NFL Player News

Hodges signed a contract with the Jets on Tuesday, Ethan Greenberg of the Jets' official site reports.

Hodges, a sixth-round selection in the 2017 Draft, was waived-injured by the Vikings back in September and then spent six weeks on the Panthers' practice squad. He'll now compete with Neal Sterling and Jordan Leggett for a reserve tight end role this season.

Smith (knee) traveled to Los Angeles for on-field workouts in mid-March with teammates Marcus Mariota, Corey Davis, Rishard Matthews, Taywan Taylor and Tajae Sharpe, Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com reports.

Despite suffering a torn MCL in a divisional-round playoff loss to New England, the 2017 third-round pick wasn't wearing a knee brace in the group photo from the recent workout session. His ability to run routes and catch passes suggests he should be available next week when the Titans begin their offseason program under new head coach Mike Vrabel. Smith should see a slight uptick from last year's total of 30 targets, but there won't be a ton of room for growth unless Delanie Walker struggles to stay healthy. The two tight ends have similar physical profiles, with Smith perhaps setting up as the heir apparent to his 33-year-old teammate. Walker will turn 34 in August, with Smith then celebrating his 23rd birthday just 10 days later.

Niklas visited the Patriots on Monday, WEEI.com reports.

Niklas logged 11 catches for 132 yards and a touchdown in 15 games for the Cardinals in 2017. If the 2014 second-rounder does join the Patriots, he'd provide the team with added depth at tight end behind Rob Gronkowski, who is expected back for the 2018 season after having reportedly mulled retirement.

Hooper was mentioned by head coach Dan Quinn at this week's NFL owners meetings as one player who the Falcons expect elevated performance from in 2018, D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. "I'm really looking forward to where Austin Hooper is going to go," Quinn said this week at the NFL owners meeting, "In the run game, he can get better... (but) he's a really committed football guy. I think there will be a big jump."

Hooper increased his catch total from 19 during his rookie campaign to 49 in his sophomore season, but Quinn still sees substantial room for growth in the young tight end's game. It's likely that improvement as a blocker would help Hooper increase his snap count from last season's 76.6 percent, but more consistent production as a receiver would also significantly bolster his chances of being a part of the Falcons' long-term plans. Hooper enjoyed a promising first half of the season in 2017, averaging nine fantasy points per game in PPR scoring through Week 10 before seeing that figure tumble to 3.2 in the second half.

Paulsen and the Falcons agreed to terms Wednesday on a one-year contract, Will McFadden of the team's official website reports.

After parting ways with Levine Toilolo earlier this offseason, the Falcons found themselves in need of a blocking tight end. Paulsen has never been a prolific receiving threat in his seven-year career -- he recorded a career-high 28 catches for Washington in 2013 -- but is capable in both pass protection and in opening holes for running backs. The 49ers utilized Paulsen almost exclusively as a blocker in 2017, with the 31-year-old drawing just two targets across 144 offensive snaps over 14 games.

Lewis was released by the Jaguars on Tuesday.

The Jaguars previously exercised their $3.5 million contract option for Lewis in 2018, which set the stage for the 2006 first-rounder to return for a 13th campaign with Jacksonville. However, the team changed course following the subsequent free agent additions of fellow tight ends Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Niles Paul. Lewis caught 24 passes for 318 yards and five touchdowns this past season, but at this stage of his career, the 33-year-old's blocking and pass protection are his primary calling cards.

Graham's three-year contract with the Packers is official, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Graham had only eight scores in 27 games his first two seasons in Seattle, then suffered a massive drop off in efficiency (9.1 yards per catch, 5.3 per target) while hitting paydirt 10 times last year. He'll have a shot to put it all together in Green Bay, where he'll join forces with Aaron Rodgers, Davante Adams and Randall Cobb in a passing game that no longer has Jordy Nelson around to hog red-zone targets. The 31-year-old tight end isn't the same player he was during his peak years in New Orleans, but Rodgers should help mask the loss of speed and agility. All bets are off if Rodgers gets hurt again and Graham has to play with a backup.

McGrath didn't receive a qualifying offer or minimum tender from the Chargers and has become an unrestricted free agent, per the league's official transaction log.

McGrath spent the past two years with the Chargers, serving primarily on special teams but also logging snaps on offense as a blocking specialist. He'll likely fill a similar role wherever he may land this offseason.

Ertz has restructured his contract with the Eagles, an agreement that will create $5.047 million in salary cap space for the team, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Fellow key cog, right tackle Lane Johnson, also restructured his deal with Philadelphia, with the resulting cap space giving the team added flexibility in free agency. Ertz is coming off a 2017 campaign in which he caught 74 passes for 824 yards and a career-high eight TDs in 14 games. He remains atop the Eagles' tight end depth chart, but who backs him up remains to be seen, with Trey Burton now with the Bears and Brent Celek having been released. In any case, Ertz will remain the team's top pass-catching option at the position, a context that will result in the 27-year-old retaining his status as a quality fantasy option.

Bell (shoulder) is expected to be a limited participant in spring drills starting April 16, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Bell is rehabbing from shoulder surgery he underwent in December. In his third season, Bell made just three catches for 19 yards and zero touchdowns behind Kyle Rudolph (ankle) on the depth chart. As long as Rudolph is on the Vikings' roster, Bell will likely remain a situational, run-blocking tight end.