3 Free agents that could put Buffalo Bills over the top in 2020
By Randy Gurzi
TE. Austin Hooper. 3. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Atlanta Falcons. player. 44
The Bills had hoped they found themselves a solid free-agent tight end this offseason when they gave Tyler Kroft a three-year, $18.75 million deal. So far, they haven’t had the success they expected from the former Cincinnati Bengal.
Kroft suffered a broken foot in the offseason that kept him out of training camp and didn’t allow him to start the season. He’s since gotten on the field and has played in eight games this year but Kroft hasn’t been the No. 1 tight end in the passing game.
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In his eight games, he has just four receptions for 52 yards and is still seeking his first touchdown since 2017 — when he had seven for the Bengals. Kroft has been passed by Dawson Knox, but Knox himself isn’t a finished product.
With that being the case, Buffalo could look to add someone who is more refined in the passing game and one potential free agent that fits that bill is Austin Hooper. A former third-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons, Hooper is having the best season of his career as he approaches free agency.
He has 640 yards receiving and a career-high Sox touchdowns. One of the lone bright spots on Atlanta’s frustrating season, Hooper could be inclined to test free agency given the uncertainty surrounding the team’s coaching staff and general manager.
Not only that, but the Bills might be willing to pay him more than the Falcons, who have other solid receiving options in Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley on their roster.