Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Dallas Goedert

Friday, December 27, 1:00 AM

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper remains a viable streaming option heading into Saturday's Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Hooper has been one of the NFL's better backup tight ends this season, totaling 22 catches, 293 yards, and two touchdowns over his last six contests. In each of those six games, he has finished with at least three catches and at least 35 receiving yards. Since Week 10, he ranks 10th among tight ends in fantasy points per game (half-PPR), which is actually six slots higher than teammate Hunter Henry. Hooper's floor is a little lower against a Chargers defense allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends, but his track record and usage will keep him in the mid-range TE2 tier for Week 17. Managers could justify plucking him off waivers and starting him in leagues with at least 12 teams.

Saturday, December 7, 12:02 PM

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) is heading to Injured Reserve on Saturday because of the knee injury he suffered in the Week 13 victory over the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday, according to sources. It means that Goedert will have to miss at least the next four games, but the plan is for him to be back at full speed heading into the playoffs. Technically, he'll be eligible to return for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival New York Giants, but it sounds like we won't see Goedert again until the postseason. Fantasy managers in redraft leagues can send him to the waiver wire for a healthy body. The 29-year-old also missed a few games earlier in 2024 due to injuries and he'll finish 2024 with 38 catches, 441 yards and two scores on 46 targets in nine games. Grant Calcaterra becomes a TE2 streaming option for the final five games in fantasy with Goedert now sidelined.