Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or T.J. Hockenson


Week 1 Projections

Fant.
Pts.
Rush.
Yds.
Rush
TD
Rec. Rec.
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Rec
TD
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

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
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

T.J. Hockenson News

T.J. Hockenson's Bounce-Back Chances Stifled by Improved Pass-Catching Depth

Friday, May 8, 5:50 AM

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson was a popular bounce-back candidate after his 438 receiving yards in 2025 marked the lowest total since his rookie season. With the Vikings agreeing to a one-year deal on Thursday with former 49ers receiver Jauan Jennings, Hockenson's chances of a fantasy resurgence took a meaningful hit. While operating largely in the intermediate areas of the field over the past two seasons, Jennings has caught 132 passes for 1,618 yards and 15 touchdowns. Now surrounded by Jennings, Justin Jefferson, and Jordan Addison, Hockenson is unlikely to approach the 120+ targets of his glory days, but he is one more year removed from the ACL injury that ended his 2023 season, and the presence of Kyler Murray is expected to increase scoring opportunities for the entire Vikings offense. At RotoBaller's dynasty TE22 and falling, Hockenson could still provide usable fantasy depth, making him a worthwhile buy on the inevitable post-trade dip.


Austin Hooper vs. T.J. Hockenson

Still trying to decide between Hooper and Hockenson? 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 0.0 points this week while T.J. Hockenson is projected to score 0.0 points.