Atlanta Falcons select tight end Austin Hooper in third round of 2016 NFL Draft
The Atlanta Falcons have selected tight end Austin Hooper with their third selection in the 2016 NFL Draft.
Attention has turned to offense for the Atlanta Falcons, who used their third-round selection on tight end Austin Hooper out of Stanford.
Matt Ryan is about to get a big-time weapon in the middle of the field. Tight end has been a position of need ever since Tony Gonzalez retired, but they might finally have a pass catcher capable of stretching the middle of the field.
Here’s what NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein had to say about the prospect:
"“Hooper has a frame that should be able to carry another eight to 10 pounds without much trouble, and he shows enough want-to as a blocker to see him playing inline when needed. If Hooper can improve his hands and become craftier with his routes, he could become a solid, 10-year starter in the league.”"
This selection follows first-round pick Keanu Neal, a safety out of Florida. Neal is a violent hitter who does his best work in the box. He will offer plenty as a run-stuffer and can be an enforcer in the defensive backfield. Dan Quinn has been searching for his Kam Chancellor on defense for Atlanta, and Neal can be the guy to do just that.
In Round 2, the Falcons traded back two spots with the Houston Texans to grab linebacker Deion Jones out of LSU. Jones adds some much needed speed on defense, and he can drop in coverage and make plays on the football. This is an area the Falcons needed to get better in, and they have. Two smart picks made by the Falcons.
It’s been a busy offseason for the Falcons so far. We’ve already seen center Alex Mack, wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, defensive lineman Derrick Shelby and linebackers Courtney Upshaw and Sean Weatherspoon come to town. The roster is getting stronger.
What are your thoughts on Hooper?