NFL Player News

Teammate Delanie Walker believes Smith can be a star in the NFL, USA Today's Jason Wolf reports. "One day [Smith] will be better than me," said Walker. "And that's his ultimate goal. And if he didn't feel that way, I wouldn't want him here."

Selected in the third round (No. 100 overall) of this year's draft, Smith has drawn comparisons to Walker and Jordan Reed, with his athleticism and pass-catching skill making up for a lack of ideal height for his position. At 6-foot-3, 248 pounds, Smith is actually closer to the league prototype than Walker or Reed, suggesting he could eventually develop into a capable in-line tight end who stays on the field in all situations. For the time being, Smith likely will be brought along slowly behind the 32-year-old Walker, though the rookie could have a limited role from the jump due to the Titans' affinity for two-TE formations. After averaging 4.1 catches per game in his four seasons at FIU, the 21-year-old impressed at the Combine by finishing second among tight ends in the vertical jump, 20-yard shuttle and 60-yard shuttle, also showing well in the 40-yard dash (4.62) and broad jump (127 inches).

Daniels will compete for a reserve spot on the Colts' 53-man roster, Kevin Bowen of the Colts' official site reports.

Daniels was scooped up by the Colts after he went undrafted this spring, and the rookie now has a chance to secure a spot on the depth chart behind Erik Swoope and Jack Doyle. He'll have to beat out the likes of Brandon Williams (concussion), Mo Alie-Cox and Colin Jeter during training camp and the preseason.

Higbee got regular first-team snaps during June minicamp, ESPN.com's Alden Gonzalez reports.

A likely Day 2 selection at one point, Higbee fell to the fourth round of last year's draft due to off-field concerns and a sketchy injury history, and while neither of those potential issues cropped up during his rookie season, he was still remarkably unproductive in catching only 11 of 28 targets for 85 yards and a score in 16 games. With Lance Kendricks no longer around, Higbee is the favorite to enter Week 1 as the Rams' starting tight end, though second-round rookie Gerald Everett still has time to make a push for the job. New head coach Sean McVay made the most of his tight ends -- particularly Jordan Reed -- while serving as offensive coordinator for the Redskins, but McVay will have his hands full working with second-year QB Jared Goff, a shaky offensive line and an unproven group of pass catchers. While the team context is far from ideal for fantasy production, Higbee does have a clear opportunity to earn regular snaps and targets.

Waller (undisclosed) was a participant at the Ravens' minicamp after sitting out voluntary workouts, Luke Jones of wnst.net reports.

Waller was one of three tight ends on the team dealing with an injury, but it does not appear to have been a serious issue. His participation in minicamp seems to indicate he will be healthy entering training camp. He figures to compete to make the final roster and provide depth at tight end.

Engram said he started to gain confidence following a June practice in which he made some big catches and knew all of his assignments, Art Stapleton of The Record reports. "I had a really good day, some really big catches, and I could see I was starting to learn the offense, getting comfortable," Engram said. "There were a couple times, I went out in the slot or in my position [at tight end], and Eli [Manning] gave an adjustment, and I knew exactly what to do, and I felt really confident, and I went and made the play."

Engram may have been slightly intimidated joining an offense with veteran standouts like Eli Manning, Odell Beckham and Brandon Marshall, but it seems the No. 23 overall pick from this year's draft is quickly seeing how he can be an asset to a team that had tight ends account for only 609 of its 4,027 receiving yards and three of its 26 receiving touchdowns last season. Engram may start his career with a part-time role, but his 4.42 speed should make him an immediate asset on passing downs, at the very least. It seems everything has gone in his favor over the last year, as he produced a 65-926-8 receiving line in 11 games during his senior season at Ole Miss, and then tore up the Combine with top-three marks for his position in the three-cone drill and 20-yard shuttle as well as the 40-yard dash. Returning starter Will Tye was one of the league's least explosive and least efficient tight ends last season, producing 8.2 yards per catch and 5.6 per target (on 70 targets).

Paulsen has the skill set and history with head coach Kyle Shanahan to make a serious bid for a roster spot this season, Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee reports.

At 30 years old, Paulsen is the elder statesman of the group of tight ends currently in camp. While that works against him on paper, his size (6-foot-5, 268 pounds), blocking ability and presence as a red-zone threat (six touchdowns on 82 receptions) make the veteran a good fit for Shanahan's offense. Both he and Garrett Celek possess similar skill sets, and they will likely compete for a spot on the depth chart this preseason.

Despite his fourth-round pedigree, Bell (head) will have to compete for a spot on the 49ers' 53-man roster this season, according to Matt Barrows of The Sacramento Bee.

The former quarterback was drafted as a developmental project in 2015, but his lack of production over the last two seasons puts him in a questionable position as the team moves towards training camp July 27. Bell has the size (6-foot-6, 255 pounds) to profile as a prominent red-zone threat, but with plenty of competition in camp, he will have to display progress in his development to make the cut.

Uzomah has been working hard in the offseason to sharpen all aspects of his game, Dan Hoard of the Bengals' official site reports. "I'm trying to work on my hands -- whether it's as a blocker or getting off the jam," Uzomah said. "I'm working on my hips a little bit too. ...I've also been working with Ben (Creamer) from Ignition APG with boxing and hand fighting and he does a great job with that. I did it a little last year but not as much as I will this upcoming year. I think that helps tremendously and translates to the field a lot."

Uzomah had to step up last season after starting tight end Tyler Eifert missed games due to injury. The 24-year-old ended the season with 25 receptions for 234 yards and one score. Uzomah is looking to pick up where he left off last season, but he may have to take a backseat to Eifert (back) and Tyler Kroft (knee) on the depth chart. However, if injuries prevail, the Bengals will have some assurance, knowing that Uzomah is waiting in the wings.

Mayle has been moved to tight end, Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun reports.

The former Cleveland Brown was picked up by the Ravens on waivers toward the end of last season and will now try to crack the roster at a new position. Physically, Mayle's better suited at tight end at the NFL level after running a 4.67 40-yard dash at the Combine, but he's still undersized and has shown a penchant for drops in the past. He'll need to make waves during training camp in order to latch on with the practice squad considering the amount of money the Ravens have tied up in their tight end group.

Kittle, a fifth-round selection in the 2017 draft, got extensive work with the first-string offense during minicamp, Grant Cohn of The Press Democrat reports.

Kittle only had 48 receptions in four seasons playing in a run-heavy offense at the University of Iowa, but his impressive showing at the Combine -- where he ran a 4.52 40 at 6-foot-4, 247 pounds -- suggests he has the potential to pose a major receiving threat in the NFL. His lack of pass-catching experience normally would have him pegged as a developmental prospect, but San Francisco's lack of talent at tight end hints at an open competition for snaps during training camp. Returning starter Vance McDonald (shoulder) was shopped during the draft, while Garrett Celek and Logan Paulsen are mostly valued for their contributions as run blockers. Kittle could make a push for one of the top two spots on the Week 1 depth chart.