NFL Player News

Incumbent Dustin Hopkins’ problems had become too big to ignore. Hopkins missed two field goals in Week 14 and has missed at least one field-goal attempt in four of his last five games. On the season Hopkins is just 16-of-25. Hopkins is still on the roster and has no injury that we’ve heard of, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if one of those things changed in the near future.

Fraboni has done that thing where the center snaps the ball before someone kicks it since 2022.

The journeyman is making a home in Atlanta after spending 2020-2022 on three different teams. Hughes’ 71.4 PFF coverage grade in 2024 was the second-highest of his career. It was the first year the Falcons had him play almost exclusively outside after he spent most of 2023 at slot. Hughes isn’t a game-changer, but this is solid money for a solid player.

French, 28, missed the 2024 season due to injury. He’ll likely be a reserve lineman for the Colts; a role he’s served since signing back in 2022.

As an exclusive rights free agent, the Titans were the only game in town for Brown. Entering his age-26 season, Brown has played on 497 defensive snaps over the past two years as (mostly) a deep safety. He’ll be in line for more work there in 2025, and if Quandre Diggs doesn’t return as a free agent he has a shot to start.

Stoops will be able to participate in training camp and play in preseason games, but will be forced out of the first two contests of the regular season. The 25-year-old will be battling for a roster spot and is far from a lock to make the Rams out of exhibition season.

McNichols will return to the Commanders to operate as a change-of-pace back behind starter Brian Robinson Jr. In 2024, McNichols ran for 261 yards on 55 carries with four touchdowns.

According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the deal carries $30.75 million base value and a max value of $34.5 million, with $21.75 million guaranteed. The 28-year-old is coming off his best season of his career with 50 catches for 548 yards and three touchdowns. He’ll be a safety valve for Derek Carr — or whomever ends up at quarterback for the Saints — and be a solid, if unspectacular, tight end option for the 2025 campaign.

Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the deal is worth up to $12 million, meaning Nelson can make an extra $2 million via incentives. Nelson has been with the Bucs since they drafted him in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He re-upped with the team two years ago on a similar deal. Nelson appeared in all 17 games last year and was credited with six starts. He totaled four sacks, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

Evans has bounced around the league as of late, most recently playing for the Bears. He appeared in five games, rushing three times for three yards. This isn’t Evans’ first stint with the Bills. It isn’t even his second. He spent training camp in Buffalo in 2023 and was with the team for the entire offseason last year before the team placed him on injured reserve ahead of Week 1. He was cut later in the season. Evans’ return could mean the end of pass-catching specialist Ty Johnson. The two have similar skill sets and Johnson is an impending free agent.

Per Dianna Russini, this is a fully guaranteed contract. We’d assume it’s not much actual money, but the guarantees are nice. Ricard remains primarily a run blocker for the Ravens and has just eight offensive touches over the past two seasons. He’s entering his age-31 season, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Ravens tried to develop someone at the end of the roster for this role soon.