Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Cole Kmet

Wednesday, November 19, 2:59 AM

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper (concussion) carved out standalone fantasy value in his role behind Hunter Henry last season, but he has failed to establish himself as a worthwhile fantasy addition during the 2025 campaign. He went from the overall TE24 in PPR leagues last year to TE45 through Week 11 this season. The 31-year-old hasn't registered more than three targets in a single game this season, which is a major step backward after he averaged 3.5 targets per game in 2024. While Henry has cemented himself as the Patriots' top tight end and is one reason for Hooper's underwhelming year, the bigger factor is likely the wide receivers' increased productivity. Players like Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins have elevated this position room higher than in years past, leaving fewer opportunities for a backup tight end like Hooper. An injury has complicated his status even more, as Hooper missed Week 11 in concussion protocol and remains up in the air for Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Even if he plays, he'll remain off the fantasy radar in all leagues. His only path to fantasy relevance would be a Hunter Henry injury.

Friday, November 28, 9:00 PM

Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet led the team in receiving on a day in which both running backs D'Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai went over 100 rushing yards apiece with two rushing touchdowns in a 24-15 win over the hosting Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. Kmet caught all three of his targets on the day for only 36 yards and his second touchdown of the year. Second-year quarterback Caleb Williams only threw for 154 yards as the Bears leaned heavily on the run against Philly. The 26-year-old Kmet's touchdown reception came on a 28-yard strike for the team's only passing TD of the game. It was nice to see Kmet find the end zone again, but rookie first-rounder Colston Loveland (who had three catches for 28 yards in the game) remains the more attractive upside stash in most fantasy leagues for the rest of the season. Kmet has more than one catch in just two of the last seven games.