The Falcons are adding to their depth chart at tight end behind Pro Bowler Austin Hooper. The team just announced on its official website that they have signed free agent tight end Luke Stocker to a two-year deal.
Stocker was a fourth-round pick by the Buccaneers in the 2011 NFL draft. He spent six seasons and some change in Tampa before he was released and signed by the Titans. In Tennessee, he played briefly for Mike Mularkey when he was their head coach. Mularkey is now Atlanta’s tight ends coach.
Based on his previous experience with both Mularkey and offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, Stocker was one of seven potential free agent tight end targets we profiled in January.
Primarily a blocking tight end, in 99 career regular season games, Stocker has posted 68 catches, 577 yards and five touchdowns. He will compete with Eric Saubert for playing time behind Hooper.
Financial terms of the deal have not been reported at this time.
Going forward, this move cancels out any chance that the Falcons will use a draft pick on a tight end, despite a deep 2019 class.
