Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Mike Gesicki

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.

Tuesday, March 12, 11:18 AM

Veteran free-agent tight end Mike Gesicki is joining the Cincinnati Bengals on a one-year deal worth up to $3.25 million. The 2018 second-round pick has compiled 260 receptions on 415 targets for 2,861 yards and 20 touchdowns across five seasons with the Miami Dolphins and one season with the New England Patriots. The Bengals have not had an overly productive tight end in the Joe Burrow era, but if receiver Tee Higgins is granted the trade he requested on Monday, Gesicki could become a top-three option in a potent passing game. The Bengals also added tight end Drew Sample in free agency on Monday. At the very least, Gesicki should be in a strong offense with touchdown opportunities in the red zone as a touchdown-dependent TE2 in fantasy.