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Game day update: The Browns are cleared for the game after a round of negative COVID-19 testing. They’ll face the Steelers in Pittsburgh this evening, though the Steelers have allowed just three total touchdowns to tight ends on the season, capping the upside of Austin Hooper and company.
Hooper has put up decent stat lines in two previous games against the Pittsburgh Steelers this season. Will the third time be a charm this Sunday?
Fantasy Football analysis: Browns TE Austin Hooper, $3,900
Hooper compiled a 5-52-0 line at Pittsburgh in Week 6 and then went for 4-37-1 in the regular-season finale. He has averaged about 14 DraftKings points per over the past three weeks. However, in Week 17, tight end David Njoku saw the same amount of targets (five), played just two fewer snaps than Hooper (51-49) and ran more pass routes. The Steelers have given up the second-fewest fantasy points to the TE position. That includes only three touchdowns all year and only two 50-yard performances over Pittsburgh’s last 11 games.
Fantasy Start/Sit Recommendation
Hooper is the fifth-highest-priced TE on the slate this weekend while Njoku ($2,800) is 16th. Considering the matchup, Njoku’s significant involvement and the Browns’ low-volume passing attack, neither Hooper nor Njoku should be trusted in contests this weekend.