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Atlanta Falcons: Top 5 offseason additions, post 2018 NFL Draft

By Russell S. Baxter

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 30: Justin Bethel #28 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after a play against the Carolina Panthers in the 2nd half during the game at Bank of America Stadium on October 30, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 30: Justin Bethel #28 of the Arizona Cardinals reacts after a play against the Carolina Panthers in the 2nd half during the game at Bank of America Stadium on October 30, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Logan Paulsen #82 of the San Francisco 49ers signals touchdown after quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 scored on a 1-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 24: Logan Paulsen #82 of the San Francisco 49ers signals touchdown after quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 scored on a 1-yard touchdown run against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their NFL football game at Levi’s Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

5. Logan Paulsen, TE (from San Francisco 49ers)

The one area that the Atlanta Falcons was looking to improve this offseason was the overall performance of the tight end position. But did the organization actually accomplish their goal?

All told, it proved to be a somewhat perplexing year for second-year pro Austin Hooper. He played in all 16 games and made eight starts.  And he finished third on the club with 49 receptions, good for 526 yards and three scores. During his rookie campaign, he totaled a modest 19 catches in 14 contests, totaling 271 yards and three touchdowns. And according to Pro Football Focus Edge, he ranks eighth in the league at his position when it came to blocking for the run.

However, Hooper’s average yards per reception dipped from 14.3 as a rookie to only 10.7 in his second NFL campaign. This offseason, the Falcons opted to part ways with the veteran Levine Toilolo (who latched on with the Detroit Lions).

So was veteran Logan Paulsen was a solid move? The answer is yes considering what we may see out of Atlanta’s offense this upcoming season. He’s played for the Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears and San Francisco 49ers. You will recall he missed all of 2015 due to injury. This past season, he didn’t catch a pass in 14 games with the Niners but was more-than-effective as a blocker.

It’s certainly plausible that Paulsen may wind up being more valuable to running backs Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman than he is to quarterback Matt Ryan.

Next: No. 4

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