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Cleveland Browns: Get to know the new free agents

By Clay Goodwin

TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 29: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons runs with the ball after a reception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 29: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons runs with the ball after a reception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 27: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons attempts to avoid a tackle of Marquise Blair #27 of the Seattle Seahawks in the second half of an NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 27: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons attempts to avoid a tackle of Marquise Blair #27 of the Seattle Seahawks in the second half of an NFL game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

Austin Hooper, Tight End

Austin Hooper signed with the Browns Monday after leaving the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. The Browns have reportedly signed him to a four-year, $42 million deal which makes him the highest-paid tight end in the league. While he may not be the best tight end in the league, he is only 25 years old and has been extremely productive. The contract only has $23 million guaranteed, so if things do not go as planned, they can release Hooper.

Hooper has been a Pro Bowler each of the last two seasons – another reason he deserves a lucrative deal. Last season he had 75 receptions and six touchdowns. Over half of his receptions resulted in a first down for the Falcons. He is also a reliable pass catcher with a career catch percentage of 77.3 percent.

How can he fit in this offense? Well, his talent and ability alone speak for itself. In this case, he also gets to combine his talent with David Njoku as the other tight end. This works quite well with the new Browns offense because new head coach, Kevin Stefanski loves to run two tight end sets.
Stefanski with the Vikings used two tight ends on 53 percent of offensive snaps. That percentage led the NFL.

He and Njoku are both huge receiving threats and that can cause mismatches for opposing defenses. They both can be better blockers and hopefully, that improves this season, but to have two tight ends with this much talent catching the football is rare. It will work nicely in the new system.

Adding Hooper to the likes of running backs Nick Chubb and Kareem hunt, receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, as well as fellow tight end Njoku, makes for a very deadly offense. Sure, there was a similar feeling last offseason. But with a new regime and a smart head coach who has a consistent game plan, this could be an electric year for the Browns’ offense.

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