3 most likely landing spots for Vols QB Hendon Hooker on day 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft
Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker received some first-round hype over the last couple of weeks, but he didn't hear his name called on night one of the 2023 NFL Draft. Vols offensive lineman Darnell Wright was the only former Tennessee player selected in the first round on Thursday night (Wright went No. 10 overall to […]
Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker received some first-round hype over the last couple of weeks, but he didn't hear his name called on night one of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Vols offensive lineman Darnell Wright was the only former Tennessee player selected in the first round on Thursday night (Wright went No. 10 overall to the Chicago Bears).
Hooker shouldn't have to wait long to hear his name called on Friday night when day two of the draft gets underway.
Hooker and Kentucky quarterback Will Levis are the top two quarterbacks left on the board. It wouldn't be a surprise to see either of them selected early in the second round (it'll be interesting to see if Hooker, who aced interviews, goes ahead of Levis, who reportedly didn't ace interviews).
As far as where Hooker could land, there are three teams with picks early in the second round that make a lot of sense for the former Vol.
Las Vegas Raiders (No. 38 overall): The Raiders will roll with Jimmy Garoppolo as their starter in 2023, but they're not necessarily committed to the veteran quarterback longterm. Garoppolo is under contract for three more seasons, though Las Vegas can move on from him after the 2023 season and face a reasonable deadcap hit. There were plenty of reports during the predraft process that the Raiders liked Hooker a lot. It wouldn't be a surprise if they took Hooker with the hopes of letting him sit a year before competing for the starting job next summer.
New Orleans Saints (No. 40 overall): The Saints signed Derek Carr during the offseason, but after being cast off by the Raiders, he's far from a sure thing in New Orleans. Hooker visited with the Saints during the predraft process so it sounds like New Orleans has some interest in the former Vol. Drafting Hooker would give the Saints some insurance in case Carr doesn't live up to expectations in New Orleans.
Tennessee Titans (No. 41 overall): There were rumblings that the Titans could take Hooker at No. 11 overall, but Tennessee went the safe route and took Northwestern offensive tackle Peter Skoronski instead. There were also rumors that the Titans might trade up for a quarterback in the first round. If Hooker is still available at No. 41, it's hard to see the Titans passing on him. Ryan Tannehill is near the end of his career and Malik Willis didn't look like a starting NFL quarterback last season. The Titans need a quarterback and Hooker is the top option left on the board.
