NFL Player News

Hangartner started all 16 games at right guard in 2011, but could be expendable with guard/tackles Geoff Schwartz and Garry Williams returning from injuries. Entering his age-30 season, Hangartner may ask for a salary similar to the $2.8 million he received last year.

Dobbs also added eight carries for 17 yards and a score in a spot start that had a little bit of everything. Dobbs kept things interesting until crumbling late. He was also missing Jauan Jennings following a first half ejection, while the 49ers rationed George Kittle’s snaps in a meaningless game. Impressive enough, though we would have to imagine coach Kyle Shanahan would probably prefer a little more upside in his No. 2 spot for 2025. That could come in the form of a Day 2/3 draft pick or a more experienced veteran retread. 24 days shy of his 30th birthday, Dobbs has undoubtedly bought himself another year in the league.

The Broncos were up 24-0 at halftime so second-half usage is perhaps unreliable but Williams notably dominated passing-down snaps in the first half, taking 100.0 percent of positional snaps in both the two-minute drill and in third- and fourth-and-long situations. Williams also ran far more efficiently than starter Jaleel McLaughlin (2.4 YPC) did so Williams could take on a larger rushing role against the Bills next week.

O’Connell’s tumultuous year comes to an end on a high note with 713 yards, three touchdowns, and just one interception in his final three starts, two of which were wins. Gardner Minshew initially won the starting job and the Raiders were reluctant to bench him despite his poor play. They eventually pulled the trigger in Week 6, marking AOC’s first start. He lasted less than two games before suffering a broken bone in his right thumb, sidelining him for four weeks. O’Connell returned to the starting role once again, only to suffer another injury, this time a bone bruise in his knee. O’Connell was roughly as good as Minshew and definitively better than Desmond Ridder, solidifying his status as a viable backup. The Raiders are all but certainly drafting a quarterback, but O’Connell has done enough through two seasons to stick with the team as a reserve or possibly a bridge option in 2025.

Garoppolo looked good in his lone start of the season, with the Rams resting their starters ahead of the playoffs. Conducting the Sean McVay offense with short, on-time throws and all the requisite button pushing, Garoppolo averaged over eight yards per attempt, spreading the ball around and rarely making an errant throw. Garoppolo, 33, will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and could land with any number of teams seeking a reliable backup QB.

Tagovailoa’s season ends on the bench with a line of 2867-19-7, as the Dolphins’ franchise quarterback spent the final two games of the season sidelined by a hip injury. Injuries are once again at the forefront of the conversation for Tagovailoa, who suffered yet another concussion this season and missed four games as a result. He picked up the hip injury in Week 16. Tagovailoa signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract extension this offseason, and had yet another year marred by injuries. Even when healthy, Tagovailoa didn’t turn out nearly as many big plays as we’ve grown accustomed to in previous season. His 7.2 YPA and 9.9 yards per completion were the second-lowest marks of his career, while more than 60 percent of his passes had an ADOT of less than 10 yards. Tagovailoa and the Dolphins have a lot to figure out in the offseason, but his future with the team is firmly intact as long as he can stay healthy. He’ll likely profile as a QB2 heading into fantasy drafts next season.

McLaughlin did very little to retain the starting role averaging fewer yards per carry (2.4) than both Javonte Williams (5.6) and Audric Estime (2.8). Williams also thrived as a receiver while Estime scored a touchdown and nailed a key block on Marvin Mims Jr.'s first touchdown. McLaughlin may be reduced to a rotational role against the Bills next week.

With Aaron Rodgers back for the 2024 campaign, Lazard returned to his old form after a down 2023 in which he caught 23 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown. Lazard caught 37 passes for 530 yards and six touchdowns this season and looked to be on pace for a career year through the first six games (26-354-5) before a trade for Davante Adams following a Week 6 loss to the Bills derailed him. Nearly all of Lazard’s production for his career has come with Rodgers under center, making it hard to buy into his upside in what may be a post-Rodgers season. He remains under contract with the Jets through 2026 but can be cut for a $2.184 dead cap hit after June 1st. Lazard has an $11 million base salary he’s set to earn in each of the next two seasons. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Jets opted to move on from him when it’s financially convenient to do so.

Pearsall closed the season with his third best overall outing of the year, no small feat since it was backup Josh Dobbs under center. The No. 31 overall pick now heads into the winter with 16 grabs for 210 yards and two touchdowns over his final two appearances. Awesome stuff, though it’s obviously a bit concerning that represents more than half of Pearsall’s 2024 production. It’s still very encouraging to see the 24-year-old step up with the 49ers battling injury and uncertainty in their skill corps, including under center. We must now play the waiting game as we look to assess Pearsall’s 2025 prospects. When will Brandon Aiyuk be back from his knee injury? Will Deebo Samuel be back at all? How much are the 49ers buying into Jauan Jennings’ late-career breakout? Those variables make Pearsall a bit of a shaky bet in the top 36 in terms of re-draft, but he’s on a little more solid ground in dynasty.

Mattison joined the Raiders on a one-year contract this offseason after struggling mightily as the Vikings starter in their first season post-Dalvin Cook. He opened 2024 as Zamir White’s backup but quickly worked his way into a committee and eventually took over as the starter. Mattison topped 15 touches five times and hit 60 yards from scrimmage on six occasions. On the other hand, he went over 70 total yards just once. Like White before him, Mattison was out-played by his backup down the stretch and lost work to Ameer Abdullah in the final month of the season. Abdullah had fully supplanted him as the top option before a foot injury ended his season a week early. An impending free agent, Mattison’s days as a starting running back are at an end. He will look for a backup job on the open market in the spring.

The Colts’ 2024 season was filled with mild highs and myriad lows but Steichen and Ballard will evidently get another shot at turning things around. Their futures beyond 2025 are likely tied directly to Anthony Richardson’s performance. Hopefully, the talented dual-threat quarterback can produce consistently positive results next year.