The Falcons are excited about getting tight end Austin Hooper back for the team’s mandatory minicamp, which will run Tuesday through Thursday.
Hooper, a third-round draft pick in 2016, couldn’t take part in the three weeks of OTAs because his Stanford’s academic calendar was not complete, per NFL rules. Final exams at Stanford were recently completed.
Hooper, who attended the rookie minicamp in May, received digital updates and phones calls from the staff in order to keep him in the loop.
Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is looking forward to seeing Hooper.
“We really liked his route running ability,” Shanahan said. “He really comes off the ball hard. He’s not the fastest guy in the world, but he’s fast enough.”
Jacob Tamme 31, is currently the Falcons top pass receiving tight end. He caught 58 passes on 81 targets and scored one touchdown. The 59 catches were the second-highest total of his career.
The Falcons are hoping Hooper is the tight end of the future.
“He’s got good cutting ability, so he can break guys off at the top of his routes,” Shanahan said. “He’s a big guy with length who’s got very good ball skills. He’s not scared to attack the ball. When he’s covered, he still has a chance to make the play.”
