RADIO
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~148 Overall
CURRENT ADP: ~189
ANALYSIS: New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry enters the 2024 season as the top player on the depth chart. With that said, he still faces competition. Henry played alongside Mike Gesicki last season, and with Gesicki landing in Cincinnati during free agency, the Patriots replaced him with Austin Hooper. They also signed Mitchell Wilcox and drafted Jaheim Bell. Hooper has averaged 49.3 catches over his last seven seasons, though that number has started to decline on a per-year basis.
For example, as the backup tight end in Las Vegas last year, Hooper caught just 25 passes, his lowest mark since his rookie year. Regardless of whether Hooper is trending up or down, he's still the clear No. 2 behind Henry. In fact, Henry himself might be trending up after the Patriots hired Alex Van Pelt as offensive coordinator. Van Pelt helped tight end David Njoku set numerous career bests in Cleveland last year, and he could do the same with Henry in New England — especially since Henry doesn't face immense competition.
Hunter Henry
•QB upgrade
•Top 12 finish five times last season
•4 finishes in top 5
•Third on team for targets & catches
•Led team in touchdowns
•Weak WR roompic.twitter.com/7rnYnYU9cG— Nick Guglielmo (@NextLvl_Fantasy) July 27, 2024
The Patriots have a crowded wide receiver room, but it's not very top-heavy. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye should have no trouble developing an early rapport with Henry, whose experience drastically exceeds starting receivers Kendrick Bourne, Demario Douglas, and Ja'Lynn Polk. With experience and heavy volume on the way for Henry, the final piece of the puzzle is the state of New England's offense. Targets are great, but Henry can only maximize his performance if the Patriots' offense sustains long drives and gets plenty of red-zone opportunities for its playmakers.
The Patriots made some key additions this offseason, but they'll still face some growing pains with Maye (or Jacoby Brissett) under center and Jerod Mayo entering his first season as head coach. Therefore, there are clear pros and cons for Henry heading into 2024. He ranks as a mid-to-low TE2 in fantasy football, which falls in line with his Yahoo ADP of 161 (18th among tight ends). He's being drafted at an appropriate price tag and is a fine late-round option in most fantasy leagues.
More Fantasy Football Values and Sleepers
Colby Parkinson (TE, LAR) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 3
BALLER MOVE: Don't Add ROSTERED IN: 59% of Leagues ANALYSIS: After a promising Week 1 debut, Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson put up a dud in the Rams blowout loss to the Cardinals, being targeted only twice and catching just one pass for 12 yards. Parkinson was the sixth most targeted player on […]
Mike Gesicki (TE, CIN) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 3
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues (14+ Teams) ROSTERED IN: 10% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki surprised fantasy managers by receiving nine targets and catching seven passes for 91 yards in his Week 2 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Gesicki hasn't been a fantasy force in his career, but the usage […]
Braelon Allen (RB, NYJ) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 3
BALLER MOVE: Add in 10+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 7.4% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Braelon Allen becomes an interesting waiver wire target after his two-touchdown performance in Week 2. Braelon Allen has solidified himself as the backup running back to Breece Hall for the New York Jets. After playing just 18% of the snaps in Week […]
Jaylen Wright (RB, MIA) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 3
BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 48% of Leagues ANALYSIS: With the injury to fellow RB Jeff Wilson Jr., Miami Dolphins RB Jaylen Wright should be added in all leagues as a handcuff to RB De'Von Achane. Given Achane's history of injury issues and the lack of depth Miami has at RB, Wright […]
Luke Schoonmaker (TE, DAL) - Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 3
BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Leagues (14+ Team) Or As Handcuff ROSTERED IN: 4% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Dallas Cowboys tight end Luke Schoonmaker filled in nicely in the absence of Jake Ferguson, catching all six of his targets for six receptions and 43 yards. He hasn't made an impact at any point in his career, […]
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!
