Austin Hooper vs Darnell Washington: The Full Breakdown
The gap between Austin Hooper and Darnell Washington is smaller than most fantasy managers think. Separated by just 0.5 PPG in 2025, this is one of those tight end decisions that comes down to context, not name recognition. Austin Hooper averaged 4.0 PPG with the New England Patriots across 15 games, and Darnell Washington posted 4.5 with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 13.
When two tight ends are separated by less than two points per game, the decision shifts to weekly context. Who has the softer defense? Who is trending up over the last month? Which team is projected for more total points? Those are the tiebreakers that actually matter.
Both see steady target volume for the tight end position. Austin Hooper had 32 catches for 292 yards; Darnell Washington posted 31 for 364. At a position where most starters barely clear 7 PPG, this class of tight end is where the fantasy advantage lives week to week.
Austin Hooper has his bye in Week 14, and Darnell Washington rests in Week 9. Managers rostering both need waiver wire depth at tight end for those two weeks, and that is exactly the kind of planning DraftCall's matchup engine surfaces automatically so you are not scrambling on a Sunday morning.
