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.

Saturday, March 8, 7:55 PM

The Carolina Panthers are re-signing tight end Tommy Tremble to a two-year deal. Joe Person of The Athletic reported the news. Tremble spent the last four seasons with Carolina after being selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, though he never eclipsed 23 receptions or 234 yards -- figures he reached this past season in only 12 games. The 24-year-old acted as the Panthers' primary TE for most of the 2024 season but split time pretty evenly with then-rookie Ja'Tavion Sanders near the season's end. Carolina's offense ended last season on the up-swing. Still, uncertainty surrounding the Notre Dame product's role in the offense should cause fantasy managers pause before dumping a pick into him this offseason. Despite the potential upside of the Panthers' pass attack manned by an improving Bryce Young, Tremble is worth nothing more than a late-round best ball flyer at this point.