Which Team Could Pick Hendon Hooker In The 2023 NFL Draft?

University of Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is a signal-caller to watch ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft as he is ranked as the fifth-best QB prospect in the class, and once had real first-round steam.

While a tough injury near the end of his 2022 college season may have taken away any chance of being selected inside the top 30 picks, he could have a shot to compete for a starting job if he's selected in round 2 by the right team.

Who is Hendon Hooker, what is his latest injury update, and which teams may be interested in drafting him in April? Let's dive in.

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Who Is Hendon Hooker?

Hooker is a 25-year-old fifth-year senior who transferred to Tennessee after a three-year stint at Virginia Tech. In the ACC, Hooker started 16 games, throwing for 2,894 passing yards and 22 touchdowns, adding 976 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns in his VT career.

However, his career took off when he was named the starter for Tennessee in Week 3 of the 2021 college football season. Hooker took over for an injured Joe Milton and became one of Tennessee's best quarterbacks in program history. In 22 starts for the Vols, he racked up 6,080 passing yards, 58 passing touchdowns, and just five interceptions. He totaled 1,046 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns on the ground during the two-year stretch. In his final season, he ultimately led Tennessee to its first 11-win campaign since 2001.

Hooker suffered an ACL tear on November 19, 2022 in the loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks, effectively ending his colligate career.

Hendon Hooker Injury Update

Hooker received positive medical reports at the NFL combine in Indianapolis last week, according to sources. He is three months removed from surgery and is on track to be ready for the 2023 regular season opener.

The 25-year-old unexpectedly took it slow at the combine last week and probably won't do much at his school's pro day later this month, the updates are promising and his injury shouldn't affect his draft status too much.

What NFL Team Could Pick Hooker?

The Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, New York Jets (rumored to land Aaron Rodgers), Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, and Las Vegas Raiders are in need of a starting quarterback upgrade.

However, those QB-needy teams picking early in the first round will likely take some combination of Bryce Young, CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis. After those four players go off the board, we'll officially be on Hendon Hooker watch.

There's some speculation he could be taken late in the first round, but a second-round grade feels the safest to project at the moment. If he falls out of the first round, there are endless possibilist for his landing spot. The Seattle Seahawks and New York Giants just gave big contracts to their franchise quarterbacks, but they could be in play for Hooker as a potential project QB and backup. Just a few years ago, the Philadelphia Eagles extended Carson Wentz on a huge deal and drafted Jalen Hurts in the second round. Many NFL franchises are starting to adopt the strategy of taking shots on quarterbacks, so a surprising team could make the move for him on day 2 of the draft.

At the top of the second round, the Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Tennessee Titans, and Green Bay Packers could make some sense for Hooker. All have uncertain futures or injured players at quarterback. Could Arizona bring in Hooker as a bridge for Kyler Murray? Would Sean McVay be enticed by Hooker with Matthew Stafford's injury woes last season?

Ultimately, there are a ton of outcomes for Hooker, but the teams listed above make plenty of sense.

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