Saints Draft Prospect: Hendon Hooker

A closer look at one of the most intriguing prospects of the 2023 Draft at the most polarizing position in football.

Only one time in 56 NFL drafts have the New Orleans Saints selected a quarterback in the first or second round. That was 52 years ago, when the Saints drafted Archie Manning out of Mississippi with the second overall selection in 1971.

After a lucrative four-year contract handed out to 32-year-old free agent QB Derek Carr last month, it can be assumed that the streak would continue for another year.

Or Can It?

Per reports, New Orleans is meeting with QB Hendon Hooker on Tuesday. This is merely a meeting and doesn't necessarily mean that the Saints will draft the Tennessee quarterback. It does mean that they are obviously interested in him as a prospect. 

Pre-draft meetings are also to set up potential future moves. The Saints have made several free agent signings in recent years with players they had met with before in pre-draft visits. They are also handy initial scouting reports for when the Saints face a player in the future. 

Still, the opportunity to draft a potential franchise quarterback doesn't come around often. With the possibility of a fifth-year rookie option, would the Saints consider taking Hooker if he was available at pick number 29?

QB - Hendon Hooker 

Tennessee (Sr.)

6'3" 217-Lbs.

Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) passes the ball against the Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Hooker started his collegiate career at Virginia Tech, where he split time as a starter in 2019 and 2020. He'd transfer to Tennessee the following year and would take on the starting role after an early season injury to Joe Milton. The results were spectacular.

Over the last 12 games of 2021, Hooker completed 68% of his throws for 2,945 yards with 31 touchdowns and just 3 interceptions while adding another 616 yards and five scores as a runner. Hooker's 2022 campaign put him in Heisman Trophy consideration, completing 69.6% of his passes for 3,135 yards with 27 touchdowns and 2 interceptions with another five rushing scores. Unfortunately, an ACL injury ended his year with two games to play.

People will point to Hooker's knee injury or age (25) as red flags. They shouldn't be. His recovery is reported to be on schedule and it's the only major injury of his career so far. Hooker's maturity and leadership qualities, already advanced beyond his years, should be viewed as a strength. Also remember that quarterbacks routinely play well into their late-30s now, which could still give a franchise 12 years or more.

Hooker thrived in a ''quarterback friendly'' system with the Volunteers. Tennessee's offense relied on spacing and timing, often requiring Hooker to read just half the field and delivering the ball quickly. He'll have to show that he can go through full progressions at the NFL level. 

Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws a pass against the South Carolina Gamecocks. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY

Hooker's arm strength is fine, but he has a tendency to sail his throws over the middle. He'll need to prove that he can accurately hit intermediate targets in traffic. His accuracy can also be a little erratic when on the run, especially when throwing deep or when he moves to his left. He'll also need to do a better job at feeling pressure in the pocket and show more urgency. 

Hooker's mechanics, footwork, and release are NFL-ready. He's extremely precise on throws outside the numbers and accurately hits receivers on the move for extra yards. He has prototype size for the position, but also possesses excellent mobility to escape pressure and make plays with his legs. 

Hooker has elite poise in the pocket and maintains good mechanics no matter how a defense attacks him. He's rarely rattled by pressure and shows the patience to let routes develop. He was also efficient in his pre-snap reads for Tennessee and almost never takes unnecessary chances with his throws.

A rhythmic passer, Hooker could thrive in a timing-based system, something that Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael prefers to run. Hooker also seems to have a high football IQ and looks to have an even higher ceiling despite his collegiate experience. 

Why Would the Saints Draft Hooker?

Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) throws against Kentucky. © Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

Make no mistake; Derek Carr is this team's starter and that's the plan for the immediate future. Carr will be playing with more talent than he's ever had and has been in the top half of the league's quarterbacks throughout his nine-year career. 

However, what if Carr struggles? The Saints signed him to a four-year contract worth $150 million with $100 million guaranteed. He seems like he'll be a great fit, but if he isn't then New Orleans could actually part ways with him after the third year of the deal without a crippling salary cap hit. Also, remember that Carr did turn 32 this offseason. 

Current Saints WR coach Kodi Burns was on Tennessee's staff in 2021 with Hooker. This certainly adds familiarity, something that has been a focus of the team’s offseason. Hooker was asked about his relationship with Burns at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. 

"(Kodi Burns) is a great guy and a great football mind as well. He implemented a lot of good plays with us at Tennessee that worked in our favor." (Hendon Hooker on Kodi Burns)

The Saints have the talent to be immediate competitors if Carr plays as expected, so it would be a surprise if they used an early draft pick on a quarterback. Again, a pre-draft visit only means that a team is touching base with a particular prospect. 

Still, if Hendon Hooker is still available when the 29th pick of the first round comes up, the Saints might have a difficult decision to make. The prospect of getting a possible franchise signal caller with a fifth-year contract option could be very tempting for New Orleans to pull a Round 1 shocker.