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Atlanta Falcons 2016 scouting report: TE Austin Hooper

By Eric Robinson

Sep 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal tight end Austin Hooper (18) carries the ball on a 24-yard reception in the second 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) carries the ball on a 24-yard reception in the second quarter against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Since the days of Tony Gonzalez in a Falcons uniform, QB Matt Ryan hasn’t truly had an above-average target at the tight end position outside of Jacob Tamme this past season as he totaled 59 catches, 657 yards, and a touchdown.

While Tamme was enough to get by this past season, the veteran pass catcher is slowly creeping up in age and the team can no longer count on TE Levine Toilolo at the position. So with the 81st overall pick in this year’s draft, the Falcons reached out to another Stanford product at tight end, Austin Hooper.

Is Hooper another weapon to go along with Julio, Sanu, Hardy, Freeman, and Coleman? Or did the front office pluck another Stanford tight end destined to disappoint? Here is the scouting report on the new Falcon.

TE Austin Hooper, Stanford

Height: 6’4

Weight: 254 lbs

Strengths:

  • Combine results: Hand size of 10 5/8 inches (best among TEs), 4.72 seconds in the 40-yard dash (3rd among TEs), 19 reps on the bench press (4th among TEs), arm length of 33 3/4 inches, 33 inch vertical, 7.00 seconds in the 3-cone drill (5th among TEs)
  • 34 catches, six touchdowns in 2015
  • Freshman All-American, second-team All Pac-12 honors as a redshirt freshman in 2014
  • Mackey Award finalist, third-team AP All-American, first team All-Pac-12 in 2015
  • Jump ball tight end with the leaping ability/large hands to hold his own in 50/50 battles
  • Ability to play inline or slot
  • Better athleticism than given credit for
  • Enough speed and agility to be a producer of yards after the catch
  • Better than expected in the blocking aspect; able to seal the edge against defenders and sustain blocks
  • Utilizes size to “box” out defenders when attempting to make catches
  • Good strength
  • Will drag defenders to complete the play

Weaknesses:

  • Limited production in his two seasons of playing time at Stanford
  • Not often does Hooper create separation; many throws will be contested
  • Route running needs polish; needs to improve footwork
  • Runs upright in his route running
  • Only two seasons at the tight end position; signed to Stanford as a tight end

Bottom line: The Falcons addressed a position that has needed a little more attention since Gonzalez departed. The drafting of Toilolo was definitely an odd one as he only was utilized at Stanford mainly in the red zone and blocking because of his size. So what to make of the drafting of Hooper?

At this stage of Hooper’s career, he’s much more of a receiving threat than Toilolo has ever been and that’s saying something for a prospect with only two seasons of D-1 football as a tight end. The presence of Tamme will be enough for 2016 so Hooper will get time to develop.

Ultimately, Hooper has the potential to turn into a legit weapon in this offense as he has nice, strong hands, slept-on athleticism, and the ability to line up in the slot and inline and still be productive. Also, Hooper brings a blocking aspect to an offense that runs the zone blocking scheme.

Next: Ten reasons why Keanu Neal was a great pick

We may see some glimpses of Hooper here and there but in 2017, he has potential to be a starter and will be much more of a puzzle piece to the offense than Toilolo. If you need a ceiling, I can envision Hooper to be just a tad below the level of Eagles TE Zach Ertz when his development is all said and done.