Niner Noise
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3 offensive free agents 49ers should target in 2020

By Zachary Grier

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 20: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons takes the field prior to a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 20: Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons takes the field prior to a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Austin Hooper #81 of the Atlanta Falcons (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

No. 2: Austin Hooper, Tight End (Atlanta Falcons)

The 49ers need another starting-caliber tight end in case (knock on wood) something happens to George Kittle. Backup Ross Dwelley performed well in his second year with the team, but is he going to be enough?

Bring in the Atlanta Falcons tight end, Austin Hooper.

Hooper has experience with the Kyle Shanahan system already when the Falcons had that historic offense and faced off against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LI. Despite missing three games last year, he had the most targets (97), most receiving yards (787) and most touchdowns (six) in his career. He has excellent hands by having only one drop in the previous season and is not afraid to steamroll someone to break a tackle.

Last offseason, Hooper discussed in the video below on how intelligent and crafty Shanahan is when he was offensive coordinator for the Falcons in 2016:

That connection could help bring Hooper into joining Shanahan and make the tight end position even more dangerous than it was before with only Kittle doing most of the damage.