Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Ronald Jones

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.

Monday, September 18, 7:43 PM

The Dallas Cowboys released running back Ronald Jones on Monday, the team announced. Jones was eligible to return to the active 53-man roster on Monday after serving a two-game suspension for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy, but the Cowboys have opted to go in another direction. The 26-year-old will now be hoping to latch on with another organization to provide some backfield depth. Tony Pollard is the team's clear-cut starter, with Rico Dowdle and rookies Deuce Vaughn and Hunter Luepke backing him up in the running back room. Jones shouldn't be rostered in single-year fantasy leagues right now.