Hendon Hooker lands in first round of latest post-free agency mock draft
Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker is a player that difficult to make a projection for when it comes to the 2023 NFL Draft. Hooker was one of the best players in college football in 2022, but he suffered a torn ACL in November that ended his season and has prevented him from taking part in […]
Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker is a player that difficult to make a projection for when it comes to the 2023 NFL Draft.
Hooker was one of the best players in college football in 2022, but he suffered a torn ACL in November that ended his season and has prevented him from taking part in on-field workouts this spring.
The Greensboro, NC native, however, has attended events like the Senior Bowl and the draft combine where he's impressed in team interviews and media sessions.
The general feeling over the last couple of weeks has been that Hooker will be a second-round pick.
That feeling, however, could be changing.
The latest mock draft from NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah has the Minnesota Vikings selecting Hooker in the first round (No. 23 overall) of the draft.
From NFL.com: The Vikings have been doing their homework on this quarterback class. Hooker is well-liked around the league and he could sit for a year behind Kirk Cousins before taking over and ushering in a new era for Kevin O’Connell.
I don't know if this is something that Minnesota will strongly consider, but it would be a great situation for Hooker.
Sitting behind Kirk Cousins, who will be a free agent after 2023, for a year and then taking over an offense that features superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson is an ideal scenario for any quarterback.
Hooker could learn the offense for a year and be ready to step in as the starter in 2024. That would allow Hooker to take his time in his ACL recovery instead of trying to rush back to action.
There are other potential scenarios that would also make sense for Hooker (like the Las Vegas Raiders), but this might be the best option for the former Vol.
