Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Kyle Pitts

Sunday, January 5, 10:23 PM

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper caught four of his six targets for 27 yards during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Buffalo Bills. The veteran tight end handled an increased workload in the regular-season finale, playing 67.2 percent of the Patriots' offensive snaps with Hunter Henry (foot) sidelined. The 30-year-old finished as a low-end TE2 in fantasy football this season with 45 catches, 476 yards, and three touchdowns. Hooper was a pleasant surprise during his first year in New England, maintaining a significant role on offense despite being listed second on the depth chart behind Henry. He's slated to hit free agency in March but could be a priority re-signing for the Patriots' next coaching regime.

Monday, January 6, 4:20 AM

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts caught two passes for 15 yards and no scores in Sunday's 44-38 overtime loss to the Panthers. Even though Darnell Mooney (shoulder) missed the contest and Michael Penix Jr. tallied 38 pass attempts, Pitts would garner only three targets in the game. It puts an end to another disappointing season for the former first-round draft pick who put up over 1,000 yards receiving in his rookie season back in 2021, but no more than 667 in any season since then including this year's total of 602. The 24-year-old managed four scores on the year, but finishes as a mid-range TE2 for fantasy. Perhaps next season he and Penix Jr. can develop some chemistry, but it seems we've seen the peak already for the 6-foot-6 tight end.