The quarterback class of the 2023 NFL draft is basically two groups with a huge divide between the two of them. C.J. Stroud, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson and Will Levis are the top of the class and should all go in the top 10 picks.
Then there is the rest of this draft class looking like a huge group of day three picks. All developmental guys and no steals among them.
And then there is Hendon Hooker. The former Tennessee star was part of that first-round group for much of the 2022 college football season. But then Hooker tore his ACL in late November and everything changed. Now Hooker finds himself in NFL draft limbo and a man without a draft spot.
But teams still want to learn more about Hooker heading into the final push to the draft. The Colts, Titans, Bucs, Texans and Giants have all sent up predraft visits with Hooker. This is going to be more about evaluating his recovery and less about what he can do on the field now. In 11 games in 2022, Hooker threw for 3,135 yards with 27 passing touchdowns to only two interceptions. Hooker also rushed for 430 yards on 104 carries and had five more touchdowns on the ground.
Hooker is going to get a redshirt season in 2023 and his draft status will reflect that. Nevertheless, when healthy, Hooker was as talented and productive as any of those four players who are first-round locks.
The team who drafts Hooker is banking on him regaining his 2022 form and becoming the franchise quarterback everyone saw on the field. He could end up being the biggest bargain in the draft for a team who doesn’t need a starting quarterback in 2023.
