Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff acknowledged at the Senior Bowl on Tuesday that his team has started talks with potential free-agent tight end Austin Hooper.
“I’m sure you guys are waiting to ask more about Mr. Hooper. The reality right now is that we are trudging along,” Dimitroff said. “Once we get back from the Super Bowl, after the Super Bowl week we’ll continue to look and see how we are moving forward. But at this point there are no updates on Austin.”
With San Francisco headed to Super Bowl LIV, Hooper, who was an alternate Pro Bowl selection, was picked Monday to replace 49ers tight end George Kittle.
Hooper had career highs in catches (75), receiving yards (787) and touchdowns (six) in 13 games this season. He missed three games with a knee sprain. He’s set to become a free agent if the Falcons can’t re-sign him before the new NFL business year starts in March.
The Falcons could choose to place the franchise tag on Hooper, who is the team’s top offseason priority.
“Franchise tags are always an option, but we have not decided on that at this point,” Dimitroff said.
The coming draft is not strong at the tight end position.
“The tight end group, it’s not a big group as far as numbers,” Dimitroff said. “Some good football players, but it’s not a big group. We’ll have to really hone in on that as well.”
Hooper had another stellar season and was on his way to a mega-season before he suffered a knee injury and missed three games.
Hooper's price tag is steep. His projected market value is five years, $49.9 million, according to Spotrac. They selected players based on age, contract status and statistical production to compare with Hooper. The comparisons were: Travis Kelce, who signed a five-year, $46.8 million deal at age 26; Jordan Reed, who signed a five-year, $46.7 million deal at 25; Zach Ertz who signed a five-year, $42.5 million deal at 25; and Trey Burton who signed a four-year, $32 million deal at 26.
Hooper, who was taken in the third round of the 2016 draft, turned 25 in November. Los Angeles tight end Hunter Henry, who was selected ahead of Hooper in the second round (35th overall) by the Chargers, has not been as productive. His market value is projected at four years, $35.5 million.
Hooper’s agent, Steve Caric, has not responded to phone calls.
Here are some of the other issues Dimitroff addressed:
On the Senior Bowl: "Well, I love coming to the Senior Bowl. I love watching these guys move around. I'm not as keen on the interviews here as I am about getting to watch these guys play here, but interact with new coaching staffs and new players. On both sides, the offensive and defensive lines, there are really some interesting guys. This really an interesting receiver group here. You saw the North (team), that's a big group of receivers. It's fun digging in. As well, there is a cool secondary group here."
On small-college players Kyle Dugger (Lenoir-Rhyne, Whitewater High) and wide receiver Antonio Golden-Gandy (Liberty, Paulding County): "For both of those guys, it's really fortunate for them to be moving around and see them against the ostensible top talent in the country. Again, this is a great place to get a real feel for what they are about. They are doing a good job so far."
On the wide receiver group: "Again, I think the receivers are a really strong group here. There's a good wave of them. Not only the big guys, but the fast guys, and there are some versatile guys in that group. Again, I've always said that the offensive line is going to have an interesting group of guys as well."
On if they can get three starters out of this draft: "We' are really hoping that. We are hoping that we and have a really productive group again and try to be creative with how we go about it. Yes, I think it's a possibility."
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