Who Should I Start? Marcedes Lewis or Austin Hooper

Monday, June 10, 8:32 PM

Free-agent tight end Marcedes Lewis agreed to a one-year deal with the Bears. The veteran, who will be entering his 19th NFL season, played for the Jaguars and Packers before spending last season with Chicago. However, he didn't do much for fantasy managers, amassing just four catches for 29 yards and a touchdown. With Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett on the roster, Lewis should continue to have a tough time getting involved, meaning he won't see much attention from fantasy managers heading into the 2024-25 campaign.

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.