NFL Player News

The Patriots selected Asiasi in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft, 91st overall.

Asiasi (6-foot-3, 257) was a one-year wonder at UCLA who didn't do anything until his age-22 season, but that one campaign was very productive (44 receptions for 641 yards and four touchdowns on 70 targets). He also showed above-average athleticism at the combine, running a 4.73-second 40-yard dash on a dense frame. With New England's tight end depth chart non-existent otherwise, Asiasi could be an immediate starter.

The Bears selected Kmet in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, 43rd overall.

Kmet (6-foot-6, 262) bears substantial resemblance to fellow former Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph. Kmet is probably a bit more athletic though, with his 4.7-second 40-yard dash and 37-inch vertical indicating considerable pass-catching upside that Rudolph doesn't possess. Kmet could prove Chicago's top tight end from Day 1, even with Jimmy Graham paid an awful lot ($16 million over two years).

Hollister has signed his tender with the Seahawks, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports.

The Seahawks originally placed a second-round tender on Hollister, so it's not much of a surprise that no other team was willing to meet that price. Seattle traded for the 26-year-old tight end last season, sending a seventh-round pick to the Patriots. He ultimately was elevated to the 53-man roster prior to Week 6 and ended the year with 41 receptions for 349 yards and three touchdowns across 11 games. It may be harder to see playing time this season, as he will compete for snaps with the newly acquired Greg Olsen and the returning Will Dissly (Achilles).

Holtz has officially signed his exclusive-rights tender with the Bears, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Holtz played 14 games for the Bears last season and started seven of them. He was used mainly as a blocker but did log seven receptions for 91 yards. His role is not expected to be expanded in 2021, as the team brought in veteran Jimmy Graham for No. 1 tight end duties.

Hill didn't sign an offer sheet before the passing of Friday's deadline and will remain with New Orleans for the 2020 season, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.

The 29-year-old has yet to officially sign his contract tender, but he's no longer able to negotiate with other teams. The Saints placed a first-round tender on Hill in March, which will be worth $4.641 million for the upcoming season. He's set to serve as New Orleans' backup quarterback behind Drew Brees following the departure of Teddy Bridgewater via free agency, but Hill is still expected to work in the gadget role he's become known for.

The Raiders claimed Butler off waivers Thursday, Bill Williamson of RaidersSnakepit.com reports.

Butler now joins a crowded Raiders' tight end corps, led by Darren Waller (thumb), Jason Witten and Foster Moreau (knee). He looks to be competing for a back-end roster spot with Nick O'Leary and Derek Carrier.

Henry, who agreed to sign his franchise tag, is still expected to sign a multi-year deal with the Chargers, Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Henry and the Chargers have until July 15 to comes to terms on an extension, otherwise he'll presumably play under the $10.6 million franchise tag in 2020. The 2016 second-round pick has been a staple of the team's offense when healthy, but knee injuries in consecutive seasons have limited him to just 12 of 32 games. With long-time veteran Philip Rivers now with the Colts, Henry could have an even greater emphasis as a reliable underneath target for whoever is eventually under center to start the new campaign.

The Lions waived Butler on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions after the 2019, but unless he re-signs, he won't begin training camp with the team. Butler had yet to make his NFL debut since going undrafted out of California University (Pa.) in 2018.

Raiders general manager Mike Mayock said Tuesday that Moreau is "ahead of schedule" in his rehab from the left knee injury he suffered in December, Jerry McDonald of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Moreau, who has been conducting his rehab at his college training facility in Baton Rouge, is expected to be back to full health or close to it by the time the Raiders open training camp. As a rookie last season, Moreau proved to be a quality backup to starting tight end Darren Waller, finishing with 21 grabs on 25 targets for 174 yards and five touchdowns. Moreau's snaps could become less consistent in his second year with the Raiders, however, as Las Vegas not only retained Waller but also brought in veteran Jason Witten this offseason to bolster the tight end room.

Henry will sign his $10.61 million franchise tender Monday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Henry was hopeful to secure an extension with the Chargers this offseason, but the poor durability he's shown during his first four NFL seasons may have prevented any discussions about a long-term deal from gaining any serious traction. The franchise tag will at least make him one of the NFL's top-paid tight ends during the 2020 season, when he'll look to prove his health and stay productive as the Chargers move on from longtime signal-caller Philip Rivers. Los Angeles is expected to proceed with Tyrod Taylor as its starter entering training camp, but the team could invest its first-round pick into a quarterback who could challenge the veteran for the top job.