Let’s take a closer look at Hooper, who should be considered the top tight end on the board this year.
The Panthers have another roster hole to fill at tight end thanks to the release of long-time veteran Greg Olsen, who has now signed with the Seahawks. Fortunately, there are some good players at the position who are about to hit the market next month.
Atlanta picked Hooper in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft. His production has steadily increased every season since. In 59 games, Hooper has been targeted 277 times. He’s caught an impressive 214 of them (77.3% catch rate), totaling 2,244 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. He has been a legitimate Pro Bowler each of the last two years.
Pros:
Carolina will likely draft or sign a tight end at some point this offseason. Hooper is the only one who would qualify as a guaranteed upgrade, though. Like Olsen, Hooper has sticky hands and he’s at least as athletic and explosive now as No. 88 was in his prime. He’s also reliable. In his career, Hooper has only dropped five passes and has never fumbled. He’s also a superb option in the end zone and is still in his prime at just 25 years old.
Cons:
Hooper has missed a handful of games here and there (five games in four years) but hasn’t suffered a significant injury yet. Once again, the potential downside for the Panthers here is his price-tag, which will be considerable. While tight end should be addressed, there are several other positions that need to be prioritized first. Signing Hooper might be a luxury they simply can’t afford.
Probability: Low
As the best tight end on the market, adding Hooper won’t come cheap for the Panthers or anybody else. General manager Marty Hurney can probably sign someone like Eric Ebron or perhaps Hunter Henry for less.
The Falcons are saying they won’t place the franchise tag on Austin Hooper, allowing him to test the open market in free agency.
The #Falcons are planning to allow starters TE Austin Hooper and De’Vondre Campbell to test free agency, GM Thomas Dimitroff said today. The likelihood is that both players receive large deals in free agency, but Atlanta hasn’t ruled out keeping them for the right price.
The Washington Redskins’ path towards acquiring free-agent tight end Austin Hooper just got quite a bit easier, as the Atlanta Falcons announced that they will reportedly allow Hooper to test the open market this spring.
Hooper is a set to become a free agent who is open to signing with any other team who wishes to roster him, but the Falcons could have placed the franchise tag on him and keep him around for one more season. By declaring that they will allow Hooper to test free agency, they’re saying that the tag will be out of the question, though they’d consider bringing back the 25-year-old on a cheaper deal than he is likely to get on the open market.
This is great news for the Redskins, as it assures that they will at the very least be able to talk to Hooper once the free agency period rolls around on March 18th. There is no guarantee that he will be receptive to their pitch, but they can at least pitch. I have a feeling that Ron Rivera will be able to sway some doubtful minds, should there be any.
The Redskins are likely to target Austin Hooper in free agency this year, but they may have to pay him $11 million per year to sign him.
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.
Two talented, young tight ends are the focus of the position’s impending free-agent class.
When the NFL’s 2020 free agency period opens March 18, we’ll see several familiar faces switching teams, including one star who may be in a new uniform for the first time in 20 years.
In fantasy football, forecasting statistical production largely hinges on where said player winds up, of course, and the nature of this being a team game means the supporting cast is an intertwining factor in developing a sound projection.
Looking at the key fantasy contributors facing free agency generates plenty of questions. Let’s try to wager some educated guesses as to where these guys will land.
(Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports)
Tight ends
Austin Hooper: Barring some unexpected turn of events, Hooper should hit the open market and is more likely than not to play for a new team in 2020. Atlanta has just under $5 million available in cap space, and that’s nowhere near enough money to ink rookies plus re-sign the premier free agent at his position. Several major cuts could boost the figure to somewhere near $24 million, however. Hooper would be an awesome addition for any number of teams. New England is often tossed out as a prime option, but Indianapolis, Miami, Dallas, Houston and Washington also have the need and more money to burn. Green Bay would make sense, yet money is a factor working against it happening. Chicago is a possibility, too, and the Bears freed up $13.5 million in cap space with two releases this week. Hooper is a No. 1 fantasy option in any city or system.
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Hunter Henry: Despite several significant injuries in his young career, Henry will be a prized free-agent addition in March. The primary candidates for his services appear to be New England, Indianapolis and Washington, while a handful of other teams will make a bid for him if their existing plans fall through. Henry would make so much sense in Indianapolis for both sides. Jack Doyle can help keep him fresh, and most signs point to Philip Rivers joining the Colts. New England is a commonly circulated landing spot, and it would go a long way in helping convince Tom Brady where to sign. Henry even could return to the Los Angeles Chargers, so almost anything is still on the table. My favorite dark horse is the Green Bay Packers, although money may be an issue. On talent alone, Henry is a midrange No. 1 fantasy tight end. It’s tough to envision a setting in which he isn’t at least a fringe starting option.
Eric Ebron: Looking for his third team in four seasons, Ebron has lived up to his potential just once and will be among the tougher player evaluations for personnel departments. Is he really a TE1 for an NFL franchise? Injuries have plagued him for the better part of his career, and the overall level of disappointing play cannot be ignored. Ebron is an intriguing puzzle piece for a few teams that won’t have to rely heavily on him. Tennessee, Houston, Dallas and the New York Giants are leading possibilities with cap space. Several teams are in play, however, including Jacksonville, Washington, New England, Green Bay, Cincinnati, Arizona, the Los Angeles Chargers and New York Jets. My inclination is he signs a one-year deal with either Dallas or Chicago. Ebron’s 2018 season was his ceiling, and he’s a perilous TE1 in any fantasy setting.
(David Kohl, USA TODAY Sports)
Tyler Eifert: It took seven years, but Eifert quietly played all 16 games in 2019 for the first time in his NFL career. The results weren’t exactly inspiring, but a quarterback carousel and a rookie head coach shouldn’t be held against Eifert. He has a chance to explore the open market and could find himself in a better situation. He has opted in the past to stick with Cincinnati, making this time basically a coin flip. His worth would increase in a proven system that is conducive to his position seeing more of the target share, and who knows what kind of instability may occur with a rookie quarterback slated to be under center for the Bengals in 2020. For now, regardless of his 2020 home, Eifert is a major risk for limited reward.
Jason Witten: The door isn’t closed yet on Witten’s return to the Dallas Cowboys in 2020, yet it seems more likely than not he will end up in a different jersey for the first time in his storied career. A handful of relevant stat lines can be expected, and there’s little to be excited about, regardless of where he lands. Don’t count out him signing with New England, and perhaps Jason Garrett can convince both the New York Giants and Witten to come to terms as insurance for the oft-injured Evan Engram. Witten surely would help in the blocking game. Anywhere he goes, the cagey vet is a weak TE2 in fantasy.
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Jordan Reed: Washington released the always-injured talent, and he’s free to sign anywhere before the March 18 opening of free agency. His sheer inability to stay healthy, and an inflated risk of suffering another concussion, makes Reed unworthy of a roster spot in conventional fantasy leagues. To the owners who are a glutton for punishment, Reed could be on the radar in the right situation. Jacksonville could be a landing spot to reunite him with Jay Gruden.
Darren Fells: It took four teams before Fells finally made enough of a mark to matter in fantasy football leagues. He caught a career-high 34 passes for 341 yards and seven TDs in 2019 with the Houston Texans. Fells re-signing with Houston shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, although it is not a lock. Sporadic touchdown dependency makes for an inconsistent option in fantasy. Fells is an overachiever and is more of a waiver target than a draftable asset.
Averaging 23.8 points per game, the Falcons were ranked 13th in scoring offense, and fifth in yards per game with an average of 379.7. It wasn’t a season that will be remembered fondly but the team’s 6-2 run down the stretch provided some great moments.
Let’s take a look at every touchdown the Falcons scored in 2019, as shared by the NFL’s Twitter account below:
Regardless of Tom Brady’s decision heading into 2020, the Patriots desperately need an upgrade at tight end.
Regardless of Tom Brady’s decision heading into 2020, the New England Patriots desperately need an upgrade at tight end.
The Patriots totaled 36 catches, 418 receiving yards and two touchdowns in 2019 from tight ends. Benjamin Watson was the most recognizable name on the roster with Matt LaCosse and Ryan Izzo behind him. Rob Gronkowski’s retirement put a tremendous hole in the Patriots’ offense and his absence led to one of Brady’s most difficult seasons.
Gronkowski didn’t announce his retirement until a week after free agency began, leaving very few options on the table for the Patriots from the market. There’s a solid group of tight ends available this offseason and the Patriots now understand what their offense looks like without a top-tier guy.
Here’s a look a five free agent tight ends the Patriots should consider.
Austin Hooper, Atlanta Falcons
(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
Austin Hooper, 25, spent his four NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. Hooper carries the most hype out the free agent group this offseason and his potential hasn’t been fully tapped into yet. Last season, he recorded 75 catches, 787 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games. He missed three games due to an MCL sprain and his first 1,000 yard season would’ve likely came last year without missing time.
He’s a 6-foot-4, 265 pound tight end who can make a huge contribution in the passing game, but also as a blocker. There’s a solid chance New England has Hooper high on its list for free agency, but the price tag could get tricky. The Patriots have around $29 million in cap space and some important free agents to retain.
Hooper will head into the market with top-tier tight end money on his mind, so the Patriots would have to come up with an extremely tempting offer to bring him in.
The biggest need for the Bears this offseason is tight end, a position group that underwhelmed in 2019. Maybe Austin Hooper is the answer.
Arguably the biggest need for the Bears this offseason is tight end, a position group that woefully underwhelmed in 2019.
Bears receivers combined for 46 receptions for 416 yards and one touchdown in 2019. For context, 21 individual tight ends bested those numbers in 2019.
One of those tight ends was Falcons’ Austin Hooper, who had 75 receptions for 787 yards and six touchdowns. His production garnered him his second Pro Bowl honor.
Bleacher Report believes that Hooper is Chicago’s ideal free agent target:
Hooper is exactly the type of performer the Bears currently lack. He can provide a reliable outlet to make life easier on quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
Granted, the 25-year-old tight end shouldn’t be viewed as a Travis Kelce-like difference-maker in head coach Matt Nagy’s scheme, but he’s the best option in thin free-agent and weak draft classes.
Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen were among those that underperformed before winding up on injured reserve before the end of last season. The Bears simply need better from the tight end position, especially given the importance of tight end in Matt Nagy’s offense.
The Bears will no doubt be looking to bring in talent at the tight end position through free agency and the NFL Draft. Hooper would be a reliable weapon for a struggling Mitchell Trubisky and help bring production back to the tight end position.
Cleveland Browns 2020 free agency: 9 prime targets
The Cleveland Browns currently have over $58.3 million available in cap space, 9th-most in the NFL, after the releases of T.J. Carrie (DB), Adarius Taylor (LB), Eric Kush (OG), and Demetrius Harris (TE).
Having so much in available cap space is both a blessing and a curse. The Browns are blessed because they have the financial flexibility to go after free agents in a way 23 other teams cannot. They are cursed because their fanbase will spend all offseason looking at the large number and expecting the Browns to bring in every high-priced free agent on the market.
Just to have a little fun, here is a look at some of the key free-agent pieces the Browns could bring in.
The Redskins are poised to be buyers once free agency rolls around, and there are a number of high-profile players they should target.
There is over a month until free agency officially begins in the NFL, but the Washington Redskin seemingly got the ball rolling last week by clearing up some cap space and getting ready to go shopping on the open market.
But who are they looking at, and what position do they plan to spend some money on? We’ve gone over the needs before, and a number of players that would fit those needs. However, that just tells you what’s on the wish list. Now we need to put them all in order. Here’s our definitive ranking of free agents that the Redskins should look to snag this offseason.
No. 10 — FS Tre Boston
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – DECEMBER 29: Tre Boston #33 of the Carolina Panthers dances as he warms up before their game against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
The free safety position isn’t a major area of need for the Redskins, but depending on what they decide to do with Montae Nicholson, who has been decently productive, but has struggled with some off-the-field stuff in the past, it could become one of their biggest priorities. It wouldn’t come as a total shock to see Ron Rivera and the new coaching staff decide to start fresh at the position and look to sign a top-end safety.
Sticking with a trend that has been realized in Washington as of late, it makes a lot of sense to continue the string of Carolina Panthers that have flocked to the Redskins. With Ron Rivera at the helm and a bunch of his former assistant coaches underfoot, plus the potential additions of CB James Bradberry and TE Greg Olsen, a trip to Washington might sound appealing for Tre Boston.
With 14 interceptions in his career, Boston would bring a great ball-hawking presence to the Redskins secondary, and his brief stint as a strong safety in Arizona with the Cardinals points to his ability to be a run-stopper as well — he has averaged 75 tackles per game over his last three seasons. Boston made just over $2.5 million in 2019, but he could stand to receive a solid payday once free agency rolls around if he were to sign in Washington.
The Jags have had unfortunate luck at TE but this year they need to try and find an answer in free agency.
Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell has been on record for saying fixing his team this offseason could be a quick fix, however, there are several hurdles in the way that makes fans think otherwise. Whether that’s fixing the cap situation or paying Yannick Ngakoue, fans have their doubts about Caldwell’s ability to make things work but those are easy fixes that I could see being resolved.
However, there is another hurdle that could be an even bigger threat to Caldwell’s future in Jacksonville that many seem to be overlooking: the team’s history at tight end.
To put it simply, the Jags have lacked star power at the position for almost a decade and the last time they’ve gotten noteworthy production there was 2012 when Marcedes Lewis hauled in 52 passes for 540 yards and four touchdowns. Two years prior he put together the best season of his career (and was named a Pro Bowler), racking up 58 catches for 700 yards and 10 touchdowns.
For the Jags, that lack of production isn’t a good thing in an era where having sound play at tight end is pivotal. That’s exactly why I listed the position as the Jags’ second-biggest need this offseason, and clearly, they will need to address it with a solid option in the coming months.
