Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Dalton Schultz

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.

Saturday, January 18, 8:03 PM

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz finished second on the team in receiving by catching all four of his targets for 63 yards in a Divisional Round defeat to Kansas City on Saturday. All told, it was the veteran tight end's second-best receiving day of the season, trailing only a 66-yard day against Detroit in November. About half Schultz's damage came on one play, a 34-yard juggling act along the sideline that was upheld after review. Though his receiving role initially took a hit, he ended up second on the team in targets and catches following injuries to receivers Stefon Diggs (knee) and Tank Dell (knee). Houston, which sees its season end in the Divisional Round for a second straight year, will likely be in the market for another pass catcher during the offseason.