Who Should I Start? Eric Ebron or Austin Hooper

Wednesday, December 4, 2:50 PM

Tight end Eric Ebron announced his official retirement from the NFL on Wednesday. Ebron was the 10th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions out of North Carolina. He played four seasons in Detroit, two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, and two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He last appeared in a game in 2021. Overall, Ebron accumulated 351 receptions on 561 targets for 3,837 receiving yards, and 33 receiving touchdowns (13 in 2018). He added three scores as a rusher.

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.