Commanders to host Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker

Multiple teams out of range to grab one of this draft’s top quarterbacks are set to meet with Hendon Hooker. In addition to a Saints summit, the ex-Tennessee QB will meet with the Commanders, John Keim of ESPN.com tweets.

Hooker is the only quarterback presently part of the Commanders’ visit itinerary, Albert Breer of SI.com adds (on Twitter). The rehabbing passer will head to Washington later this month. Thus far, only the Saints and Commanders have been confirmed as Hooker hosts. New Orleans brass is meeting with Hooker Tuesday.

The Commanders hold the No. 16 overall pick — 13 spots ahead of the Saints’ first draft slot — and Ron Rivera did not rule out a quarterback addition in the draft. The team added Jacoby Brissett and offered 2022 fifth-rounder Sam Howell considerable praise, given the North Carolina product’s one NFL appearance, this offseason. While Hooker’s November ACL tear could slide him into the developmental realm, he is also 25. That is a concern for some teams, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com notes. This and the knee injury have affected the productive passer’s draft stock.

Hooker put up big numbers during both his Tennessee seasons. Over the past two years, he posted a 58-to-5 touchdown pass-to-interception ratio. The 6-foot-3 passer also topped 1,000 rushing yards over his two Volunteers campaigns. Despite his season ending a bit early, Hooker finished fifth in the 2022 Heisman voting. He completed a career-high 69.6% of his passes as a senior. The 6-foot-3 passer targeted multiple wideouts expected to be chosen fairly early — Jalin Hyatt, Cedric Tillman — and led the Volunteers to wins over five ranked teams in 2022, including Alabama in a shootout that featured five Hooker touchdown passes.

Looming as a wild card at the position going into the draft, Hooker would be an interesting addition for one of the teams not in position to draft C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Will Levis or Anthony Richardson. Teams like the Titans, Buccaneers, Saints and Commanders represent potential destinations. Excepting the Saints, who have Derek Carr signed to a deal with a $100M practical guarantee, the rest of this lot have starters signed for just one season.