Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Brock Bowers

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, January 6, 10:15 AM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers wrapped up a sensational rookie season despite a constant change at quarterback and a tumultuous season for the team in general. In the Week 18 loss to the Chargers, Bowers finished with four catches for 50 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. He ended the year with 112 receptions, 1,194 yards, and five touchdowns on 153 targets. His performance broke records for most receptions by a rookie, Raiders franchise single-season receptions, and most yards by a rookie tight end.