Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Juwan Johnson

Wednesday, November 19, 2:59 AM

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper (concussion) carved out standalone fantasy value in his role behind Hunter Henry last season, but he has failed to establish himself as a worthwhile fantasy addition during the 2025 campaign. He went from the overall TE24 in PPR leagues last year to TE45 through Week 11 this season. The 31-year-old hasn't registered more than three targets in a single game this season, which is a major step backward after he averaged 3.5 targets per game in 2024. While Henry has cemented himself as the Patriots' top tight end and is one reason for Hooper's underwhelming year, the bigger factor is likely the wide receivers' increased productivity. Players like Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins have elevated this position room higher than in years past, leaving fewer opportunities for a backup tight end like Hooper. An injury has complicated his status even more, as Hooper missed Week 11 in concussion protocol and remains up in the air for Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Even if he plays, he'll remain off the fantasy radar in all leagues. His only path to fantasy relevance would be a Hunter Henry injury.

Monday, November 24, 11:18 PM

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson isn't the sexiest name by any means at his position, primarily because he resides in a Saints offense that is tied for last in the league with 15 points scored per game. However, Johnson has been the No. 2 option in the passing game in New Orleans in 2025 behind receiver Chris Olave, and he enters Week 13 action tied with Hunter Henry at 8.7 half-PPR fantasy points per contest. The 29-year-old had touchdown catches in back-to-back games going into the Week 12 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, including a season-high 92 receiving yards before the team's Week 11 bye. On Sunday, Johnson had six catches (second-most in a game this year) on seven targets for 46 yards against Atlanta. His 67 targets through 11 games in 2025 tie him for seventh at the TE position. Johnson will be in position as an intriguing low-end TE1 in fantasy in a plus matchup this weekend versus Miami. He is on pace for a career-best season.