Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Will Dissly

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, January 11, 11:47 PM

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Will Dissly struggled his way through a rough loss in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs against the Houston Texans. Dissly was targeted five times, making two catches for 16 yards total. He dropped a pass while completely wide open and also was unable to catch a rather easy pass that he batted and turned into an interception instead. Dissly came on as a solid and reliable high-floor fantasy tight end in the second half of the season, but he was almost solely responsible for a 14-point swing in the most important game of the season for the Chargers. Dissly signed a three-year deal before the season, so he should be expected back with the Bolts, but they'll likely look for a more traditional pass-catching tight end either in free agency or in the draft.