NFL
3 Fantasy Football Tight End Streaming Options for Week 1
Austin Hooper appears primed to take on a larger role in Atlanta's high-powered offense, and he has a sweet matchup against Chicago this week.

Austin Hooper, Atlanta Falcons

ESPN Ownership: 36.3%

Austin Hooper didn't make much of a fantasy impact in 2016, catching 19 passes for 271 yards and 3 touchdowns. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise, considering how rookie tight ends have historically fared in their first season.

However, the Jacob Tamme-led Atlanta Falcons tight end group was productive as a whole, combining for 788 yards and 10 scores. Well, Atlanta has moved on from Tamme, showing trust in Hooper, their third-round investment from the 2016 draft, and making the second-year pro their clear-cut leader at the tight end position.

Matt Ryan's growing trust in Hooper was apparent in the Super Bowl last season as Hooper led the team in targets, catching 3 of 6 looks for 32 yards and a touchdown. That was followed up by an entire offseason of Ryan and Atlanta's coaching staff praising Hooper's development.

In Week 1, Hooper will look to show us what the hype was all about as the Falcons draw a terrific matchup against the Chicago Bears, a team which allowed the 11th-most fantasy points per target to opposing tight ends (in standard scoring) last season. No team has a higher implied team total than the Falcons do this week, another factor working in Hooper's favor.

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