Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Noah Fant

Wednesday, November 19, 2:59 AM

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper (concussion) carved out standalone fantasy value in his role behind Hunter Henry last season, but he has failed to establish himself as a worthwhile fantasy addition during the 2025 campaign. He went from the overall TE24 in PPR leagues last year to TE45 through Week 11 this season. The 31-year-old hasn't registered more than three targets in a single game this season, which is a major step backward after he averaged 3.5 targets per game in 2024. While Henry has cemented himself as the Patriots' top tight end and is one reason for Hooper's underwhelming year, the bigger factor is likely the wide receivers' increased productivity. Players like Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins have elevated this position room higher than in years past, leaving fewer opportunities for a backup tight end like Hooper. An injury has complicated his status even more, as Hooper missed Week 11 in concussion protocol and remains up in the air for Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Even if he plays, he'll remain off the fantasy radar in all leagues. His only path to fantasy relevance would be a Hunter Henry injury.

Wednesday, December 17, 9:45 PM

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Noah Fant (ankle) was a non-participant during Wednesday's practice session. Fant was forced to leave during the first half of Sunday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Fant is now trending in the wrong direction for this weekend's game against the Miami Dolphins due to a right-ankle issue. Fant hasn't been much help to fantasy managers recently anyway. He has been held to one reception or fewer in each of his last four games. The absence of Fant would mean a larger workload for Mike Gesicki, while Tanner Hudson would serve as the No. 2. Gesicki will be an intriguing streaming option with an expanded role against the Dolphins in Week 16.