Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Adam Shaheen

Sunday, March 9, 8:57 PM

The New England Patriots are re-signing veteran tight end Austin Hooper to a one-year, $5 million deal with a max value of $7 million. Hooper, a two-time Pro Bowler, notched 45 receptions and 476 yards with New England a season ago, his highest marks since his 2021 stint with the Cleveland Browns. While he began the 2024 season cold, the 30-year-old picked it up over the back half -- racking up four catches in five of his last seven appearances as then-rookie signal-caller Drake Maye got acclimated to the NFL. The Stanford product played second fiddle to fellow tight end Hunter Henry last season and figures to do so again if his teammate stays healthy, as the latter out-paced the former handily in snaps (835-575) despite playing in one fewer contest. It's possible Hooper returns some TE2 value this upcoming season, but he's better off left to waivers until he proves otherwise.

Monday, October 30, 11:24 PM

While dealing with injuries at the position, the Buffalo Bills worked out former Chicago Bears tight end Adam Shaheen on Monday. Dawson Knox (wrist) is currently on Injured Reserve and will miss at least three more games. Shaheen was with the Miami Dolphins last year, but he didn't play at all due to a knee injury that landed him on Injured Reserve. The 29-year-old former second-round pick by the Chicago Bears hasn't played in an NFL since 2021, when he had 12 receptions on 16 targets for 110 yards and no touchdowns in 12 games (seven starts). Shaheen will remain well off the fantasy radar, even if he's signed by Buffalo. Rookie Dalton Kincaid had a big game in last Thursday night's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and will have TE1 upside moving forward with Knox on the shelf.