NFL Player News

The Chargers have used free agency to stockpile players custom made for McDaniel’s Shanahan-style offense, including fullback Alex Ingold and tight end Charlie Kolar. Popper describes Kolar as “an elite run blocker who is an ideal fit in McDaniel’s movement offense” who “will allow Oronde Gadsden to play in a role that maximizes the 2025 fifth-round pick’s receiving skill set.” Gadsden was a welcome surprise in fantasy circles last season, totaling 664 yards and three touchdowns on 49 receptions. He ranked 14th among 50 qualifying tight ends in yards per route run, in line with Tyler Warren and Harold Fannin. If he runs 60 or 70 percent of the Chargers’ routes in 2026, Gadsden could be a tight end to target late in drafts.

Mahomes is rehabbing ahead of schedule after a torn ACL/LCL ended his 2025 season. If all goes according to plan, it will be just under a nine-month recovery for him, which is on the quicker end of most ACL/LCL recover anticipated timelines. Rapoport reports Mahomes has been spending “seven hours or so in the building rehabbing as much as humanly possible.” It’s still an awfully optimistic timeline but Mahomes is targeting a Week 1 return and it “certainly does seem like Mahomes is on track to be on the field Week 1", according to Rapoport.

The July 15th deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term deals came and went without Pickens signing a new deal. Cowboys executive vice president Steven Jones had said in April that “there won’t be negotiations on a long-term deal” with Pickens. The 25-year-old wide receiver showed up for mandatory minicamp and does not plan to hold out of training camp, either. He will play on a $27.3 million franchise tag and will either reach a contract extension after the season or enter unrestricted free agency in 2027. Pickens will be the WR2 across from CeeDee Lamb in 2026; both have ceilings in the fantasy WR1 range.

Grier was drafted by the Panthers in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He made two starts as a rookie and hasn’t seen the field since. Grier spent time with five different teams after being released by the Panthers. He returned to Charlotte this offseason but decided against another year of football. His career ends with 228 yards, zero touchdowns, and four interceptions.

It’s almost certainly a pay cut for Kamara, but the Saints could also be throwing him a bone with incentives or extra years on his deal. The Saints spent much of the offseason trying to get Kamara to agree to a new deal but had little leverage to make it happen. Kamara has talked about wanting to finish his career in New Orleans, so he may have decided to concede financially in order to stay put. He will likely pitch in on passing downs to take some work of Travis Etienne’s plate. Etienne, however, still figures to see the bulk of the carries and some designed targets.

Furones also lists Greg Dulcich as a player that was a primary receiver for Willis, but we’ve done plenty of offseason hype on Dulcich. Tolbert appears to be a potential “someone has to catch a ball here” deep league pick, as he’s well off the fantasy radar at this point. He’s not off the board among the top-100 wideouts in ADP. The ceiling is likely low, but if he can emerge as the top option amongst Miami’s wideouts, Tolbert could be a viable WR3/WR4 at points this year.

Smith, who received a two-year, $25 million contract from the Texans this offseason, was limited during the spring as he dealt with the aftermath of the surgery. It’s not exactly a promising sign for his availability that NBC’s Aaron Wilson went with the term “tracking towards” here. Trent Brown figures to see some time with the ones early in training camp.

This is something of an annual drum beat from Titans camp. Spears suffered an ankle injury early last season that limited his reps. We’re sure if he can stay healthy, his overall share of the backfield snaps and touches will increase. But it’s hard to understand how he’d suddenly become the lead back in Tennessee without an injury to Tony Pollard.

Prosecutors told The Athletic that Jackson will not be facing criminal charges as a result of a domestic violence arrest in June. The 28-year-old was arrested on a felony domestic battery charge after police responded to a call to his home. However, charges are not being filed against him. Jackson has started 45 regular-season games for the Rams over the last three seasons and was also facing legal issues after he was sued in November 2025 by “a woman who accused him of recording sexual acts with her without her consent.” This case is headed for pre-filing diversion, which may constitute a violation of the league’s Personal Conduct Policy and still lead to a suspension, pending league review.

Snowden had a DUI in 2024. He’s not a surefire bet to make the Cowboys roster either way, but this certainly won’t help his chances.

Skinner, a UDFA who spent last year mostly on the Jets practice squad (he had one catch for 10 yards in Week 18), will be competing for an end-of-roster spot in training camp with Buffalo.