The Green Bay Packers sure sound ready to dip back into the free-agent tight end market.
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, the Packers’ expected decision to move on from veteran Jimmy Graham would signal the team’s “confidence in landing a top-shelf replacement,” with Austin Hooper mentioned as a potential target.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirmed Graham is “not expected back in Green Bay” for the 2020 season. Releasing him would save the Packers $8 million on the salary cap and open up the possibility of making a splash signing in free agency, potentially at tight end.
Rob Demovsky of ESPN recently reported the Packers plan “to make a run” at Hooper in free agency, further indicating the team’s intention to upgrade on Graham this offseason.
The Packers signed Graham to a three-year, $30 million deal in March of 2018, believing the former All-Pro capable of injecting the offense with playmaking ability at the tight end position. But like Martellus Bennett before him, Graham was mostly a bust, catching only five touchdown passes over two full seasons and making little impact in the passing game.
While Graham and Bennett were both aging tight ends over 30, Hooper would give the Packers a young, ascending talent at the position. The 25-year-old made the Pro Bowl after catching a career-high 75 passes and six touchdown passes in 2019.
Hooper isn’t a dynamic, field-titling athlete, but he’s proven to be a reliable pass-catcher in the intermediate areas of the field and is willing to play inline in the run game. He could team with 2019 third-round pick Jace Sternberger to give the Packers a productive, versatile pair of tight ends.
Singing a tight end in free agency would free the Packers to address other needs in the draft, including at receiver, offensive tackle and linebacker. The 2020 draft class appears weak at tight end.
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