5 NFL free agents who could become stars

2. Austin Hooper, TE, Cleveland Browns

As Kevin Stefanski settles into his new job as head coach of the Browns after 14 seasons in Minnesota, his recipe on offense is clear. While some aspects of the Browns’ offense match what Stefanski will try to do as a playcaller — Odell Beckham Jr. as a deep threat and Jarvis Landry in the slot can mirror the Vikings’ receiving corps — are clear, in some ways the Browns’ personnel was not suited for Stefanski’s style.

Adding Hooper is step one in the fix. Like all the players on this list, Hooper is young, and at 25, will have plenty of opportunity to get better and mesh with Stefanski and third-year quarterback Baker Mayfield. With the Falcons in 2019, Hooper caught 75 of his 97 targets across 13 games and hauled in a career-best six touchdowns.

The Falcons were a purely average offense by DVOA’s measure, yet it bears wondering how much worse they might have been without a threat like Hooper down the seam and in the red zone. Hooper can be a difference-maker for the entirety of his four-year deal (with $23 million guaranteed in salary).

With the Vikings last season, Stefanski called “21” personnel 28 percent of the time, making two-running back sets his his most-used look. Next highest was “12” personnel, with two tight ends, at 25 percent, according to Sharp Football. The Browns will mix and match, especially after acquiring fullback Andy Janovick from Denver in a trade.

At the center of all of it will be Hooper, improving and now with a coach who will use him even more creatively.