Redskins reportedly have a ‘strong interest’ in Austin Hooper

The Washington Redskins need to add some more talent at tight end and according to the latest report, they have a “strong interest” in free-agent tight end Austin Hooper.

The Washington Redskins are going to look drastically different at tight end in 2020 compared to 2019. With Vernon Davis retired and Jordan Reed released after years of dealing with injury issues, the team’s top two on the depth chart are going to be different for the first time in a few years.

That said, the ‘Skins aren’t likely to find true internal replacements for either Davis or Reed. They have some players with upside and notably, Jeremy Sprinkle and Hale Hentges could find roles as depth tight ends. But neither projects as anything more than a No. 2 option at the very most.

As such, the Redskins are going to have to dip into the free agent market and 2020 NFL Draft to find replacements for their departed tight ends. And according to ESPN’s Vaughn McClure, the team has a “strong interest” in Atlanta Falcons free agent tight end, Austin Hooper.

Having an interest in Hooper certainly makes sense for the Redskins. He’s arguably the best tight ends available on the free-agent market and is coming off a season in which he amassed 75 catches for 787 yards and six touchdowns while playing in 13 games for the Falcons.

Hooper is great at finding space against zone defenses and can make contested catches thanks to his 6-foot-4, 254-pound frame. He moves pretty fluidly and is a solid route runner and there’s no doubt that he’d have a big impact on the ‘Skins as a receiving option at tight end.

Hooper may not be explosive, but what he lacks in top-end speed he makes up for in after-the-catch ability. He can both elude tacklers and use his physicality to push through them for extra yards.

And as a blocker, Hooper is solid as well. He’s improved each year in that area since coming into the league and he figures to only get better as time goes on. That was one of his weaknesses coming into the league, but he has since at least become serviceable in that area.

The question with Hooper is going to be about how much he costs. He could have a chance to reset the market value at tight end and exceed the $10 million annually that Jimmy Graham makes, as McClure detailed in a recent piece. Would the Redskins be willing to pay that? If it’s on a three-year deal, they may consider it especially given how weak the 2020 NFL Draft class is at tight end. But we’ll see what happens once free agency is here.

Overall, the Redskins being interested in Hooper seems like good news. He’s one of the NFL’s best-rounded tight ends and should only get better given his age. It’s just a question of whether or not they can convince him to come to Washington without vastly overpaying for his services.