Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Mo Alie-Cox

Saturday, December 21, 12:54 AM

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper has been productive over his last five games, totaling 18 catches, 238 yards, and two touchdowns during that span. Even as the Patriots' No. 2 tight end, Hooper has managed to make a name for himself, ranking as the overall TE14 in fantasy points since Week 10. That actually ranks five whole spots higher than fellow Patriots tight end Hunter Henry, despite the fact that Henry has played more snaps than Hooper and has more fantasy points over the whole season. Hooper's rapport with Drake Maye does put him on the fantasy radar this week, but he's still in the mid-to-low TE2 tier. That's especially true as he prepares to take on a Bills defense allowing the ninth-fewest catches, sixth-fewest receptions, and sixth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends in 2024.

Friday, December 20, 6:00 PM

Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox (hip) and wide receiver Ashton Dulin (ankle) are both considered questionable to play on Sunday in Week 16 against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. Alie-Cox didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday but was a full-go in practice on Friday. The 31-year-old is mostly a blocker for the Colts and has only 11 receptions for 132 yards and one touchdown on 18 targets in all 14 games this year, so even if he's active on Sunday, he should remain off the fantasy radar. If Alie-Cox is inactive, Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory will vie for more snaps on offense. The Colts already ruled out Alec Pierce (concussion), so Dulin would be competing for targets with rookie Adonai Mitchell as the WR3 in Week 16 if he's active. Dulin has missed the last two games and hasn't caught a pass since Week 2.