Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Evan Engram

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.

Sunday, April 13, 4:58 PM

Denver Broncos tight end Evan Engram lauded his new quarterback, Bo Nix, last week in an interview with DNVR's Bennie Fowler. "He has everything that it takes to be great in this league," said Engram. The 30-year-old went on to praise Nix's dual-threat ability and noted that the team should continue to put talent around such a weapon. The Georgia native was fantastic in 2023 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, churning out an impressive 114 receptions. However, after being limited to nine games during an injury-plagued 2024, the team released him. Engram has an excellent chance to rebound with the Broncos in 2025 -- particularly as the joker in a Sean Payton offense bereft of weapons outside wideout Courtland Sutton. With Denver set to spend an early pick on running back in the draft later this month, the veteran tight end should provide solid TE1 numbers this season, barring health.