The Detroit Lions selected Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker with the 68th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
The Detroit Lions selected the Tennessee Hendon Hooker with the 68th selection overall. It was the Lions’ fifth selection from the draft to date, and the last Lions’ Day 2 selection at the time of selection.
My grade: A-
This is a really complicated situation. The selection of the 68’s quarterback in general is a big question mark when it comes to expectations. Hendon Hooker won’t be sacking Jared Goff anytime soon, and he won’t be seeing the field anytime soon while he recovers from a torn ACL. On the other hand, you have a very solid backup quarterback for at least four years. This is a particular upgrade on Nate Sudfeld.
Hendon Hooker is a very unique case. Injury aside, he will likely be 26 by the time he plays any meaningful football. It came from a very simple collegiate scheme and whether the Hooker will excel on NFL offense is still up in the air.
On the other hand, Hooker brings some solid traits to the table. He has an arm cannon and is an accurate passer. He comes into the best position possible for him in the NFL with a team that has a loaded and dedicated offense that he can sit and learn in their shadow for at least a year or two.
There’s a very real chance that this pick will become a four-year backup quarterback who never sees regular season action like the Detroit Lion and then transfer to another team. There’s also a chance Hooker could turn into an NFL-caliber starting quarterback; He certainly has the physical tools for that. The Lions have turned that pick into a lottery ticket, and only time will tell if Brad Holmes cashes.
If the Lions are without Jared Goff in a year or two, be it for any number of reasons, the Hooker is screaming quarterback. Whether it was to assess him for the future or to part with him for a year is a mystery. We’re really in no man’s land when it comes to quarterback expectations at this point in the draft.
This entire draft seemed like fancy picks and filling holes and edges in their roster. This continues the trend, and considering they picked four times in the first two rounds, I’m all for it. I’m much happier with Hooker as a severe boom or bust prospect as opposed to a backup with a higher floor and a much lower ceiling. If there was ever a time for Lions to use a pick like that, now is the time.
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