When to Target the Atlanta Falcons in Fantasy Drafts
By Adnan Ikic
TE Austin Hooper
Round 10; Projection – 724 receiving yards, 6 receiving touchdowns, 1 2 point conversion: 110.4 fantasy points
This is the year that I expect Austin Hooper to take a big leap at the tight end position. The 2nd year pro has had his praises sung by QB Matt Ryan over the offseason, and even led the team in targets in the Superbowl. With no Jacob Tamme this season, the talented Hooper will take over the starting TE job.
The TE position, outside of a few standout players, is a wasteland in fantasy football. Hooper was just the TE35 last season, but that was while battling Tamme for looks in the first half of the season and battling injury in the second half.
These projected numbers would have made Hooper the TE8 in standard scoring leagues last season. I expect him to enter the fray as a top 10 fantasy scoring TE this year. Hooper will be a value pick to take late for fantasy players who don’t end up spending an early pick on elite TE options such as Rob Gronkowski, Travis Kelce, or Greg Olsen.