What a Seahawks trade for Falcons tight end Austin Hooper could look like
By Geoff Shull
My proposed extension
Contract terms: 4 year $36,000,000
Signing bonus: $7,500,000
Average salary: $9,000,000
2019 cap hit: $4,000,000
Falcons: Devonte Freeman is clearly on the down turn of his career and Ito Smith doesn’t have the upside at the position needed to take over as the bell cow back. The Falcons have been fairly steadfast that they are not trading Hooper and would rather extend him. The only way the trade will come through is to fill a hole on their offense with a high upside player as well as an early day two pick.
Rashaad Penny when given opportunities has excelled in both the rushing game, as well as in the passing game. When playing at least 30% of the snaps Penny is averaging over 5.3 yards per carry. Penny is just one year into his rookie scale deal and could prove to be a steal in the long term as the Falcons look to the future by selling off their current assets.
Seahawks trade verdict
Point: Hooper has the skill set that Russell Wilson and the Seahawks covet. He could shore up the position for years to come, and help Seattle balance their offensive game plan with Dissly out.
Counterpoint: Atlanta will have to land a king’s ransom to trade over their budding star tight end. Would the investment be worth it if Seattle still views Will Dissly as the future at the position?
Trade Meter: (1 being extremely unlikely, 10 being a nearly done deal) I would give this an 8.
This trade will likely not have a chance to transpire until after the week 8 matchup between the Seahawks and Falcons. Seattle would be a perfect fit for Hooper’s skill set and could prove to be a very fruitful marriage for years to come. On the flip side, Atlanta will acquire both a high upside player, as well as an early day two pick to help rebuild the team from a talented 2020 draft class.
Next. Seahawks should keep these players in free agency in 2020. dark
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