Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Julio Jones

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.

Monday, January 15, 10:11 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Julio Jones (concussion) was diagnosed with a concussion following a hard hit in the second quarter of Monday night's wild-card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and has been ruled out for the rest of the game. Before taking the hard shot that left him concussed, the 34-year-old veteran caught three passes for just 22 yards. The Eagles are also without top receiver A.J. Brown (knee), so DeVonta Smith, who leads the team with four catches for 100 yards, and tight end Dallas Goedert (three catches for 11 yards and a touchdown) should continue to be a big part of Philly's passing game as they look to come from behind to beat the Bucs. Quez Watkins could also get more involved through the air in the second half. If the Eagles come back and win this game, Jones could be unavailable for the Divisional Round in Detroit against the Lions.