effort, Maye heads into the coming campaign as a highly sought-after fantasy asset at his position, and the addition of Brown - who profiles as a true WR1 -- should only help his cause in 2026.

Likely is expected to work out of the slot as the Giants' receiving tight end this season, John Fennelly of USA Today Giants Wire reports.

According to Fennelly, Likely and Jaxson Dart have already developed a connection during offseason workouts. With Likely expected to be detached from the line of scrimmage, he shouldn't be asked to block much and can focus on making plays in the passing game. Theo Johnson is expected to handle most of the traditional tight end duties for New York. Likely could soak up a good chunk of the short-area, middle-field targets vacated by Wan'Dale Robinson, who left for the Titans in free agency.

As the coming season approaches, Bateman is projected to start at WR for the Ravens alongside Zay Flowers, Clifton Brown of the team's official site reports.

Bateman is coming off a 2025 regular season in which his production was hampered by injuries and tapered off to 19 catches (on 38 targets) for 224 yards and two TDs in 13 games. Assuming improved health this year, the 2021 first-rounder -- who recorded a 45-756-9 receiving line in 17 regular-season contests in 2024 -- is a bounce-back candidate in new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle's attack. Next in line on Baltimore's WR depth chart beyond Flowers and Bateman are returnees Devontez Walker and LaJohntay Wester, as well as rookie draftees Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt.

While Henry returns as the Patriots' top tight end, slotting behind him on the team's depth chart has yet to be solidified following Julian Hill's season-ending knee injury, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

As things stand, Eli Raridon, FB/TE Jack Westover, CJ Dippre and Tanner Arkin are in the mix for tight end targets that don't go Henry's way this season, though it's possible depth is added at the position in the coming weeks. Henry is coming off a 2025 regular season in which he turned in a 60-768-7 line on 87 targets in 17 regular-season games in 2025, and looking ahead to the coming campaign he's on track to maintain a steady weekly fantasy floor while working as a key weapon for QB Drake Maye in New England's passing game.

Lawrence has thrived in the early stages of his second offseason in head coach Liam Coen's system, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Lawrence has seemingly mastered Coen's offensive scheme in advance of training camp, and he's at full health this offseason after having faced limitations last summer due to a recovery from shoulder surgery. Per Shipley, Lawrence displayed command of the downfield passing attack during spring workouts and appears to have established better chemistry with Brian Thomas. The Jaguars have an abundance of riches to draw on in the aerial attack, with Thomas being joined by Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, Travis Hunter (knee) and TE Brenton Strange, so Lawrence is in good position to build on his impressive finish to the 2025 season. Jacksonville averaged 32.8 points per game from Weeks 9 to 18 last year.

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said Thursday that Buchanan (ACL) "has done a great job" this offseason and has had "[one of] the top 1 percent of rehabs that I've seen," 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.

Chances are, Buchanan will begin training camp with a ramp up period, in which he may be limited to individual drills early, but the 2025 fourth-round pick is clearly making tremendous recovery progress. Once back to full health from the ACL tear he suffered in Week 15 of his rookie season, Buchanan is expected to compete for a significant role at inside linebacker.