NFL Player News

Williams added that rookie Rocky McIntosh (knee surgery) and Chris Clemons are “breathing right down his neck.” McIntosh will return in training camp, when this battle should heat up.

Vele continued his volatile ways against the Chiefs thanks to a heads-up play in the end zone. Bo Nix fired a tough pass to a fellow Broncos pass catcher who was unable to secure it in the back of the end zone. Fortunately for Vele, two Chiefs defenders took turns bobbling the ball until Vele could swoop in to secure it. The 27-year-old rookie will again be a low-floor flex option with a moderately high ceiling against the Bills next week.

Huntley joined the Browns as a free agent this offseason and briefly made his way back to the Ravens after being cut by the Browns at the end of training camp. An injury to Tua Tagovailoa in Week 2 led to the Dolphins signing Huntley off the Ravens’ practice squad, where he would remain for the rest of the season. Huntley would make his first start for the Dolphins in Week 4, and wound up starting the team’s final two games of the season after Tagovailoa suffered a hip injury in Week 16. Huntley looked like a run of the mill backup, throwing for 829 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions in his four starts while rushing for 26-135-2. Huntley will be an unrestricted free agent when the new league year officially starts and should have plenty of chances to compete for another backup role in training camp.

Mims has evidently earned a reliable role in the Broncos’ passing attack. While his four touchdowns in two weeks speak volumes, a nifty play design on the Broncos’ first drive deserves even more attention. On first-and-10 from the Chiefs’ 32-yard line, Sean Payton called in a play specifically designed to feature Mims’ post-catch talents. Bo Nix initially ran a play-action fake, which sent Audric Estime up the field, en route to a key red zone block, before faking another handoff to Troy Franklin on an end-around. Mims was then left open to haul in the screen-pass target in the flats before scampering off for the 32-yard score. Rather than residing in the doghouse, Mims is now one of Payton’s featured offensive weapons in scoring position. He is flex-worthy against the Bills next week.

Sutton successfully cleared the 1,065-yard season-long threshold against the Chiefs, securing a $500,000 contract incentive with a little help from Bo Nix. Nix looked Sutton’s way frequently, even when covered; Sutton’s five contested targets and three contested catches both tied for season-highs. Sutton will face far stiffer competition against the Bills’ talented cornerback corps next week but his volume and talent keep him WR2-viable.

Wright essentially redshirted his rookie season with the Dolphins. The rookie fourth-rounder rushed six times for negative four yards in the Dolphins’ Week 18 loss to the Jets and ends his season with a rushing line of 68-249-0. He showed some flash earlier this season when he rushed for 86 yards on 13 carries against the Patriots, but Wright’s role in 2024 was a disappointing one for him and his fantasy managers. He’ll enter 2025 as the presumed backup to De’Von Achane, but if Achane’s volume is similar to what we saw this season, there won’t be much standalone value for Wright in his sophomore campaign.

After leading the league with 18 rushing touchdowns in 2023, Mostert struggled to make much of an impact this season. The veteran running back took a clear backseat to De’Von Achane this season and finished the year with a rushing line of 85-278-2. Mostert will be a free agent this offseason, and turns 33 in April. His days as a lead back are all but over, but whether or not he can catch on with another team in a committee role is to be determined. What will likely be his final season in Miami didn’t do much to help his case, but it’s hard to blame the Dolphins for not wanting to take De’Von Achane off the field. As things stand right now, it’s hard to find any fantasy upside for Mostert heading into next season, but that could change depending on where he lands.

The news comes compliments of beat reporter Dave Birkett, who notes a reported exchange between reporter Melissa Stark and Dan Campbell. When asked if the workout indicates whether Montgomery could play next week, Campbell said, “I’m excited. I’ll just say that.” Montgomery has been rehabbing an MCL sprain suffered in Week 15 with the goal of returning for the Lions’ playoff run. He could be close to returning.

It was a career year for Smith, who caught 88 passes for 884 yards and eight touchdowns – all career-highs – in his first season with the Dolphins. The explosive tight end bucked the trend of low-producing tight ends in Mike McDaniel’s offense and instead finished with the second-most targets (109) on the team while also ranking second in receiving yards. Smith joined the Dolphins on a two-year contract this offseason, and immediately looks like one of the best values at the position heading into 2025. We’ll see if he earns an extension after this season, but Smith, who turns 30 next summer, will have plenty of buzz as a TE1 next fantasy season.

Waddle entered 2024 with high expectations after signing a three-year, $84.75 million contract extension this offseason. Unfortunately, his fourth season resulted in his worst as a pro, as injuries to himself and Tua Tagovailoa undoubtedly hampered his production. A breakout by tight end Jonnu Smith (88-884-8) also didn’t help Waddle’s case, as the veteran tight end was targeted 109 times on the season. Waddle’s season ends with career lows in every receiving category (58-744-2), including targets (83). He rattled off three-straight 1,000-yard seasons to start his career before falling off a bit this season. Any hope of a bounce back will hinge heavily on Tagovailoa’s health, but there’s no reason to think Waddle can’t get back to form in 2025.

A fully healthy Achane gave fantasy managers everything they hoped for this offseason. The second-year speedster rushed for 907 yards and six touchdowns while operating as the Dolphins’ lead back and added another 78 receptions for 592 yards and six scores. Any concerns about Achane’s ability to handle a full assortment of touches were laid to rest this season, as he averaged 16.5 touches per game this season while amassing over 1,400 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns. Achane’s volume and big-play ability will put him in the conversation as a high-end RB1 next fantasy season.