Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Noah Gray


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
3.3 0.0 0.0 1.3 15.1 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 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
Yds.
Rec
TD
3.6 0.0 0.0 1.5 14.6 0.1

Noah Gray News

Noah Gray Waiting His Turn in Kansas City

Sunday, August 9, 6:58 PM

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Noah Gray remains the second-string tight end, working behind future Hall-of-Famer Travis Kelce. After back-to-back strong seasons in 2024 and 2025, Gray struggled last season, hauling in 21 of 37 targets for 178 yards and no touchdowns. When asked what he's learning from the veteran tight end, Gray said, "I'm privileged to be on the same team as him, to pick his mind, to watch him continue to make great plays; that's just the type of player and dude he is." With Kelce remaining the team's TE1, Gray will need to bounce back to his previous form to have any fantasy relevance in 2026. He remains a late-round dynasty option, with Kelce expected to contemplate retirement after the season.


Austin Hooper vs. Noah Gray

Still trying to decide between Hooper and Gray? 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 3.3 points this week while Noah Gray is projected to score 3.6 points.