Buffalo Bills: 5 Big-name free agents to target in 2020

3. Austin Hooper, TE

Following a pedestrian rookie season after the Falcons made Austin Hooper a third-round pick out of Stanford in the 2016 NFL Draft, the 6-4, 254-pound tight end has continued to progress and become one of the most underrated tight ends in the league. In 2017, he registered 49 catches for 526 yards and three touchdowns and has only gotten better since.

The following year, Hooper had what many pegged as a breakout season as he hauled in 71 of his 88 targets for 660 yards and four scores. As impressive as that showing was, however, he became an even bigger factor in the Atlanta offense this past season, catching 75 of his 97 targets for 787 yards and six touchdowns, despite being limited to only 13 games.

While 2019 third-round pick Dawson Knox and, to a lesser degree, free-agent addition Tyler Kroft flashed for the Bills throughout this past season, it’s clear that Kroft is a situational player and that Knox is not quite ready to be a top-tier pass-catcher in the NFL. Thus, if we’re talking big-name players to help this Buffalo offense, making a splash with Hooper at tight end would fit the bill.

There is every reason to believe that Atlanta will try to make a play for Hooper in free agency. However, the Falcons are up against the salary cap in a bad way this offseason and, if the Bills make a sizeable offer and perhaps a slight overpay given their own cap situation, they could possibly land him. Adding a dangerous safety valve and playmaker at tight end would help the development of Allen and the offense tremendously.