NFL Player News

Tolbert is facing added competition for snaps, routes and targets after the Dolphins selected three rookie wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft, Matt Sullivan of The Sporting News reports.

Miami's main free agent additions to the wide receiver corps after trading Jayen Waddle to the Broncos and cutting Tyreek Hill (ACL) were Tolbert and Tutu Atwell, who joined incumbent 2024 sixth-round pick Malik Washington atop a wide open depth chart. Those veteran being joined by rookie third-round picks Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell (ACL), as well as fifth-rounder Kevin Coleman, now muddles the breakdown of available targets, especially in what seems like a run-first offense headlined by RB De'Von Achane and new dual-threat QB Malik Willis. Tolbert still figures to get every opportunity to compete for a starting role this offseason, but he and Atwell signed just one-year prove-it deals with Miami so the team has greater incentive to develop Douglas, Bell and Coleman.

The Vikings exercised Addison's fifth-year option Monday.

Vikings EVP of football operations Rob Brzezinski said last month that the team would be making this move, and it's now official. Addison will earn $18 million in 2027 as a result. The 23rd overall pick in the 2023 Draft, Addison has shown flashes of big-time playmaking ability during his first three seasons, but he was also a victim of extremely poor quarterback play during the 2025 campaign. With Kyler Murray now in town to compete with J.J. McCarthy (hand), the Vikings are banking on more competency under center, which should obviously help Justin Jefferson and Addison produce better numbers in the box score.

Washington (thumb) is facing increased competition for targets and snaps after Miami selected three rookie wide receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft, Julio Vasquez of USA Today reports.

Washington remains a major beneficiary of the Dolphins' decision to trade Jaylen Waddle to Denver and cut Tyreek Hill (ACL) this offseason, with an argument to be made that he stands as the No. 1 WR for new QB Malik Willis even after Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell were signed in free agency. Miami adding two third-round rookie wideouts in Caleb Douglas and Chris Bell (ACL), plus Kevin Coleman in the fifth round, doesn't necessarily knock Washington out of the mix for the top spot, but the 2024 sixth-rounder is now facing significantly more competition for targets in what may be a run-first offense led by RB De'Von Achane and Willis' dual-threat abilities. Washington posted 427 total yards on offense and four TDs while also thriving in the return game last season, and he's presumably recovered from the thumb injury he sustained Week 18.

Bills GM Brandon Beane said Monday that the team has "hit the reset button" with Coleman and "thinks his best year is yet to come" during the 2026 season, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN.com reports.

Beane said more than one team approached the Bills about Coleman's availability via trade, but Buffalo "shut those down," according to the general manager. "Our intention is for Keon to be here," Beane continued. Coleman was the subject of criticism following the Bills' early dismissal from the playoffs and subsequent firing of coach Sean McDermott, but it sounds like Buffalo is sticking by the soon-to-be 23-year-old wideout. The first pick of the second round in the 2024 Draft, Coleman has appeared in 26 regular-season games to date, amassing 67 catches for 960 yards and eight touchdowns. He's made 18 starts and figures to push Joshua Palmer (ankle) for a role in three-wide sets alongside Khalil Shakir and trade pickup DJ Moore this coming season.

McMillan is expected to face increased competition for playing time and targets after Tampa Bay used a third-round pick on Ted Hurst in last weekend's 2026 NFL Draft, Scott Smith of the Bucs' official site reports.

The Bucs continued to shake up their wide receiver room by selecting Hurst with the 84th overall pick last Friday. Over the offseason, the team has subtracted Mike Evans, who signed with the 49ers in free agency, and added Hurst to a group that still includes Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, McMillan and Tez Johnson. McMillan missed most of last season with a neck injury before making his debut in Week 15. In four regular-season games, McMillan produced a respectable 12-178-0 receiving line on 15 targets. Egbuka faded fast after a big first half of the campaign, and Godwin didn't look anything like his old self after breaking his ankle in 2024. How this depth chart shakes out during training camp and the preseason will be something to watch for an offense that likes to throw the football.

Vele (shoulder) faces increased competition for playing time and targets after the Saints used three picks on wide receivers in last weekend's 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 one, 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 receiving 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 last weekend's NFL Draft and looks to be a candidate to be traded over the summer. Tillman is 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 receiving 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, though 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.

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 secured 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.

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 receiving yards and six receiving 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' cutdown day, he will have to make his versatile potential clear in training camp.