Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Nikola Kalinic


Week 3 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
2.2 0.1 0.0 0.9 9.7 0.1

Austin Hooper News

Austin Hooper Heading Back to Atlanta

Monday, March 9, 9:40 AM

Free-agent tight end Austin Hooper is signing a one-year, $3.25 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. Hooper was originally drafted by Atlanta in the third round in 2016 out of Stanford. The 31-year-old veteran spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Falcons and was a Pro Bowler with them in 2018 and 2019. He then bounced around with the Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, and New England Patriots. Hooper hasn't been as productive as he was in his final two seasons in Atlanta, and in his return, he'll be a backup to TE Kyle Pitts Sr. In 16 regular-season games (six starts) for the Patriots last year, Hooper had just 21 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns. Unless Pitts is traded or injured in 2026, Hooper won't be on the fantasy radar in redraft leagues this fall.


Week 3 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Nikola Kalinic News

Falcons Sign Nikola Kalinic To Futures Deal

Wednesday, January 29, 10:19 PM

The Atlanta Falcons announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent tight end Nikola Kalinic to a Reserve/Future contract. The 28-year-old appeared in two games with the Los Angeles Rams in 2024 and previously played in the Canadian Football League from 2019-22 before joining the Indianapolis Colts. Since the end of the season in addition to Kalinic, Atlanta has signed quarterback Emory Jones, wide receivers Phillips Dorsett, Jesse Matthews, Dylan Drummond, Makai Polk and David Sills, running back Elijah Dotson, offensive linemen Joey Fisher, Jovaughn Gwyn, Tyron Wheatley Jr. and Matthew Cindric, defensive linemen Junior Aho, Khalid Kareem and LaCale London, and defensive backs Lamar Jackson and Benny Sapp III to Reserve/Futures deals.


Austin Hooper vs. Nikola Kalinic

Still trying to decide between Hooper and Kalinic? Check on the latest news to make sure both players are active and healthy. Our PPR projections show that Austin Hooper is projected to score 2.2 points this week while Nikola Kalinic is projected to score 0.0 points.