Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Tre'Quan Smith

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.

Tuesday, October 3, 5:21 PM

The Denver Broncos signed free-agent wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith (groin) to their practice squad on Tuesday and waived cornerback Essang Bassey and released wide receiver Michael Bandy from the practice squad in corresponding moves. Smith began the season on Injured Reserve with the New Orleans Saints due to a groin injury he suffered in training camp, but he's apparently healthy now and will have another opportunity in Denver as he reunites with his former head coach Sean Payton. The 27-year-old remains well off the fantasy radar for now. In his five seasons with the Saints since 2018, Smith has put up 131 receptions (196 targets) for 1,764 yards and 18 touchdowns in 66 games (35 starts). He had just 19 catches for 278 yards and one score in 15 games (six starts) in 2022.