NFL Player News

The Ravens lost Corey Graham to free agency, so Brown and Asa Jackson are the only two corners behind Ladarius Webb and Jimmy Smith. Brown was active for all 16 games last season, but played just 39 defensive snaps. It would be a surprise if Baltimore didn’t draft a cornerback with one of their six picks in the first four rounds.

Brown commanded 15 targets across his two December appearances, but the Chiefs’ passing attack went to sleep in this afternoon’s dreary win. We assume Patrick Mahomes and company will be needed for much more against either the Bills or Ravens in the AFC Championship Game, making Brown a better usage bet despite today’s statistical face-plant.

Stunningly, this was the first time in Hopkins’ pro career he was held without a catch. It may be stunning, but it’s not surprising after Hopkins’ usage dwindled down the stretch of the regular season. The 32-year-old’s legs seem to be gone. Nuk’s experience and sure hands could still prove an important factor in the AFC Championship Game, but statistical expectations need to be minimized.

With everything on the line, Hunt ran ahead of Isiah Pacheco, who doesn’t seem to be over his regular season injury issues. That would make Hunt “the DFS play” for conference championship weekend, but this will be a backfield best avoided if you can afford to do so.

Pacheco failed to corral his lone passing-game target. Seemingly nowhere close to 100 percent healthy after his regular season leg and rib injuries, Pacheco was a clear No. 2 to Kareem Hunt on the depth chart this afternoon. Although options are always limited on a four-team slate, Pacheco profiles as a poor DFS bet for conference championship weekend.

Worthy also “added” a -8 yard rush. Unfortunate, though Worthy’s higher volume role from the second half of the regular season carried right over into the playoffs. Worthy also compensated for the blown rush with a circus catch down the left sideline in the first quarter. Getting better but still not the game-breaker he was at Texas, Worthy profiles as an unlikely AFC Championship Game X-factor.

With the Texans hard up for pass catchers, Smith was active for only the seventh time all year. He had another catch called back by holding. His grab that did count was his first of the entire season. Going on 27, 2019 second-rounder Smith has just about faded out of the league.

With the Texans short-handed at receiver and predictably playing from behind, second-year pro Hutchinson set a new season high for targets. It, of course, is never a great sign when your season high for targets is six and it comes under depth chart duress during the playoffs. Going on 25 with only 20 career regular season grabs, Hutchinson should not be considered a 2025 53-man roster lock. He will be given the benefit of the doubt, however, especially since he stands in at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds.

The Texans’ emergency No. 2 wideout since Tank Dell’s gruesome Week 16 knee injury, 24-year-old Metchie heads into the offseason having cleared 50 yards receiving only one time all year. That was before Dell’s ailment but during Nico Collins’ absence in Week 10. Heading into the final year of his rookie deal, Metchie has caught at least 30 balls each of the past seasons after missing 2022 with illness. Not a bad floor, but Metchie has not hinted at ceiling, while the Texans have given zero indication they expect Metchie to further ascend the depth chart. He’s a role player who might not be guaranteed to crack the 53-man roster in 2025. Missing out would admittedly be unlikely.

Like clockwork, 35-year-old Kelce woke up for his best game of the year as soon as the calendar turned to “playoffs.” His 117 yards were a new season high, and broke his tie with Jerry Rice for the most 100-yard performances in playoff history (Kelce now has nine). Despite the stuffed stat sheet, Kelce is visibly not the same player he was in his prime. He looked a bit like Russell Wilson in the open field this afternoon. He’s just so savvy at finding the soft spots in the defense. He will be an AFC Championship Game X-factor regardless of opponent.

In the first season of a surprisingly lucrative three-year contract, 28-year-old Schultz slumped to five-year lows in receptions (53), yards (532) and touchdowns (two). This, despite the fact that Stefon Diggs never really got going before his ACL injury and Nico Collins spent time on injured reserve with a hamstring issue. Tank Dell was also lost in Week 16 to a knee issue. Schultz is a classic catch-and-fall specialist who long ago maxed out his talent, so it’s not like he has another level to ascend to. That being said, he probably ran unreasonably cold this year, and catching 50 balls five straight seasons is no small feat for a seam stretcher. Schultz will keep hanging around the TE1 periphery in 2025.