NFL Player News

Patterson said head coach Bill Belichick informed him that the Patriots informed him they believe they get can the most out of his potential, Zack Cox of NESN.com reports.

Belichick's comments hint at an important role on offense for Patterson, who was acquired from the Raiders earlier this offseason in exchange for a swap of late-round draft picks. The minimal compensation suggests the 27-year-old may need to compete for a roster spot, a notion that's supported by the team's recent addition of Jordan Matthews (knee, ankle). Patterson has led the league in kickoff return average three times in five professional seasons, but his $3 million salary (per OverTheCap.com) nonetheless could make it tough to justify keeping him if he doesn't prove worthy of a key role in the New England offense. He'll need to compete with Jordan Matthews, Malcolm Mitchell (knee), Phillip Dorsett and Kenny Britt, all of whom should slot in behind the leading duo of Chris Hogan and Julian Edelman (knee). The 2013 first-round pick has 163 catches and 44 carries in 80 career games, averaging 10.0 yards per reception, 6.3 per target and 10.3 per carry.

The Broncos had a verbal agreement earlier this offseason to trade Anderson to the Dolphins for right tackle Ja'Wuan James, Troy Renck of Denver 7 ABC reports.

The Dolphins reportedly changed their minds and decided not to acquire Anderson, who previously signed a four-year, $18 million offer sheet with Miami in March 2016 (Denver matched the deal). The 27-year-old still isn't assured of sticking with the Broncos, as he doesn't have guaranteed money remaining on the aforementioned contract. It's surprising that Miami nearly gave up one of its better linemen for a running back with a $4.5 million cap hit, especially considering how good Kenyan Drake looked in December. The Dolphins may be skeptical of Drake's ability to handle a full workload for more than a few weeks, and they didn't have real depth until they signed Frank Gore on March 22. On the other side of the nixed deal, Denver's willingness to trade Anderson hints at some degree of confidence in Devontae Booker and De'Angelo Henderson, though a glut of backfield talent in the upcoming draft may have been the larger factor. The use of an early pick on a running back likely would signal the end of Anderson's tenure in Denver.

Williams is working out for the Chiefs, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Despite starting six games for the Cardinals last season, Williams doesn't seem to be drawing much interest on the backup running back market in free agency. He'd merely compete for a roster spot in Kansas City, where Kareem Hunt, Charcandrick West, Spencer Ware (knee) and Damien Williams (shoulder) are already on the roster. West ultimately may be a cap casualty, but there would still be ample competition for backup work, assuming Ware and (Damien) Williams make full recoveries from their respective injuries. (Kerwynn) Williams likely will have to settle for a contract around the veteran's minimum after averaging 3.6 yards on 120 carries and 6.2 yards on 15 targets last season.

Mostert (knee) signed his exclusive-rights free-agent tender Wednesday, Daniel Brown of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

A key special-teams player for the 49ers, Mostert is on the mend from an MCL injury that landed him on injured reserve 11 games into the 2017 season. While it isn't clear where he stands in his recovery, there doesn't seem to be any concern that he's at risk of missing mandatory minicamp in June, let alone training camp in late July or early August.

Atkinson was waived by the Chiefs on Wednesday.

Atkinson spent most of the 2017 season on the Chiefs practice squad and was later signed to a reserve/future contract in January, but it's clear he's no longer a part of the team's long-term plans. The Notre Dame product will be free to sign elsewhere should he pass through waivers unclaimed.

Cunningham will re-sign with the Bears, Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Cunningham will thus reprise his role as a depth back and core special teams player for the Bears after carrying nine times for 29 yards and catching 20 passes for 240 yards and two TDs for the team in 2017. From a fantasy standpoint, however, Cunningham is clearly behind both lead back Jordan Howard and top change-of-pace man Tarik Cohen.

Rawls signed with the Jets on Friday.

Rawls burst onto the scene as an undrafted rookie in 2015, taking 147 carries for 830 yards (5.6 average) and four touchdowns in 13 games for the Seahawks. He suffered a major ankle injury late in the year and hasn't looked the same ever since, managing just 506 yards and three scores on 167 carries (3.0 YPC) the past two seasons. Rawls likely will need to compete for a roster spot behind Isaiah Crowell and BIlal Powell in New York.

Daniels (hand) was waived by Washington on Thursday, Stephen Czarda of the Redskins' official site reports.

Daniels appeared in four games for the Redskins as a rookie in 2017, totaling just 14 yards on three carries. Now presumably past the broken hand that landed him on IR last December, the 22-year-old will look to catch on elsewhere as a depth back, special teams player, or practice squad member.

Rawls is slated to visit the Jets on Thursday, the New York Daily News reports.

The 24-year-old logged 157 rushing yards on 58 carries in 12 games for the Seahawks last season, a far cry from the 5.6 yards per carry effort he turned in (on 147 attempts) as a rookie in 2015. If Rawls joins the Jets backfield, he'd profile as a depth option, with Isaiah Crowell, Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire already in the mix.

Rawls has a visit with the Jets planned for Thursday, Brian Costello of the New York Post reports.

Upon the start of free agency March 14, Rawls became a free agent after the Seahawks opted not to extend him a tender. The meeting with the Jets will be his first with any team, but the fit doesn't seem like an ideal one in a crowded backfield. The team already made one splash on the running-back market with the early signing of Isaiah Crowell, who joined holdovers Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire. Expect Rawls' health to be a large part of any conversation with teams after he missed 14 games in his three seasons in Seattle.