NFL Player News

Maye noted Thursday that things have been going well with him and A.J. Brown since the wideout's arriving in a June trade, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports. "It has been awesome," Maye said on that topic. "I'm really looking forward to playing with him. I'm looking forward to getting to camp and building some chemistry. And I know there's already some there for me. You just gotta throw it near him, and he'll make a play."

The Patriots parted ways with last year's top receiver, Stefon Diggs, in March but added Romeo Doubs via free agency prior to dealing for Brown, giving Maye a pair of new weapons atop the team's WR depth chart. As Patra notes, Brown is coming off a down season by his standards (78/1,003/7), but a fresh start while working with a talented young QB like Maye could help spur a bounce-back season on his part. Maye is coming off a 2025 regular season in which he threw for 4,394 yards with 31 TDs and eight picks in 17 games and ran for 450 yards and four rushing scores en route to finishing as the runner-up for last year's NFL MVP award. On the heels of that strong effort, Maye heads into the coming campaign as a highly sought-after fantasy asset at his position, and the addition of Brown - who profiles as a true WR1 -- should only help his cause in 2026.

Likely is expected to work out of the slot as the Giants' receiving tight end this season, John Fennelly of USA Today Giants Wire reports.

According to Fennelly, Likely and Jaxson Dart have already developed a connection during offseason workouts. With Likely expected to be detached from the line of scrimmage, he shouldn't be asked to block much and can focus on making plays in the passing game. Theo Johnson is expected to handle most of the traditional tight end duties for New York. Likely could soak up a good chunk of the short-area, middle-field targets vacated by Wan'Dale Robinson, who left for the Titans in free agency.

As the coming season approaches, Bateman is projected to start at WR for the Ravens alongside Zay Flowers, Clifton Brown of the team's official site reports.

Bateman is coming off a 2025 regular season in which his production was hampered by injuries and tapered off to 19 catches (on 38 targets) for 224 yards and two TDs in 13 games. Assuming improved health this year, the 2021 first-rounder -- who recorded a 45-756-9 receiving line in 17 regular-season contests in 2024 -- is a bounce-back candidate in new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle's attack. Next in line on Baltimore's WR depth chart beyond Flowers and Bateman are returnees Devontez Walker and LaJohntay Wester, as well as rookie draftees Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt.

While Henry returns as the Patriots' top tight end, slotting behind him on the team's depth chart has yet to be solidified following Julian Hill's season-ending knee injury, Evan Lazar of the team's official site reports.

As things stand, Eli Raridon, FB/TE Jack Westover, CJ Dippre and Tanner Arkin are in the mix for tight end targets that don't go Henry's way this season, though it's possible depth is added at the position in the coming weeks. Henry is coming off a 2025 regular season in which he turned in a 60-768-7 line on 87 targets in 17 regular-season games in 2025, and looking ahead to the coming campaign he's on track to maintain a steady weekly fantasy floor while working as a key weapon for QB Drake Maye in New England's passing game.

Lawrence has thrived in the early stages of his second offseason in head coach Liam Coen's system, John Shipley of SI.com reports.

Lawrence has seemingly mastered Coen's offensive scheme in advance of training camp, and he's at full health this offseason after having faced limitations last summer due to a recovery from shoulder surgery. Per Shipley, Lawrence displayed command of the downfield passing attack during spring workouts and appears to have established better chemistry with Brian Thomas. The Jaguars have an abundance of riches to draw on in the aerial attack, with Thomas being joined by Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, Travis Hunter (knee) and TE Brenton Strange, so Lawrence is in good position to build on his impressive finish to the 2025 season. Jacksonville averaged 32.8 points per game from Weeks 9 to 18 last year.

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said Thursday that Buchanan (ACL) "has done a great job" this offseason and has had "[one of] the top 1 percent of rehabs that I've seen," 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.

Chances are, Buchanan will begin training camp with a ramp up period, in which he may be limited to individual drills early, but the 2025 fourth-round pick is clearly making tremendous recovery progress. Once back to full health from the ACL tear he suffered in Week 15 of his rookie season, Buchanan is expected to compete for a significant role at inside linebacker.

Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said Thursday to Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore that "everything seems to be pointing in the right direction" as Madubuike (neck) progresses in his rehab, Brian Wacker of The Baltimore Sun reports.

DeCosta didn't specify any specific change in timeline or availability for Madubuike with training camp approaching, but he did note that the standout defensive tackle's recovery is "a little bit more unclear" than that of Teddye Buchanan (ACL). Madubuike is recovering from surgery undergone in April to address a neck injury.

McCaffrey was named the Best Comeback Athlete at the 2026 ESPYS, Briana Jeannel of the 49ers' official site reports.

McCaffrey earned All-Pro honors while rushing 311 times for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns across 17 regular-season games in 2025, and also leading all running backs with a 102-924-7 receiving line (129 targets). Head coach Kyle Shanahan acknowledged back in spring that the team may alleviate McCaffrey's workload in 2026 in order to keep him fresh, a fair concern given that the 30-year-old handled a career-high 413 touches last year. McCaffrey himself has downplayed any workload concerns, and his versatility will help him remain a high-end fantasy producer even if any of Jordan James, Kaelon Black, Isaac Guerendo (pectoral), Patrick Taylor, Jordan Mims or Jermar Jefferson earn a larger role this year.

Burns said the Giants' linebacker group will bring "organized chaos" for offenses to deal with, Kevin Patra of NFL.com reports.

Burns has reason to be excited about New York's defensive front heading into this season. The 28-year-old is fresh off a career-best 16.5-sack campaign posted in 2025, and in addition to returning pass rushers Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Giants added added rookie first-rounder Arvell Reese and Tremaine Edmunds to the middle of the defense this offseason. New York's defensive front, led by Burns, could be fierce enough to make up for potential deficiencies in the secondary.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said Thursday on 105.7 The Fan that Baltimore "definitely" wants to ink Flowers to a contract extension before the start of the 2026 regular season, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.

The Ravens already picked up Flowers' fifth-year option, keeping him under contract through 2027 while giving both sides time to work out an extension. Flowers has also made clear he wants to remain with Baltimore long term, so a deal appears more a matter of timing than interest. Flowers is solidified as the No. 1 receiving option for quarterback Lamar Jackson and posted a career-best 86-1,215-5 line in 2025 while playing in all 17 regular-season games.