There has been plenty of talk surrounding the quarterback position heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, and the same four names keep getting tossed around: C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson and Will Levis. But the quarterback who is regarded as the fifth-best signal caller by many scouts and experts is Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker. Until tearing his ACL near the end of the 2022 college football season, Hooker was considered to be not only the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy but also the player who challenged Stroud and Young as the first quarterback drafted in next month's draft.
In two seasons as the Vols' starter, Hooker completed 69% of his passes, threw for over 6,000 yards and threw 58 touchdowns to just five interceptions. But Hooker was also a threat with his legs, rushing for over 1,000 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns. Hooker had been accurate, athletic and smart with his decisions. That is the main reason why Tennessee had one of its best seasons in the last 15 years, going 11-2 — with nine of those wins coming from Hooker before his season-ending injury.
So what is the draft buzz around Hendon Hooker? Well, opinions on Hooker are everywhere right now. Former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum recently had the Seattle Seahawks drafting Hooker with the fifth overall pick. But given his ACL injury and that he is already 25 years old (stupid reason, I know), quite a few people think Hooker could drop outside of not only the first round but also the second round of the draft.
Best-Case Scenario
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Tannenbaum might have Hooker going as early as fifth, but Hooker seems to be heading for a mid-to-late first-round selection if he is taken that early. Teams such as the Minnesota Vikings (23rd pick), Detroit Lions (18th pick) and Seattle Seahawks (20th pick) seem to be good suitors for the Volunteer. Those are teams heading into prove-it seasons with their quarterbacks. Having Hooker sit a year or two behind a veteran would be great for his development.
Worst-Case Scenario
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In the 2022 NFL Draft, only one quarterback was taken in the first round — Kenny Pickett. The other top quarterbacks were not taken until the third round — Desmond Ridder, Malik Willis and Matt Corral — despite all having first-round projections by the majority of experts. Seeing that happen again this year is unlikely. But with Hooker being the odd man out as the fifth-best quarterback, he could possibly see himself falling to the third or even fourth round.
Where Does Hendon Hooker Land?
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Personally, I think both the injury and age knocks on Hooker are absurd and unfair. And while I do think he needs some developing, he has shown to be accurate and smart with the ball. And when you combine his IQ with his athleticism, taking him anywhere between the back end of the first round to the end of the second round would be an absolute steal. In addition to the Vikings, Lions and Seahawks, other teams such as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans and Las Vegas Raiders could also be in play in taking a shot on Hendon Hooker.
