NFL Player News

Hopper (6’2/231) was named a captain leading into 2023 and was reasonably productive over his first 10 games until sustaining a shoulder injury that cost him the remainder of the year. He managed to record 55 tackles, 6.0 TFL, and 3.0 sacks in that time frame while receiving Second Team All-SEC honors for his play. He’s most comfortable bringing heat up the middle and breaking forward in run support, but his fills can be inconsistent and he’s lacking the upper body mass to stand up to pulling linemen. While Hopper has the juice to run with both running backs and tight ends, he can sometimes abandon his coverage area in the zone. A weakside linebacker with ample special teams experience, Hopper has the athleticism to carve out a role in the NFL and possibly challenge for regular playing time if he can take to NFL coaching.

The Chiefs franchise-tagged Smith in an effort to work out a long-term deal. The tag pays him $23.4 million fully guaranteed, effectively making Smith the NFL’s highest-paid guard. With Joe Thuney gone and the free agent offensive line market drying up, the Chiefs are trying to hang on to their best lineman. Signing the tag means Smith will likely play this season as he tries to get a top-of-the-market contract from Kansas City.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports the extension includes $38 million fully guaranteed over the next two seasons. Matthews was selected No. 6 overall in the 2014 draft by the Falcons and has been with the team ever since, starting all 179 games he has played in. Atlanta now locks him in for two more seasons to protect the left-handed Michael Penix Jr.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports Bell’s contract has a max value of $12 million. He has been a key reserve defender and special teamer for the Cowboys over the last few seasons, with the ability to play both safety and linebacker. Dallas rewards him with a three-year deal to keep him on as reliable rotational player and high-end special teamer.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal also includes a Day 3 pick swap with an exchange of sixth- and seventh-rounders. Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the trade includes a new five-year, $150 million contract for the disgruntled wideout. It’s not the warm weather location Metcalf sought, while the Steelers are also questionable as a contender at this point. There’s also the enormous question of who will be at quarterback. A Metcalf reunion with Russell Wilson wouldn’t exactly be the most exciting fantasy development, though he did have his best season with Russ in 2020. Metcalf is also similar to George Pickens in that he primarily excels down-field. Regardless of who is under center, the Steelers are going to be lethal deep, and more questionable underneath. For now in fantasy, Metcalf remains in the volatile WR2 ranger where he finished in 2024.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Allen’s contract includes a record-setting $250 million guaranteed. With four years still on his deal, the Bills choose to get ahead of the curve and give Allen the highest-paying guaranteed contract in the league, exceeding Deshaun Watson’s guarantees by a total of $20 million. The reigning NFL MVP is now signed through 2030, with his annual average of $55 million exceeding his rivals Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson, while meeting Joe Burrow’s. Allen is tied for second-highest annual average in the league, while having the highest total value and guaranteed money on his deal. His contract will almost certainly change the way total guarantees are viewed for top quarterback contracts.

The Broncos’ No. 2 quarterback the past two seasons, Stidham was one of the first players coach Sean Payton signed in 2023. The job has become lower stakes following Bo Nix’s excellent 2024 rookie campaign, but Stidham still lacks the experience you would typically like in a clipboard holder. He has made only four career starts since arriving in the league in 2019. That being said, Payton clearly highly values Stidham’s input in the quarterback room. Just don’t expect him to save the season if Nix ever goes down.

Hooper’s deal is worth up to $7 million. He finished last season with 45 receptions for 476 yards and three touchdowns, sharing the tight end room with Hunter Henry while the Patriots transitioned to Drake Maye at quarterback. New England decided to bring the 30-year-old back into the fold as a dependable pass-catcher for Maye. Though he is not likely to be a consistent fantasy player, Hooper adds valuable in-line reps to a Pats team still needing to build out their receiver room.

The deal includes $30 million guaranteed. A 2021 fifth-rounder, Sherwood closed out his rookie contract on a high note, becoming not only a starter for the first time in his career, but an every-down player. Sherwood just turned 25 in November. Sherwood was a 2024 tackling machine who also showed up for some big plays beyond running back takedowns. Perhaps best of all, he should have plenty of tread on his tires at a physical position after his more limited usage from 2021-23. This seems like a wise re-sign by Gang Green.

Landry reunites with his old Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, now the new Patriots head coach. He was released in a cap-saving move by the Titans this offseason after tallying 19.5 total sacks over the last two seasons. Landry made the Pro Bowl in 2021, leading to a five-year, $87.5 million deal with the Titans. However, he tore his ACL ahead of the 2022 season, losing a year of production on the new contract. Still a productive pass-rusher, Landry now slots right into Vrabel’s defensive line with the Patriots on a three-year deal that has a max value of $48 million.

Adams gets the west coast destination he wanted, signing for $26 million guaranteed with the Rams, who are now more likely than ever to move on from Cooper Kupp. The 32-year-old started last season with the Raiders but was dealt to the Jets to play with Aaron Rodgers. Though it did not lead to much success for the Jets, Adams still had his fifth-straight 1,000-yard season, putting up 85/1,063/8 in 14 games played between Las Vegas and New York. He will now catch passes from Matthew Stafford, who once again has two elite receivers in his arsenal. Puka Nacua will be strong target competition for Adams; fantasy managers can expect Adams to still be in the WR2 mix for 2025.