Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Nick Bellore

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.

Sunday, March 10, 2:29 PM

The Seattle Seahawks are releasing linebacker/fullback Nick Bellore ahead of 2024 free agency, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The 34-year-old team captain made the 2020 and 2023 Pro Bowl rosters for his work on special teams, and he has been with the organization since 2019. He will now hit free agency after compiling 65 tackles in five seasons with Seattle. He spent eight seasons with the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions. The move saves the Seahawks $2.85 million on the cap.