Seahawks Take Bold 1st-Round Gamble with QB Hendon Hooker in Latest Mock Draft

The Seattle Seahawks have the fifth overall pick in the upcoming draft, with a latest mock having the NFC franchise taking a quarterback.

The Seattle Seahawks signed quarterback Geno Smith to a three-year, $75 million deal this offseason. After leading Seattle to an unlikely playoff appearance and getting a Pro Bowl nod, Smith got his due reward.

But is he the guy long-term? Possibly. But given his age, time is already ticking fast. 

NFL reporter Mike Tannenbaum has released his latest mock draft and has a surprising choice when it comes to who Seattle could select with the fifth overall selection: Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker.

OK, this one might raise some eyebrows, but hear me out Tannenbaum wrote. I think Hooker is really under-scouted right now, largely because he's coming off the torn ACL in his left knee. But I love his strong arm and 6-3 frame. Before the injury, Hooker looked great for the Vols. He led the nation in yards per attempt (9.5), threw two interceptions over 11 starts and was a top-10 passer in terms of completion percentage (69.6%). I see a potential franchise quarterback and someone who can lead an offense. Go watch his performance against Alabama if you disagree.

The Seahawks recently re-signed Geno Smith, but this is an excellent opportunity to draft and develop Hooker while also letting him rehab the knee Tannenbaum added. Smith turns 33 this season, and his new contract offers Seattle various outs over the next three seasons.

Tannenbaum does have a point. Smith isn't getting any older and such is his contract situation, it is just about the best fit for Hooker to sit and learn the tools of the trade.

With Smith having an out in his contract in 2024, Seattle is in a strong position to draft a quarterback and let him develop...as head coach Pete Carroll stated that Seattle is "connected" to quarterbacks in this year's draft.

He has a similar skillset to Smith and is a proper dual-threat quarterback who feels the pocket pressure and can escape with his athleticism. One thing coach Carroll is sure to like is that Hooker takes care of the football as he threw just five interceptions in his last two college seasons with Tennessee.

His age (25) and recent ACL injury are cause for concern, but the Seahawks taking a quarterback with their first pick and letting him sit behind Smith isn't the worst idea.

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