Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Michael Gallup

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, April 29, 8:51 PM

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, free-agent wide receiver Michael Gallup intends to ink a deal with the Raiders. The Cowboys released the wideout mid-March, saving the club nearly $10 million. But he's now heading to Las Vegas, where he will reportedly sign a one-year, $3 million contract. Gallup's best season was in 2019, with the 28-year-old amassing 1,107 yards and six touchdowns off 66 receptions. Since then, his production has declined. Gallup also tore his ACL late in 2021, which hindered his chances of turning things around. With that said, Gallup could have trouble getting consistently involved in Vegas, considering he'll presumably be behind Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers on the depth chart. The quarterback situation also won't help his fantasy potential. Yet, Gallup could have a few decent outings with the Raiders, and his stock will rise if Adams or Meyers goes down with an injury at some point during the 2024-25 campaign.