Hendon Hooker (Lions) NFL Draft Preview
Post-Draft Fantasy Impact
Hendon Hooker’s draft stock took a hit when he suffered an ACL tear during his senior year at Tennessee. But that didn’t stop the Detroit Lions from taking a chance on him in the third round of this year’s draft. The Lions got great value for him, and if he can stay healthy and develop, Hooker could be the quarterback of the future in Detroit.
In terms of fantasy value, Hooker is not likely to be a QB1 anytime soon, but he could be a solid backup with upside in the future. In his rookie season, Hooker is likely to sit behind Jared Goff, who has two years left on his contract. For redraft leagues, Hooker is not worth drafting as he is unlikely to see much playing time.
For dynasty leagues, however, Hooker has potential. He is in a good offense with talented skill players, and if Goff is released after this season, Hooker could find himself as the starting quarterback in Detroit. Dynasty managers should consider Hooker as a bench stash due to his potential as a future starter.
Hendon Hooker NFL Draft Preview
Hendon Hooker put up incredible numbers at Tennessee before his season-ending ACL injury. He’s on track to be ready to play by the start of the NFL season, but it could drop him down to round three in the draft.
Hooker had a remarkable senior season, completing 69.6% of his passes for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns, and only two interceptions. He added 430 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. He finished 5th in Heisman voting while receiving 17 first-place votes. He was also the SEC Offensive Player of the Year and a finalist for the Manning Award.
Hooker received a clean bill of health at the NFL combine, which should reassure teams as to his availability for training camp. Hooker has second-round talent, but it remains to be seen how teams will view him on draft day.
People don’t talk enough about how tough Hendon Hooker is. And the swagger. Dude is a legit star. pic.twitter.com/jsMTD6NVFC
— zach ragan (@zachtnt) March 5, 2023
Measurables
- 6’3” 217 lbs
- Arm Length 33”
- Hand Size 10.5”
Positives
One of Hooker’s biggest strengths is his ability to throw the deep ball. He has a strong arm and is able to accurately deliver the ball downfield. He is accurate on short and mid-range passes and has good ball placement, which allows his receivers to gain yards after the catch.
Hooker is also a good runner and a legit dual-threat quarterback. He is able to extend plays with his legs and pick up first downs when needed. Hooker improved every year in college and led the top offense in the nation at Tennessee. He had a 124.6 QB rating last season.
Some Hendon Hooker highlights while we wait on FA News. He may be an older prospect, but sometimes QBs just have their lightbulb moment and find it. If not for his ACL injury he’d be talked about more as a 1st Rounder. Hooker is the QB sleeper of this draft. pic.twitter.com/A0Ag4PTn5p
— Kyle Lindemann (@LuckIsMadeFF) March 13, 2023
Negatives
Hooker tore his ACL in November, which raises concern if that will affect his mobility and overall effectiveness as a quarterback. At 25 years old, he may not have as much time to develop as other quarterbacks in the draft.
He played in a limited offensive scheme in college that only used half the field, so he doesn’t have the experience and knowledge of more complex NFL offenses. This could be a problem when he gets to the next level.
Hooker has a tendency to be too quick to run instead of looking to pass. While his ability to run is a strength, he needs to be able to make the right decision on each play. He also doesn’t avoid contact, which could lead to injuries and limit his longevity as a quarterback in the NFL.
He also rarely throws when forced outside the pocket, which could limit his effectiveness as a mobile quarterback.
Hooker rarely had to go through multiple progressions in college, so he may struggle initially with more complex defenses at the pro level.
Grade – B-
Overall, Hendon Hooker has a lot of potential as an NFL quarterback. He has many strengths, including his proficiency at throwing the deep ball and his running ability. However, he also has some concerns with his recent ACL injury and his lack of experience running a pro-style offense.
Despite these weaknesses, Hooker has the potential to be a successful NFL quarterback if he can address his weaknesses and continue to improve his game. He may need some time to adjust to a more complex offense, but his ability to make good decisions on the field and his strong arm could make him a valuable asset to any team.
Doug Burrell finished 2022 as Fantasy Nerd’s Most Accurate Expert in NFL Picks and Tallysight’s #1 ranked expert Against the Spread Expert out of 200+ experts. He is a veteran, a runner and an avid fantasy sports enthusiast since 1999. You can reach him on Twitter @dougwburrell.
