Week 1 at Philadelphia Eagles
Austin Hooper showed some flashes this preseason that could make him a sleeper in deeper fantasy leagues. That said, he also showed flashes two years ago when the Falcons made their run to the Super Bowl, only to fail on those promises a year ago when he finished as fantasy’s TE18.
The good news for Hooper is that there is a role for him in Atlanta’s passing game. Logan Paulsen is merely a run-blocking tight end and, while Eric Saubert has received some faint praise this offseason, the pass-catching role at the tight end position is Hooper’s to lose. Things tend to click for players in their third year so perhaps Hooper can put it all together in 2018. For now, leave him on your waiver wire. He ranks as our No. 23 tight end for Week 1.
Fantasy Upside
After catching just 19 passes for 271 yards as a rookie in 2016, Austin Hooper amassed 526 yards on 49 receptions with three touchdowns as a sophomore in 2017. The Falcons want Hooper to be more consistent this season and he got off to a good start by beginning his offseason workouts early. Instead of heading home to California, Hooper started working with Matt Ryan earlier this year in efforts to show his commitment to improving. The Falcons did sign tight end Logan Paulsen this offseason but he's more of a blocker. Hooper once again has every opportunity to thrive as the only pass-catching tight end on Atlanta's roster.
Fantasy Downside
Hooper teased fantasy owners who rolled the dice on his sleeper potential last year by racking up 128 yards and a touchdown in Week 1. Then he disappeared for the rest of the season. On the season, Hooper managed just two games of over 50 yards and had a handful of noteworthy drops. Now that Calvin Ridley is in the mix, it's not difficult to see Hooper failing to make a fantasy impact again this season.
2018 Bottom Line
Hooper ranks as our No. 23 TE entering preseason and that's in a thin tight end class again this year. He could be a deep sleeper but making him your only tight end on draft night is a major risk and taking two tight ends doesn't make much sense either. Thus, the play might be to avoid Hooper on draft night and then take notes on his usage in the early part of the season. If he looks like he's going to carve out a significant role in Atlanta's offense, adding him off your waiver wire negates the risk of him not panning out. He does have sleeper potential but he's also a boom or bust proposition.
Divisional Round at Philadelphia Eagles
Austin Hooper caught 3 passes for 15 yards in the Falcons’ Wild Card win over the Rams. It was a quiet night for the tight end but Hooper did make a couple of key catches to extend drives for Atlanta. Still, Hooper doesn’t offer much upside from a fantasy perspective. Ranked as our No. 5 TE for the Divisional Round, we recommend avoiding Hooper in your DFS lineups.
Wild Card Round at Los Angeles Rams
Austin Hooper caught 3 passes for 35 yards in the Falcons' Week 17 win over the Panthers. He caught one 24-yard pass right before halftime when the Panthers were protecting themselves from a big play, but other than that he did nothing. Ranked as our No. 5 TE for Wild Card weekend, we recommend avoiding Hooper when the Falcons visit the Rams on Saturday night. Atlanta doesn't throw to him much and even when he does get opportunities he's had crucial drops this season (two of which even turned into immediate interceptions for the other team).
Week 17 vs. Carolina Panthers
Austin Hooper hauled in 3-of-4 targets for 18 yards in the Falcons’ Week 16 loss to the Saints. It was a typical Hooper game, who has done next to nothing since his “big” Week 1 performance in Chicago. Ranked as our No. 19 TE, avoid Hooper in all fantasy formats when the Falcons host the Panthers on Sunday.
Week 16 at New Orleans Saints
Austin Hooper caught both of his targets for 12 yards in the Falcons' Week 15 win over the Bucs. If you're reading this it means you're either desperate at the tight end position or you're looking for a cheap option in DFS this week. Either way, avoid Hooper. He has done virtually nothing since his big Week 1 performance. Ranked as our No. 19 TE for Sunday versus the Saints, there are better long-shots at the position than Hooper.
Week 15 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Austin Hooper caught just 2-of-4 targets for 23 yards in the Falcons' Week 14 win over the Saints. He also had a perfectly good pass go off his chest and into the waiting arms of a New Orleans defender for an interception to start the second half. It was the second time this season Hooper had a pass go off his hands/chest for a Matt Ryan pick. Why the Falcons insistent on drawing up looks for Hooper instead of Taylor Gabriel or Tevin Coleman is befuddling.
Ranked as our TE18 for Week 15, avoid Hooper when the Falcons visit the Bucs on Monday night. He doesn't have much fantasy appeal.
Week 14 vs. New Orleans Saints
Austin Hooper caught 3-of-4 targets for 21 yards in the Falcons' Week 13 loss to the Vikings. He's topped 50 yards just once this season and that basically came on one play against the Bears in Week 1. He's not fantasy relevant and despite ranking as our No. 12 for Week 14, we would avoid him when the Falcons host the Saints on Thursday night.
Week 13 vs. Minnesota Vikings
Austin Hooper caught 3-of-5 targets for 38 yards in the Falcons' Week 12 win over the Bucs. He continues to be a touchdown-reliant fantasy player and a weekly boom-or-bust option. Ranked as our No. 17 TE for Week 13, look for more reliable options on your waiver wire if you need a tight end this week.
Week 12 vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Austin Hooper caught both of his targets for negative-one yard in the Falcons' Week 11 win over the Seahawks. Hooper was trending in the right direction before that dud on Monday. From a fantasy standpoint, he's been so inconsistent this year he's hard to trust. He doesn't see much volume and his scoring chances are sporadic. Ranked as our No. 15 TE for Week 12, play Hooper only if you're desperate.
