Breaking: GHSA investigating Gainesville-Brunswick fight, punishment decision coming
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Falcons select tight end Austin Hooper in third round

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Austin Hooper #18 of the Stanford Cardinal argues for a pass interference call during the second quarter against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Coliseum on September 19, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Credit: Harry How

Credit: Harry How

LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 19: Austin Hooper #18 of the Stanford Cardinal argues for a pass interference call during the second quarter against the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Coliseum on September 19, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
By
April 30, 2016

FLOWERY BRANCH — The Falcons selected Stanford tight end Austin Hooper with their third round pick (81st overall) in the NFL draft on Friday.

He was a Mackey Award finalist last season. He started all 14 games for the Cardinal and caught 34 passes for 438 yards and six touchdowns.

About the Author

Honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his "long and distinguished reporting in the field of pro football," D. Orlando Ledbetter, Esq. has covered the NFL 28 seasons. A graduate of Howard University, he's a winner of Georgia Sportswriter of the Year and three Associated Press Sports Editor awards.

Follow D. Orlando Ledbetter on facebookFollow D. Orlando Ledbetter on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins passes against the Carolina Panthers in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Atlanta. (Brynn Anderson/AP)

Credit: AP

What will the retooled Falcons offense with Kirk Cousins look like?

Cousins is set to take over for the injured Michael Penix Jr. when the Falcons face the Saints Sunday at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Falcons’ Kirk Cousins returns to lineup with depleted receiving corps

Kirk Cousins is set to start at quarterback when the Falcons (3-7) play the Saints (2-8) at 4:25 p.m. Sunday in New Orleans.

Michael Penix’s season is over before Falcons know if he’s the answer

Michael Penix hasn’t proved over 12 starts that he can be a consistently good NFL starter, much less the franchise QB, and now he will have to recover from ACL surgery.

The Latest

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (left) is unable to cacth the ball but the referee called pass interference on Miami Dolphins cornerback Rasul Douglas (right) during the second half of an NFL football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, October 26, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Falcons’ Kirk Cousins returns to lineup with depleted receiving corps

What will the retooled Falcons offense with Kirk Cousins look like?

Falcons’ Deablo set to return from arm injury; Bowman out with Achilles

Featured

Tracy Woodard from InTown Cares (left) and Lauren Hopper from Mercy Care organization work with residents at the Copperton Street encampment in August 2024. (Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

‘Worst nightmares come true.’ Atlanta confronts shift in homelessness funding.

Trump’s overhaul threatens permanent housing for an estimated 600 Atlanta households and 170,000 people nationwide, advocates warn.

Microsoft’s newest AI ‘superfactory’ opens at sprawling Fayetteville campus

One of the largest data center campuses under construction in Georgia has its first operational tenant, and it’s one of the most recognizable names in technology.

Atlanta officials quietly rebrand city’s DEI office

The city of Atlanta office overseeing diversity, equity and inclusion is getting a rebrand amid assaults at the federal level on such initiatives.