NFL Player News

Harris could have competition within the wide receiver room after the Chargers selected Brenen Thompson 105th overall during the 2026 NFL Draft.

New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel reportedly had significant interest in Thompson because of his blazing 4.26 40-yard dash, reminiscent of the wide receiver archetype he valued as a head coach in Miami. It's hard to tell if the Chargers will have designated plays for Thompson, or if that role will feature Harris, the 2025 second-round pick who made his bones at the collegiate level as a RPO specialist. Harris' rookie year was relatively mundane (30-324-1) despite playing all 17 regular-season games, but with Keenan Allen potentially no longer on the roster, there's overall more opportunities available in Los Angeles in what figures to be a more pass-happy scheme come 2026.

Emerson is visiting the Saints on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

The Mississippi State product was sidelined for Cleveland's entire 2025 campaign due to a torn Achilles, but he's now visited with the Texans and Saints in April, suggesting he's moved past the issue. Emerson was a crucial part of the Browns' defense from 2022 to 2023, appearing in 33 regular-season games and logging 122 total tackles and 29 passes defensed, including four interceptions.

Burton signed with the Browns on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

The 34-year-old fullback from Rutgers is now joining the Browns after spending each of the last two seasons with the Broncos. Burton appeared in all 34 of Denver's regular-season games during that span, rushing 14 times for 17 yards and a touchdown while catching all 13 of his targets for 73 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, he was a major special-teams contributor, tallying 10 total tackles and one forced fumble across 577 snaps. Expect Burton to assume a similar role for Cleveland during the 2026 season.

Jennings is visiting with the Vikings on Tuesday and Wednesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Now that the NFL Draft has passed, signings no longer count toward the compensatory formula for next year's Draft, which should lead to a flurry of activity around the league and its remaining free agents. Jennings hasn't drawn a known whiff of interest in his time on the market over the last month-plus, but this could help jumpstart his free agency. The 28-year-old had a productive five seasons in San Francisco, amassing 210 catches for 2,581 yards and 22 touchdowns as a trusted third-down and red-zone weapon for Brock Purdy in recent seasons. He'd be a terrific fit in Minnesota between Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

Lowry has now decided to take additional time to work his way back into shape after it was reported Sunday that he re-signed with the Steelers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Despite not taking a physical, Rapoport added that Lowry has been fully cleared to return from a knee injury that sidelined him for all of last season. The 2016 fourth-round pick from Northwestern spent his 2024 campaign with the Steelers, appearing in 12 games and recording five total tackles and one pass defensed across 177 total snaps (148 on defense, 29 on special teams).

Plumlee was waived by the Steelers on Tuesday, Alan Saunders of SteelersNow.com reports.

Plumlee signed a reserve/future contract with the Steelers' in January after spending some time on their practice squad during the 2025 season. However, it now appears Pittsburgh has decided to part ways with the UCF product. The 25-year-old has yet to appear in an NFL game as he continues to transition from quarterback to wide receiver.

The Patriots released Mitchell on Tuesday, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

The 27-year-old running back from Louisiana inked a reserve/future contract with New England in early February, but it now appears the team has decided to move in another direction. Mitchell's last in-game action came with the Chiefs in 2025, when he appeared in one contest and failed to catch his lone target across seven offensive snaps.

The Steelers assigned Rodgers the right-of-first-refusal UFA tender Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Rodgers reportedly had not notified Pittsburgh of his plans for the 2026 season ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft, in which the team added Drew Allar (ankle) in the third round to join Mason Rudolph and Will Howard in the quarterback room. The right-of-first-refusal tender means the Steelers will receive exclusive negotiation rights with Rodgers if he doesn't sign anywhere by July 22, per Schefter, or the start of the summer's first training camp if that date is earlier. Before that date, Rodgers remains free to sign with another team, though Pittsburgh would have the right of first refusal, and by all appearances the 42-year-old veteran intends to stick with the Steelers if he plays another season. Rodgers' tender would provide a 10 percent raise on the one-year, $13.65 million contract he played under in 2025.

The Eagles picked up Carter's fifth-year option Monday, Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

The cost to maintain Carter's services through 2027 comes at a hefty $27 million. The defensive tackle earned Pro Bowl honors in both 2024 and 2025, adding value to his fifth-year option. Carter missed multiple games due to various injuries last season, as well as being ejected in Week 1 for an incident involving him spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. When Carter was on the field, he produced 33 tackles (21 solo), including 3.0 sacks, and seven passes defensed over 12 regular-season games (really 11 since he was ejected before the first snap of Week 1).

The Eagles exercised Smith's fifth-year option Monday, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

Smith will earn another $13.7 million, guaranteeing his services to the Eagles through 2027. The linebacker is coming off a slightly disappointing season that was spoiled by a lingering triceps injury he originally suffered during training camp. Despite the issue, Smith still started 12 regular-season games, logging 31 tackles (15 solo), including 3.0 sacks. Headed into 2026 healthy, Smith will look to produce a year similar to his 2024 season (42 tackles, including 6.5 sacks), which would help greatly in long-term extension discussions with the organization.