The 2023 NFL offseason is off and running, and as the Eagles and 31 other teams prepare for the NFL Draft, all eyes are supposed to be on the four top quarterback prospects.
Another SEC star could be creeping into the discussions.
Hendon Hooker could be another name to watch in the first round, similar to Lamar Jackson in 2018.
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
The 6’3″ signal-caller was dominant in two seasons at Tennessee, throwing for 6,080 yards and 58 touchdowns while completing 68.8 percent of his passes.
He’ll be a 25-year-old rookie coming off a torn ACL in November, but he’s rising on draft boards despite not playing in the Senior Bowl in February or working out at the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this month.
About seven teams in the top half of the draft have quarterback needs.
Still, only Bryce Young (Alabama), C.J. Stroud (Ohio State), Will Levis (Kentucky), and Anthony Richardson (Florida) are believed to be franchise-altering signal-callers.
Teams like the Cardinals, Bears, Seahawks, and Lions could all look to select game-changing defensive players, while Philadelphia is looking to accrue assets after blockbuster draft night trades in 2022.
With the draft fast approaching, here are five quarterback-needy teams that could look to swap picks with the Eagles at some point in the first round.
Wild Card Team -- Seattle Seahawks -- No. 10 overall
Hooker is rising on draft boards, and one former NFL GM believes the Seahawks could select the athletic Vols quarterback at No. 5 overall.
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
2023 draft order: No. 5, No. 20
Why it makes sense: Geno Smith agreed to a three-year, $105 million deal with Seattle that could become a one-year deal for $27.3 million. The Seahawks could look to pay Snith accordingly while moving up from No. 20 to No. 10 for one of the top four signal-callers that could slip in the draft.
Why it won’t happen: Seattle would have to view Hooker as a better prospect than Richardson to take him at No. 5 overall. But if Pete Carroll and company like him, it makes sense to take a defender first and double back for Hooker at No. 10 overall.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- No. 10 overall , No. 30 overall
2023 draft order: No. 19, No. 50
Why it makes sense: Tom Brady has retired, and the Bucs only have Kyle Trask and Baker Mayfield under contract. It would be bold, but if Tampa Bay wants any shot at the top four quarterbacks, they must move up in the draft.
Why it might not happen: Tampa signed Mayfield and could look to utilize assets at another position while holding onto picks.
2. Houston Texans -- No. 10 overall
2023 draft order: No. 2, No. 12, No. 33
Why it makes sense: The Texans need a quarterback, and they’ll have no shortage of options sitting at second overall. But if they have their sights set on a game-changing defender (Jalen Carter, Will Anderson), they could risk moving back up from No. 12 overall. If there isn’t a consensus star quarterback among Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson, and Will Levis, Houston could be content with letting one fall to them at No. 12 or higher.
Why it might not happen: If Houston decides they want Bryce Young, they can still draft for a need at No. 12 overall.
3. Detroit Lions -- No. 10 overall, No. 30 overall
2023 draft order: No. 6, No. 18, No, 36
Why it makes sense: The Lions have two first-round picks (Nos. 6, 18) in 2023, which gives them the ammo to pick for a need at No. 6 overall. With several pressing needs on defense, that top-six pick could go towards landing Jalen Carter or a dynamic defender to pair with Hutchinson. Detroit could always double back for Hooker at No. 10 overall.
Why it might not happen: Goff went from stopgap quarterback, to a Pro Bowl season and near playoff berth under offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Goff still has two years left on his deal, where he’s slated to have valuable cap hits of $30.98 million (2023) and $31.98 million (2024). Detroit would accrue $10 million in a dead cap from moving on, and their offense was never the problem in 2022.
4. Tennessee Titans --No. 10 overall, No. 30 overall
2023 draft order: No. 11, No. 41
Why it makes sense: The Titans suffered a late-season slide due to inefficient quarterback play, and the team could look to reload despite spending a third-round pick on Malik Willis. It would only be one spot, but if one of the big four slips, the Titans could choose to pounce.
If they double back late in the first round, Tennessee has Pick No. 41 overall for an 11-pick jump.
Why it might not happen: Tenneessee used a third-round pick on Malik Willis in 2022. Also, you can part ways with your starter because Tannehill has a cap hit of $36.6 million, which would cost $18.8 million in dead money to part ways with him this year.
