Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Mark Andrews

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 22, 2:57 PM

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (ankle) was designated to return from Injured Reserve on Friday, January 12, but he did not suit up to face the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Round on Saturday. Despite being a full participant at practice on Wednesday and Thursday, the 28-year-old was listed as questionable and was held out. Since it seems he was close to playing, the belief is that he could be back to face the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. However, head coach John Harbaugh was non-committal on his status on Monday. "We'll just see how it goes," Harbaugh said. "If he's ready to play, he'll play." It sounds like DFS gamers will have to wait a little longer to see if the Pro Bowler will hit the playing field for the first time since Week 11. If he's active, he'll be firmly on the fantasy radar, and Isaiah Likely will be a downgraded DFS option.