Who Should I Start? Hunter Henry or Durham Smythe

Thursday, May 29, 1:21 PM

New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (foot) is in attendance and taking part in voluntary organized team activities this week, according to ESPN's Mike Reiss. Henry was not limited in any capacity during Wednesday's session despite missing the Week 18 regular-season finale last year due to a foot injury. The 30-year-old former second-round pick (35th overall) by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2016 out of Arkansas set career-highs in catches (66), targets (97) and receiving yards (674) while scoring just twice in 16 starts for the Patriots in his fourth year with the team in 2024. Austin Hooper, who caught 45 passes a year ago, remains in town, but Henry is the team's unquestioned top pass-catching tight end, and he has strong chemistry with second-year quarterback Drake Maye. Henry should find the end more in 2025, but the addition of receiver Stefon Diggs will take away valuable targets.

Thursday, March 6, 2:33 PM

The Chicago Bears signed former Miami Dolphins tight end Durham Smythe to a one-year deal on Thursday, according to NFL.com. The former fourth-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Notre Dame has played his entire seven-year career with Miami but was released this offseason. Overall, the 28-year-old has hauled in 132 receptions for 1,228 yards and three touchdowns in 112 career games. Smythe is best utilized as a blocker, and with Chicago trading for former Los Angeles Rams offensive lineman Jonah Jackson and former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman Joe Thuney, it's evident they want to improve quickly in run and pass blocking. Smythe could help Chicago's offense in 2025 under new head coach Ben Johnson, but he's unlikely to be on the fantasy football radar.