Should Falcons Draft Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker as Desmond Ridder Challenge?

Following an ACL tear, the Tennessee Volunteers' former Heisman hopeful presents a sneaky solution to the Atlanta Falcons Quarterback search.

The Atlanta Falcons surprised some when they neglected to pursue Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in free agency and watched as their division rival Carolina Panthers leapfrogged them up to the No. 1 overall draft pick.

However, the Falcons may have eyes for Tennessee signal caller Hendon Hooker, a college star forced onto the sidelines during the pre-draft process.

Hooker dominated the SEC last season, leading the Volunteers to impressive wins over star quarterback-led teams such as Anthony Richardson’s Florida Gators, Bryce Young’s Alabama Crimson Tide and Will Levis’ Kentucky Wildcats, three prospects projected to be early first-round selections in this year’s draft.

Standing at 6-3 and weighing 217 pounds, Hooker has the size of a prototypical NFL quarterback, unlike Young, along with proven success as a passer and rusher in the SEC, unlike Richardson and Levis.

As a redshirt senior in 2022, Hooker threw for 3,135 yards and 27 touchdowns against a mere two interceptions while completing 69.6 percent of his passes, fourth highest amongst Power 5 quarterbacks.

Before tearing his ACL in Week 11, Hooker had also proven to be a rushing threat rushing for 430 yards and five touchdowns on 4.1 yards per carry.

For context, the projected No. 1 overall pick out of Ohio State, C.J. Stroud, rushed for a quarter of the yards (108) that Hooker did and recorded zero rushing scores despite starting two more games.

Despite leading the nation’s top offense (in yards per game and points scored), having an FBS-best 9.53 yards per pass attempt, and ranking No. 2 in pass efficiency (175.5 percent), Hooker is projected to be a Day 2 pick in this year’s draft.

While other teams shy away from Hooker due to factors such as his ‘old’ age (25), Atlanta would be wise to recall that its division rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady was No. 3 in passing yards last season at the age of 45.

Although the Falcons have seemingly ignored the starting quarterback position this offseason, Desmond Ridder shouldn’t get too comfortable so long as Hooker remains available to unseat him as the future of Atlanta’s franchise.

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