Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) Caitie McMekin / USA TODAY NETWORK

Insider thinks another QB may go before Will Levis in second round

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jason Burgos | Last updated 4/28/23

Many fans will be watching Round 2 of the 2023 NFL Draft and wondering when Kentucky quarterback Will Levis will be selected. However, one expert for the event believes a different signal-caller could go before him on night two.

Levis was one of the biggest stories following the opening night of the NFL Draft, but not because he surprised league observers and was taken in the top 10 after a bunch of speculation on that possibility this week. No, his evening was exactly the opposite as he sat in the Kansas City green room while 31 other players were selected, and he was left to wonder when he actually might be selected by a team.

Heading into night two of the NFL Draft, he is seen as one of the top players available, and many expect him to be one of the first players taken off the board, especially at quarterback. Yet, there is another talented QB available still in Tennessee star Hendon Hooker, and one insider for the event believes he could go before Levis.

During a Friday edition of “NFL Live,” ESPN NFL Draft expert Matt Miller explained why he is so high on Hooker and thinks he will go before Levis tonight.

“Hendon Hooker was a top 30 player for me. I’m a huge fan of his ability. He is a deep ball artist who only threw five interceptions in the SEC in the last two years. He is experienced. You have to remember he also played 14 games at Virginia Tech before transferring to Tennessee to be in an offense that was more suited to what they do in the NFL.

“The athleticism is there. He’s an accomplished runner [and] a big body. I think he comes off the board very early tonight, maybe even before Will Levis.”
– Matt Miller

Hooker was not among the top-ranked QBs in this year’s class due to suffering a torn ACL last season. However, before this year’s NFL Draft, there was some talk he could end up going in the first round after early projections had him as a second-round pick. Of the two players, it seems like Hooker could be more NFL-ready than Levis heading into the rookie seasons.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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