Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Kyle Pitts Sr.


Week 1 Projections

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Pts.
Rush.
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Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
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TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Austin Hooper News

Austin Hooper Heading Back to Atlanta

Monday, March 9, 9:40 AM

Free-agent tight end Austin Hooper is signing a one-year, $3.25 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Hooper was originally drafted by Atlanta in the third round in 2016 out of Stanford. The 31-year-old veteran spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Falcons and was a Pro Bowler with them in 2018 and 2019. He then bounced around with the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, and New England Patriots. Hooper hasn't been as productive as he was in his final two seasons in Atlanta, and in his return, he'll be a backup to TE Kyle Pitts Sr. In 16 regular-season games (six starts) for the Patriots last year, Hooper had just 21 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns. Unless Pitts is traded or injured in 2026, Hooper won't be on the fantasy radar in redraft leagues this fall.


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Kyle Pitts Sr. News

Kyle Pitts Sr. Signs Franchise Tender on Thursday

Thursday, May 7, 1:31 PM

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. officially signed his $15.045 million franchise tender on Thursday, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. Pitts is locked into a sixth season with the Falcons, but the team's brass may want to see another strong season in 2026 before getting serious about signing him to a long-term extension. The 25-year-old former fourth overall pick in 2021 out of the University of Florida looked legitimate in his first year in the NFL, when he posted a 68-1,026-1 line on 110 targets over 17 games. However, He combined for just nine touchdowns and didn't exceed 667 receiving yards or 53 receptions in his next three seasons from 2022 to 2024. Pitts finally broke out again for fantasy managers in 2025, securing 88 receptions on 118 targets for 928 yards and five touchdowns in 17 starts in a career year. Can he do it again? Well, it's a major question mark, especially with Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. (knee) set to compete for the starting QB job this summer. He should still be considered a TE1 in fantasy in 2026, but fantasy managers shouldn't reach for him as an elite TE1. Right now, RotoBaller has Pitts ranked as the No. 8 option at his position.


Austin Hooper vs. Kyle Pitts Sr.

Still trying to decide between Hooper and Pitts Sr.? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Austin Hooper is projected to score 0.0 points this week while Kyle Pitts Sr. is projected to score 0.0 points.