Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or A.J. Brown

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.

Saturday, February 24, 1:20 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown said on 94 WIP Sports Radio in Philadelphia that he wants to stay with the team. "I have no problem. I want to be here, it's as simple as that. I love where I'm at, it's as simple as that. Next question," Brown said. The 26-year-old Pro Bowl wideout was calling into the radio station to dispel rumors that he could be a trade candidate this offseason. He also said he has no issues with quarterback Jalen Hurts after the team's late-season meltdown in 2023 that culminated in a wild-card loss to the Buccaneers. Brown is entering the second year of his four-year, $100 million extension and will continue being Hurts' top target in the passing game. The no-doubt WR1 in fantasy had 1,456 receiving yards -- his fourth 1,000-yard season in five years -- and seven TDs on a career-high 106 catches last year.