NFL Player News

Mason was noticeably absent throughout the game, losing playing time to rookie Jeremy Kerley, who caught three passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. Mason’s lone reception didn’t come until late in the fourth quarter. Averaging just 23 yards per week, he’s in danger of losing the No. 3 receiver job.

Underhill outlined his thoughts on the run game in a lengthy piece, exploring how run game coordinator T.J. Paganetti plans to build the run game around his players’ strengths. With RB Travis Etienne set to operate as the lead back, the team can use Kamara selectively in space, running routes, on screens and by exploiting matchups. It remains to be seen whether Kamara, 30, will remain in New Orleans, but it sounds like he could end up with a PPR-friendly FLEX role if he does.

Underhill believes RB Travis Etienne’s skillset “is exactly what the Saints need if inside zone and outside zone are going to remain the base.” That said, the Saints are also excited about Etienne’s versatility. Paganetti praised his intelligence, pass protection, route running ability and added that Etienne is more than just a one-cut runner. If RB Alvin Kamara, 30, remains with the team, Underhill believes Etienne’s presence allows the team to use Kamara selectively, rather than relying on him all game long. Underhill adds that the Saints’ play-action passing game was very efficient in 13 personnel, albeit via a small sample size. The front office added multiple tight ends this offseason and the coaching staff wants the running game “to feed the passing game,” which could mean more runs out of three-tight end sets. Etienne is looking like an RB2 with RB1 upside in an ascending offense.

Underhill’s colleagues, Mike Triplett and John Hendrix, agree. Triplett was the most bearish of the bunch, saying he is not sure that Shough will be able to crack the position’s top 10. Underhill notes that Vegas sports books have Shough in a five-way tie for the sixth-best odds to lead the NFL in passing yards. He adds that he is “not sure” if he can get to sixth, but he knows for sure that he can’t get to 13th. Shough was the QB10 in per-game fantasy scoring from Weeks 8-18, and the upgraded offense is expected to take another step in Year 2 under head coach Kellen Moore. Shough’s top-12 passing potential seems legit, and he has a shot to finish in that range in fantasy as well.

Kittle described Evans as being “the first legit veteran wide receiver [he’s] had on [the] roster since Emmanuel Sanders in 2019,” adding that Evans “takes ball seriously.” The 49ers’ wide receiver corps has had its distractions over the past few seasons, but it appears as though Evans has been a stabilizing presence for the offense. Teammates told The Athletic’s Matt Barrows that “Evans’ length and route-running ability have already been evident,” and Evans has played very well in red zone drills. Evans adds that his change of scenery, from Tampa Bay to San Francisco, has him feeling “rejuvenated.” If his health can hold up, Evans could find himself in the fantasy WR2 tier with touchdown-based upside.

Per NBC Sports Houston’s Aaron Wilson, the rookie wide receiver has now cleared waivers and is a free agent. Walthall struggled to produce in his three seasons at Hawaii before breaking out after transferring to Incarnate Word in 2024. He fared well at the NFL Scouting Combine and could get a chance to make a final roster elsewhere.

Tucker, 25, is now the longest-tenured player in the Raiders’ wide receiver corps. Since being drafted in the 2023 NFL Draft’s third round, Tucker has had four head coaches, seven offensive coordinators, three wide receiver coaches and seven different starting quarterbacks. He has never cleared 700 yards in a single season, but his offensive environment has been a factor. Per Kubiak, Raiders receivers will line up all over the formation, as the X, Z and slot. Last year, Tucker ran 83.2 percent of his routes from the perimeter. Adding interior usage will benefit him. Although TE Brock Bowers will operate as the clear-cut No. 1 pass catcher, Tucker could warrant FLEX treatment if he can secure the No. 2 pass-catcher role/No. 1 wide receiver role this summer.

Then on injured reserve, Benson said he was feeling good when his practice window opened, and he knew this was his “time to shine” as the Cardinals’ lead running back. Unfortunately, he started “going a little too hard” on the practice field and ended up triggering a setback. He was still working his way back onto the practice field as of earlier this week. The Cardinals are currently on break until mandatory minicamp begins on June 8th. Hopefully, Benson can resume practicing then. ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes Benson could be a trade candidate, given the Cardinals’ depth at the running back position. Perhaps, he will receive another time to shine in a new locale.

Earlier today, the team announced that they have voted to advance stadium development plans in Hammond, Indiana, though a site has not yet been chosen. Per Pelissero, the team also still has to get “the financing together [and] the legal documents together,” meaning the move has not yet been finalized. Pelissero notes that the Vikings nearly made a similarly significant location switch in the past and went so far as to make a similar public announcement about its intentions to move. Within a few months, the Minnesota legislature was making the necessary moves to keep the team in its same location. Rich Eisen asked Pelissero if today’s team statement could have been made to an “audience of one,” Governor J.B. Pritzker. Pelissero responded indirectly, noting only that “Illinois really has not presented anything yet,” so a counterproposal could be on the way.

Klein’s hamstring injury is not expected to be a long-term issue. The athletic second-round rookie caught 37 passes for 351 yards and one touchdown over his final two college seasons. The Texans have a decent group of backup tight ends, though many of the veterans have fairly extensive injury histories. Klein may have a chance to earn the TE2 role this season.

Just yesterday, ESPN’s Dan Graziano opined that the Falcons might want to see how Pitts fits in their new offense before committing to a long-term contract. Today, his colleague Marc Raimondi published comments from Pitts, who described the tag as being “kind of like my fifth-year option, but it’s a sixth-year option.” Pitts believes that the new staff’s tag use shows that they see something in him and “trust” him. Tagged players sometimes hold out or argue for a long-term deal. Not Pitts. He is ready to play. Stefanski, a former tight ends coach, has helped deliver TE1 results over the years. Per PFF, flats and hitches were Pitts’ most run routes last year. Based on Stefanski’s 2025 play designs with the Browns, Pitts could run them even more this year, while also running more drags, curls and potentially, overs. Pitts is a TE1 this season, but his range of potential outcomes is still being decided. Hopefully, we learn more during training camp next month.