Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Mark Andrews

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.

Tuesday, June 24, 11:21 PM

Rather than sulk about speculation that he'll be traded or released, Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews has gotten back to work this offseason and looks quick and healthy, according to The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec. Andrews also hasn't complained publicly that he's set to play out the final year on a contract that he's outperformed, and instead has remained focused on getting ready for 2025. The 29-year-old did score a career-high 11 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games, but he caught just 55 passes for 673 yards and saw Isaiah Likely take on a bigger role in the offense. Oh, and he also ended the season with a crucial fumble and dropped two-point conversion in the playoff loss to Buffalo. Andrews will still be a favorite red-zone target for quarterback Lamar Jackson, but he'll also probably continue to lose valuable targets to Likely, making him a volatile, TD-dependent midrange TE1 in fantasy.