NFL insider drops interesting draft nugget about Hendon Hooker, Will Levis, and Anthony Richardson
The last several weeks have featured various debates about whether or not Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker will be selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft later this month. Hooker put up impressive numbers in 2022 with the Vols, but there's concern over whether or not his skills translate to the NFL. […]
The last several weeks have featured various debates about whether or not Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker will be selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft later this month.
Hooker put up impressive numbers in 2022 with the Vols, but there's concern over whether or not his skills translate to the NFL.
Many draft analysts have Hooker as their No. 5 quarterback in the draft, behind Alabama's Bryce Young, Ohio State's CJ Stroud, Kentucky's Will Levis, and Florida's Anthony Richardson.
While some analysts might have Hooker behind Levis and Richardson, not every NFL team agrees.
NFL Network's James Palmer recently pointed out on Steve Smith's "Cut To It" podcast that several NFL teams have Hooker as the third-best quarterback in the draft.
“You want to hear what teams think of Hendon Hooker?” said Palmer on Smith's podcast. “There are plenty of teams that have him above the bottom two that you mentioned (Richardson and Levis). There are plenty of teams that have him third on their list, right below those top two in Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud.”
That's a pretty strong statement from Palmer, who is well-connected in NFL circles.
But it's not a surprise. Hooker, despite the questions about playing in Tennessee's offense (which is a narrative that's been formed via the national media, not via NFL front offices), showed incredible poise during his final season at UT (such as getting the Vols in field goal range against Alabama with just 15 seconds left on the clock).
The Greensboro, NC native performed at a high level in some huge games (notably against Florida, LSU, Alabama, and Kentucky). Young and Stroud are the only two quarterbacks in this draft that have a more impressive track record than Hooker. So it's not shocking that NFL teams view Hooker as a better option than Levis and Richardson — two quarterbacks who are only viewed as first-round picks because of their potential, not their production.
We'll see how the draft plays out later this month, but it sounds like Hooker has a decent chance to be the third quarterback selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.
