With the 81st overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, the Atlanta Falcons selected Austin Hooper. Hooper departed Stanford with eligibility left perhaps recognizing and capitalizing upon the weak tight end class. Hooper was the second tight end picked in the 2016 NFL draft despite not going until the 3rd round.
Next year, Hooper will catch passes from prolific NFL quarterback Matt Ryan. Hooper brings a unique skill set to the Falcons because unlike most tight ends, Hooper can line up off of the line. Last year, when Christian McCaffrey was racking up touches and record-setting statistics, Hooper still caught 34 passes and six touchdowns, making him a Mackey Award finalist and an All-Pac-12 First team player.