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Browns: 5 most overpaid players for the upcoming 2021 season

By Chad Porto

CINCINNATI, OHIO - OCTOBER 25: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the Cleveland Browns is helped off the field after against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO - OCTOBER 25: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the Cleveland Browns is helped off the field after against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium on October 25, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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TE Austin Hooper

As an agent, Austin Hooper’s deal is a dream come true. It doesn’t matter when he gets traded or cut, he’ll walk away with money and the Browns will be penalized at least $3 million. That figure will haunt them until June 1, 2024, where the Browns will finally be able to cut him or trade him without incurring at least $3 million against the cap.

Hooper’s deal is a poison pill deal because you’re expecting an aging player to live up to the lofty figures, who’s already shown to be injury-prone and can’t get out of the deal. Hooper has missed six games in his last two years and despite being a multi-time Pro Bowler, Hooper was severely negated in the Browns offense.

Hooper was able to be effective in Atlanta’s space and pace offense, but the Browns don’t have the same speed on the sides that Atlanta had. Atlanta relied heavily on Matt Ryan and his arm, something the Browns don’t need to do with Baker Mayfield, mostly becaues of Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb. When you have that type of offensive firepower in the backfield, someone has to lose out on touches.

That’s part of the issue with Hooper, he’s getting paid top-tier money but he’s not required to perform at a top-tier level. Hooper is a solid blocker but if that’s all he’s bringing to the table, then why did he get the big contract and not Stephen Carlson; who’s arguably a better blocker.

Hooper isn’t elite-fast, but he is faster than Landry and that’s another issue. Neither he nor Landry are fast enough to go over the top and dominate a defense with speed. So when you have them on the field at the same time, you know you have to get far more creative in getting one another the ball.

The Browns would love to get a big speedster this offseason to help offset that issue. Until then, Hooper will be an average tight end, making elite-level money, and being unable to be moved without eating a huge penalty in doing so.

No one who’s that unimpressive should have such a devastating contract.

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