Two NFL insiders predict Hendon Hooker to make a splash on draft night
Former Tennessee Vols QB Hendon Hooker has been generation tons of buzz with the 2023 NFL Draft right around the corner. Hooker is one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft class for numerous reasons. He had unprecedented success over his last two seasons in Tennessee, but his injury issues and age are viewed […]
Former Tennessee Vols QB Hendon Hooker has been generation tons of buzz with the 2023 NFL Draft right around the corner.
Hooker is one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft class for numerous reasons. He had unprecedented success over his last two seasons in Tennessee, but his injury issues and age are viewed as a drawback for some draft experts.
With that being said, there are still plenty of NFL insiders who believe Hooker will hear his name called in the first round. NFL network’s Ian Rapoport is one of those people.
Rapoport joined Daniel Jeremiah’s Move The Sticks podcast to discuss a potential first-round landing spot for the VFL.
“To me, it’s more likely for Hendon Hooker to go in the first round,” Rapoport said. “These visits are like kind of what they are, you know, they're pieces of information, but not the whole picture. But I see something like the Saints, and I'm like, okay, the Saints pick 29, they have Derek Carr on a two-year contract. Hendon Hooker, I believe is going to be healthy for the season, but really not as healthy as he was going to be moving forward. That would make some sense. And I know he's 25, but let’s say he doesn't start till he’s 27. You’re looking at a nine or 10 year starting career, that's plenty.”
It’s important to note that teams are able to conduct their own medical evaluations during these top 30 visits that Hooker has been a part of. Perhaps the reason for this late steam is the result of positive update on his knee.
Due to his setback, Hooker likely finds himself on the backend of the first-round quarterback wave. However his accuracy and intangibles separate him from some of the young passers in this draft class.
All it takes is for one team to like Hooker enough to spend a first-round pick on him. If he was fully healthy, this wouldn’t even be a discussion. But even though he’s coming off of a torn ACL, Hooker still looks the part of a quarterback that could spend a decade in the NFL.
