Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Chig Okonkwo

Saturday, May 9, 5:39 AM

When Commanders tight end Chig Okonkwo agreed to a three-year deal with Washington in the opening days of free agency, he was viewed as one of the biggest winners of the early offseason. With Washington since spending a third-round pick on prototypical slot receiver Antonio Williams, a small amount of shine has come off the landing spot, but the talented fifth-year tight end still walks into the best situation of his young career. Okonkwo has never been on a team with a quarterback throwing for more than 3,200 yards or 15 touchdowns, numbers easily eclipsed as a rookie by 2024 first-round pick Jayden Daniels before injuries derailed his 2025 sophomore campaign. While a soon-to-be-31-year-old Terry McLaurin arguably represents the fiercest target competition Okonkwo has ever faced, the receiver depth behind him still ranks near the bottom of the league, even with the addition of Williams. With Okonkwo operating as the second or third option in what projects to be a highly competent offense, he could easily top his 56 receptions and 560 receiving yards from 2025, numbers that led a hapless Titans offense. At RotoBaller's dynasty TE17, the 26-year-old could still be undervalued with a ceiling capable of putting him just outside the top tiers of pass-catching tight ends.