The Atlanta Falcons can count tight end as a position of

strength in 2019." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteThe Falcoholican Atlanta Falcons communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsLibraryFalconsOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Library FalcFans Podcast on The FalcoholicContact The FalcoholicFalcons StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Falcons NewsYahoo Falcons Team PageYahoo Falcons ReportYahoo Falcons Depth ChartYahoo Falcons TransactionsYahoo Falcons PhotosOdds About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub ✕A post-draft review of the Falcons TE position New Youth Ty Sambrailo Jersey ,15commentsThe Atlanta Falcons can count tight end as a position of strength in 2019. EDTShareTweetShareShareA post-draft review of the Falcons TE position Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty ImagesAtlanta didn’t do anything in the draft to address the tight end position, but then, they didn’t really need to. Short of acquiring another elite pass catching tight end to turn this offense into a full-fledged circus of domination, they’ve built out a corps that has a nice blend of quality blockers, versatile players, and of course the Pro Bowl tight end atop the depth chart.Let’s dive in to the position group. StarterIt’s Austin Hooper. Playing in a pass-happy environment where receivers regularly put up gaudy numbers, Hooper has tended to be underrated, especially after an up-and-down rookie year cemented some perceptions of him. In reality Stitched Justin Bethel Jersey , though, Hooper will head into the 2019 season as one of the best tight ends in football, and the unquestioned top dog in Atlanta.Hooper’s biggest calling card is his reliability, as he’s posted catch rates of 70%, 75%, and 80% in his first three seasons in the NFL. He’s reliable on third downs, he’s reliable when Matt Ryan needs a quick out, and he’s good with both volume and the opportunity to break one. The team has been content to use him as a chain-mover Youth Justin Bethel Jersey , especially during a 2018 season where he averaged under 10 yards per reception, but his ability to vacuum up targets, block well and occasionally put his plus athleticism to use in a rumble downfield has made him a valuable cog in the offense. He’s also just 24 years old and may have better seasons ahead.Reserves There are a ton of guys here competing for, at most, three spots. Luke Stocker is the odds-on favorite to be the #2 guy in Atlanta. Stocker’s a good blocker, a fine receiving option when called upon, and has some experience playing fullback and special teams, the kind of versatility that endears him to coaching staffs. Then there’s the fact that he’s worked in offenses under both Dirk Koetter and Mike Mularkey Stitched Jack Crawford Jersey , which means he’s a well-rounded guy with scheme experience on a team looking for those traits. I’d expect Stocker to have a significant role in an offense that should value tight ends highly.After that your best options are Eric Saubert and Logan Paulsen. Saubert came a long way as a blocker last season but has yet to be utilized as much of a receiving option, which is a shame given how intriguing his athletic toolkit is. Paulsen is less flashy but showed last year that he can be a reliable blocker and quality third down and red zone option, so he may be able to push his way on to the roster even by shoving Saubert aside or sticking as the fourth guy. I’d expect Saubert to be the choice, however.Beyond that, there are still interesting candidates, though they’re likely fighting over practice squad spots. Alex Gray spent two years as the 11th man on Atlanta’s practice squad as a converted rugby star and brings some intriguing physicality to the table, but he’ll be 28 this year and the team’s depth chart looks pretty stacked. Jaeden Graham is only 23 and has shown some real promise over the last couple of offseasons, but the story is much the same for him. One of them is likely to end up on the practice squad again.Outlook This is one of the stronger and deeper groups the Falcons have had in a while. Hooper is a plus starter Youth Jack Crawford Jersey , Stocker is a versatile, high-quality backup, and either of Saubert or Paulsen (to say nothing of both) would give the Falcons useful blockers with some receiving chops to round things out. Dirk Koetter’s offense is likely to make extensive use of at least Hooper and Stocker, and alongside a revamped offensive line and killer receiving corps, tight end ought to be a position of strength in 2019. The more of these I write, the more I like this roster. Help me. Miami’s Frank Gore hurt his left ankle on the second-to-last play of the first quarter and didn’t return to the Dolphins’ loss at Minnesota on Sunday.Gore, the NFL’s active rushing leader, had five carries for 14 yards in Miami’s 41-17 loss.Backup defensive tackle Ziggy Hood (hamstring) limped off the field at the end of the third quarter.Bears safety Eddie Jackson was injured during his interception in the fourth quarter of the Bears’ win over the Packers. Jackson had to be helped off the field with a sprained right ankle after his leg bent awkwardly as he tried to slide on the return.Linebacker Aaron Lynch left with an elbow injury in the third quarter. He walked off the field clutching his right arm after he was hurt fighting a block on a run by Jamaal Williams.Packers running back Aaron Jones left with a knee injury in the first quarter and wide receiver Randall Cobb was evaluated for a concussion following a hard hit by Jackson late in the game.Bengals receiver Tyler Boyd reached 1 Stitched Duke Riley Jersey ,000 yards receiving for the first time in his career before hurting his right knee late in the first half. He didn’t return and said the injury isn’t serious after the Bengals’ win over Oakland.Raiders cornerback Gareon Conley sustained a concussion in the game.Atlanta wide receiver Julio Jones injured his ribs on a TD catch in the second quarter and only played a few snaps in the third period with the outcome all but assured during the 40-14 rout of Arizona. Jones missed practice one day this week with flu-like symptoms.Cardinals cornerback David Amerson and left tackle Joe Barksdale each left the game with concussion symptoms and didn’t return. Amerson collided with Falcons receiver Mohamed Sanu.Cowboys right guard Zack Martin a game for the first time in his career with an injured left knee. Dallas improvised by moving left guard Connor Williams to right guard and inserting Xavier Su’a-Filo at right guard. But Su’a-Filo left early in the second quarter with an eye injury and did not return to the loss to the Colts. Indy defensive tackle Al Woods left in the third quarter with an injured leg and did not return.The Bills snapped a two-game skid and won despite finishing the game minus their top three running backs. Starter LeSean McCoy (left hamstring) and backup Chris Ivory (left shoulder) were inactive and then Marcus Murphy did not return after dislocating his left elbow in the second quarter. Murphy had 11 carries for 35 yards in the 14-13 win.Titans safety Kenny Vaccaro left in the first half of the 17-0 win over the Giants with a concussion. Linebacker Sharif Finch left in the second half with a shoulder injury.Giants center Spencer Pulley departed in the second half with a calf injury, along with special teams Antonio Hamilton, who had a quadriceps injury.Jaguars rookie safety Ronnie Harrison injured his left knee on Washington’s first series, limped to the sideline and did not return. Jarrod Wilson replaced Harrison and had two pass breakups before leaving with a leg injury.Ravens tight end Nick Boyle left the win over Tampa Bay with a concussion. Bucs tight end Alan Cross left with a shoulder injury in the second quarter and did not return.Seahawks safety Bradley McDougald (knee) left in the first half and linebacker Jordan Simmons (knee) in the second half against San Francisco. 49ers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (knee) was sidelined in the first half.