Las Vegas Raiders free-agent tight end Austin Hooper is expected to sign a one-year deal worth up to $4.25 million with the New England Patriots on Wednesday. The veteran tight end will reunite with new Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt, who was with Hooper with the Cleveland Browns. Hooper made the Pro Bowl two straight years from 2018-19 while with the Atlanta Falcons, but he hasn't been nearly as involved as he was then in the last four seasons with the Browns, Titans and Raiders. In 17 games (nine starts) last year in Vegas, the 29-year-old caught just 25 of 31 targets for 234 yards and no touchdowns. With both Mike Gesicki and Pharaoh Brown now gone, Hooper figures to serve as New England's No. 2 TE behind Hunter Henry in 2024. Unless Henry gets hurt, Hooper is unlikely to have a significant enough role to warrant fantasy consideration in standard-sized leagues.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Austin Hooper (calf) upgraded to a full participant in practice on Friday. As a result, he has been removed from the final injury report and will play in Week 10 versus the New York Jets. Hooper has been a steady contributor this season, catching at least one pass in eight of nine games. However, he doesn't see nearly enough snaps or volume to justify rostering him in fantasy football. He remains behind Michael Mayer on the depth chart and belongs on waivers in all fantasy leagues.
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Austin Hooper (calf) was limited in the team's practice on Wednesday. Hooper played his usual snaps in the Raiders' 30-6 win over the New York Giants in Week 9, and the team is likely easing his practice reps to start the week. The veteran caught his only target for 10 yards last week while remaining behind rookie tight end Michael Mayer on the depth chart. Hooper will have two more chances to upgrade to full before Las Vegas takes on the New York Jets in Week 10 on Sunday night football. If he suits up, he should only be started in extremely deep tight end premium leagues.
Austin Hooper Catches Just Two Passes On Monday Night
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Austin Hooper didn't do much in the 17-13 win over the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football. Rookie Michael Mayer and Hooper both caught two passes, but Hooper had just 11 receiving yards to show for it. Hooper played just six fewer offensive snaps than Mayer and is unlikely to enter the fantasy radar anytime soon as long as Mayer remains healthy. The 28-year-old Hooper now has six receptions on his seven targets for 62 yards and no touchdowns in his first five games for the Raiders in 2023. Mayer, meanwhile, has just three catches on his five targets for 41 yards, but he's expected to slowly build into a bigger role in his rookie campaign as the season progresses.
According to NFL Media's Mike Garafolo, the Raiders reached a one-year deal with free-agent tight end Austin Hooper. The contract will pay him $2.75 million, although he'll have a shot to earn $3.5 million. The two-time Pro Bowler has compiled 339 catches for 3,468 yards and 25 touchdowns during his career. However, he struggled in 17 games with the Titans last season, finishing with a career-low two touchdowns. The Raiders moved on from Darren Waller, so Hooper will have a chance to regain his footing in Las Vegas alongside new signal-caller Jimmy Garoppolo.
Free-agent tight end Austin Hooper plans to visit with the Las Vegas Raiders. The two-time Pro Bowl tight end hasn't been the same since he signed with the Cleveland Browns in 2020. Hooper was barely used during his time in Cleveland before joining the Tennessee Titans last season. He posted 41 receptions, 444 yards, and two touchdowns in 17 games (two starts) with the Titans last season. The Raiders have brought in O.J. Howard and now possibly Hooper to replace stud tight end Darren Waller. It's hard to imagine Hooper reviving his career even as the No. 1 tight end in Las Vegas.
Tennessee Titans tight end Austin Hooper caught all four of his targets for 38 yards in the 20-16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 18. Tennessee had to win to secure a postseason berth, so their season is over and Hooper's time on the Titans could be over too. Hooper was signed to just a one-year deal and with the emergence of rookie Chigoziem Okonkwo, there's a real chance they let him walk in free agency this off-season. He's worth hanging onto in dynasty to see where he lands, but there's a lot of uncertainty about his future.
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Austin Hooper Are DFS-Only Options
Tennessee Titans tight ends Chigoziem Okonkwo and Austin Hooper have been up and down this season, and with a third-string quarterback under center, neither has a safe floor. However, DFS is all about finding value and hoping for ceiling outcomes, so both are inexpensive dart throws to pair with Joshua Dobbs or to throw in on a Jaguars' offense stack lineup in single-game contests. It's worth noting Okonkwo has more upside and explosiveness, but he's the more expensive DFS play this week.
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Austin Hooper Have Low Ceilings
Tennessee Titans tight ends Chigoziem Okonkwo and Austin Hooper have lower floors than ever against the Dallas Cowboys, as Malik Willis will make his fourth start of the season, and Tennessee will likely be without Derrick Henry (hip) and four starters on the offensive line. This sets up for an ugly game, so there could be garbage time potential, but it's tough to bank on that in the fantasy football championship round. In deep leagues, Okonkwo can be used as a last-resort option since he's explosive and can make big plays happens, but Hooper should be benched in all formats. The Cowboys have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends this season.
Austin Hooper, Chigoziem Okonkwo Post Duds In Week 16
Tennessee Titans tight ends Austin Hooper and Chigoziem Okonkwo had bleak outlooks heading into Week 16 since Malik Willis was named the starter with Ryan Tannehill (ankle) out of action. The tight end duo combined for just three catches for 30 yards, so they obviously didn't pay off for fantasy managers. Neither guy can be starting moving forward as long as Willis remains the starter.
