The Browns addressed an area of need at tight end by signing a four-year deal with one of the NFL's rising stars at the position.
Austin Hooper, who spent his first four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, is the newest addition to a Cleveland offense with no shortage of talent and promise at the skill player positions. He's coming off his best season, one in which he caught 75 passes for 787 yards and six touchdowns to land his second consecutive Pro Bowl invitation.
"I'm really excited. Coach Stefanski, from what I've heard about him, I just really valued his coaching style and schematically it matches what I've been asked to do before in the past, so hopefully it's a smooth transition," Hooper said. "And the amount of talent on this team, it just really excites me."
Hooper, a third-round pick out of Stanford in the 2016 NFL Draft, has appeared in 59 games with 28 starts. After catching 19 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie, Hooper took on a bigger role in Atlanta's offense in his second season and continually increased his production. In 2018, Hooper appeared in all 16 games and caught 71 passes for 660 yards and four touchdowns to earn his first Pro Bowl honor.
For his career, Hooper has 214 receptions for 2,244 yards and 16 touchdowns.
"The nature of the position is block someone 40 pounds heavier than you or outrun someone 40 pounds lighter than you," Hooper said. "It's a position that definitely takes some time but I definitely feel like I've gotten a lot better in terms of timing my routes and in terms of just stemming into certain routes, and finer details and points of route running. And in terms of line of scrimmage, I've honestly just grown into my body and just understanding leverage at a different level because some of the best athletes on the field are typically those guys on the edge. They present a good challenge week in and week out."
Check out photos of tight end Austin Hooper
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) runs a pass route defended by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Matthew Judon (99) during an NFL Pro Bowl football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (Matt Patterson via AP)
Stanford tight end Austin Hooper runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine on Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) carries the ball after making a reception during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Atlanta. The Seahawks won 27-20. (Paul Abell via AP)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) looks on after the NFC team practice in preparation for the 2020 Pro Bowl, Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. (Cooper Neill via AP)
FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2019, file photo, Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) runs against the Tennessee Titans during the first half of an NFL football game in Atlanta. The Browns are working toward a deal with two-time Pro Bowl free agent tight end Austin Hooper, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. Hooper was one of the main free agency targets for Cleveland, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because teams can’t officially announce deals until Wednesday, Marcg 18, 2020.(AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts middle linebacker Anthony Walker (50) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Stanford's Austin Hooper raises his hands after Stanford scored a touchdown against Oregon State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014 in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/George Nikitin)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) makes a catch in front of Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Andrew Adams (39) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Jason Behnken)
NFC tight end Austin Hooper, of the Atlanta Falcons, runs during a practice for the NFL Pro Bowl football game Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) runs during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday Dec. 15, 2019 in Santa Clara, Calif. The Falcons defeated the 49ers 29-22. (Greg Trott via AP)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) runs past Houston Texans strong safety Jahleel Addae (37) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 6, 2019, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) rests during an NFL game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019 in New Orleans. The Falcons defeated the Saints 26-9. (Greg Trott via AP)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) cannot catch a pass against San Francisco 49ers defensive back Marcell Harris during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) runs away from Tennessee Titans safety Kenny Vaccaro (24) in a week 4 NFL football game, Sunday, Sep. 29, 2019 in Atlanta. (Michael Zarrilli/AP Images for Panini, via AP)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper runs up field after catching a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) catches a pass for a 3-yard touchdown against Cleveland Browns defensive back Jabrill Peppers (22) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 11, 2018, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) defends his run from Green Bay Packers safety Josh Jones (27) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wis. (NFL Photos via AP)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Stanford tight end Austin Hooper, center, makes a catch as UCLA linebacker Kenny Young, left, and defensive back Tahaan Goodman defend during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) lines up out wide during an NFL Pro Bowl football game on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019 in Orlando, Fla. The AFC team won 26-7. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Stanford tight end Austin Hooper, top right, celebrates his touchdown catch with teammates Johnny Caspers (57) and Casey Tucker (77) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, in Stanford, Calif. Stanford won 38-36. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) runs upfield with a pass during the NFL football Super Bowl LI game Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 in Houston. The New England Patriots won 34 - 28 in overtime. (Al Messerschmidt via AP)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) jumps over a defender during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018 in Atlanta. (NFL Photos via AP)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) runs after a catch during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, Nov. 3, 2016 in Tampa, Fla. Atlanta won 43-28. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) runs after a catch during an NFL preseason football game against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday, Aug. 25, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. Miami won 17-6. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Stanford's Austin Hooper, right, catches a touchdown pass as Oregon State's Larry Scott trails during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Corvallis, Ore., Friday, Sept. 25, 2015. (AP Photo/Timothy J. Gonzalez)
Stanford tight end Austin Hooper (18) during an NCAA college football against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill, Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Matt Marton
Stanford tight end Austin Hooper responds to a question during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) runs after the catch in front of New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Craig Robertson (52) during a week 14 NFL football game on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2017, in Atlanta. Atlanta won 20-17. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Stanford tight end Austin Hooper runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Stanford tight end Austin Hooper makes a touchdown catch against Washington during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Stanford tight end Austin Hooper (84) during the second half of the NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) runs the football during the NFL football NFC championship game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 22, 2017, in Atlanta. The Falcons defeated the Packers 44-21. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Atlanta Falcons tight end Austin Hooper (81) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Vince Williams (98) in action Sunday August 20, 2017 in Pittsburgh. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
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Production and participation from the tight end position was a hallmark of Stefanski's offense in Minnesota. This past season, Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith accounted for 95 targets, 75 receptions, 678 yards and eight touchdowns. They also played a valuable role in a rushing attack that was one of just three in the NFL that accounted for more run attempts than pass attempts while finishing sixth overall.
"I'm really excited to add Austin into the fold," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. "I just think his skill set fits so perfectly in what we want to be offensively. He's a very smart young man. You can see in the way they've used him over the years in Atlanta, he's got a legit skill set in all areas of the field. Had a ton of production and just excited to add the person and the player."
Hooper joins a tight ends room that currently includes former first-round pick David Njoku, Stephen Carlson and Pharaoh Brown. Though he dealt with injuries and other struggles throughout the 2019 season, Njoku is just a year removed from posting 56 receptions, 639 yards and four touchdowns.
"Versatility is a big word for us when it comes to our offensive attack," Stefanski said. "To have multiple tight ends allows you to do so many different things. I was fortunate last year to have multiple tight ends and deploy them in varying ways. Definitely excited to add Austin to an impressive room already."
