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.
New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper caught four of his six targets for 27 yards during Sunday's Week 18 win over the Buffalo Bills. The veteran tight end handled an increased workload in the regular-season finale, playing 67.2 percent of the Patriots' offensive snaps with Hunter Henry (foot) sidelined. The 30-year-old finished as a low-end TE2 in fantasy football this season with 45 catches, 476 yards, and three touchdowns. Hooper was a pleasant surprise during his first year in New England, maintaining a significant role on offense despite being listed second on the depth chart behind Henry. He's slated to hit free agency in March but could be a priority re-signing for the Patriots' next coaching regime.
New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper has fallen off the fantasy radar ahead of Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Buffalo Bills. Hooper enjoyed an impressive stretch of games from Week 10 through Week 13 during which he was the overall TE10 in PPR leagues, but he has just 10 catches for 112 yards in three games since then. Equally noteworthy is the fact that his snap share dropped to 45 percent last Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers, which is the lowest it has been since Week 12. It's possible that this was an anomaly based on scheme and game plan, as fellow tight end Hunter Henry also played reduced snaps. However, it's still a sign that Hooper's role in the offense may be declining. As long as he remains behind Henry, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and perhaps Kendrick Bourne in the pecking order, he can be avoided in fantasy football. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for production at the tight end position in Week 18.
Austin Hooper Carries Streaming Appeal Into Week 17
New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper remains a viable streaming option heading into Saturday's Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Hooper has been one of the NFL's better backup tight ends this season, totaling 22 catches, 293 yards, and two touchdowns over his last six contests. In each of those six games, he has finished with at least three catches and at least 35 receiving yards. Since Week 10, he ranks 10th among tight ends in fantasy points per game (half-PPR), which is actually six slots higher than teammate Hunter Henry. Hooper's floor is a little lower against a Chargers defense allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends, but his track record and usage will keep him in the mid-range TE2 tier for Week 17. Managers could justify plucking him off waivers and starting him in leagues with at least 12 teams.
New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper caught four of his five targets for 55 yards during Sunday's Week 16 loss to the Buffalo Bills. It has been fascinating to watch him take on a larger role in the Patriots' offense without detracting much from Hunter Henry's volume, productivity, or fantasy value. Over his last six games, Hooper has 22 catches, 293 yards, and two touchdowns, out-producing Henry in yards, touchdowns, and fantasy points (PPR) during that span. That's not to say that Hooper should be started over Henry going forward, but it's at least justification to consider adding him off waivers in deeper fantasy leagues. After all, he has shown that he can produce consistently, tallying at least 6.8 fantasy points in each of his last six games. Hooper should continue to rank as a mid-range fantasy TE2 heading into next Saturday's battle with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Austin Hooper Looks To Carry Productivity Into Week 16
New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper has been productive over his last five games, totaling 18 catches, 238 yards, and two touchdowns during that span. Even as the Patriots' No. 2 tight end, Hooper has managed to make a name for himself, ranking as the overall TE14 in fantasy points since Week 10. That actually ranks five whole spots higher than fellow Patriots tight end Hunter Henry, despite the fact that Henry has played more snaps than Hooper and has more fantasy points over the whole season. Hooper's rapport with Drake Maye does put him on the fantasy radar this week, but he's still in the mid-to-low TE2 tier. That's especially true as he prepares to take on a Bills defense allowing the ninth-fewest catches, sixth-fewest receptions, and sixth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends in 2024.
New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper caught all three of his targets for 38 yards during Sunday's Week 15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The 30-year-old has emerged as a key contributor within the Patriots' offense, averaging 3.6 catches, 47.6 receiving yards, and 0.4 touchdowns per game over his last five contests. Even in his role as the No. 2 tight end behind Hunter Henry, Hooper has started to generate some fantasy buzz, ranking as a fringe top-24 option at the position heading into Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills.
Austin Hooper Scores Touchdown Against Indianapolis
New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper caught all four of his targets for 42 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. Hooper now has a touchdown in each of his last two games. He also has four targets in each of his last four contests, ranking as the overall TE8 during that span (and eight slots ahead of teammate Hunter Henry). The 30-year-old has continued to develop his rapport with rookie quarterback Drake Maye, and he has plenty of momentum heading into the Patriots' bye week. It's tough to trust a backup tight end in fantasy football, but if there's one worth starting, it's Hooper. He'll rank as a mid-to-low fantasy TE2 when the Patriots return to action in Week 15.
New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper caught each of his four targets for 59 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 12 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Hooper's biggest play was a 38-yard touchdown reception that would end up being New England's only offensive touchdown of the game. The 30-year-old continues to look like one of the best No. 2 tight ends in the NFL; he remains behind Hunter Henry in the pecking order but has carved out a role for himself, catching at least three passes for the third consecutive week. He'll rank just outside the top 24 fantasy tight ends heading into Week 13 against Indianapolis.
The New England Patriots removed tight end Austin Hooper (neck) from the Week 12 injury report on Thursday, which means he was a full practice participant. Hooper was limited in Wednesday's session but is now ready to roll for a divisional clash this Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium against the Miami Dolphins. The 30-year-old veteran has become more intriguing as a TE2 sleeper play in deeper leagues and DFS contests now that rookie quarterback Drake Maye is leading the offense. However, the fantasy ceiling and floor remain pretty low as he works behind Hunter Henry. Most of Hooper's production has come in the last two games, as he's caught seven of his eight targets for 99 yards and no touchdowns. Hooper's lone score of the season came back in the loss to the San Francisco 49ers back on Sept. 29. He should be on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues.
Austin Hooper
• TE
•
Patriots
