Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper has already established himself as one of the better tight ends in the game, but Falcons head coach Dan Quinn is expecting even bigger things from Hooper in 2019.
“Hooper, the improvement just keeps getting better,” Quinn said, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Now, he's ready to go to another level, and I'm looking forward to seeing him make that growth. The addition of having Mike (Mularkey) here, he's done everything that Mike has asked in terms of getting him ready. That connection has been good.”
Hooper is coming off of a terrific 2018 campaign in which he played all 16 games and hauled in 71 receptions for 660 yards and four touchdowns en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance, so it seems safe to say he has already broken out.
The 24-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Stanford, was originally selected by Atlanta in the third round (81st pick overall) of the 2016 NFL Draft.
He went on to appear in 14 contests during his rookie year and was quiet, logging just 19 catches for 271 yards and three scores. But, the following year, Hooper began to truly flash his talent, participating in all 16 games and catching 49 passes for 526 yards while reaching the end zone three times.
Hooper is a part of a lethal Falcons aerial attack that features quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receivers Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Mohamed Sanu. Also, running back Devonta Freeman is a fine pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Atlanta won just seven games in 2018, but it is obviously aiming for bigger and better things this year.
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