Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Jake Elliott

Wednesday, March 13, 12:18 AM

Las Vegas Raiders free-agent tight end Austin Hooper is expected to sign a one-year deal worth up to $4.25 million with the New England Patriots on Wednesday. The veteran tight end will reunite with new Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, who was with Hooper with the Cleveland Browns. Hooper made the Pro Bowl two straight years from 2018-19 while with the Atlanta Falcons, but he hasn't been nearly as involved as he was then in the last four seasons with the Browns, Titans and Raiders. In 17 games (nine starts) last year in Vegas, the 29-year-old caught just 25 of 31 targets for 234 yards and no touchdowns. With both Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown now gone, Hooper figures to serve as New England's No. 2 TE behind Hunter Henry in 2024. Unless Henry gets hurt, Hooper is unlikely to have a significant enough role to warrant fantasy consideration in standard-sized leagues.

Wednesday, March 13, 4:22 PM

The Philadelphia Eagles are re-signing kicker Jake Elliott to a four-year, $24 million contract extension, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. Elliott earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2023 after making 30 of his 32 field-goal attempts and 45 of his 46 extra points. His longest field goal of the year was from 61 yards. The 29-year-old finished tied for fifth among kickers in fantasy points per game (9.2) last year, and he should remain a top-12 fantasy kicker for years to come behind a strong Eagles offense. He is now tied with Justin Tucker as the highest-paid kicker based on average salary ($6 million).