While much of the talk during the draft evaluation season has centered on four highly-touted quarterbacks expected to land as top-10 picks, some teams appear to rate a fifth as belonging firmly in that mix.
NFL Network reporter James Palmer said in an appearance on Steve Smith’s “Cut To It” podcast that Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker is ranked as the third-best quarterback prospect on the boards of multiple NFL teams. While Bryce Young and CJ Stroud are viewed as the consensus two best quarterbacks in the draft, some teams have Hooker in the second-tier mix with Anthony Richardson and Will Levis.
“There are plenty of teams that have him third on their list, right below those top two in Bryce Young and CJ Stroud,” Palmer said. “Now, there’s a pretty sizable gap between the top two and then Anthony Richardson and Will Levis. Hendon Hooker slides right in there.”
“If you look at the production that he had, we’re looking at his production compared to Will Levis or Anthony Richardson this past season, it’s not even really close in what he was able to do. … There are plenty of teams that are like, ‘I like this guy much better than Anthony Richardson or Will Levis.'”
Palmer added that one primary concern teams have with Hooker is that he already turned 25 in January and likely will not play in 2023 due to the torn ACL he suffered while in college. Essentially, Hooker would not make his NFL debut until his age 26 season and that's if he has a smooth developmental process.
Hooker’s injury has no-doubt hurt his draft stock and some felt he deserved better during college football’s awards season as well. At this juncture, it would not be a huge shock to see Hooker swept off the board before the end of Day 1 come the draft.
Hooker threw for 3,135 yards and rushed for 430 more in 11 games last season for the Volunteers, putting up 27 passing touchdowns and just two interceptions along the way
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