Who Should I Start? Amari Cooper or Austin Hooper

Friday, March 29, 9:23 PM

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns may focus on a new contract for wide receiver Amari Cooper. "We love him," said general manager Andrew Berry while addressing the topic at league meetings. "So players like that, you want to make sure that you can retain as long as possible, and we'll work through all of that at the appropriate times." Cabot believes both sides won't enter talks until after the NFL draft. But Cleveland could look to make something happen soon, considering the cost for wideouts is expected to increase. Cooper, entering the final year of his current deal, amassed a career-high 1,250 receiving yards with 72 catches and five touchdowns. He also averaged 17.4 yards per catch. The Browns added Jerry Jeudy in a trade from Denver. However, Cooper should still remain involved at a high level, especially if Deshaun Watson (shoulder) can return to form.

Wednesday, March 13, 12:18 AM

Las Vegas Raiders free-agent tight end Austin Hooper is expected to sign a one-year deal worth up to $4.25 million with the New England Patriots on Wednesday. The veteran tight end will reunite with new Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, who was with Hooper with the Cleveland Browns. Hooper made the Pro Bowl two straight years from 2018-19 while with the Atlanta Falcons, but he hasn't been nearly as involved as he was then in the last four seasons with the Browns, Titans and Raiders. In 17 games (nine starts) last year in Vegas, the 29-year-old caught just 25 of 31 targets for 234 yards and no touchdowns. With both Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown now gone, Hooper figures to serve as New England's No. 2 TE behind Hunter Henry in 2024. Unless Henry gets hurt, Hooper is unlikely to have a significant enough role to warrant fantasy consideration in standard-sized leagues.