The New England Patriots are in sell mode, and one analyst believes the team could trade tight end Austin Hooper. A longtime veteran, the two-time Pro Bowler signed a cheap one-year, $4.25 million deal with the six-time Super Bowl champions. Brought on to provide some veteran insurance and complement incumbent starter Hunter Henry, the former third-round pick has recorded 15 receptions for 129 yards and one touchdown while catching passes from veteran Jacoby Brissett and first-round pick Drake Maye.
While he’s no longer the player who made consecutive Pro Bowls in 2018 and 2019, Austin Hooper remains a dependable depth option who could help a team like the Los Angeles Chargers. According to Gavino Borquez and Alex Katson of Chargers Wire, Los Angeles could land the veteran before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
The Chargers would benefit from a pass-catching tight end, even with Hayden Hurst set to return after missing two games with a groin injury. Hooper’s proven to be reliable in that department throughout his nine-year career.
Chargers, Patriots Could Agree to Austin Hooper Trade
The Los Angeles Chargers have arguably the NFL’s worst supporting cast. While most of the attention goes to the wide receiver position, the tight ends could also use an infusion of talent. While Will Dissly has played remarkably well considering his age, former first-round pick Hayden Hurst has been an active liability. According to Pro Football Focus, the former first-round pick’s 38.2 overall grade ranks 69th out of 70 eligible players. Perhaps his injury slowed him down, but this isn’t good enough for a team trying to make the playoffs. Even if he can return to the field in the next week or two, the Chargers should still consider an Austin Hooper trade.
Using the same metrics, Austin Hooper and his 65.9 grade make him the 25th-best tight end in the league, per Pro Football Focus. He’s no superstar, but Hooper is an upgrade who should be a natural fit for head coach Jim Harbaugh’s offense. While Borquez and Katson mention Hooper’s pass-catching ability, they fail to mention what he can do in the trenches. Per PFF, Hooper has recorded a 65.7 run block grade, the 11th-best mark in the league. Harbaugh loves winning in the trenches, and Hooper could clear rushing lanes for breakout running back J.K. Dobbins.
Will the Patriots Do This?
The Los Angeles Chargers could use Austin Hooper, but the Patriots won’t trade him unless they get a proper return. New England won’t make the playoffs this year, and the 30-year-old veteran is not in the team’s long-term plans. While this might suggest the Patriots will trade him for whatever they can get, they must think about the short-term benefits to Drake Maye. Complemented by an abysmal group of wide receivers, veterans like Hooper and tight end Hunter Henry can be remarkably beneficial for the rookie quarterback.
The odds of an Austin Hooper trade likely depend on how much the team believes in seventh-round rookie Jaheim Bell. While he has yet to record a catch, the Florida State product impressed throughout training camp and has made impressive plays as a blocker in the run game. If New England wants to give the rookie more playing time, then they’ll probably deal Hooper for a sixth-round pick. However, if they want to ensure Maye has at least one stable veteran on the field, they’ll probably choose to keep Hooper and pass on the minimal return.
Main Photo: Sergio Estrada – USA Today Sports
