Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Kyle Pitts

Sunday, March 9, 8:57 PM

The New England Patriots are re-signing veteran tight end Austin Hooper to a one-year, $5 million deal with a max value of $7 million. Hooper, a two-time Pro Bowler, notched 45 receptions and 476 yards with New England a season ago, his highest marks since his 2021 stint with the Cleveland Browns. While he began the 2024 season cold, the 30-year-old picked it up over the back half -- racking up four catches in five of his last seven appearances as then-rookie signal-caller Drake Maye got acclimated to the NFL. The Stanford product played second fiddle to fellow tight end Hunter Henry last season and figures to do so again if his teammate stays healthy, as the latter out-paced the former handily in snaps (835-575) despite playing in one fewer contest. It's possible Hooper returns some TE2 value this upcoming season, but he's better off left to waivers until he proves otherwise.

Sunday, May 4, 1:40 PM

Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said that he "wants to continue to develop" tight end Kyle Pitt's tight end skills and that he's "expecting Kyle to take a big jump" in Year 2 of the offensive system in 2025. The former fourth overall pick in 2021 -- the highest a tight end has been drafted in the NFL -- had 68 catches for 1,026 yards and a touchdown as a Pro Bowler in his rookie season while becoming the second TE in NFL history to post a 1,000-yard season, joining Hall of Famer Mike Ditka. However, the 24-year-old has disappointed the last three years with 1,625 yards combined and never finishing with more than 667 yards. He also suffered a season-ending torn MCL in 2022. We've heard in the past that Pitts has been primed for a big year, only for him to disappoint. For fantasy managers will to take the chance on him, Pitts is entering a contract year and will be working with impressive young quarterback Michael Penix Jr.