NFL Player News

Thomas hopes to stick with the Bills as a tight end, Anthony Sambrotto of the team's official website reports.

Selected in the fourth round of the 2014 draft as a quarterback, Thomas spent most of last season learning to play tight end as a member of Detroit's practice squad. The Bills signed him in late November and made him a healthy scratch the rest of the season, seemingly hoping to further develop him as a tight end this offseason. While he's likely still raw and will presumably have to fight for a roster spot, Thomas possesses a combination of size (6-foot-6, 250 pounds) and speed (4.6 40-yard dash), which compares favorably to that of the league's top tight ends.

Gathers thinks he's ready to be a regular part of the Cowboys' roster in 2017, Drew Davison of the Star-Telegram reports. "Honestly, I feel like this year I'm ready to be on the 53-man, ready to score some touchdowns, ready to go make some plays," the tight end said Saturday.

Drafted in the sixth round last year as a highly athletic former basketball player attempting to make the conversion to football, Gathers spent the entire campaign on the Cowboys' practice squad. He should get plenty of reps during the team's voluntary offseason program, which begins Monday, following the departure of Gavin Escobar via free agency and Geoff Swaim's recent foot surgery, but it remains to be seen whether Gathers' skills have caught up to his physical tools. Even if he has made significant progress, though, Dallas could yet add more competition to the depth chart in the draft, as this year's class of prospects is considered very deep at tight end.

Kelce (shoulder) should be fully ready for training camp, Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star reports. "I know from a rehabilitation standpoint, he's ahead," general manager John Dorsey said. "I can't say what level he'll be at, but he'll be 100 percent for training camp. For OTAs, he may be able to walk through and do some things."

Kelce underwent shoulder surgery earlier in the offseason, but afterward, head coach Andy Reid expressed his belief that the star tight end would be ready for the start of training camp. Dorsey's comments not only affirm that notion but also suggest Kelce is in a good place in his recovery if he'll be healthy enough to join his team on the field this month, although admittedly in a very limited capacity. While Dorsey's comments also suggest Kelce could be restricted in some fashion for the entire offseason program, Kelce is a two-time All-Pro player who is already fully comfortable operating within the Chiefs' offense. A few missed reps in May and June shouldn't be any problem at all if he indeed returns in time for training camp in July.

Head coach Pete Carroll said Graham is not in any pain and feels the best he has in years, Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times reports.

Despite spending last offseason rehabbing from a torn patella, Graham re-established himself as one of the NFL's top receiving threats at his position, catching 65 passes for 923 yards and six touchdowns (on 95 targets) in 16 regular-season games. He was listed on the injury report with a knee issue for much of the year, and he admitted in January that he barely practiced all season. Finally back to full health and increasingly comfortable in Seattle's offense, Graham could make a bid for the kind of stat lines he posted while playing with Drew Brees in New Orleans.

Escobar is signing a one-year contract with the Chiefs, ESPN's Adam Caplan reports.

Escobar arrived in Kansas City for a visit Friday, and apparently management liked what he showed them. After entering the league as a second-round pick in 2013, Escobar struggled to make much of an impact behind future Hall of Famer Jason Witten, registering only 30 catches for 333 yards and eight touchdowns in 62 games. Although playing with a tight-end-friendly quarterback like Alex Smith could bode well for Escobar, having Pro Bowler Travis Kelce on the roster will again restrict him to a reserve role.

Escobar is visiting with the Chiefs on Friday, ESPN's Adam Caplan reports.

A 2013 second-round selection, Escobar was stuck behind Jason Witten the past four years in Dallas, catching only 30 balls for 333 yards and eight touchdowns (on 48 targets) in 62 games. He'd likely have to compete for the No. 2 tight end job in Kansas City, where Travis Kelce (shoulder) is entrenched in the top spot.

McGrath signed his his exclusive rights tender with the Chargers on Thursday.

With Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry seeing the bulk of the Chargers' targets among tight ends, McGrath is primarily used as a blocker. McGrath appeared in all 16 games last season and caught two passes for 25 yards.

The Jaguars may use a high draft pick on a tight end to join Lewis (calf), Ben Koyack and Neal Sterling, the Florida Times-Union reports.

Coming off an injury-shortened season, Lewis moved to the top of the depth chart when Jacksonville traded Julius Thomas to the Dolphins. A tight end group comprised of Lewis, Koyack and Sterling is far from exciting, and it's no secret the upcoming draft is strong at the position. Even if he were to enter the season atop Jacksonville's depth chart, Lewis likely would just be an ancillary piece in the passing game. He'll turn 33 in May, after missing five or more games in three of the past four seasons. The Jaguars may ultimately release Lewis, or else ask him to take a major pay cut as he enters the second season of a three-year, $12 million deal.

Swaim underwent surgery on his foot and is likely out until training camp, Todd Archer of ESPN reports.

Swaim had a screw inserted into his right foot because of an injury suffered during informal workouts. He will likely be held out until the Cowboys head for training camp in late July. Swaim is mostly a blocking tight end for Dallas, as he caught a mere six passes for 69 yards during the 2016 season.

With Lance Kendricks departing for Green Bay in free agency, Higbee could see a lot more targets next season, ESPN.com reports.

A fourth-round selection last year, Higbee played all 16 games as a rookie but only caught 11 of his 28 targets for 85 yards and a touchdown. He possesses the raw athleticism to be more of a downfield threat than Kendricks ever was, but the Rams would still be wise to look at other options via free agency and/or the draft. There is some real upside here, with Higbee currently projecting as the top tight end in an offense that lacks talent out wide. Rams general manager Les Snead said he expects big things from the second-year player, according to ESPN.com. Just as important, new head coach Sean McVay -- who spent last season as the coordinator for a TE-heavy Washington offense -- also expressed optimism that Higbee will be heavily involved.