Green Bay Packers: Austin Hooper would be dream free agency addition
The Green Bay Packers landing Austin Hooper in free agency would be a massive win for getting Aaron Rodgers and the offense more weapons.
Ask just about anyone what the Green Bay Packers need to do in the 2020 offseason and one of the first things that comes to mind is getting more weapons for Aaron Rodgers in the passing game. Davante Adams is a stud but, outside of their No. 1, no one has consistently emerged as a threat for the Packers offense. That can change either in the 2020 NFL Draft or NFL free agency.
One way the Packers could possibly improve via free agency, something that’s been floated by many people, has been to upgrade at tight end. Jimmy Graham has been ineffective in relation to what he’s been paid and now Green Bay can save $8 million by cutting him this offseason. Not only would that remove an ineffective piece but it’d open the door for a free agent such as Austin Hooper to come in.
At the NFL Combine with just under three weeks until free agency begins, it appears that may well be in the Packers’ plans. According to ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, the Packers know they need to make a big run at adding pass-catchers and Hooper is one of the names at the top of their list.
A couple of takeaways from the combine:
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) February 28, 2020
The Packers are intent on adding on a pass-catcher both in free agency and the draft and plan to make a run at Falcons free-agent TE Austin Hooper.
Also, they were scheduled to meet with Aaron Jones' agent, who... https://t.co/wC1y9e7ICo
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With the Atlanta Falcons over the past two seasons, Hooper has emerged as one of the better pass-catching threats at tight end in the league. At just 25 years old, he’s coming off a season in which he notched 75 receptions for 785 yards and six touchdowns in only 13 games. And for what it’s worth, those three missed games are all he’s not been on the field for over the past three seasons.
Because of his age, production and steady improvement to this point in his career both as a pass-catcher and as a blocker, Hooper figures to be a hot commodity this offseason. He’s also a player the Falcons would love to retain — that just might not be possible given their current cap situation.
After recently re-signing kicker Mason Crosby, the Packers currently have just over $20 million in cap space but that can increase to at least $28 million if Graham is cut and possibly more depending on other moves. And while Green Bay has other needs to address, particularly at linebacker where they could re-sign Blake Martinez or look elsewhere, that should be ample room to hand Hooper a hefty contract.
Hooper is projected to receive a deal in free agency that’s worth around $9.9 million annually, per Spotrac’s market value. That deal would certainly fit into Green Bay’s budget, as would a slight overpay if they want to leave no doubt that they can secure his services for the 2020 season and beyond.
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Given Hooper’s age and what he’s already shown at the NFL level in a high-caliber offense, he’s the exact thing the Packers need at tight end. His presence will open up the field for Adams in the passing game and will also help Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams in the run game as well. If there’s one ideal fit for their plans this offseason, it’s Austin Hooper — so it’s probably a good thing that he’s reportedly a priority for them in free agency.