Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Mike Gesicki

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 12, 2:26 PM

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (pectoral) has been making positive progress in his recovery from a pectoral injury suffered in Week 6 against the Green Bay Packers. Gesicki was placed on Injured Reserve following that game and is now entering the fourth game he was required to miss on IR, but should have a good chance of returning in Week 12 versus the Patriots. The 30-year-old was having a quiet start to the year before going down, catching eight of 16 targets for 61 yards in six games. Noah Fant has mostly filled in as the Bengals' tight end with Gesicki sidelined, and he's been a solid contributor, recording 13 catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns since Week 6. Fant will again be a low-end streaming option for fantasy managers in Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.