Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Tyler Warren

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.

Friday, May 9, 12:24 PM

The Indianapolis Colts signed rookie first-round tight end Tyler Warren to a four-year, fully-guaranteed $20.9 million contract on Friday that includes an $11.88 million signing bonus, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Colts also signed six other draft picks, including cornerback Justin Walley, tackle Jalen Travis, running back DJ Giddens, quarterback Riley Leonard, defensive tackle Tim Smith and safety Hunter Wohler. The Colts took Warren with the 14th overall pick in this year's draft out of Penn State, and they're hoping he can be the standout pass-catching TE they've been searching for for quite a while. He has a huge frame at 6-foot-5, 256 pounds and has plenty of after-the-catch ability, but fantasy managers should probably pump the brakes on Warren being the next Sam LaPorta or Brock Bowers in his rookie season given the uncertainty at the QB position in Indy.