Austin Hooper Fantasy

The Cleveland Browns have agreed to a deal with free-agent tight end Austin Hooper, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport. ESPN is reporting that the deal between Cleveland and Hooper is for four years and $44 million. While the deal cannot be made official until Wednesday, the Browns are expected to make Hooper the league's highest-paid tight end. While this appears to be an issue for incumbent tight end David Njoku, there is a chance that the team could utilize plenty of two-tight end sets, something that new head coach Kevin Stefanski liked to do while he was the offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings. The addition of Hooper gives the Browns yet another playmaker in what will be an important year for quarterback Baker Mayfield and the offense.

Mar. 16th • 12:51 PM

The Cleveland Browns are reportedly interested in free-agent tight end Austin Hooper, according to Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot. Cabot tweeted on Monday that the Browns have Hooper on their radar as the free-agent negotiation period opened up at noon on Monday. The team's interest in Hooper could indicate that they are planning to move on from third-year tight end David Njoku, who struggled through an injury-filled 2019 campaign. Hooper's free-agent deal is widely expected to set the market at the tight end position. Hooper caught 75 passes for 787 yards and six touchdowns with the Atlanta Falcons in 2019.

Mar. 16th • 12:27 PM

The Chicago Bears are planning to pursue Atlanta Falcons impending free-agent tight end Austin Hooper, according to a source. The two-time Pro Bowler will not receive the franchise tag from the Falcons and will hit the free-agent market next month. Spotrac projects Hooper's value at $50 million for five years, which would make him the league's highest-paid tight end in 2020. However, the Bears are a long shot for Hooper with $26 million in salary cap space and other needs to address. The Bears have Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen, but neither were able to stay healthy last year and Hooper would be a significant upgrade over them both. Hooper set career highs across the board in 2019, but his high-end upside would be in question with quarterback Mitch Trubisky throwing him the football.

Feb. 28th • 1:25 PM