Who Should I Start? Darren Waller or Austin Hooper

Saturday, December 13, 6:26 PM

Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller flashed enough upside in the early part of the season to get some attention, but he hasn't been as involved since returning from IR in Week 13. He and the Dolphins are taking on the Steelers on Monday Night Football, and he can be a deep-league flier if you're desperate at the position. Waller played only 47% and 37% of snaps in his two games since returning and has only had three catches on six targets for 60 yards in the two games combined. He and Tua Tagovailoa showed a decent connection early in the season, especially near the end zone, as Waller scored four touchdowns in his first three games. Since then, though, he hasn't gotten back into the end zone, and his reduced role makes him very hard to trust as a starter in standard-sized leagues. He's ranked as the No. 22 TE in RotoBaller's rankings for this week, even though he's in a positive matchup aginst the Steelers, who have been generous to tight ends. While he does have touchdown-dependent upside, there are better options likely available in most leagues this week.

Wednesday, November 19, 2:59 AM

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper (concussion) carved out standalone fantasy value in his role behind Hunter Henry last season, but he has failed to establish himself as a worthwhile fantasy addition during the 2025 campaign. He went from the overall TE24 in PPR leagues last year to TE45 through Week 11 this season. The 31-year-old hasn't registered more than three targets in a single game this season, which is a major step backward after he averaged 3.5 targets per game in 2024. While Henry has cemented himself as the Patriots' top tight end and is one reason for Hooper's underwhelming year, the bigger factor is likely the wide receivers' increased productivity. Players like Stefon Diggs, Kayshon Boutte, and Mack Hollins have elevated this position room higher than in years past, leaving fewer opportunities for a backup tight end like Hooper. An injury has complicated his status even more, as Hooper missed Week 11 in concussion protocol and remains up in the air for Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Even if he plays, he'll remain off the fantasy radar in all leagues. His only path to fantasy relevance would be a Hunter Henry injury.