NFL Player News

Signed to a two-year deal as Vonta Leach’s replacement last August, Vickers had a bounce-back season after a down 2010, but performed nowhere near the level the Texans had become accustomed to with Leach. The Texans will continue to feature James Casey as their fullback moving forward.

Payton said he’s wanted a versatile pass catcher in the Denver offense, and signed Engram to take on that role. “I use that term for when you have one of those guys who are matchup challenges inside,” Payton said at the NFL Scouting Combine last month. “It really helps you (on) third down and (in the) red zone. There are ways defensively you can handle the outside receivers and force the ball inside. That is something we will look closely at.” Engram, who signed with the Broncos on a two year deal worth $23 million, has been one of the league’s most productive tight ends over the past two seasons and could step in as Denver’s No. 2 pass catcher behind Courtland Sutton in 2025. Engram in 2024 saw a target on 27 percent of his pass routes, fourth best among tight ends.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton has long deployed running backs as a key part of his passing offense. That didn’t change in 2024, with a quarter of early-down pass attempts going to Denver backs. That Jaleel McLaughlin and Javonte Williams proved to be among the least efficient pass-catching backs in the NFL last season has left the Broncos with a need to fill this offseason. They parted with Williams, who signed with Dallas. Payton seemed not to trust McLaughlin with the pass-catching role in 2024, and for good reason: McLaughlin ranked 54th out of 57 qualifying running backs in yards per route run. “It all creates major questions about how the Broncos will address a critical part of their offense,” Kosmider said. "[The Broncos] have closely evaluated what experts call one of the deeper running back classes in recent memory. They allotted many of their allowed meetings with prospects at the combine to the position and will continue to monitor the group at pro days around the country this month. They’ll meet with more running backs at their facility during top-30 visits.” Denver holds the 20th pick in the first round of the 2025 draft.

McCarthy told Kay Adams on Monday that Minnesota coaches had not named him the starter after the team said last week it would not pursue Aaron Rodgers “at this time.” Coming off a knee injury that cost him his entire rookie campaign, McCarthy appears to be the favorite for the team’s Week 1 starting job. His recovery and performance in training camp could complicate things, however. NFL Network reported last week that the Vikings had rejected trade calls for McCarthy this offseason. McCarthy would certainly be set up for success in Kevin O’Connell’s QB-friendly system: The pass-catching trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and TJ Hockenson represent one of the best in the league.

The team, according to Teicher, had no intention of letting Brown explore free agency this spring. After missing much of the 2024 season with a shoulder injury he sustained in the preseason, Brown, entering his age-28 season, re-signed with the Chiefs on a one year deal worth $11 million. Kansas City coaches and players have been effusive with their praise of Brown, who had nine catches on 15 targets over two regular season games in 2024. “What impressed me so much about Hollywood is that everybody told me he was a fast guy but not everyone told me how much he can actually do on the football field and you could see it,” Patrick Mahomes said. “He can run those over-the-middle routes. He can run really good routes and he can run deep. It’s not like fast is the only thing that he can do.” Brown will join Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice in three-wideout sets in 2025. KC’s offense used three receivers on about half of its offensive snaps last season.

The supremely confident quarterback said after his pro day workout on Monday that he showed why the Titans should take him with the top pick in the draft. "[I told them] ‘I’m solidifying it today,’” Ward said. “They finally got to see me throw in person. That should be all they need to see. But at the end of the day ... I’m going to be happy whatever team I go to. I’m just trying to play football.” The Titans had a cavalry of coaches and front office officials at Ward’s pro day, where he showed off his mobility, arm strength, and accuracy from the pocket. Ward in his lone season at Miami set single-season records for passing yards, completions, passing touchdowns, and completion percentage. The Titans are reportedly “pretty comfortable” with hanging on to the No. 1 pick and taking Ward as a franchise QB after 2023 second round QB Will Levis flamed out in 2024.

The 10-year NFL veteran should provide depth along one of the top performing offensive lines from a season ago. Lamm has appeared in 119 games for the Texans, Browns, Titans, and Dolphins, 44 of which have been starts. He started 16 games in Miami during his three seasons with the team.

Fotu visited with both the Raiders and Bills this offseason before ultimately deciding to join the Raiders. The fifth-year vet was limited to just two games last year due to injuries, but he started nine of the 11 games he appeared in for the Cardinals in 2023, where he recorded 28 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Fotu is a former fourth-round pick who has 22 starts under his belt. He’ll join a defensive line that is hoping to have last year’s hot free agent, Christian Wilkins, back and healthy following an injury-plagued 2024 season.

Jefferson un-retired in 2024 and joined the Chargers on a one-year deal. He ended up opening the year on the practice squad but was later signed to the active roster. He would go on to appear in eight regular season games while making four starts and racked up 27 tackles and one TFL in limited action. The team’s decision to bring him back doesn’t mean he’ll be a lock to make the 53-man roster. Jefferson will likely still have to compete for a spot in training camp.

The former North Dakota State product visited with the Saints and Seahawks and chose New Orleans. He’ll likely replace Lucas Patrick’s role inside and compete with 2023 fourth-rounder Nick Saldiveri to start for the team at left guard. Radunz also has tackle experience so he would make a versatile backup if that winds up being his role.

It’s not the first time Wolf has suggested this, but speaking in front of season ticket holders over the weekend, the Patriots GM doubled down on a line he said earlier this offseason at the scouting combine. According to Wolf, the team “filled a lot of needs already in free agency,” which he hopes will allow them to take the BPA in next month’s draft. The Patriots hold the No. 4 overall pick in the draft, which could give them a chance to land Colorado WR/CB Travis Hunter, who could fill multiple needs wherever he ends up. If they were drafting for need, they’d likely settle on a left tackle at No. 4 overall.