Who Should I Start? Kendrick Bourne or KhaDarel Hodge

Wednesday, August 27, 1:11 PM

The New England Patriots are releasing veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (foot) on Wednesday, sources tell Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Bourne requested to be released so that he can try to latch on with another team that doesn't have such a crowded receiving picture. The 30-year-old missed most of August with a foot injury, but he's healthy now and looking to contribute somewhere else in 2025. The former undrafted pass-catcher out of Eastern Washington spent the first four years of his NFL career with the San Francisco 49ers, but it wasn't until he came to New England that he really blossomed as a receiver. Bourne had a career-best 55-800-5 line in 17 games (five starts) in 2021, but he dropped off considerably the following year and hasn't been the same after suffering an injury in 2023. It's possibly he'll look to reunite with the Niners, who could use the wideout depth.

Sunday, January 5, 7:53 AM

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge should not be considered a playable option despite a possible opportunity Sunday against Carolina. With the Falcons unlikely to have wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder), the Falcons have an opening, but the journeyman receiver hasn't been reliable enough to count on in Week 18. Earlier this year, he one catch against Dallas despite playing 81% of offensive snaps. Hodge has just one catch in the past five weeks total, a rookie quarterback in Michael Penix Jr., and a solid Atlanta running game that figures to be the central part of the gameplan on Sunday. Managers in formats that play Week 18 have better options elsewhere.