Week 17 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In Week 16, Hooper finished with seven receptions on nine targets for 82 scoreless yards, 78 air yards, 20% of the team targets, and 20% of the team air yards.
The Falcons are out of the playoff picture but they were essentially out of the picture after a 1-7 start to their season. Monitor Week 17 news closely, but the Falcons are planning on playing their starters at the time of writing this blurb. It is unknown how long the starters will play but the starters could play the majority of the game if it stays competitive. This matchup has one of the highest over/unders (48) of the week.
Hooper will look to have another successful game against a mediocre Tampa Bay defense that is ranked eighteenth best against tight ends, per our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4’s rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Hooper ranked as the half PPR TE3 and is a safe start.
Week 16 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
In Week 15, Hooper finished with three receptions on six targets for 20 scoreless yards, 23 air yards, 15% of the team targets, and 11% of the team air yards. Hooper almost had a touchdown on the Falcon’s final drive but the touchdown was overturned after a replay review.
Hooper returned from an injury two weeks ago but has failed to reach 35 yards in each of the last two weeks. He will look to bounce back against a mediocre Jacksonville defense that is ranked fourteenth worst against tight ends, per our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4’s rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Hooper ranked as a mid-range half PPR TE1.
Week 15 at San Francisco 49ers
In Week 14, Hooper finished with two receptions on six targets for 32 scoreless yards, 54 air yards, 18% of the team targets, and 17% of the team air yards.
Hooper is in a difficult road matchup against the 49ers who are eighth-best against tight ends, per our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4’s rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Hooper ranked as the half PPR TE9. Hooper could see an uptick in usage because teammate, Calvin Ridley, has been ruled out for the rest of the season. Matt Ryan could be pressured heavily throughout the game, which could result in Hooper receiving additional targets as a quick safety valve. The matchup is worrisome but tight ends with reliable usage are hard to come by.
Week 14 vs. Carolina Panthers
Hooper is set to return from a three-game absence. The Falcons receiving attack will be crowded with Jones, Ridley, and Gage expected to play. The Panthers are 18th against tight ends, per our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4’s rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Hooper ranked as the half PPR TE7. Starting tight ends are few and far between so Hooper is a safe start.
Week 11 at Carolina Panthers
Ian Rapoport reported Hooper could miss "about a month," with a sprained MCL.
Week 10 at New Orleans Saints
The Falcons had a bye in Week 9.
The Saints are 10th against tight ends, per our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4 rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Hooper ranked as a mid-range half PPR TE1. Hooper has a difficult matchup but is a good start because there aren't any better options available on the waiver wire. The tight end possible has been thin all year and the trend will likely continue for the remainder of the season.
Week 8 vs. Seattle Seahawks
UPDATE: The over/under dropped from 53 points to 50.5 points on Saturday, after Ryan was ruled out. The total is still over 50 but the game is less likely to turn into a shootout with Schaub starting over Ryan.
Through 7 weeks, Hooper is the half PPR TE1. In Week 7, had four receptions on five targets for 46 yards, one touchdown, 15% of the team targets, and 14% of the team air yards.
Matt Ryan has been ruled out but Schaub has a history of targeting tight ends frequently. Hoope is still a safe play with Schaub as the starting quarterback. Seattle is fifth-worst against tight ends, per our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4’s rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Hooper ranked as the half PPR TE3. Hooper is a safe start across all league formats.
Week 7 at Los Angeles Rams
Last week, Hooper was the best receiving threat for the Falcons. He finished with eight receptions on eight targets for 117 yards, one touchdown, 22% of the team targets, and 28% of the team air yards.
The Rams are thirteenth worst against tight ends, per our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4’s rankings expert John Paulsen has Hooper ranked as the half PPR TE4. In general, the tight end position has been a wasteland but Hooper is one of the exceptions.
Week 6 at Arizona Cardinals
Through 5 weeks, Hooper is the half PPR TE2. In Week 5, had six receptions on nine targets for 56 scoreless yards, 20% of the team targets, and 18% of the team air yards.
This is likely the best matchup Hooper will have all season. The Cardinals are ranked dead last against tight ends, according to our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4 rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Hooper ranked as the half PPR TE3. Hooper is a must-start across all league settings.
Week 5 at Houston Texans
Through four weeks, Austin Hooper is the second-best tight end in half PPR formats. Last week, he had nine receptions on 11 targets for 130 scoreless yards, 21% of the team targets, and 20% of the team air yards.
Hooper has emerged as a true receiving threat but draws a tough matchup against the Texans who are second best against tight ends, per our signature schedule-adjusted fantasy points allowed metric. 4for4’s rankings expert, John Paulsen, has Hooper ranked as the half PPR TE7. Hooper has been a late-round tight end steal and will look to add to his successful season in a game with an over/under of 50 points.
