NFL Player News

Vele (shoulder) faces increased competition for playing time and targets after the Saints used three picks on wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft, Katherine Terrell of ESPN.com reports.

New Orleans used the No. 8 overall pick on Jordyn Tyson, who figures to start alongside Chris Olave from Day 1, and later on the Saints took Bryce Lance in the fourth round and Barion Brown in the sixth. Acquired from the Broncos during the preseason last summer, Vele appeared in 13 regular-season games for the Saints, making seven starts, and produced a 25-293-2 line on 39 targets. Following the trade of Rashid Shaheed to Seattle, Vele became a starter but was injured in Week 15 and missed the final three contests. Capable of playing the slot or outside and on special teams, Vele should have a role in 2026, but the target competition is much stiffer.

Tillman will face increased competition for snaps and targets after the Browns drafted a pair of rookie wide receivers in first-rounder KC Concepcion and second-rounder Denzel Boston in the 2026 Draft, Zac Jackson of The Athletic reports.

Tillman was categorized by Jackson as one of the Browns' biggest losers following the draft and looks to be a candidate to be traded over the summer. He's headed into the final year of his rookie contract but has shown glimpses of playmaking ability when paired with a quarterback who can push the ball down the field and outside the numbers. He has a career 71-833-5 line on 132 targets across 38 regular-season appearances. Boston is viewed as Cleveland's perimeter wide receiver of the future, according to Jackson.

Legette is facing additional competition for snaps and targets after Carolina selected Chris Brazzell in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Legette, a 2024 first-round pick, is coming off a disappointing Year 2 campaign in which he totaled just a 35-353-3 line (64 targets) across 15 regular-season appearances, lower totals than not only Tetairoa McMillan, the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year, but also Jalen Coker, who logged just 11 regular-season appearances. As such, Legette projects as no better than the No. 3 WR for QB Bryce Young in 2026, and his role as a deep threat could be challenged by Brazzell, who boasts 4.37 speed and a 6-foot-4 frame. This offseason will be crucial for Legette, as his already marginal fantasy value will take a steep hit if Brazzell is able to encroach on reps in three-wide sets alongside McMillan and Coker.

Benson (knee) faces even more competition in the Arizona backfield after the Cardinals used the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 Draft on Jeremiyah Love on Thursday, Darren Urban of the team's official site reports.

Along with Love, who projects to vault right to the top of the depth chart at running back, the Cardinals also signed Tyler Allgeier and restructured James Conner's contract over the offseason. Benson has never played a single regular-season snap on special teams in his career but may have to learn if he's going to stick in Arizona. The more likely outcome may be that Benson is traded to a team in need of backfield depth before Week 1. The 2024 third-round pick has a career 92-451-1 rushing line, good for a strong 4.9 yards per carry.

Walker will face increased competition for touches after the Ravens drafted a pair of rookie wideouts in Ja'Kobi Lane (third round) and Elijah Sarratt (fourth round) in the 2026 NFL Draft, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports.

Walker seemed like the top candidate for the No. 3 receiver role behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman (illness) prior to the 2026 NFL Draft, but the third-year pro may now need to impress in a competition this offseason in order to secure more than a situational role. Through his first two seasons in the league, Walker has hauled in only seven of 11 targets, but he's made an impact on those limited touches, with 157 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Rookie tight ends Matthew Hibner (fourth round) and Josh Cuevas (fifth round) also represent added competition for targets.

Lowry (knee) is slated to sign with the Steelers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Lowry suffered a knee injury in early August 2025, rendering him unable to play for the entire season. The defensive end last played for the Steelers in 2024, producing five tackles, including 1.0 sacks, over a 12-game span. The 31-year-old should provide cheap and experienced depth to the Steelers' defensive line as the team prepares for the 2026 season.

The 49ers signed Dinkins as an undrafted free agent Sunday.

Dinkins caught 37 passes for 399 yards and seven touchdowns across his four seasons at Penn State. With George Kittle (Achilles) and Jake Tonges (foot) both dealing with injuries, Dinkins has a chance to make the team's final roster.

The 49ers signed Pauling as an undrafted free agent Sunday.

Pauling ended his final college season at Notre Dame, starting six games at wide receiver for the Fighting Irish. The 23-year-old accumulated 26 receptions for 381 yards and six touchdowns over 12 contests as a fifth-year senior. Pauling's speed and quickness provide upside for him as a special-teams producer that can also develop offensive value. If he wants to survive the 49ers' cut-down day, he will have to make his versatility potential clear in training camp.

The Jaguars signed Taylor as an undrafted free agent Sunday.

Taylor's 222 carries with Virginia in 2025 give him extensive experience to bring to the Jaguars' camp. The durable dual-threat running back may be undersized, but he holds onto the ball and plays with great physicality. Now officially a Jaguar, Taylor will compete with the rest of the running back room for potential meaningful snaps in 2026.

The Jaguars signed Pena as an undrafted free agent Sunday.

Pena, a sixth-year senior, played his first five college seasons with Syracuse before ending his college journey at Penn State. The wide receiver started eight games in 2025 and participated in 13, totaling 49 receptions for 552 yards and two touchdowns. Pena's average size (5-foot-10, 187 pounds) and speed will do him no favors at the NFL level, but his toughness and intuitive feel for space may sneak him onto an NFL roster as a punt return option.