Mayfield, Browns' high-powered offense show early promise
The Browns have shown some “baby steps” on offenseSEPTEMBER 23, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN HOOPER #81 - TIGHT END - NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
236 YDS •
23 REC •
1 TD
236 YDS
23 REC
1 TD
How Andy Janovich And Austin Hooper Elevated The Browns Run Game Fullbacks and tight ends aren't the flashiest players on a star-filled offense, but Hooper and Janovich elevated the Browns' Thursday game p...
SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 • 247SPORTS.COM
Plays near full game Hooper caught two of four targets for 22 yards in Thursday's 35-30 win over the Bengals in Week 2.
Impact The Browns threw only 23 times, so targets were limited across the board, but Hooper had two more Thursday than he did in Week 1's loss to the Ravens. The Browns were able to run their offense, designed to lean heavily on the ground game and use tight ends. He was on the field nearly as much as quarterback Baker Mayfield, playing 57 of 58 snaps. Hooper hasn't found the end zone after two games but was targeted once in the red zone Thursday.
SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Competition thinning With David Njoku (knee) landing on injured reserve, Hooper could see a greater share of targets and snaps Week 2 against the Bengals on Thursday.
Impact Hooper was tops among Cleveland's tight ends with 56 plays (77 percent) but had just two targets in Sunday's loss to the Ravens. It was an unassuming debut for the tight end, who signed a four-year deal worth more than $10 million per during the offseason. More was expected from Hooper in Week 1, but the Browns' offense was in a deep hole early, which altered their game plan. If Cleveland can get into its offense, Hooper should make a more significant contribution.
SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Falcons commit to renewed run game with Gurley - for 1 half
The Atlanta Falcons showed in the first half of their loss to the Seattle Seahawks how their offense could look with a firm commitment to Todd Gurley and the running gameSEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Austin Hooper Fantasy Outlook Rises Following David Njoku Injury Update David Njoku's make-or-break 2020 season looked to be off to a strong start. He caught 3 receptions for 50 receiving yards and the Cleveland...
SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • FANDUEL.COM
Quiet debut Hooper caught two of two targets for 15 yards in Sunday's 38-6 loss to the Ravens in Week 1.
Impact Hooper was the first player acquisition of new head coach Kevin Stefanski, a disciple of using multiple tight ends, which suggested a big role for him in the offense. But that did not materialize Sunday, which could be attributable to the Browns never getting a chance to work the offense as designed. They played mistake-filled football and fell behind by multiple scores in the second quarter. That led to quarterback Baker Mayfield forcing balls to Odell Beckham. In related news, fellow tight end David Njoku left the game with a knee injury, which could lead to more playing time for Hooper when the Browns face the Bengals in Week 2 on Thursday.
SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Healthy Beckham, Landry hope for big 2nd season with Browns
Their first year together in Cleveland didn't go quite the way Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry expectedSEPTEMBER 10, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Browns RB Chubb stays humble, hungry with big payday ahead
Nick Chubb's not looking at anything past his next carrySEPTEMBER 3, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Red-zone target in camp Hooper and quarterback Baker Mayfield connected in the red zone during a practice earlier this week, Nathan Zegura of the Browns' official site reports.
Impact Hooper and fellow tight end Harrison Bryant have stood out thus far in training camp, which isn't surprising. Mayfield has a history of targeting tight ends going back to his college days, and it looks like he's found a safety valve in Hooper. The two established chemistry during the offseason, and that continues as they prepare for a Week 1 game against the Ravens. Hooper recorded 146 catches and 10 touchdowns over his final two seasons with the Falcons.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Ravens MVP Lamar Jackson headlines QB-driven AFC North
It’s all about the quarterbacks in the AFC North, a division that includes the reigning NFL MVP, the top pick in the 2020 draft and a two-time Super Bowl winner looking to make a s...SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Browns realistic after collapsing under expectations in 2019
The Browns enter the 2020 season with much lower expectationsAUGUST 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Forming bond with Mayfield Browns offensive coordinator said Hooper and quarterback Baker Mayfield have established an on-field rapport during training camp, Dan Labbe of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Impact Hooper, who was the first free agent the Browns added during the offseason, spent some time with Mayfield before training camp in an effort to build chemistry. "The more they play together, obviously, the stronger that bond becomes," Van Pelt said. "It is those unwritten, the body language things that you can't really coach and teach, and when two guys get on that same page, and it is tough to stop." Hooper tops the tight end depth chart, and the position group as a whole should see an increase in targets in 2020.
AUGUST 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
FANTASY PLAYS: Kelce, Kittle lead top tight ends for drafts
Tight end is a position for the past decade that has been dominated by the haves and the have notsAUGUST 25, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Browns' Mayfield admits he was 'lost' in chaotic 2019 season
Baker Mayfield spent the offseason getting a complete makeoverAUGUST 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
AP source: Kittle agrees to 5-year extension with 49ers
All-Pro tight end George Kittle has agreed to a five-year, $75 million extension with the San Francisco 49ers that is the richest contract ever at the positionAUGUST 13, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Browns Tight End Austin Hooper Threw Some Major Shade At Jason Witten Jason Witten was dragged through the mud in what was a kind of bizarre situation between a pair of NFL…
AUGUST 6, 2020 • NESN.COM
Browns' Austin Hooper: Apparent Criticism of Raiders' Jason Witten Was Sarcasm Cleveland Browns tight end Austin Hooper recently delivered a sarcastic jab to Las Vegas Raiders counterpart Jason Witten while discussing t...
AUGUST 6, 2020 • BLEACHERREPORT.COM
Quote of the Day: Austin Hooper explains why Browns can rise above challenges of unique camp The new Browns tight end says Kevin Stefanski has been great on details with new offense
AUGUST 5, 2020 • CLEVELANDBROWNS.COM
Austin Hooper excited to build off the ‘few hundred reps’ he’s already banked with Baker Mayfield Hooper started building chemistry with his quarterback as soon as he joined the Browns
AUGUST 5, 2020 • CLEVELANDBROWNS.COM
Austin Hooper: 'I'm ready to play ball' Cleveland's TE and JC Tretter meet with reporters Wednesday
AUGUST 5, 2020 • CLEVELANDBROWNS.COM
Browns tight end Njoku not seeking trade, commits to team
Browns tight end David Njoku has run a reverseAUGUST 1, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Austin Hooper Talks About His Reasons For Joining The Browns Austin Hooper went on the Jim Rome show to discuss why his decision to join the Browns was a 'no-brainer' for the young tight end.
JUNE 26, 2020 • 247SPORTS.COM
Competing in crowded TE room Brown (illness) may be forced to compete with Stephen Carlson for a single depth tight end role, Jake Trotter of ESPN.com reports.
Impact In addition to signing Austin Hooper to the most expensive contract for a tight end earlier this offseason, Cleveland invested a fourth-round pick into rookie Harrison Bryant during April's draft. As a result, Brown looks firmly situated behind at least three other options in the team's tight end room, leaving him to tentatively compete for a sole depth role left up for grabs. That said, new coach Kevin Stefanski did utilize multiple tight ends at the highest rate in the league last season (57 percent), per Trotter, so Cleveland could be motivated to utilized a larger than standard amount of players at the position.
JUNE 25, 2020 • ROTOWIRE
Quieter Mayfield knows Year 3 vital for him after rough '19
Quieter Mayfield knows Year 3 vital for him after rough '19MAY 27, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
