Green Bay Packers: 5 Players to target at 2019 NFL Trade Deadline
By Joe Kipp
4. Austin Hooper, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Falcons tight end Austin Hooper isn’t as complete of a tight end as O.J. Howard, but the former Stanford product is having a breakout start to the 2019 season in Atlanta.
Hooper already has 42 receptions for 480 yards and three touchdowns through six games this season, where his previous career-best was in 2018 when he posted 71 receptions for 660 yards and four touchdowns. He currently has the most catches among all tight ends, and second-most yardage and touchdown catches.
Hooper is on pace to shatter his career-highs, a good sign for a player in the last year of his current contract. The fact that he will be an unrestricted free agent and will likely garner top-five money at the tight end position after this season could mean the Falcons would be willing to deal him away, especially since it appears Atlanta is headed for a mini-rebuild.
The Packers obviously have a need at tight end, and Hooper would be a welcomed addition. At just 24 years old and entering his prime, the Packers would surely need to sign him to an extension if they traded for him.
Green Bay can finally get out of Jimmy Graham’s contract next offseason, with minimal dead cap if they cut him, offering even more reason to trade for Hooper. A mid-round pick would likely get this deal done.