Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Dallas Goedert

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.

Wednesday, May 7, 11:05 AM

The Philadelphia Eagles and tight end Dallas Goedert are finalizing a reworked deal, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Enquirer. Goedert is entering his final season under contract, and the Eagles were said to be fielding trade offers during the draft. The veteran tight end was aware of the trade chatter, and now, he's reportedly taking a pay cut to stay with the Eagles for several years as they look to defend their Super Bowl title. Injuries limited Goedert to a career-low 10 games last season, and as a result, his production dwindled. He finished the year with just 42 catches for 496 yards and two touchdowns. Although he's behind Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith in the Eagles' offensive pecking order, he should be a top-12 fantasy tight end if he can stay healthy. At the very least, Philadelphia's willingness to sign him to a reworked deal indicates that they want him to remain a central point of their offense for several years to come.