Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Dalton Kincaid

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, January 29, 1:53 PM

Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) said on Thursday that he doesn't need surgery on his knee this offseason, according to Jay Skurski of The Buffalo News. Kincaid missed time in 2025 with knee and hamstring issues, which limited him to a career-low 12 games played during the regular season. It was a disappointing year for the 26-year-old, although he did have a career-high five touchdown catches. Kincaid had a career-low 39 receptions on 49 targets for 571 yards during the regular season to finish as the TE18 in half-PPR scoring. The disappointing campaign makes more sense after it was announced that the former 25th overall pick in 2023 out of Utah played most of the year with a PCL tear, which was the same injury he suffered in November of 2024. Concerns about Kincaid's long-term durability will keep his fantasy price low in 2026, but if he can put together a fully healthy season, he could easily wind up as Buffalo's leading receiver as one of quarterback Josh Allen's favorite targets.