Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Noah Fant

Sunday, March 9, 8:57 PM

The New England Patriots are re-signing veteran tight end Austin Hooper to a one-year, $5 million deal with a max value of $7 million. Hooper, a two-time Pro Bowler, notched 45 receptions and 476 yards with New England a season ago, his highest marks since his 2021 stint with the Cleveland Browns. While he began the 2024 season cold, the 30-year-old picked it up over the back half -- racking up four catches in five of his last seven appearances as then-rookie signal-caller Drake Maye got acclimated to the NFL. The Stanford product played second fiddle to fellow tight end Hunter Henry last season and figures to do so again if his teammate stays healthy, as the latter out-paced the former handily in snaps (835-575) despite playing in one fewer contest. It's possible Hooper returns some TE2 value this upcoming season, but he's better off left to waivers until he proves otherwise.

Sunday, January 5, 8:19 PM

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant scored his first touchdown since 2022 in a Week 18 win over the Los Angeles Rams. Fant's touchdown was a flipping effort at the goal line that put the Seahawks ahead in this game. The touchdown would turn out to be the game-winner. Fant finished the day with five receptions for 63 yards in addition to the touchdown. He recorded exactly 500 receiving yards this season on 48 catches. Fant was due for a touchdown. It is only fitting that it came on a day in which quarterback Geno Smith threw four touchdown passes. The Seahawks clearly value Fant as a contributor in their offense and that should continue moving forward. If Smith can bounce back in the touchdown department next season, Fant will be an interesting fantasy asset given how high-powered Seattle's offense is.