Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Gunnar Helm
Week 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.3 | 15.1 | 0.1 |
Austin Hooper News
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 1 Projections
| Fant. Pts. |
Rush. Yds. |
Rush TD |
Rec. | Rec. Yds. |
Rec TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.1 | 27.8 | 0.2 |
Gunnar Helm News
Friday, July 24, 7:25 AM
A fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm recorded 44 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns on 55 targets across 16 games (10 starts) as a rookie. Helm's target volume was limited by the presence of former Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo. However, Okonkwo departed Tennessee for the Washington Commanders in free agency, leaving the door open for Helm to take over as the Titans TE1. Tennessee added wide receivers Carnell Tate and Wan'Dale Robinson this offseason, which could leave fewer targets for the team's incumbent pass-catchers. Still, the Titans offense should be in a better overall spot in 2026 in quarterback Cam Ward's second season as the starter. Helm may not have high-end fantasy TE1 upside, but he has a clear path to streamer value at the very least. As the TE28 by current redraft ADP, Helm should be a priority late-round sleeper target for fantasy managers.
Austin Hooper vs. Gunnar Helm
Still trying to decide between Hooper and Helm? 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 3.3 points this week while Gunnar Helm is projected to score 7.1 points.
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