Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Stephen Anderson

Wednesday, March 13, 12:18 AM

Las Vegas Raiders free-agent tight end Austin Hooper is expected to sign a one-year deal worth up to $4.25 million with the New England Patriots on Wednesday. The veteran tight end will reunite with new Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, who was with Hooper with the Cleveland Browns. Hooper made the Pro Bowl two straight years from 2018-19 while with the Atlanta Falcons, but he hasn't been nearly as involved as he was then in the last four seasons with the Browns, Titans and Raiders. In 17 games (nine starts) last year in Vegas, the 29-year-old caught just 25 of 31 targets for 234 yards and no touchdowns. With both Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown now gone, Hooper figures to serve as New England's No. 2 TE behind Hunter Henry in 2024. Unless Henry gets hurt, Hooper is unlikely to have a significant enough role to warrant fantasy consideration in standard-sized leagues.

Thursday, November 16, 12:10 PM

The Los Angeles Chargers signed free-agent tight end Stephen Anderson to their practice squad and released defensive back Mark Webb Jr. from the practice squad in a corresponding move. The move comes as the Chargers look to add depth at the position heading into a Week 11 contest against the Green Bay Packers with both Gerald Everett (back) and Donald Parham Jr. (hip) banged up. Neither player was able to practice on Wednesday and they could both be in danger of sitting out this weekend. If one or both of Everett and Parham are limited or out against Green Bay, the Chargers would be forced to give Stone Smartt or Nick Vannett more playing time. Anderson has yet to play in a game in 2023. He has 63 catches for 715 yards and three touchdowns in six NFL seasons and spent 2019-21 with the Chargers.