Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Michael Mayer

Wednesday, November 19, 2:59 AM

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper (concussion) carved out standalone fantasy value in his role behind Hunter Henry last season, but he has failed to establish himself as a worthwhile fantasy addition during the 2025 campaign. He went from the overall TE24 in PPR leagues last year to TE45 through Week 11 this season. The 31-year-old hasn't registered more than three targets in a single game this season, which is a major step backward after he averaged 3.5 targets per game in 2024. While Henry has cemented himself as the Patriots' top tight end and is one reason for Hooper's underwhelming year, the bigger factor is likely the wide receivers' increased productivity. Players like Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins have elevated this position room higher than in years past, leaving fewer opportunities for a backup tight end like Hooper. An injury has complicated his status even more, as Hooper missed Week 11 in concussion protocol and remains up in the air for Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Even if he plays, he'll remain off the fantasy radar in all leagues. His only path to fantasy relevance would be a Hunter Henry injury.

Wednesday, November 26, 7:42 PM

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (ankle) was a non-participant in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday due to an ankle issue, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Mayer only played 13 offensive snaps in Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Browns before injuring his ankle and never returning. The 24-year-old's status is now up in the air for this weekend's divisional rematch against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mayer has not been a realistic TE2 fantasy football streamer this year as long as Brock Bowers has been healthy. In nine total games, the former second-rounder in 2023 out of Notre Dame has 22 catches for 182 yards and only one touchdown on 32 targets. If Mayer is unavailable to play against L.A. on Sunday, it should open up more playing time for rookies Dont'e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech in three-wide sets.