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Atlanta Falcons: Austin Hooper adds missing piece to offense

By Freddie Boston

Sep 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal tight end Austin Hooper (18) celebrates with receiver Michael Rector (3) after scoring on a 16-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal tight end Austin Hooper (18) celebrates with receiver Michael Rector (3) after scoring on a 16-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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With a tight end capable of opening up the middle of the field as a pass catcher, the Atlanta Falcons offense can hit new heights.

Julio Jones is a star and is treated as such by defenses who focus their game plan on stopping him. Outside of Jones last season, the Atlanta Falcons had very little consistency from their pass catchers.

Leonard Hankerson didn’t hang around for long, flashing No. 2 receiver potential at times but struggling to stay healthy or hang onto the football consistently led to his release before the end of the season. Roddy White‘s production hit a wall and his 11-year career in Atlanta came to an end in March.

In comes former Bengals receiver Mohamed Sanu to fill White’s void, but an offseason move that could pay huge dividends for the offense is the selection of tight end Austin Hooper in the third round of the draft. 

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Hooper may start life in the NFL behind veteran Jacob Tamme, who caught 59 passes for 657 yards and one touchdown last season, but he has the potential to quickly become the No. 1 tight end in Atlanta.

Since Tony Gonzalez retired two years ago, the Falcons have lacked a big pass catcher capable of attacking the middle of the field. While there may never be another Gonzalez, Hooper doesn’t need to be, he just needs to offer something the current group of tight ends in Atlanta haven’t been able to.

The 6-foot-4, 254-pounder is a natural receiver with good athleticism. With Jones and Sanu taking attention from defensive backs outside, Hooper may be able to cause some problems for defenses in the middle of the field.

Hooper’s route-running still needs some fine tuning, but he possesses many of the traits that make successful pass-catching tight ends at the next level. He can make tough catches away from his body in traffic, and also has the necessary speed and athleticism to get open.

Next: Ranking the Falcons' linebacker group

Matt Ryan has been in desperate need of a tight end who can stretch the middle of the field, and Hooper’s arrival spells good news for Jones and Sanu. If he can make a quick transition to the NFL, the Falcons offense will receive a much-needed jolt.

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