Green Bay Packers: 3 Free Agency & Draft Scenarios

Signing Austin Hooper

In addition to being linked to the four linebackers mentioned above, Green Bay will also be taking a look at Austin Hooper per a report. His presence should finally give the Packers some stability at the tight end position and at only 25-years-old, his numbers have improved every year that he’s been in the league.

With Atlanta, Hooper has totaled nearly 2,000 receiving yards the past three seasons with 13 touchdowns during that span as well and he has a catch rate of almost 78 percent in his career. He would certainly be a much-needed boost for this passing game.

So with Hooper now a Packer, here is how I attacked the draft:

Round 1: Kenneth Murray LB – Oklahoma

Round 2: Brandon Aiyuk WR – Arizona State

Round 3: Ben Bartch OT – St. Johns

Takeaway: Knowing that I already have Hooper as a pass-catcher I was comfortable not taking a receiver in Round 1 and with none of the top-5 tackles on the board by the time I was picking either, selecting Murray was a relatively easy decision.

Then in Round 2, much like in the first round, given the tackles that were available I didn’t think I was getting very good value at that selection. But the wide receiver position was a different story and with Brandon Aiyuk’s ability to pick up yards after the catch, he will give this Green Bay Packers’ offense an element that they just didn’t have in 2019.

And fortunately, in Round 3 I was able to land Ben Bartch who is a developmental prospect but one that I am a fan of. However, with no long-term answer to tackle on the roster, holding off until Round 3 was a bit risky in my opinion. But luckily it worked out.