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Fantasy football: Waiver-wire players to watch in Week 1

By Jay Marsdale

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons catches a 19 yard touchdown against Patrick Chung #23 of the New England Patriots in the second quarter during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 05: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons catches a 19 yard touchdown against Patrick Chung #23 of the New England Patriots in the second quarter during Super Bowl 51 at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 20: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons runs after the catch against Vince Williams #98 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during a preseason game at Heinz Field on August 20, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 20: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons runs after the catch against Vince Williams #98 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during a preseason game at Heinz Field on August 20, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Austin Hooper (ATL)

Austin Hooper is a player that has to be added before Week 1. Hooper is astonishingly only owned in 29.4 percent of ESPN fantasy leagues. This number makes absolutely no sense and if he isn’t owned in your league, add him immediately.

San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers /

San Francisco 49ers

The Atlanta Falcons had one of the leagues most explosive passing attacks in the entire NFL last season. Hooper was the backup tight end in his rookie campaign, but he is the starter to begin 2017.

As the backup, Hooper still led the Falcons tight ends in yards and tied for the lead in touchdowns. Now just imagine what he will do this season while playing the majority of the snaps on the offense that returns nearly every key contributor from 2016.

The Atlanta offense has been without a true pass-catching tight end since Tony Gonzalez. Atlanta has also basically ignored the tight end position since. Hooper was drafted in the third round to be their next big tight end, and it starts now.

Hooper is a mismatch against most linebackers and safeties, especially in the red zone. Tight end is a very hard position to find value for in fantasy football, except for this season. Hooper offers that value.