The Patriots have agreed to a one-year deal with TE Austin Hooper. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that it'll pay $5 million, with $4 million of that guaranteed and another $2 million available via incentives. That marks a pay increase for Hooper, who played 2024 with the Pats on a one-year, $3.125 million deal ($2.4 million guaranteed).
Hooper quietly ranked fourth among Patriots in targets and receiving yards in his first season there; third in receptions.
The 2.6 receptions per game were his most since 2020 (in Cleveland). And Hooper tallied his most receiving yards since 2019 (in Atlanta).
Hooper topped 4 targets in a game just three times, though, and also reached 50 receiving yards in three games.
He'll remain unlikely to find fantasy relevance without an injury to TE Hunter Henry.
Henry might seem like a loser for Hooper's return, but Hooper didn't seem to hurt Henry last year.
Henry led the team in targets and receiving yards last year, while tying WR Demario Douglas for the receptions lead. He also ranked seventh among all TEs in target share.
Henry remains a solid bet in TE2 territory, with upside into low TE1 range if he gets better TD luck. He ranked 10th among TEs in end-zone targets, according to Pro Football Focus, but caught just one of those seven opportunities.
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