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New England Patriots 2020 Free Agency targets: Tight end Austin Hooper

By Michael DeVito

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 10: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons in action during a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on November 10, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 10: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons in action during a game against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on November 10, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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The New England Patriots need a resurgence at tight end and obtaining Austin Hooper in free agency would be just the jolt they need.

It is no secret that the New England Patriots have a tight end deficiency.  Like a vitamin deficiency – it needs a potent infusion, in this case of talent to bring this position back to health.

The total output from the 2019 tight ends in their tight room last season was 37 catches. This is hardly a plus in any effort to encourage Tom Brady to stay in New England.

Far from it.

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A complete makeover of the position is required and it could – and should – begin in free agency.

The top tight ends the Patriots can approach in free agency as reported by NBC Sports Boston are:

"Austin Hooper Age: 25 2019 stats: 75 receptions, 787 yards, six touchdownsHunter Henry Age: 25 2019 stats: 55 receptions, 652 yards, five touchdownsJacob Hollister Age: 26 2019 stats: 41 receptions, 349 yards, three touchdownsEric Ebron Age: 26 2019 stats: 31 receptions, 375 yards, three touchdownsGreg Olsen Age: 35 2019 stats: 52 receptions, 597 yards, two touchdowns"

Clearly, since the retirement of Rob Gronkowski before last season, the New England Patriots have been using duct tape and glue to try to patch up a situation almost completely lacking in contributors.

Without doubt, a complete clear out is necessary and warranted, and the quest for competency in this area begins possibly in free agency. There is no doubt that free agent Austin Hooper of Atlanta is the best option.

98TheSportsHub reported some potentially good news for the Patriots:

They noted:

"Speaking with reporters Tuesday at the NFL Combine, Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff said the team plans to let the two-time Pro Bowl tight end hit the open market."

This is very good news.

A franchise tag on Hooper would likely take him out of the Patriots plans but if Atlanta is willing to let him go, there is no better option for the Patriots in my view than Hooper.

As noted, he had 75 receptions last season for 787 yards. Also, he is only 25 years old – and about to hit the very prime of his career. The Patriots cap space is reported on NBCSportsBoston as $49M.

"The Patriots are projected to have about $49 million in cap space in 2020, according to OverTheCap.com, although that number is based on a cap of $200 million. Two of the Patriots’ rivals, the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins, could have as much as $100 million in cap space, per OverTheCap."

The Patriots should speak with Hooper in the first minute of the “tampering period” and allocate whatever they have to – yes, whatever it takes – to lock him up right then and there. If they are indeed intent on retaining the services of the greatest quarterback in the history of the New England Patriots franchise, then this could be a great step.

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Even should TB12 decide to leave, having a top shelf tight end available to whomever steps in after Brady, would be a tremendous asset to him and the offense.

The New England Patriots offense has used the tight end position as an important cog in the offense in recent years. Austin Hooper will allow them to reassert that attribute in 2020.

With $49M in cap space available, Hooper in my view would be the best allocation after Brady himself to help revitalize an offense that never really got in gear in 2019.

Hopefully, the Patriots front office will move and move quickly in the tampering period and wrap up Austin Hooper from Day 1.

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If TB12 remains – it would be a great step toward giving him the weapons he needs to bring the New England Patriots back into Super Bowl contention this year.

In any event, Hooper would be a foundation stone for the next great Patriots offense. There would be a lot more work to be done, but this would clearly be the best first step.

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