Hendon Hooker Mocked as Top-5 Pick

ESPN’s latest mock draft puts Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker high up on their 2023 NFL draft prediction.

ESPN’s Mike Tannenbaum released a mock draft early Tuesday morning, and it looked quite different than many other mocks out there, especially regarding former Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker. Where most people have him going late in the first round at the earliest, 

Tannenbaum has him off the board at pick five after being selected by the Seattle Seahawks. Tannenbaum sees him as “really under-scouted right now,” crediting that to the torn ACL injury he is rehabbing from. Tannenbaum loves his size and arm. With Hooker coming off the injury, there would be no pressure to rush him back if he were to go to Seattle since they re-signed Geno Smith after his strong season last year.

Former NFL GM and ESPN personality Mike Tannenbaum reportedly believes Hendon Hooker could come off the board as early as “fifth overall” to the Seahawks.

Hooker is viewed by many to be a late first to second round pick, with the potential to rise.

If Hooker comes off the board… pic.twitter.com/NXXsGpUWUf

— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) March 28, 2023

In this mock, it should be noted that three quarterbacks were already off the board, Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Will Levis. It would be a surprise to most if Hooker were to come off the board before Anthony Richardson. Additionally, given the signing of Geno Smith, Seattle is not in a place to get desperate for a quarterback. 

On the flip side, little keeps a team from drafting a quarterback they fall in love with. From Hooker’s perspective, he would be going to a team where he can learn from a veteran quarterback and a coach who understands the transition from college to the NFL, Pete Carroll. 

Carroll and the Seahawks recently saw great success with a young quarterback, Russell Wilson. Vols and Hawks alike would be more than thrilled if Hooker were to provide that same production.

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