The probability of the Falcons retaining Pro Bowl tight end Austin Hooper took a significant hit on Tuesday when the team announced its plans to let him test the free agent market.
Atlanta doesn’t have the cap space to match the kind of top-level money Hooper is likely to command in free agency. So while the team hasn’t ruled out the possibility of bringing him back, Hooper’s age and production make him one of the biggest names available this offseason.
Here are seven potential replacements in the 2020 NFL Draft for the Falcons to consider if they lose Hooper.
Thaddeus Moss — LSU
2019 Stats: 47 catches, 570 yards, 4 TDs
Projection: Rounds 2-4
Analysis: Moss averaged 12.1 yards per catch for a dynamic LSU offense in 2019. Has a rangy frame and elite athleticism, but isn’t refined as a blocker. In the second or third round, Atlanta may see Moss as a perfect replacement for Hooper, while drafting another tight end to be more of a blocking specialist. Moss has been compared to Jordan Reed, and has the most upside as a weapon of any TE in the draft.
Video: Moss (No. 81) comes up big with 99 yards and a TD vs. Oklahoma:
Cole Kmet — Notre Dame
2019 Stats: 43 catches, 515 yards, 6 touchdowns
Analysis: Kmet made a big jump in 2019, putting himself on the map as one of the best tight ends in the country and the most complete tight end in this draft class. Atlanta would likely have to use one of its two second-round picks on Kmet, but he’s not a one-trick pony like many of the other prospects. He lacks the gaudy numbers, but has all the tools to contribute right away at the professional level.
Projection: Rounds 2-3
Video: Watch Kmet (No. 84) rack up 78 yards and a touchdown against Boston College:
Adam Trautman — Dayton
2019 Stats: 70 catches, 916 yards, 14 TDs
Projection: Rounds 3-5
Analysis: 13.1 yards per catch and 14 touchdowns about says it all for Dayton tight end Adam Trautman. After an impressive performance during Senior Bowl week, the buzz around him is growing. Trautman may be the best option to replace Hooper, with one of the highest ceilings of this class but won’t cost the Falcons one of their first three picks. While it will be hard for anyone to step in and replicate his 2019 success, Trautman is big target, at 6-foot-6, that simply gets open and makes big-time catches.
Video: Here’s some highlights of Trautman (No. 84) during his dominant 2019 season:
Brycen Hopkins — Purdue
2019 Stats: 61 catches, 830 yards, 7 TDs
Projection: Rounds 3-5
Analysis: A quality Big Ten tight end that’s a legitimate receiving threat and a decent blocker. Hopkins is a little bit undersized, but if he can add some strength to his frame and continue to build on his blocking ability, he could develop into a quality player. One of the more NFL ready prospects at his position, Hopkins could be an ideal secondary tight end in Dirk Koetter’s offense in 2020, with a bigger role down the line.
Video: Hopkins (No. 89) torches Wisconsin for 127 yards and 2 TDs:
Colby Parkinson — Stanford
2019 Stats: 48 catches, 589 yards, 1 TD
Projection: Rounds 2-4
Analysis: At 6-foot-7, 250 pounds, Parkinson moves well and can catch contested passes. He doesn’t have the red zone numbers you’d expect to see from someone his size, but Stanford did deal with injuries at the quarterback position in 2019. Parkinson has good athleticism and play-making ability, with impressive hands. He’s not a dominant blocker, but a more complete tight end than some of the pass-catching specialists on this list.
Video: Parkinson (No. 84) catches six balls for 51 yards vs. Central Florida:
Harrison Bryant — Florida Atlantic
2019 Stats: 65 catches, 1,004 yards, 7 TDs
Projection: Rounds 3-5
Analysis: Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling has Harrison Bryant as his sixth-ranked tight end in this class. He was a top offensive weapon for Florida Atlantic in 2019, showing great receiving ability and a good feel for finding open space. He isn’t much of a blocker, but as a situational pass-catcher, Bryant would at least soften the blow of losing Hooper. He’d be a decent option for the Falcons in round three.
Video: Bryant (No. 40) catches 6 balls for 79 yards vs. Ohio State:
Jacob Breeland — Oregon
2019 Stats: 26 catches, 405 yards, 6 TDs
Projection: Rounds 3-5
Analysis: Breeland’s season was cut short due to a leg injury, but prior to going down, he was a focal point of Oregon’s offense. He can get open, has solid hands and has proven to be a viable red zone option. Beeland had six touchdown catches in just six games in 2019. He’s not as NFL ready as some of the other prospects on this list, nor is he a physical blocker, but he could be an instant receiving threat for Atlanta in 2020.
Video: Breeland (No. 27) goes for 53 yards and a score against Colorado below:
