Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Dallas Goedert

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.

Thursday, November 27, 1:12 AM

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert let down once again last week, tallying his fifth straight performance with fewer than 50 yards. In fact, Goedert has only eclipsed that number once this season-in Week 6 when he finished with 110 yards. His once-remarkable touchdown streak now feels like a distant memory as he has failed to find the end zone in three consecutive games. What's also concerning is his lack of targets; Goedert has recorded three or fewer looks in three of his last five outings. He has become a rather untrustworthy player lately, so it's difficult to be optimistic about him this week, even against a Bears defense giving up the seventh-most fantasy points to tight ends. Goedert has some work to do to be considered elite again, and for now is only valuable if he starts seeing more red zone work. He's a high-risk, high-reward TE2 in Week 13.