This Stat Proves How Important Austin Hooper Will Be to Browns' Offense
By Brendan Balsamo
On March 16, the Cleveland Browns signed former Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper to a four-year, $44 million deal, making Hooper the highest-paid tight end in the NFL.
The two-time Pro-Bowler is coming off a sensational season in Atlanta, and a further look under the hood shows just how impactful the tight end was to the Falcons offense.
cool Austin Hooper stat, via @billbarnwell pic.twitter.com/QNACtOYlhT
— Jordan Zirm (@clevezirm) March 25, 2020
As Jordan Zirm notes, Falcons QB Matt Ryan played significantly better with Hooper in the lineup than when he was on the sideline over the past two years.
The Browns are hoping that the addition of Hooper will have a similar impact on Baker Mayfield. Now in his third year, Mayfield already has the offensive weapons of Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry at wide receiver. Adding a do-it-all tight end like Hooper to the mix, alongside David Njoku, only furthers the potential of the team's already impressive offense.
The #Browns have now signed TE Austin Hooper, OT Jack Conklin, QB Case Keenum, SS Karl Joseph, LB BJ Goodson and DT Andrew Billings. Andrew Berry and Kevin Stefanski are filling holes piece by piece and crushing free agency so far.
— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) March 19, 2020
Hooper's impressive effect on Ryan in Atlanta can hopefully translate to Cleveland with Mayfield. Mayfield hasn't yet lived up to his first overall selection, but the Browns are expecting Hooper to elevate their young quarterback's game to new heights.