general
Who were the Titans’ 5 best players vs. Browns in Week 7?
Identifying the five best players from the Tennessee Titans’ Week 7 loss to the Cleveland Browns
Austin Hooper
TE · ATL · 32 yrs · exp 10 · Stanford
Status
- Game status
- Active
Keep Trade Cut (SF TEP)
From latest snapshot · trend vs ~7d prior when data allows.
Value
820
Rank
#482
Pos rank
#83
7d trend
—
Value history (90d)
One snapshot point per calendar day (shown in your timezone).
Latest: Aug 7, 2026 · 820
News
Stories linked to this player — newest first.
TE · ATL
analyst
Austin Hooper - Two catches in win
sleeper-rotowire+4 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Hooper caught both of his targets for 21 yards in the Falcons' 29-20 win over the 49ers on Sunday. Hooper played 29 offensive snaps and four special-teams snaps in Sunday's contest. The No. 3 tight end was utilized as a blocker and pass catcher but was outshone by No. 4 option Nick Muse, who caught a key touchdown as the team took down the undefeated 49ers
general
Raiders Week 7: How to attack the Rams stingy defense
Raiders getting ground game going against Rams' rush defense
TE · ATL
TE · ATL
analyst
Austin Hooper catches pass in Week 6
Austin Hooper had a limited role in the Falcons' Week 6 loss to the Bears
TE · ATL
transaction
Waiver: Austin Hooper added, Malik Benson dropped
sleeper-tx-waiver+4 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Austin Hooper. Drops: Malik Benson
TE · ATL
analyst
Austin Hooper - Mostly uninvolved in blowout win
sleeper-rotowire+4 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Hooper caught his only target for nine yards during Monday's 45-24 win at New Orleans. The Falcons found little resistance on the ground in Week 4, rushing for 205 yards and five touchdowns as a team. This encouraged them to use their most capable blockers at tight end, and blocking specialist Nick Muse actually played more offensive snaps (17) than Hooper (12) for the first time this season. Hooper will hope to get more usage in a Week 5 matchup versus the Ravens
TE · ATL
analyst
Austin Hooper quiet in win Monday
Austin Hooper had a quiet game with 1 catch for 9 yards in Monday's win over the Saints
TE · ATL
analyst
Austin Hooper - Hauls in touchdown pass in TNF win
sleeper-rotowire+5 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Hooper caught both of his targets for 11 yards and a touchdown during Atlanta's 35-14 win over Green Bay on Thursday. Hooper was on the field for 16 of the Falcons' 71 offensive snaps, which was behind fellow tight ends Charlie Woerner (43), Kyle Pitts (42) and Nick Muse (17). However, unlike those three tight ends, Hooper contributed to the scoreboard by hauling in a five-yard touchdown pass from Michael Penix with just over a minute left to play in the second quarter. Hooper has a 4-31-1 receiving line (on six targets) through the first three games of the regular season
general
Drake London: Michael Penix is the definition of resiliency
Michael Penix returns to Falcons starting lineup, shows resilience; Drake London and Austin Hooper contribute
general
Thursday Night Football: Falcons lead Packers 17-7 at halftime
Michael Penix is back . . . and so are the Falcons. The quarterback, who had played since Nov. 16, got off to a slow start. His third pass was an interception and he was only 5-of-11 to start. Penix, though, found his groove, finishing the first half 13-of-20 for 114 yards with a touchdown and an interception. His 5-yard touchdown throw to tight end Austin Hooper on third-and-goal with 59 seconds left in the half has the Falcons in the locker room with a 17-7 lead at halftime. The Falcons, who did not have a red zone snap in the first two games, are 2-for-2 in the red zone tonight. They scored on three of their last four possessions in the first half. Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has 15 carries for 111 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown run. He also has one catch for 17 yards. Drake London has five catches for 54 yards. The Falcons have outgained the Packers 253 to 108. Green Bay went three-and-out on four of six possessions in the first half, going 1-for-6 on third down with four punts. Green Bay kicker Trey Smack had his 47-yard field goal try blocked by Falcons defensive lineman Zach Harrison. Jordan Love is 9-of-19 for 96 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown pass to Christian Watson. It is Watson’s fourth touchdown of the season. Matthew Golden has two catches for 53 yards. The Green Bay run game is nonexistent with five carries for 12 yards from MarShawn Lloyd and Kaleb Johnson. The Packers have won 13 consecutive home openers at Lambeau Field
TE · ATL
analyst
Austin Hooper snags touchdown in win
Austin Hooper caught both of his targets for 11 yards and a score in the Falcons' 35-14 win over the Packers. Hooper had a touchdown grab early on in the game and didn't make much noise after that. He should be off fantasy radars as of right now
TE · ATL
analyst
Austin Hooper - Catches two targets in loss
sleeper-rotowire+5 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Hooper caught two of his four targets for 20 yards in Sunday's 34-3 loss to the Panthers. Hooper garnered significant attention for a No. 3 tight end. The 31-year-old saw the second-most targets for the Falcons, behind wide receiver Drake London. With Cooper Rush or Jack Strand at the helm of the offense, Hooper's large catch radius and vast experience in the NFL could keep netting him consistent attention and production
TE · ATL
transaction
FA: Austin Hooper dropped
sleeper-tx-free_agent+5 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Drops: Austin Hooper
TE · ATL
transaction
FA: Austin Hooper added, Adam Trautman dropped
sleeper-tx-free_agent+5 stories · 30dSource unavailable
Adds: Austin Hooper. Drops: Adam Trautman
general
Agent's Take: Why NFL tight ends have been left behind by contract boom, plus 3 stars who could reset market
The 2026 league year, which began on March 11, has been great financially for most major offensive positions. Patrick Mahomes became the first quarterback to break the $60 million-per-year barrier. Jaxon Smith-Njigba topped Ja'Marr Chase as the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver . Saquon Barkley dropped to fourth on the running back pay scale, with Jahmyr Gibbs , who now leads the way, Bijan Robinson and Jonathan Taylor joining him in the $20 million-per-year club last week. Offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil's contract extension made him the first and only $30 million-per-year offensive lineman. Peter Skoronski just established a new benchmark for offensive guards at $25 million per year. It may be short-lived if the Indianapolis Colts sign Quenton Nelson , who is in a contract year, to a new deal. The most shocking development has been Tyler Linderbaum resetting the center market by a whopping 50% when he signed a three-year, $81 million contract averaging $27 million per year with the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. Tight ends are the exception to this offensive salary boom. A career-high 88 receptions, nearly 1,000 receiving yards and a second-team All-Pro selection in 2025, leading to a franchise tag, weren't enough for Kyle Pitts to move the needle for tight ends . His three-year, $53 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons in June made him the NFL's third-highest-paid tight end at $17,666,667 per year. Pitts did establish a new tight end record with $36 million fully guaranteed at signing. A stagnant tight end market isn't anything new. Jimmy Graham became the league's first $10 million-per-year tight end in 2014 when he signed a four-year, $40 million contract with the New Orleans Saints as a franchise player. The mark wasn't eclipsed until 2020, when Austin Hooper got a four-year, $42 million deal averaging $10.5 million per year from the Cleveland Browns as an unrestricted free agent. The massive reset came later in 2020 during training camp. George Kittle signed a five-year, $75 million contract extension averaging $15 million per year with the San Francisco 49ers . Travis Kelce quickly followed suit with a team-friendly four-year, $57.25 million extension averaging $14,312,500 per year from the Kansas City Chiefs . Six years later, the tight end market has yet to hit the $20 million-per-year mark. Kittle is currently the highest-paid tight end with the backloaded four-year, $76.4 million extension averaging $19.1 million per year that he signed with the 49ers in April 2025. There's $22.4 million in Kittle's 2029 contract year, when he will be 36. The first three new years of Kittle's extension average $18 million per year. Kittle's deal came about a month after Trey McBride signed a four-year, $76 million extension averaging $19 million per year with the Arizona Cardinals . The first three new years of McBride's extension average $19,333,333 per year. McBride's $43 million in overall guarantees are the most ever for a tight end. There's a big drop-off in tight end salaries after Kittle, McBride and Pitts. Isaiah Likely is next at $13,333,333 per year. The three-year, $40 million deal Likely signed with the New York Giants is worth a maximum of $47.2 million through incentives. It wasn't too long ago that nearly three times as many tight ends as today were making $13.5 million per year or more. Eight tight ends on multiyear contracts were above that mark in 2023. A subset of the overall tight end market has reached new heights in 2026. Charlie Kolar became the first blocking tight end to eclipse the $8 million-per-year mark when he signed a three-year, $24.3 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers during free agency in March. Darnell Washington took blocking tight end salaries to an unprecedented level in June. He received a four-year, $42 million extension from the Pittsburgh Steelers , making him the first blocking tight end to reach the $10 million-per-year mark. The gap between the highest-paid tight en [... truncated ...]
analyst
Patriots Hoping Rookie Eli Raridon Can Contribute Immediately
Jordy McElroy of Patriots Wire writes that the New England Patriots are "desperately clinging to hope" that rookie third-round tight end Eli Raridon "can contribute right out of the gate" in 2026. If Raridon doesn't look like he can handle TE2 duties behind starter Hunter Henry in training camp this summer, it "wouldn't be a surprise" to see the Patriots bring in a veteran at the position to boost the competition. As of right now, McElroy lists Raridon as the No. 2 TE behind Henry, with Tanner Arkin, Jack Westover, and CJ Dippre behind him. Raridon, 22, is a versatile option at the position with the ability to be a solid receiver and blocker. He has a clear path to rookie-year snaps with Julian Hill (knee) going on season-ending Injured Reserve and with Austin Hooper leaving in free agency to sign with the Atlanta Falcons. The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder needs to improve his blocking, but if he can do that, he could have a meaningful role in 2026. And if Henry were to go down with an injury, Raridon would gain lots of steam off the waiver wire in all fantasy football leagues
general
3-Point Stance: The Patriots need to make a move at tight end
Yahoo Sports NFLSource ↗
After a season-ending injury to tight end Julian Hill during a practice earlier this offseason, the New England Patriots became suddenly thin at the position without the new free-agent signing’s presence as a blocker. So much so that head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged that’s a spot the team may need to bolster. “I think just from a numbers standpoint in camp, I think that’s somewhere we’ll probably have to evaluate the numbers,” Vrabel said during mandatory minicamp . “There are 90 guys, 91 guys on every team. So, we’ll just have to take a look at that, but I would say that’s probably somewhere we would have to address.” Minicamp ended on June 11, and with training camp now three weeks away, no move has been made yet. Some remaining free agents that fit Hill’s archetype are Will Dissly , Nick Vannett and Pharaoh Brown , who spent the 2023 season with the Patriots as a late-summer addition. Nonetheless, there’s a glaring need for reinforcement. Hill was brought in following the Austin Hooper departure to the Atlanta Falcons . Hooper was a short-to-intermediate receiving threat behind veteran Hunter Henry and was also a competent blocker. The 25-year-old Hill has the tools to fill a similar kind of role. He offers reliable blocking at the position, and Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf also showed confidence in him as a receiver. “Really kind of improved each year that he’s been in it,” Wolf said earlier this offseason. “And you know, we think there’s probably still some meat on the bone in the passing game as well for him, but certainly a physical tough guy at the point of attack.” But now, without Hill, New England may not have an immediate replacement available on its current roster. As of now, third-round NFL Draft selection Eli Raridon is the closest option to that versatile role; however, as a developmental prospect, he may need time to grow into it. Raridon struggled to find consistent playing time during his first two seasons at Notre Dame, nursing two torn ACLs on the same knee. It wasn’t until his senior season in 2025 that he found his footing, catching 32 passes for 482 yards. The rookie’s combination of size and athleticism is what makes Raridon such an intriguing tight end. At 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds with a 36-inch vertical leap, he has the traits to become a vertical threat up the seam and a reliable red-zone target for quarterback Drake Maye . Because of his natural ability as a pass catcher, it’s easy to envision Maye connecting with Raridon throughout 2026. Still, he’ll need to make considerable improvements as a blocker to prove he can assume a role similar to what Hill would’ve provided. Raridon is a willing blocker but needs to further develop his play strength and refine his technique. It’s not guaranteed that Raridon progresses enough to reliably fill a hybrid role as a blocker and receiver by the beginning of the season, and he may just start as a weapon for Maye. Adding another body provides insurance and stability; otherwise, the Patriots are relying on a largely inexperienced group. Jack Westover leads the group behind Henry in experience, entering his third season in the league and with the team. The 27-year-old was New England’s fullback in 2025, blocking out of the backfield, but has struggled blocking as an in-line Y-tight end. Westover is then followed by 2025 undrafted free agent C.J. Dippre, Raridon, and UDFA Tanner Arkin from Illinois. At 6-foot-4 and 262 pounds, Arkin has the physical tools and power to assume that duty. That said, he hasn’t had the opportunity to showcase that ability in the NFL with pads on yet. During minicamp, Henry spoke on Arkin’s development in the spring, saying that the rookie has been taking advantage of his opportunities and is someone who’s continued to improve. Vrabel also spoke similarly of Raridon at the time. “Willing, conscientious, wants to learn,” Vrabel said at minicamp of Raridon’s progress. “I think there [... truncated ...]
general
Kyle Pitts, Falcons agree to new 3-year deal
The Atlanta Falcons polarizing 2021 draft pick is here to stay. Kyle Pitts and the Falcons reached an agreement on a three-year, $54 million contract, with $36 million fully guaranteed. This is the largest three-year contract for a tight end in NFL history. While this may be the largest three-year contract handed out to a tight end, this deal puts Kyle Pitts 3rd in average annual value (18M) behind George Kittle (19.1) and Trey McBride (19). It is also 3rd in total value, behind those two. Pitts was in line to make $15M playing on the franchise tag this year, but Ian Cunningham and his team wanted more long-term security than that, and it’s hard to fault them. While Pitts skeptics are quick to point out what he can’t do, they have a hard time naming someone who can replace what he can do. 2025 was a return to form for the player who took the league by storm as a rookie. He functioned as the team’s second-best receiving option and took over when Drake London had to miss time. With Kevin Stefanski calling the shots, Pitt’s involvement in the offense could take another leap. No, Kyle Pitts isn’t an elite inline tight end, but his ability to get vertical on defense and generate explosive plays makes up for it. It should also be noted that with Austin Hooper and Charlie Woerner rostered, the team will have enough solutions for inline duties. Phase 2 of the Kyle Pitts era is highly anticipated, and at age 25, as Doc Holliday would say, he’s in his prime
general
32 NFL Teams, 32 fantasy football sleepers in 2026
Greetings, Falcoholics! It’s that time of the year again. The 2026 NFL season is quickly approaching, which means it’s fantasy football time. Fantasy owners from around the globe are prepping for their upcoming fantasy league drafts, so I will try to help the best I can. Since 2019, I’ve been predicting top sleepers from each NFL team to help you dominate your fantasy league drafts. You can revisit my picks from 2019 , 2020 , 2021 , 2022 , 2023 , 2024 , and 2025 by clicking the respective years. Before we take a look at this year’s sleeper list, let’s review the criteria. Each player chosen offers significant potential value for your fantasy team, based on points-per-reception (PPR) scoring format. While some names may be familiar, their average draft position (ADP) indicates they offer great value or are someone to keep an eye on. Let’s get started! WR Zay Jones (2025), RB Trey Benson (2024), RB Keaontay Ingram, (2023), WR Rondale Moore (2022), RB Chase Edmonds (2021), WR Andy Isabella (2020), QB Kyler Murray (2019) Cardinals’ receiver Michael Wilson had a breakout last season as Marvin Harrison Jr. dealt with an injury issue. Wilson is expected to play a Z receiver role in the Cardinals offense, similar to what Puka Nucua’s role is with the Los Angeles Rams . Even with a murky quarterback room, Wilson is being drafted around WR40 territory, and he will most likely finish much higher in terms of production. TE Kyle Pitts (2025), QB Kirk Cousins (2024), QB Desmond Ridder (2023), RB Tyler Allgeier (2022), WR Russell Gage (2021), TE Hayden Hurst (2020), TE Austin Hooper (2019) I expect Falcons’ rookie receiver Zachariah Branch to be a solid PPR play, even in year one. Branch excels on screens, quick slants, and short passes that he can turn up field for more yards. There’s obviously some other mouths to feed in the Atlanta offense, but Branch should be able to carve out a solid piece for himself considering where he’s currently expected to go in re-draft leagues, which is near the final rounds of the draft. TE Isaiah Likely (2025), WR Devontez Walker (2024), WR Rashid Bateman (2023), WR Devin Duvernay (2022), WR Rashod Bateman (2021), RB J.K. Dobbins (2020), RB Mark Ingram (2019) Justice Hill’s value is pretty high because he does something that starting running back Derrick Henry doesn’t do a lot, and that is catch passes. Hill is used in a lot of the Ravens’ third down plays and yet he’s someone you can get towards the end of your fantasy draft. If for some reason Henry misses time, Hill is a must-start. RB Ray Davis (2025), WR Keon Coleman (2024), TE Dalton Kincaid (2023), RB James Cook (2022), WR Gabriel Davis (2021), WR John Brown (2020), WR Cole Beasley (2019) The Bills have been trying to secure a top-flight receiver for quarterback Josh Allen for quite some time now. Bell has a real chance to make an impact for the team, as he is expected to surpass Keon Coleman on the depth chart who has largely been a disappointment for the Bills. Even with the addition of veteran D.J. Moore , Bell is someone to look at in upcoming league drafts with the team’s targets literally up for grabs. WR Jalen Coker (2025), QB Bryce Young (2024), TE Hayden Hurst (2023), TE Tommy Tremble (2022), QB Sam Darnold (2021), TE Ian Thomas (2020), WR D.J. Moore 2019) Following back-to-back ACL injuries, Jonathon Brooks is back to competing for touches in Carolina. With Rico Dowdle gone, Brooks has likely his final opportunity to make an impact on the Panthers and push for more of a role. Currently, his ADP is RB40 and if things go according to plan for him, Brooks will finish higher. WR Luther Burden III (2025), QB Caleb Williams (2024), RB Roschon Johnson (2023), QB Justin Fields (2022), WR Darnell Mooney (2021), WR Anthony Miller (2020), WR Allen Robinson (2019) Bears’ running back Kyle Monangai quietly made an impact in Ben Johnson’s offense in 2025, as he gained 5+ yards on 43% of his carries. With D’Andre Swift remaining as the team’ [... truncated ...]
analyst
Is Hunter Henry Primed for a Career Year?
New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry has turned in TE1 fantasy finishes in each of the past two seasons and in four of the last seven years, and he heads into 2026 with a locked-in role in a still uptrending offense. The Patriots finished 2025 as the league's number one offense in terms of both total EPA and EPA per play in what was only the first season of quarterback Drake Maye and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels working together. By most accounts, Maye is already miles ahead of where he was at this point last season. While new wide receiver A.J. Brown is certain to draw targets, he also has the ability to elevate the offense as a whole and create more red zone opportunities for Henry. The Patriots replaced Austin Hooper with Julian Hill, but the latter is already lost for the season with a knee injury, and while the team spent a third-round pick on Notre Dame's Eli Raridon, he's still a somewhat raw prospect who could take time to develop in McDaniels' famously complex system. While he will turn 32 this season, Henry is arguably in the best situation of his 11-year career, and at RotoBaller's dynasty TE25, he's an obvious trade target for contending managers
Data comes from cached Sleeper and KTC snapshots. Values update when the sync jobs run.