NFL Player News

Standig was careful to qualify his statements by saying it is “hard to assess” a player’s potential when they are playing against “a bunch of guys that are not going to make this team.” However, Standig did offer a “bold prediction” by saying that he could see Croskey-Merritt “getting into the rotation,” if he can prove his rookie minicamp performance was “real.” Overall, this should be viewed as a qualified yet positive report from a sharp beat reporter, though fantasy managers must acknowledge that Croskey-Merritt has not yet proved himself against NFL veterans. For future reference, Standig adds that Croskey-Merritt curiously goes by “Bill.”

This is the second incoming rookie tight end the Broncos have brought in for a top-30 visit this week. The position remains an area of need despite head coach Sean Payton spending the last three years trying to find a Joker. In his final college season, Klare caught 41-of-53 targets for 420 yards and two touchdowns. Per 9News’ Mike Klis, Klare could potentially be the second tight end drafted this year and is “arguably the most well-rounded.”

Nunez-Roches, 32, played for the Buccaneers from 2018 to 2022 before making his way to the Giants in 2023. He is best suited to a rotational interior pass-rushing role at this point. Nunez-Roches totaled eight quarterback pressures and three sacks last season.

The Broncos’ endless quest to find a Joker tight end for head coach Sean Payton continues. Joly, 21, caught 47-of-66 targets for 468 yards and seven touchdowns in his final college season. He played for UConn from 2022 to 2023 before transferring to NC State in 2024. Joly intriguingly demonstrated remarkable consistency on a per-route basis, averaging between 1.80 and 1.93 yards per route run in regular season play each year. Denver Post’s Luca Evans notes that the Broncos are “doing work” on the incoming tight end class.

Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the teams include the Jets, Cardinals, Titans, Giants, Chiefs, and Cowboys. Rapoport also notes that NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah currently has the Jets drafting Reese via the No. 2 overall pick later in his most recent mock draft. Reese, 20, is a versatile, elite pass rusher who began his college career as a capable inside linebacker.

Bailey’s visits with the Cowboys and Chiefs both occurred this week. His visit with the Cardinals happened the week after the NFL Scouting Combine. The Cowboys hold the 12th and 20th overall picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Chiefs hold the ninth and 29th and the Cardinals hold the third. Earlier today, The Ringer’s Todd McShay reported that there is “a lot of buzz” about the Cowboys trading up with the Cardinals for Bailey, surprisingly saying he heard it might only take a third-round pick throw-in, in the Nos. 90-99 range, to move up from 12th to third. That seems awfully cheap. Regardless, Bailey has a chance to be drafted very early in the first round.

The Colts’ intent to increase Pierce’s involvement was made apparent by the four-year, $116 million contract he signed last month. Downs produced career lows in targets (84), receptions (58) and yards (566) last year, struggling to compete with TE Tyler Warren as a slot weapon. This is the second positive report for Downs this week, though which is encouraging. Downs currently finds himself in the fantasy WR4 discussion, but could improve his standing by becoming the Colts’ go-to pass catcher in the short-to-intermediate target depth this summer. Pierce has a wide range of potential outcomes as he attempts to transition from a downfield role to being the team’s X-receiver. He can be valued similarly to Downs and may possess a higher upside.

Washington also has top-30 visits lined up with the Buccaneers, Packers and Seahawks. Washington stands 6'1/223 and turned heads at the NFL Scouting Combine by running a 4.33-second 40. Per NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, Washington is projected as a Day 2 pick. In his final college season, Washington rushed 167 times for 1,066 yards and eight touchdowns and caught 28-of-36 targets for 226 yards and one touchdown.

Harris visited the Seahawks last week as well. The 28-year-old running back is generating interest as he progresses through his rehab program. He suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture in the Chargers’ Week 3 win over the Broncos last year. During his short 2025 season, he rushed 15 times for 61 yards and caught 3-of-3 targets for 25 yards.

In a lawsuit from February, Rice was accused of “violent and abusive behaviors” filed by the mother of two of his children and former girlfriend, Dacoda Jones. The NFL’s investigation into the matter “is now closed.” Given the nature of Jones’ accusations, Rice was at risk of being suspended this season. With today’s ruling from the league, that is no longer the case. Rice can be expected to once again operate as the Chiefs’ No. 1 pass catcher. His ADP should begin ticking up from its current high-end WR2 range.

The deal includes $50 million at signing and $77 million in total guarantees. Walker, 25, has sacked opposing quarterbacks 29 times in regular season games over his four-year career. He banked four sacks last year, plus 42 quarterback pressures and a career-high 13.0 percent quarterback pressure rate. Fellow Jaguars EDGE Josh Hines-Allen is under contract through 2028. Today’s deal keeps the starting EDGE duo intact long-term.