Austin Hooper and four other Packers trade targets for 2019
3. Falcons tight end Austin Hooper
The Atlanta Falcons are in total free-fall. They should be having a fire sale. They have already shipped off receiver Mohamed Sanu to the Patriots for a second-round pick. He was a target I was going to have for the Packers, but the Patriots got in there first. A second-round pick was a little steep for Sanu, so I’m not too upset that the Packers didn’t get him.
Also on the team is 6-foot-4, 254-pound tight end Austin Hooper, who is quietly having a fantastic year. He has 526 receiving yards, which is 11th most in the league. Travis Kelce is the only tight end ahead of him on that list. He also has four touchdown receptions, tied with Seattle’s Will Dissly for most among tight ends.
He is also just 24 years old, in the final year of his contract, and is easily having the best season of his young career. If the Packers were to trade for him, they’d need to make sure they lock him up long term, because the Falcons aren’t going to just give him away and I’m guessing Hooper could be in high-demand at the deadline.
Like Howard, adding Hooper to the roster could create a nice tight end room in Green Bay with Sternberger and Tonyan for years to come, but I’m guessing he won’t come cheap.