Latest mock draft from ESPN has Vols QB Hendon Hooker going high in the first round
Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker is expected to be an early-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. Hooker tore his ACL this past November in Tennessee's surprising loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks, ending his collegiate career which will impact his draft status a bit. As a result of the injury, Hooker hasn't been able […]
Tennessee Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker is expected to be an early-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Hooker tore his ACL this past November in Tennessee's surprising loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks, ending his collegiate career which will impact his draft status a bit.
As a result of the injury, Hooker hasn't been able to go through on-field workouts during the pre-draft process.
Despite not being able to work out, Hooker has still managed to impress front offices with his work ethic, intelligence, leadership, and, quite simply, just the willingness to show up at events like the Senior Bowl.
Has Hooker impressed enough to lift himself into the first round?
Former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum sure thinks that will be the case.
Tannenbaum, who is now an NFL reporter after working in NFL front offices for over two decades, revealed his latest mock draft on Tuesday and he has Hooker going to the Seattle Seahawks with the No. 5 overall selection.
From ESPN: OK, this one might raise some eyebrows, but hear me out. I think Hooker is really under-scouted right now, largely because he's coming off the torn ACL in his left knee. But I love his strong arm and 6-foot-3 frame. Before the injury, Hooker looked great for the Vols. He led the nation in yards per attempt (9.5), threw two interceptions over 11 starts and was a top-10 passer in terms of completion percentage (69.6%). I see a potential franchise quarterback and someone who can lead an offense. Go watch his performance against Alabama if you disagree. The Seahawks recently re-signed Geno Smith, but this is an excellent opportunity to draft and develop Hooker while also letting him rehab the knee. Smith turns 33 years old this season, and his new contract offers Seattle various outs over the next three seasons.
This isn't the first time that Hooker has been mocked to the Seahawks (Seattle would be a great situation for Hooker for the reasons that Tannenbaum mentioned). But this is certainly the first time I've seen Hooker go this high in a mock draft.
There's very little chance that Hooker actually goes this high — there's just too much uncertainty surrounding his recovery from his torn ACL (though Hooker has said numerous times that he'll be ready for the 2023 season).
However, it's still nice to see Hooker recognized among the top quarterbacks in this draft. I think he deserves to be in the conversation as he accomplished more at Tennessee than Will Levis at Kentucky or Anthony Richardson at Florida (two quarterbacks consistently mocked higher than Hooker).
Hooker has a bright future ahead regardless of where he lands. I'm just not sure a team will take a chance on a quarterback with a torn ACL this high in the first round.
