NFL Player News

Patterson signed a contract with the Raiders on Monday, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Patterson spent the first four years of his career in Minnesota, although high expectations for the athletic receiver were never met after a rookie season where he compiled a career-best 469 receiving yards and nine total touchdowns. At 25 years old, Patterson initially slots into the No. 4 spot on the depth chart behind Seth Roberts, but it's not a foregone conclusion that Roberts will remain ahead of Patterson when the 2017 campaign ultimately kicks off. Additionally, Patterson will likely serve as the team's top kick returner moving forward.

Ellington signed a one-year deal Monday to remain with the Cardinals, Kent Somers of AzCentral.com reports.

Ellington impressed as a rookie sixth-round pick in 2013, totaling over 1,000 yards and averaging 6.5 yards per touch on offense, but injuries and the emergence of David Johnson have combined to diminish his role in Arizona's backfield since. This past season, Ellington saw merely 46 touches, despite playing in all 16 games. While his signing could mean the Cardinals don't bring back Chris Johnson, perhaps clearing him for second-string duties, David Johnson's status as one of the league's best tailbacks leaves Ellington's fantasy stock rooted in need of an injury to his teammate.

Vereen (triceps) is expected to receive his $500k roster bonus by Monday's deadline, signaling he's a part of the Giants' plans for the upcoming season, NFL Network's Kimberly Jones reports.

Vereen's second season in New York was limited to just five appearances due to a triceps injury. While that absence allowed fellow tailback Paul Perkins to develop nicely over the course of his rookie campaign, the Giants' current lack of other backfield options explains their desire to keep Vereen around. Although the team could certainly add another tailback this offseason, Vereen now entering the final year of his contract should add fuel to his desire for a bounce-back season.

Patterson has already visited the Bears and Redskins, but he said Saturday he hopes to stay with the Vikings, the St. Paul Pioneer Prees reports.

Patterson is flying around the country to evaluate the market for his services, with the next stop believed to be Oakland. While players typically opt for the best deal available on their second contracts, Patterson might consider giving the Vikings a slight discount. He re-emerged as a factor in the Minnesota offense last season, catching 52 passes for 453 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 70 targets, in addition to his typically excellent work as a kickoff returner. Patterson will likely have to compete for a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver role wherever he ends up signing.

Murray, an unrestricted free agent, will visit the Seahawks, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Over the last three seasons with the Raiders, Murray has variously served as the lead back and shared the load, yet he's still cranked out 2,278 yards at a clip of 4.2 YPC. Moreover, he's coming off a campaign in which he ranked fifth in the NFL with 12 rushing touchdowns. The Seahawks are meeting with a number of running backs in the coming days -- also, Eddie Lacy, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com -- perhaps in an effort to build up a backfield beset by injuries to Thomas Rawls and C.J. Prosise (shoulder) in 2016.

Rodgers agreed to a two-year contract to stay in Tampa Bay, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Released by Chicago after the preseason, Rodgers surprisingly found himself in a prominent role with Tampa Bay later in the year, helping the Bucs overcome injuries to Doug Martin (suspension) and Charles Sims (pectoral). Rodgers is probably only the third option when everyone's available, but Martin and Sims have both struggled to stay healthy, and Martin has three games remaining on the suspension he was handed in December.

Oliver (Achilles) will not be tendered by the Chargers, Michael Gehlken reported on Thursday.

This opens the door for Oliver to become an unrestricted free agent, however there is a chance the Chargers opt to bring back the 25-year-old, especially after reportedly losing Danny Woodhead to the Ravens. Oliver missed the entire season after tearing his Achilles, but reports indicate his rehab has progressed well.

Williams signed a one-year, $1.797 million tender with the Dolphins on Thursday, Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald reports.

Williams will therefore be able to have any offer in 2017 free agency matched by the Dolphins. The fourth-year back recorded 35 attempts for 115 yards and three touchdowns in 2016, but fellow backs Jay Ajayi and Kenyan Drake will likely limit Williams' production going forward.

The Eagles are not expected to place a restricted free agent tender on Barner (hamstring), who will thus become an unrestricted free agent at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday, CSN Philadelphia reports.

With Darren Sproles, Wendell Smallwood and Ryan Mathews (for now) already on the roster, Philadelphia decided not to place a one-year, $1.8 million original-round RFA tender on Barner, a 27-year-old scat back who can contribute in the return game. The Eagles might still consider retaining Barnes at a lower price, but he'll at least have a shot to test the waters of unrestricted free agency.

West was extended an original-round tender by the Ravens on Tuesday, Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports.

West, a former third-round selection, would net the Ravens a compensatory third-round pick if he were to be signed to an offer sheet by another team after being tendered by Baltimore. The 26-year-old running back had a bit of a renaissance in Baltimore last season as he led the team in rushing (774 yards) and rushing touchdowns (5). Given that he carries such a high original-round tender, it's unlikely that another team would pursue signing him to an offer sheet. With that, look for West and Kenneth Dixon to be Baltimore's primary backs in 2017.