NFL Player News

Hopkins is expected to sign with the Titans, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports.

Kyed dropped the news Sunday, but he noted that the deal isn't expected to become official for a few days. This doesn't come as a surprise, as Hopkins was rumored to be deciding between either the Patriots or Titans, and over the last few days, it appeared Tennessee was turning up the heat in its pursuit of the three-time All-Pro wideout. Hopkins instantly becomes the No. 1 wide receiver for the Titans and will give whichever quarterback wins the starting job a steady, reliable target. The 31-year-old missed the first six games of the 2022 campaign due to a suspension, but he was productive across nine appearances with Arizona, totaling 64 receptions (on 96 targets) for 717 yards and three touchdowns.

Heading into the 2023 season, Adams is in line to continue to lead a Raiders' wide receiver corps that also features newcomer Jakobi Meyers and slot man Hunter Renfrow, Carter Landis of SI.com reports.

Also in the WR mix (among others) are Phillip Dorsett, DeAndre Carter, Keelan Cole and rookie third-rounder Tre Tucker, but Adams remains the team's undisputed top option after racking up 100 catches for 1,516 yards and 14 TDs (on 180 targets) in 17 games last season. While the 30-year-old will undoubtedly continue to handle plenty of volume in 2023, and thus maintain a high level of fantasy utility, Adams will no longer be catching passes from Derek Carr. Instead, he's slated to work with Jimmy Garoppolo, assuming the veteran signal-caller bounces back smoothly from left foot surgery. Either way, look for Las Vegas' offense to be paced by Adams and starting RB Josh Jacobs, who led the NFL in rushing last year.

Mooney (ankle) said Sunday that he's "feeling good" and is "ready to roll" for training camp, WGN's Kaitlin Sharkey and Rick Tarsitano report.

Coach Matt Eberflus was similarly optimistic back in early June, noting that Mooney was on track for the start of training camp after having season-ending ankle surgery in November. The speedy wideout's decreased fantasy standing relative to this time last summer is partially a product of his disappointing, injury-shortened 2022 campaign, but Chicago's offseason trade for DJ Moore might be an even bigger factor. The former Panther brings tough competition for targets in an offense that figures to rank near the top of the league in rush attempts so long as dual-threat quarterback Justin Fields stays healthy. While the Bears should be more aggressive throwing the ball on early downs with Fields another year older and Moore now on the roster, they also have two other players (tight end Cole Kmet and wideout Chase Claypool) in the mix to earn significant target shares.

Collins "appeared to be" C.J. Stroud's "favorite target" during OTAs and minicamp, ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime reports.

With Brandin Cooks now in Dallas, Collins has a chance to claim No. 1 receiver duties in Houston. Veteran Robert Woods was signed to help replace some of Cooks' production, but Collins needs to take a step forward in his third season. New coach DeMeco Ryans singled out Collins as "the big guy with probably the best hands on the team" when discussing Houston's wideout group. At 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, Collins has prototypical size on the outside. Stroud is easily the best quarterback he'll have played with for the Texans.

Parker and the Patriots reached agreement Wednesday on a three-year extension worth up to $33 million, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Parker, who had one year remaining on his current deal, appeared in 13 games for the Patriots last season and caught 31 of 47 targets for 539 yards and three touchdowns, but his overall stats were boosted by a stellar 6-79-2 receiving line in Week 18. The 2015 first-round pick has struggled to stay healthy since turning in a career year with Miami in 2019, but when available, he's still able to make an impact. New England's wideout corps lost Jakobi Meyers this offseason but added JuJu Smith-Schuster, so Parker's role shouldn't change dramatically in 2023.

Hinton said Wednesday that he underwent a minor knee scope this offseason and is expected to be fully recovered by training camp, Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports.

Hinton dealt with a hamstring injury at the end of the 2022 campaign, but he also was seemingly battling a minor knee issue. Regardless, the 26-year-old should be full-go to start 2023. The wideout caught 24 of 33 targets for 311 yards -- all career highs -- across 12 appearances last season and was used sparingly as a punt returner. However, if Denver's wideout corps is back to full strength, Hinton will have a difficult time garnering snaps behind Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Tim Patrick, KJ Hamler (pectoral) and Marvin Mims.

Jones may be competing for a roster spot with Dante Pettis, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.

After being selected in the third round of the 2022 draft, Jones was most valuable as a kick returner with 642 yards. However, he recorded just 107 yards as a receiver and 103 yards on nine rushing attempts. It's possible the final wide receiver roster spots come down to special-teams play, and if Jones can impress in that capacity, he could have an edge on Pettis.

Pettis may battle for a roster spot with Equanimeous St. Brown and Velus Jones, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.

Pettis recorded 245 yards and three touchdowns and also worked as a punt returner in his first year with the Bears. Since he's not the physical blocker that St. Brown is, it may be difficult for Pettis to surpass him on the depth chart. It seems likely he'll be in a direct battle with Jones. Of the two, Pettis has more experience, but Jones could show improvement in his second year and has a rare size-speed combination. This camp battle could last until the latter days of August.

St. Brown is valuable to the Bears due to his blocking and knowledge of the system, and could slot in as the team's No. 4 or 5 receiver, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.

St. Brown recorded 323 yards and a touchdown in his first year with the Bears. Even though he wasn't a big statistical contributor, he was often used to block in the run game, where he was very effective. His main competition for a roster spot in a wideout corps that also includes DJ Moore, Darnell Mooney and Chase Claypool is expected to come from Dante Pettis and Velus Jones. Although St. Brown seems to have the early edge, this battle could go down to the last days of the preseason.

Hopkins is taking his time weighing offers from the Patriots and Titans, hoping to get more teams involved, Chris Mason of The Springfield Republican reports.

The two teams that have shown the most interest aren't especially likely to make deep playoff runs even if they add Hopkins to their currently undermanned WR rooms. The 31-year-old is perhaps hoping to drum up more interest this summer so he can sign with a better team and/or receive more money than he's currently being offered. Hopkins has about five weeks to decide before NFL teams open training camp and practice again, though he can get his hands on a new playbook sooner if he signs earlier in the summer.