Fantasy Football: Can Austin Hooper Reach Another Level In 2019?

TE Austin Hooper (Atlanta Falcons) | 4th Year

2018 Stats: 71 receptions for 660 yards, 4 TD

Hooper continued an upward trend last year, setting career-highs across the board on his way to being a top-10 fantasy tight end in both standard (TE7) and PPR scoring (TE6). But as a background option in Atlanta’s passing game, with Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Mohamed Sanu eating up plenty of targets, consistency was an issue.

Hooper had four games where he had double-digit standard points last year, and eight games with with four points or fewer. Shifting to PPR was only slightly better, with six double-digit fantasy point games and nine other games where he posted more than five points.

Hooper only had 13 red zone targets in 2018, but it’s where he got them that stands out. He was tied for third among tight ends in targets inside the 10-yard line (10) and second in targets inside the five-yard line (5). He also caught a 2-point conversion.

The Falcons have changed offensive coordinators, with Dirk Koetter coming back, and Mike Mularkey is in as tight ends coach. That has head coach Dan Quinn optimistic about Hooper heading into his contract year.

“Hooper, the improvement just keeps getting better,” Quinn said, via 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 here, he’s done everything that Mike has asked in terms of getting him ready. That connection has been good.”

Going to another level would literally make Hooper a top-five fantasy tight end in 2019. If he can repeat his 81 percent catch rate from last year, or come somewhere close, he would just need more targets. But shy of an injury taking Jones or Ridley out for multiple games, it’s hard to see that happening in any substantial way.

That being said, Hooper has some scoring upside in what should again be a prolific Atlanta passing game. A handful more red zone looks on a similar number of targets as last year (88), and a few more touchdowns, would theoretically elevate him into the tier of fantasy tight ends just below Travis Kelce, Zach Ertz and George Kittle.

Fantasy Football Calculator ADP has Hooper at TE15 (pick 13.08) in 12-team standard leagues and TE11 (pick 10.08). So he’s absolutely under the radar, with a top-10 finish at the position virtually assured if he just repeats 2018.

For those who wait to draft a tight end, Hooper has to be on the radar. A handful of real duds are possible, but Hooper will put something on the stat sheet most weeks and buying into whatever upside he might have comes at a discount.

2019 Projection: 74 receptions for 710 yards, 6 TD

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