Atlanta Falcons free agency 2020: Top 5 targets

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 10: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates after a touchdown pass to Austin Hooper #81 against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes Benz Superdome on November 10, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

5. Austin Hooper

The Falcons found a gem in tight end Austin Hooper, but he finally came into his own right before becoming a free agent. The 2016 third-round pick has gotten better every year, and was a legit star at his position in 2019.

He had 75 receptions in only 13 games, which puts him at a 92-catch pace in a full season. Even with missed time, he was fifth in the league in receptions and tied for fourth in touchdowns among tight ends with six. This is a weapon the Falcons need to hold on to.

Hooper is going to get quite the raise this offseason, but how much is too much for the Falcons? The most expensive tight end in the league is somehow still Jimmy Graham with the Green Bay Packers, but we don’t expect that to be the case in 2020. Travis Kelce is next on the list, and he makes just over $9 million on average per season.

Even if the Falcons decide to hit Hooper with the franchise tag, it would cost the team around $11 million. That would take close to about half the cap space we slotted for them after cuts, not including the money they have to spend on rookies.

Still, this is a 25-year-old who is quickly becoming one of the best at his position. The Falcons have a couple of those types of players, and they don’t want to lose one for nothing. They need to figure out how to keep Hooper in Georgia for next season and beyond.

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