NFL Player News

Watson, who is expected to push for a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver job following the offseason departure of Breshad Perriman, will face competition from 2020 fifth-round pick Tyler Johnson.

Watson and Johnson seemingly share many of the same traits, namely reliable hands and routes, as well as an impressive college history of red-zone success. Watson, a fifth-round selection himself back in 2018 who racked up 31 touchdown grabs over his last three seasons at Penn, began to make some strides on offense at the tail end of last season after spending his rookie campaign almost exclusively on special teams. The 25-year-old saw expanded opportunity due to the hamstring injuries that cut short the seasons of both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, turning in a pair of five-catch, one-touchdown efforts over the last four games. However, Johnson is believed to have talent befitting a notably higher draft selection, and the fact he led Power 5 schools in red-zone catches, red-zone receiving yards and red-zone touchdowns over the last four seasons project to make him a formidable rival to Watson in the competition to slot in behind Evans and Godwin on the depth chart.

Johnson, whom the Buccaneers selected in the fifth round of the 2020 draft, demonstrated a high degree of proficiency near the goal line during his college career, Jenna Laine of ESPN.com reports.

The Minnesota product saw his stock take a relatively unexpected dip before Tampa nabbed him, as Johnson boasts the numbers befitting a significantly higher draft slotting. The former Golden Gopher frequently was a force from the 20-yard line in, leading all Power 5 schools in red-zone catches, red-zone receiving yards (320) and red-zone touchdowns (23) from 2016 through 2019 while also setting the pace for that large grouping of schools in receiving yards over the last four combined seasons. While Johnson's speed isn't exactly a strong point -- which Laine notes makes him a less-than-direct replacement for the departed Breshad Perriman -- his above-average hands, concentration and body control give him plenty of tools to work with as he starts his NFL career.

Gage remains well-positioned to serve as the Falcons' slot receiver after Atlanta went without drafting a single wideout during the 2020 NFL Draft, Mike Clay of ESPN.com reports.

As Clay noted, during weeks in which both Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones were active last season, Gage saw his target share vault to 16 percent after Mohamed Sanu's Oct. 22 trade to New England. As the No. 4 option at receiver Weeks 1 through 7, Gage accounted for just four combined catches and 44 yards, but from Week 8 to the end of the regular season, he averaged a respectable five catches and 44.7 yards per game. His involvement transferred from obsolete to significant as a result of Sanu's departure, and in the interim, nothing has changed at the position group that would stymie Gage's progression. He appears to be the No. 3 option at receiver for an offense that last year ranked behind only Tampa Bay and Dallas in passing yards per game (294.6).

Rowland has reportedly agreed to terms with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent, per Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.

Rowland will reportedly receive $80,000 guaranteed in the deal. He was named first-team All-Ohio Valley Conference and offensive player of the year for FCS-level Tennessee State last season. Rowland had 104 catches for 1,437 yards and eight touchdowns, but his work in the return game (355 yards on kick returns, 166 yards on punt returns and two touchdowns) are likely his best path toward earning a roster spot.

Pascal will face increased competition for playing time with the Colts taking Michael Pittman in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Pittman should immediately push for a starting role in three-wide sets for Indianapolis after catching 101 of 136 targets for 1,275 yards (9.4 YPT) and 11 touchdowns last season at USC. Pascal took advantage of a number of injuries in the receiving corps last season to lead the team in receiving yards (607) while reaching the end zone five times. However, he could be used this season in a more limited capacity with Parris Campbell also set to compete for a larger role after an injury-plagued rookie season.

Coulter played mostly on the outside at the University of Rhode Island, Deepi Sidhu of the Texans' official site reports. The Texans selected Coulter in the fifth round (171st overall) of the NFL Draft.

Coulter was a three-year contributor during a college career that included seven 100-yard games. In 2019, he finished with 1,039 receiving yards on 72 catches and eight touchdowns over 12 games. Coulter played mostly outside because of the Rams' lack of wideout depth, but he feels he can play inside. "I feel like I could play inside or outside," Coulter said. "I would just have to lock in and learn the plays from different spots on the field, but I feel like I could play anywhere." It's unlikely Coulter will make an immediate impact on offense, which includes six veterans ahead of him on the depth chart, but he will have the opportunity to learn from them during his first year as a Texan.

Goodwin (knee) agreed to a one-year, $1.35 million restructured deal with the Eagles on Saturday, Mike Kaye of The Newark Star-Ledger reports.

The 49ers shipped the 29-year-old to the Eagles earlier in the day, and it's not a major surprise to see a reworked contract as he was set to receive over $9 million in base salary over the next two seasons. Goodwin is now essentially on a one-year, prove-it deal with Philadelphia, and he'll need to avoid the injury issues that limited him to 20 games over the last two seasons.

The Broncos selected Cleveland in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft, 252nd overall.

Cleveland (6-foot-2, 209) is a big and very athletic wideout (4.46-second 40, 39.5-inch vertical, 126-inch broad jump), and he flashed some playmaking ability in his Florida career. He didn't earn usage beyond a peripheral role, however, so he's unlikely to create playmaking opportunities for himself -- he might be more the sort of player that needs space manufactured. If he has room to run, though, Cleveland can capitalize. He'll try to make the final Denver roster and might pull it off if he shows well enough on special teams.

The 49ers selected Jennings in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft, 217th overall.

Jennings fell due to a poor combine, but he has enough in his profile to make him worth a late-round flier. The Tennessee product is a physical receiver with strong after-the-catch ability. He broke 29 tackles on 57 catches as a senior in 2019, per Pro Football Focus. He's 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds with poor long speed (4.72 40) and explosiveness (29.0-inch vertical). Jennings profiles as a possession receiver at the next level, but if the 49ers can scheme up ways to get him the ball in space, he'll be yet another San Francisco wideout that causes problems after the catch. He will be buried on the depth chart to begin his career, however.

The Colts selected Patmon in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft, 212th overall.

At 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, the Colts acquired yet another big-bodied wideout to go along with second-round pick Michael Pittman. Patmon, a Washington State product, lacks any sort of sudden first step and doesn't use his body as well when going up for the catch as you might anticipate. Still, the Colts sorely lacked this sort of player in previous years and should give him plenty of opportunities to make the team's final roster.