Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Dawson Knox

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.

Tuesday, November 18, 9:12 PM

Even with Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) sidelined in Week 11, Bills TE2 Dawson Knox had a modest outing, recording one catch for 23 yards on three targets against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kincaid did not practice on either Monday or Tuesday heading into Buffalo's Week 12 matchup against the Houston Texans on Thursday night, so Knox could have another chance to be his team's lead tight end. Still, in the two games he's played this season without Kincaid, Knox has recorded two catches for 42 yards and a touchdown on five targets. Expectations for Knox should be limited, but the 29-year-old does have a better chance to find the end zone without Kincaid in the lineup. In the deepest fantasy leagues, Knox could be a low-end streaming option for managers to add off the waiver wire heading into Week 12.