Why QB Hendon Hooker doesn't make sense for Lions

Detroit holds the sixth and 18^th picks in the first round and has five picks in the top 80 of the April 27-29 NFL Draft in Kansas City.

Hooker is still recovering from a torn left ACL that he suffered late last season. At the time, he was a prime Heisman Trophy contender after throwing for 3,135 yards and 27 TDs to two interceptions.

The injury slowed his momentum as a first-round QB, but some pundits recently have predicted he could be drafted late in the initial round. (Yardbarker's Drae Harris projects him as a fourth-round pick.)

Hooker said his injury is healing well and that he should be ready for training camp. But that could be a tad optimistic for a player coming off a major knee injury.

The injury alone is enough to make Lions fans nervous about drafting Hooker high. Detroit, a popular pick to win the NFC North, needs upgrades for the league’s worst defense and a WR corps that has questions.

The Lions already have a solid quarterback in Jared Goff, who led the team to a 9-8 record and tossed 29 touchdowns last season. Hooker is unlikely to supplant Goff as the starter as a rookie, so he would be sitting for an organization that needs high picks who are ready to play from the get-go.

Another concern about Hooker is his age. In January, he will turn 26. Goff, chosen with the No. 1 overall pick by the Rams in 2016, will turn 29 in October.

Hooker needs at least a year to develop and learn an NFL system. For a team ready to win now, he doesn’t make sense with a pick in the first round. He doesn’t even make sense as a developmental option. 

Lions fans should hope the visit is just confirming what is already known – Hooker is a good player but not a fit for Detroit.