Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Tommy Tremble

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.

Tuesday, May 27, 2:30 PM

Carolina Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble (back) underwent successful back surgery last week, according to head coach Dave Canales. The Notre Dame product is expected to be ready for training camp. Tremble, a third-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has tallied 85 receptions for 782 yards and nine touchdowns in 61 career games. The 24-year-old is a solid rotational tight end, but he'll likely be sharing time with Ja'Tavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans in 2025. The Panthers' tight end room could be one to watch if quarterback Bryce Young takes a big Year-3 leap, but for now, it's tough to be optimistic about any of these players, and they might not be on the fantasy football radar in regular setups.