Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Feleipe Franks


Week 3 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
2.2 0.1 0.0 0.9 9.7 0.1

Austin Hooper News

Austin Hooper Heading Back to Atlanta

Monday, March 9, 9:40 AM

Free-agent tight end Austin Hooper is signing a one-year, $3.25 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Hooper was originally drafted by Atlanta in the third round in 2016 out of Stanford. The 31-year-old veteran spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Falcons and was a Pro Bowler with them in 2018 and 2019. He then bounced around with the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, and New England Patriots. Hooper hasn't been as productive as he was in his final two seasons in Atlanta, and in his return, he'll be a backup to TE Kyle Pitts Sr. In 16 regular-season games (six starts) for the Patriots last year, Hooper had just 21 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns. Unless Pitts is traded or injured in 2026, Hooper won't be on the fantasy radar in redraft leagues this fall.


Week 3 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0

Feleipe Franks News

Panthers Signing Feleipe Franks

Sunday, March 22, 10:51 AM

The Carolina Panthers have signed tight end and special teamer Feleipe Franks, according to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz. Franks was a standout quarterback in college, totaling 18 touchdowns and just four interceptions in his final NCAA season at Arkansas in 2020. He also had 31 touchdowns and six interceptions as a sophomore at Florida in 2018. He ended up signing with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent and made one appearance before converting to tight end in 2022. He joined the Panthers in 2024, then returned to the Falcons in 2025. Now, he's back in Carolina for 2026. He has just one catch and two rushing attempts since becoming a tight end, so we expect the vast majority of his contributions to come on special teams next year. He has no fantasy relevance.


Austin Hooper vs. Feleipe Franks

Still trying to decide between Hooper and Franks? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Austin Hooper is projected to score 2.2 points this week while Feleipe Franks is projected to score 0.0 points.