NFL Player News

Everett, the 44th overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, expects to fill a role in Sean McVay's offense similar to what Jordan Reed had in Washington, Sirius XM NFL Radio reports.

With Lance Kendricks departing in the offseason and not replaced by another veteran, Everett and 2016 fourth-round pick Tyler Higbee figure to compete for snaps and targets, with the rookie likely to get more time in the slot while the latter is mostly used as an in-line tight end. The Rams do have an obvious need for playmakers in the passing game, but given the recent track record of rookie tight ends, Everett likely will need a season or two to develop before he truly has a chance to fill the kind of pivotal role Reed handled in McVay's Redskins offenses the past three seasons. Everett does have a lot in common with Reed from a measurables standpoint, and he'll look to utilize that high-end athleticism and speed to compensate for his lack of ideal size for the tight end position.

James is slated to be the clear-cut No. 1 option at tight end for the Steelers in 2017 after they released Ladarius Green (concussion) on Thursday, ESPN's Adam Caplan reports.

James is cemented atop the depth chart at tight end in Pittsburgh at this point, while the Steelers' front office was forced to let Green walk following a failed physical. Green only appeared in six games last season, so James became comfortable with the first-team offense during his sophomore campaign as he racked up 39 catches for 338 yards and three touchdowns on 60 targets. He'll be backed up by second-year TE Xavier Grimble, who now figures to be in line for an increase in volume after seeing just 21 balls thrown his way as a rookie.

Malleck (neck) was waived by the Steelers on Tuesday, Dale Lolley of the Observer-Reporter announced.

Malleck suffered a neck injury during training camp with the Giants prior to the 2016 season, eventually landing on injured reserve before being released with an injury settlement. He was then picked up by the Steelers in February but isn't in the long-term plans and has now been released. The fact that he's been cut prior to training camp doesn't bode well for his chances of making a final roster, but Malleck will now hope for an opportunity elsewhere as a depth tight end.

McFarland signed with the Cowboys on Tuesday, Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News reports.

McFarland will likely function as a special teams asset if he makes the team and survives the final roster trims. With Jason Witten still in the fold, McFarland would hold little fantasy value even if he slid up to a backup role.

Swaim (foot) is unlikely to return to team activities until training camp, Todd Archer of ESPN reports.

Both Swaim and fellow tight end James Hanna are not expected to participate in organized team activities or June's minicamp as they continue to recover from injuries. The plan is for Swaim to return for the start of training camp in July, barring any setbacks.

Williams signed a deal with the Seahawks on Friday.

The tight end went undrafted last season before signing with New England, being waived, and then signing with the Rams' practice squad. He has not yet appeared in a regular-season game, but Williams will have an opportunity to impress the Seahawks during their rookie minicamp this weekend as a member of the team's 90-man roster.

Williams was released by the Rams on Thursday, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Williams signed with the Rams in January, but he found himself the odd man out after the team drafted tight end Gerald Everett with the No. 44 pick in last weekend's draft. The East Carolina product will now look to find his way onto another roster in time for training camp.

Hamm (leg) was released by the 49ers on Tuesday.

The release comes as the result of a failed physical. Hamm played in five games with the 49ers in his rookie season and tallied two receptions for 13 yards in the process. He suffered a leg injury in the team's regular-season finale, which resulted in him missing the team's offseason minicamp prior to the draft.

Bibbs was waived by the Jaguars on Monday, Aaron Wilson of the National Football Post reports.

Bibbs signed a contract with the Jaguars in January with the hope that he'd be able to compete for a 53-man roster spot in training camp, but with six other tight ends on the depth chart, the front office determined he was an expendable piece. As a rookie last season with the Browns, Bibbs appeared in seven games, hauling in one of his two targets for seven yards.

Derby will be pushed by 2017 fifth-round pick Jake Butt, Cameron Wolfe of The Denver Post reports.

Butt is still on the mend from a torn ACL suffered in the Orange Bowl, but Derby -- and the rest of Denver's tight ends -- are on notice as the 2016 Mackey Award winner joins the roster. Of the bunch, Derby arguably has the greatest opportunity to complement, as opposed to be threatened by, Butt. Acquired midway through last season in a trade with New England, the former Arkansas quarterback provides a level of quickness and receiving ability not shared by fellow incumbents Jeff Heuerman and Virgil Green. Derby caught at least four passes in three of five games in Denver before his season was cut short due to a concussion.