New England Patriots: 5 Top targets in 2020 NFL free agency

1. Austin Hooper

The top tight end on the free-agent market this offseason will surely be former Falcon Austin Hooper. Hooper will likely draw attention from many teams throughout the NFL when the free-agent signing period opens up, including from his current team in the Falcons, the New England Patriots should do all they can to try and bring the tight end to Foxborough in 2020.

It was clear that the lack of tight end talent was a big issue for the Patriots offense in 2019 and they will look to fill that hole this offseason on the market or through the NFL Draft.

The good news for New England is that there will be a few different tight ends to choose from on the free-agent market, but Hooper is probably the best of the group who might look to bolt from their current teams.

Hooper put together the best season of his career in his fourth year in the NFL and with the Falcons in 2019, hauling in a career-bests in receptions with 75, receiving yards with 787 and touchdowns with six. He managed to do all of that in just 13 appearances, as well.

That production is the type of production that Patriots have missed on offense ever since Rob Gronkowski retired from the league, and Hooper would obviously provide a boost to New England on that side of the field.

Hooper, who is 25 years old, won’t be a cheap player to sign this offseason and is likely going to draw attention from numerous teams around the league once the new NFL year begins, but New England should be a team that is in constant contact with Hooper to try and bring him into the fold on offense in 2020.