Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Taysom Hill

Sunday, January 5, 10:23 PM

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper caught four of his six targets for 27 yards during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Buffalo Bills. The veteran tight end handled an increased workload in the regular-season finale, playing 67.2 percent of the Patriots' offensive snaps with Hunter Henry (foot) sidelined. The 30-year-old finished as a low-end TE2 in fantasy football this season with 45 catches, 476 yards, and three touchdowns. Hooper was a pleasant surprise during his first year in New England, maintaining a significant role on offense despite being listed second on the depth chart behind Henry. He's slated to hit free agency in March but could be a priority re-signing for the Patriots' next coaching regime.

Tuesday, February 18, 8:22 PM

The Athletic's Nick Kosmider suggests that Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton could target New Orleans Saints tight ends Juwan Johnson and Taysom Hill (knee) this offseason. Johnson signed with the Saints when Payton was still the head coach in 2020 and had seven touchdowns in Payton's final season in 2022. The 28-year-old played in all 17 games in 2023 and finished with career-highs in catches (50) and receiving yards (548). His 18 TD receptions since 2021 are tied for seventh-most among all TEs in that span. Johnson also ranks sixth among all TEs the last four years in average air yards per target (8.64). He'd give Denver a downfield threat at the position that they've been lacking. Hill, a do-it-all 34-year-old that has been a RB and WR for Payton in the past in New Orleans, could be cut by the Saints this offseason after tearing his ACL in 2024. He'd give Denver another option in the short-yardage running game, an area they struggled at this past season.