TE Austin Hooper will sign with the Browns

The Atlanta Falcons will lose their star tight end and former third-round pick Austin Hooper as he has reportedly agreed to a deal with the Cleveland Browns, according NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport:

#Falcons free agent TE Austin Hooper, the top player at his position, is headed to the #Browns, per @TomPelissero, @MikeSilver and me. They’ve agreed to terms, he’s the new highest-paid TE.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2020

Hooper, 25, will become the highest-paid tight end in the league. He made 75 catches for 787 yards and six touchdowns for Atlanta last season, and had become the preferred secondary option behind Julio Jones in Dirk Koetter’s offense.

Without him, the Falcons have a big hole at the tight end, with needs at running back and corner with Devonta Freeman and Desmond Trufant on the way out as well.

The fact that Hooper left isn’t a surprise since the Falcons let him test the market, but it hurts to see a good young player leaving for Cleveland.