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.

Monday, December 8, 10:54 PM

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki had his best game of the season in Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills, recording six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown on six targets. The 30-year-old's involvement in the Cincinnati passing game has been trending up in recent weeks, as he's earned 16 targets across his last three games played. Gesicki could move even further up the pecking order in Week 15 against the Baltimore Ravens with Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) back in concussion protocol. Higgins played in Week 14 after missing Week 13 due to a head injury, but he re-entered the league's concussion protocol on Monday. If Higgins is sidelined, Gesicki could be a solid streaming option for fantasy managers at the tight end position in Week 15. He should be a waiver-wire target in all leagues with 14 or more teams.