Austin Hooper Fantasy

Atlanta Falcons two-time Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper will become a free agent on March 16, and he could reset the tight end market with his next deal. Hooper was fifth in the league in catches among all players with 52 through the first eight games of last season. He missed three games with a knee injury but still managed to finish with a career-high 75 catches for 787 yards and six touchdowns. Hooper is expected to top Jimmy Graham's $10 million per-year-average from his 2014 contract with the Saints, even if the Falcons re-sign him. With the Falcons having little room with the salary cap, they'll have to do reshuffling to keep Hooper. Staying with Atlanta would probably be best for his fantasy stock, but Hooper could easily remain a high-end TE1 if he goes elsewhere.

Feb. 21st • 8:06 PM

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank praised two-time Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper, but he wouldn't commit to the team giving him a long-term contract extension this offseason. Hooper will become an unrestricted free agent in March. "I think he's a young, ascending player, and he has performed at a very high level for us," Blank told ESPN. "I think he's worthy, certainly, of a new contract based on market. Whether that fits in with us and our salary cap remains to be seen." The floor for Hooper will likely start at $10 million per season and $22 million guaranteed based on the market for his position. The franchise tag is a possibility, but using it on Hooper seems unlikely. The 25-year-old finished 2019 with a career-high 75 catches, 787 yards and six touchdowns despite missing three games with an MCL sprain. Hooper will be a TE1 regardless of where he's playing next year, but the Falcons offense gives him a very high ceiling.

Jan. 30th • 9:43 PM

Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper, who can become a free agent in March, wants to return to the team, but he has yet to receive a contract offer. Hooper is a Pro Bowl alternate this year after catching a career-high 75 passes for 787 yards and six touchdowns in a breakout season. His 2019 season could've been even more fruitful if not for injuries, but the 25-year-old still managed to improve on his 71-660-4 line from a season ago. It remains to be seen if Atlanta can afford to keep the rising star around, but it's likely that his fantasy value will be at its highest if he remains in Atlanta. If he returns, Hooper will be a high-end TE1.

Dec. 30th • 5:33 PM