NFL Player News

All signs point toward Tagovailoa sitting this week but remained involved as a limited practice participant all week and the Dolphins still have a chance to make the playoffs. Fantasy managers should expect to be without him. He is a highly volatile starting option if active though. The Jets’ flailing defense could facilitate an efficient outing.

It was the first catch of Baker’s career, which is certainly not the start to his professional career that the fourth-round pick out of UCF expected. As a day-three draft pick, it’s not a surprise that Baker began the year down on the depth chart, but it’s a bit concerning that he was never able to claw his way up despite the Patriots struggling all year long. Baker is just 22 years old, posted 1,139 yards and seven touchdowns on 52 receptions in his senior season of college, and was a highly-touted recruit out of high school, so there is some talent there. Even if New England adds talent on the perimeter this offseason, Baker figures to get a chance to compete for snaps with Kayshon Boutte and any rookie in the 2025 season. However, it would be foolish to count on him for a big role unless we see a major improvement in OTAs.

He managed 17 of them on a well-designed flea flicker screen that saw Vannett out in space alone with blockers. Entering his age-32 season in 2025, Vannett will continue trawling around the league in search of bad tight end depth charts. Since entering the final year of his rookie deal in 2019, he has played for the Seahawks, Steelers, Broncos, Saints, Giants, Chargers, and now the Titans. If he shows up, your team has a bad tight end depth chart. We’re sorry, we don’t make the rules here.

Locks’ day would have looked much worse if it wasn’t for a desperation throw to Malik Nabers in the fourth quarter that turned into a 45-yard touchdown. Lock ends the season with 1,071 passing yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions while completing 59.1 percent of his passes. His season highlight came in Week 17 when he inexplicably threw for 309-4-0 in an upset win over the Colts, but most of what we saw from Lock this season was par for the course. Now set to hit free agency this offseason, Lock will undoubtedly get a chance to compete for a backup job in camp, but any hopes of him one day emerging as an NFL starter can officially be laid to rest.

Ekeler returned to the Commanders’ lineup after four games out due to a concussion. He retains his duties as the primary receiving back and totaled five touches for 32 yards. Jayden Daniels will take many of the rushing opportunities while Brian Robinson is mixed as the main rusher, but Ekeler has carved out a sizeable role this season. He finishes the regular season with 77 carries to 35 receptions in 12 games. Ekeler will be useful as the Commanders’ satellite back in the postseason.

The Falcons’ loss ends their slim postseason hopes and caps off a disappointing season for the team’s offense. Penix had all day to operate from a clean pocket against a toothless Carolina defense and picked apart the Panthers from start to finish, targeting Drake London relentlessly. His interception came on a tipped ball by an Atlanta pass catcher, his second such pick over the past two games. Penix during his three late-season starts displayed his strong arm and ability to change plays at the line and manipulate secondaries with his eyes.

Tennessee’s clear No. 2 tight end behind Chig Okonkwo, Whyle took advantage of Okonkwo’s absence to create a team-best seven targets that went nowhere. He also caught a two-point conversion while wide-open. Whyle ends the season with a 28/248/1 line and enters year three of his rookie contract off the fantasy radar.

Thomas capped an epic rookie season with his fourth 100-yard performance. He was used as a high-leverage deep threat early in the year, adding some unnecessary volatility to his weekly output. The Jags realized just how special Thomas was midway through the year and got hit with multiple receiver injuries at the same time, putting the spotlight on the rookie for the final two months. Thomas closed the season with seven consecutive games of at least 75 yards. He also scored five times in his final six appearances. His 1,282 receiving yards are the eighth-most for a rookie in NFL history. Thomas has all of the makings of a superstar wide receiver and will only get better as he refines his game in the offseason. He will rightfully flirt with a WR1 ranking in early fantasy drafts.

Slayton attempted to make the most of a season where he took a backseat to both Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson. The sixth-year vet caught 39 passes for 573 yards and two touchdowns on the season but enjoyed a few splash weeks in games where Nabers was sidelined. Those strong few weeks made up most of his production on the year, as Slayton managed just 10 catches for 149 yards and a touchdown in his final eight games. Slayton seems unlikely to return to the Giants after he voiced frustration over his contract last offseason. He could help several teams as a field stretcher who is capable of more when called upon, but he’ll be hard to trust in fantasy as anything more than a late-round dart throw who is probably best suited for best ball leagues.

Hooper will end his first season in New England with 476 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 45 catches (59 targets). The 30-year-old was also third on the team with five pass plays over 20 yards and showed a little bit of juice after a disappointing season last year in Las Vegas. That’s important for Hooper, who will enter the offseason as a free agent. He’s unlikely to land a starting job next season, but he could easily be the second tight end on a team that utilizes two tight ends often. Regardless, he figures to need an injury ahead of him on the depth chart to be fantasy-relevant in 2025, no matter where he signs.