We are throwing it back to 2019, Falcons fans, with former Falcons tight end Austin Hooper landing back in Atlanta alongside Olamide Zaccheaus.
NFL insider Mike Garafolo brings us the news that Hooooop, who was a third round draft pick for the Falcons back in 2016, is returning to Atlanta after six years away.
Once a favored Matt Ryan target, Hooper has never been as productive as a pass catcher as he was in Atlanta at any other stop. He’s remained a capable blocking tight end all these years, however, and has been a solid producer when the volume is there. Last year he put up 21 catches for 263 yards and two touchdowns on just 26 targets with the Patriots, but two years with 59 targets he was at 45 grabs for 476 yards and three scores. He’s a sure-handed, chain-moving option to pair with Kyle Pitts in two tight end sets, and is a good enough blocker to stay on the field consistently. We’ll see if the Falcons keep Charlie Woerner as a true block-first option to go with that duo, but it’s a solid signing.
The Falcons are clearly intent on adding familiar, trusted faces—Ryan has played with both Zaccheaus and Hooper, and Hooper played for Kevin Stefanski in 2020 and 2021 and was pretty productive—and these moves lift the floor for both wide receiver and tight end even if they’re unlikely to be seismic additions. Stefanski was always going to want to have another pass-catching option given how frequently the Browns utilized two tight end sets the past couple of years, and Hooper provides that on a budget while being another fun reunion. These signings—and the reported interest in Tua Tagovailoa, who should be affordable—point toward the team trying to fill as many needs as possible on a budget given limited free agent dollars, but there are still big holes at WR2, inside linebacker, and CB2 to fill that may require more investment.
Give Hooper a warm welcome back to Atlanta, and we’ll see what other news awaits us today.
