If the Washington Redskins could sign a single free agent to best improve their offense in 2020, it would arguably be Atlanta Falcons tight end, Austin Hooper. As the offseason has rolled on through February, a lot of buzz has started to grow around Hooper, as his age, durability, and propensity for playmaking have made him an ideal candidate to replace Jordan Reed, who the Redskins released this past week.
It seems like Washington is likely to target Hooper once the free agency market opens on March 18th, and their salary cap space — which is now upwards of $60 million — will allow them to offer him an enticing contract for sure.
But will the Redskins be willing to pay Hooper the number he desires? According to a recent piece from ESPN, Hooper is likely to reset the free agency market for TEs this offseason, as he’s the most high-profile player to hit the open market at that position in several years. In 2014, Jimmy Graham signed a deal with the New Orleans Saints that paid him about $10 million per season. Hooper’s deal is expected to top that.
“Let’s say like $44 million over four years, and totally guarantee the first two years at $26.5 million,” said Joel Corry, a former NFL Agent. “The player would probably want a three-year deal. Hooper is 25 years old. His best football is ahead of him. If he can put himself [in position] for a contract extension after playing two years when he’s still in his prime, that would be preferable to him.”
That type of deal would likely be spread out on a 3-4 year deal, giving Hooper an average of $11 million per season, making him the highest-paid TE in the NFL, at least until San Francisco’s George Kittle signs a new deal with the 49ers.
The Redskins have the cap space to be able to make a move like this, but it’s understandable to be a bit overwhelmed by that type of cap hit. Nonetheless, Hooper is the best tight end available to the Redskins this offseason, and they’re in a position where they absolutely have to shore up that position.
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