Austin Hooper Could Have Resurgent Season with Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders would benefit if Austin Hooper could return to his high level of play.

The Las Vegas Raiders have made a number of moves in free agency, including adding a considerable number of pass catchers for new quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

They added a number of tight ends specifically, including selecting Michael Mayer with the No. 35 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Many considered Mayer the best tight-end prospect and one of the best overall players in the class.

However, one tight end they added is a player who was once considered one of the top tight ends in the league, Austin Hooper. The Raiders signed Hooper to a one-year contract in March after a stint with the Tennessee Titans.

Hooper was selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, immediately impacting their offense after four stellar seasons in Atlanta. Hooper signed a massive four-year, $44-million deal with the Cleveland Browns.

However, Hooper did not live up to expectations in Cleveland, catching only 84 passes for 780 yards and seven touchdowns in a little more than two seasons. He was released by the Browns and spent last season with the Titans.

Now in his 28-year-old season, Hooper has a chance to get back to the level of play he was at with the Falcons. Tight ends are a vital piece of Coach Josh McDaniels’ offense, so Hooper can learn from a system that could benefit him.

If Hooper can rekindle a fire from a couple of seasons ago, the Raiders' offense could have another dynamic piece.

Here is a complete list of every 2023 Raiders draft pick and links to more information about them:

Round 1 No. 7 overall pick: Tyree Wilson, DE, Texas Tech

Round 2 No. 35 overall pick: Michael Mayer, TE, Notre Dame

Round 3 No. 70 overall: Byron Young, DT, Alabama

Round 3 No. 100 overall: Tre Tucker, WR, Cincinnati

Round 4 No. 104 overall: Jakorian Bennett, CB, Maryland

Round 4 No. 135 overall: Aidan O'Connell, QB, Purdue

Round 5 No. 170 overall: Christopher Smith II, S, Georgia

Round 6 No. 203 overall: Amari Burney, LB, Florida

Round 7 No. 231 overall: Nesta Jade Silvera, DT, Arizona State

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