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Cleveland Browns draft profile: Austin Hooper

By Thomas Moore

Sep 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal tight end Austin Hooper (18) carries the ball on a 24-yard reception in the second quarter against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal tight end Austin Hooper (18) carries the ball on a 24-yard reception in the second quarter against the Southern California Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 24, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal tight end Austin Hooper (18, front) scores a touchdown against Washington Huskies defensive back Ezekiel Turner (24, back) during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 24, 2015; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal tight end Austin Hooper (18, front) scores a touchdown against Washington Huskies defensive back Ezekiel Turner (24, back) during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Austin Hooper Profile

Position: Tight end

Height/Weight: 6-foot-4, 254 pounds

School: Stanford

Stats (Link)

2015 – 34 receptions, 438 yards, 6 touchdowns

2014 – 40 receptions, 499 yards, 2 touchdowns

2016 NFL Draft Range: 2nd to 4th round

Austin Hooper is the latest in a line of Stanford tight ends looking to make a place for themselves in the NFL, with six former Cardinals playing in the league last season.

Hooper only played two seasons at Stanford, but he earned Freshman All-American and second-team All-Pac-12 honors as a redshirt freshman and followed that up in 2015 by being selected as a Mackey Award finalist, third-team AP All-American and first-team All-Pac-12. He also has the versatility to be a “move” tight end or play inline and help in the run game.

“I’m very physical,” Hooper told The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I grew up playing defensive line my whole life until I came to college, so the physical side of the game of football isn’t something that scares me in the slightest. I feel confident with my abilities and, hopefully, a team does, too.”

According to his draft profile at NFL.com, Hooper:

"Will be labeled as a move tight end, but (could be) more than that for teams looking for a more complete player. Hooper has a frame that should be able to carry another eight to 10 pounds without much trouble, and he shows enough want­-to as a blocker to see him playing in­line when needed. If Hooper can improve his hands and become craftier with his routes, he could become a solid, 10-­year starter in the league."

CBS Sports shares a similar view:

"Hooper’s combination of size, strength, athleticism and soft hands made him a versatile weapon in Stanford’s offense and he should be able to maintain this positional flexibility in the NFL, projecting best as a “move” tight end or H-back initially while he gains strength to handle in-line blocking duties. While perhaps not as polished as scouts would prefer, Hooper’s upside could generate Day Two consideration in another weak class overall at tight end."

Next: System fit with the Browns

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