Where Vols QB Hendon Hooker lands in latest mock draft from ESPN
Mock draft predictions for Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker have been all over the place so far this year. I've seen him go as high as the second round and I've seen him go as low as the fifth round. Hooker's age (he turned 25 last month) combined with his torn ACL has made it […]
Mock draft predictions for Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker have been all over the place so far this year.
I've seen him go as high as the second round and I've seen him go as low as the fifth round.
Hooker's age (he turned 25 last month) combined with his torn ACL has made it tough for evaluators to determine how NFL teams view him.
The good news for Hooker is that he helped his draft stock last week by attending the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL — despite not being able to participate in on-field activities.
NFL teams and scouts, however, were impressed that he still attended the event while other quarterbacks (like Kentucky's Will Levis and Georgia's Stetson Bennett) declined the invite.
The latest mock draft from ESPN reflects Hooker's improved draft stock after attending the Senior Bowl.
ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller has the Seattle Seahawks selecting Hooker with the No. 52 overall pick (second round):
Seattle makes a move toward the future at quarterback, landing Hooker, who is arguably the best deep-ball thrower in the draft. He is an older prospect (25) and is coming off a November ACL injury, but over the past two seasons at Tennessee, he has thrown 58 touchdown passes to just five interceptions while constantly challenging defenses down the field. Hooker is no sure thing, but he's a great investment at pick No. 52 to learn behind Geno Smith (assuming Seattle re-signs its starter) while getting healthy.
That could be a decent landing spot for Hooker. He could learn for a year (which is likely going to be the scenario anyway) and then compete for the starting job in 2024.
The Seahawks have a couple of solid wide receivers in Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf so Hooker would have some weapons.
Ultimately, Hooker is going to land with a team that is alright with letting him sit for a year, devour the playbook, and learn from his new teammates before seeing if he has a shot to be a starter in the NFL.
I could see Seattle, along with teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, or maybe even the Green Bay Packers (depending on what they do with Jordan Love) taking a chance on Hooker sometime on day two or day three of the draft.
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK