1. Austin Hooper, Tight End, Atlanta Falcons
The bidding for the 25-year old Austin Hooper should be pretty intense. He’s a pass-catching tight end whose best years are still ahead of him. Hooper would represent a major upgrade for the Bears who desperately need a playmaker at the tight end spot.
Chicago thought they filled that need when they handed Trey Burton a big contract a few years ago. However, Burton has failed to stay healthy and just hasn’t been productive when on the field.
The Bears have roughly $13 million in cap space available at the moment. That number is expected to rise as Chicago cuts ties with some over priced veterans.
Chicago’s offense took a major step back last year. They struggled to produce big plays which resulted in a really disappointing season. The lack of production from the tight end position is something that really stood out throughout the year.
Adding Hooper would not only provide a spark for the offense, but also give Mitch Trubisky another playmaker. His development and overall success would absolutely be helped with the addition of someone like Hooper.