5 bold predictions for Atlanta Falcons in 2020

3. Hayden Hurst will catch 75 passes

Hurst has big shoes to fill in the Falcons offense. He’s not going to be able to replace the 787 receiving yards Austin Hooper contributed in 2019, but there’s no reason to think he shouldn’t catch the ball just as often.

After all, Ryan still needs to give those targets to someone. Hurst is the only tight end capable of soaking them up and the team didn’t add anything meaningful at wide receiver in the offseason.

The loss of Devonta Freeman could also open up some targets. Hurst is a solid option to take up a lot of those short and intermediate throws that went to the running back position last year. He’s a much different player than Hooper, but he can still be an integral part of this offense.

Hurst won’t be able to replace the pressure Hooper put on defenses down the seam, but he’ll provide Matt Ryan with a big target to utilize in the red zone and on key third downs. Hurst is going to get a lot of catches even if he doesn’t put up a ton of yards for this offense.