Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Trey McBride

Saturday, December 21, 12:54 AM

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper has been productive over his last five games, totaling 18 catches, 238 yards, and two touchdowns during that span. Even as the Patriots' No. 2 tight end, Hooper has managed to make a name for himself, ranking as the overall TE14 in fantasy points since Week 10. That actually ranks five whole spots higher than fellow Patriots tight end Hunter Henry, despite the fact that Henry has played more snaps than Hooper and has more fantasy points over the whole season. Hooper's rapport with Drake Maye does put him on the fantasy radar this week, but he's still in the mid-to-low TE2 tier. That's especially true as he prepares to take on a Bills defense allowing the ninth-fewest catches, sixth-fewest receptions, and sixth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends in 2024.

Saturday, December 21, 9:24 AM

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride is arguably the number one overall tight end play in fantasy football in Week 16 when the Cardinals travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers. McBride is having one of the best seasons we've seen from a tight end in recent memory and, statistically, the best in Arizona in a long time. One statistical category that is lacking is touchdown production. McBride just broke the record for most receptions in a season (89) without a touchdown. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has been vocal about getting McBride into the end zone, and they will have a good opportunity to do so, as the Panthers are allowing the most passing touchdowns in the NFL. It's hard to find a better option at the tight end position than McBride, and he should be started in all league formats.