Hendon Hooker Analysis and Grades

ESPN Tracker (Hendon Hooker - 5

POS RK, 33 OVR RK, 86 GRADE.  Pre-Draft Analysis - Hooker has a smooth, compact delivery and can change his arm angle when needed. His accuracy to all three levels of the field is solid, and he leads his receivers to yards after catch in the quick game. His ability to throw deep stands out -- he was more consistent driving the ball with velocity in 2022. He excelled at beating the blitz last season but struggled when opposing defenses pressured him with four or fewer rushers. He's a legitimate running threat with good speed and the ability to elude defenders. -- Steve Muench.  Matt Miller's NFL comp: Ryan Tannehill.  Post-Draft Analysis - My No. 27 overall prospect, Hooker has the tools to be a quarterback of the future in Detroit depending on how well Jared Goff plays in 2023 as his contract winds down. Hooker, once healthy from his torn ACL, brings a mobility to the position that Goff doesn't offer, but he is a similar thrower and leader of an offense. It's tough to predict third-rounders as future starters, but Hooker has the ability to be one and was drafted into a great situation in Detroit. -- Miller): https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft/teams/_/name/det/detroit-lions

NFL.com Brooks Analysis (Hendon Hooker - The Lions didn't hide the fact they wanted to draft a quarterback, and at one point, we mulled the possibility of them taking Hooker late in Round 1 or early in Round 2. So from the value standpoint, it's hard not to love. Hooker's age (25), health (recovering from a torn ACL) and offensive experience in the Vols' up-tempo, spread system make him a challenging evaluation in some respects. But from another perspective, his athleticism, maturity, experience and arm talent could make him the perfect behind-the-scenes developmental QB and possible replacement one day for Jared Goff.):  https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-nfl-draft-pick-by-pick-analysis-for-day-2

USA Today Tracker (68. Lions (from Broncos) – QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee - Juicy pick for Detroit, which as QB Jared Goff under contract for two more years. Hooker was on a Heisman track last season (69.6% completion rate, 3,135 yards, 27 TDs, 2 INTs in 2022) before suffering an ACL tear late in the season. His age (25) isn't ideal, but it does help explain his renowned maturity and leadership. And a redshirt year might be good for his knee and transition from the Vols offense to a pro style.):  https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2023/04/28/nfl-draft-second-third-round-pick-tracker-2023-live-updates/11747819002/

Fox sports (68 Detroit Lions (trade from Denver): Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee Titans - Rang: One of the biggest risers (back) up my board after medical evaluations at the combine proved he was progressing ahead of schedule from the ACL tear that abruptly ended his college career, Hooker has the experience, production and instincts to project as a future NFL starter.):  https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2023-nfl-draft-picks-and-analysis-round-2-live

ESPN Analysis (Round 2, No. 68: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee - My take: Goff has proven to be the best fit for the starting quarterback role right now, but drafting Hooker is a move for the future. The Lions are taking a chance on the former Tennessee star, who is recovering from an ACL injury, but Hooker won’t have much pressure right away with Goff in the fold. In 11 games last season for the Volunteers, Hooker completed 69.6% of his passes for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and two interceptions, while also rushing for 430 yards and five touchdowns.  Is this pick for depth or does it fill a hole? This pick is for depth. Lions general manager Brad Holmes said he’d add a third quarterback to the roster ahead of training camp and delivered on his word. Hooker isn’t expected to play right away but will help provide some security at the position -- along with backup Nate Sudfeld -- once he's healthy. Outside of Goff, punter Jack Fox was the only other player on the roster to complete a pass last season. Sudfeld did appear in two games but didn’t register any stats.):  https://www.espn.com/blog/detroit-lions/post/_/id/39077/detroit-lions-nfl-draft-picks-2023-analysis-for-every-selection

PFF (R3 (68) DETROIT LIONS (VIA DEN): QB HENDON HOOKER, TENNESSEE - Pick Grade: Good.  Lions QB Jared Goff has two years remaining on his contract, so the Lions are wise to draft a potential successor behind him. Hooker fell in the draft after an unfortunate ACL tear at the end of the 2022 season that took him out of a Heisman race, but he earned a 93.4 passing grade on deep throws and is great in a clean pocket. If he can improve under pressure once healthy, he could prove to be a great pick.):  https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2023-nfl-draft-grades-all-day-2-picks

Grades:

Walter football (Detroit Lions: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee - A+ Grade.  I absolutely love this pick. Hendon Hooker is a quarterback I had rated above Will Levis, who went way earlier than this. He's an athletic player with great passing ability, but he fell because he's a 26-year-old coming off a torn ACL. However, he doesn't need to play right away. The Lions can develop him and have him as the starter down the road.):  https://walterfootball.com/nfldraftgrades.php

SN (Grade: A.  After the Lions made their early picks to help put them over the top as new NFC North favorites and sleeper conference title contenders, they were smart to also not neglect the near future at QB with Hooker about to be groomed well behind Jared Goff with his big arm and strong, accurate pocket passing.):  https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/draft/2023/team/detroit-lions/5dqwb6vkqhagy6no1kbg1dnga

Instant grade for the Detroit Lions selection of QB Hendon Hooker (Grade: B+):  https://lionswire.usatoday.com/2023/04/28/lions-hendon-hooker-draft-grade/

PFN (Round 3, Pick 68 - Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee.  Grade: B.  At last, Hendon Hooker is off the board. There was buzz leading up to the NFL Draft that he might be a Round 1 pick. Then Round 1 and Round 2 passed, and Hooker remained on the board. The Lions stop his fall at 68th overall, and present an intriguing fit for the Tennessee passer.  Hooker is Round 3 is a lot easier to stomach in Round 3 than in Round 1, and the Lions have addressed enough needs to this point to make room for the selection. With Jared Goff due for an extension soon, it makes sense to get Hooker in the QB room as a quality backup with some physical upside.):  https://www.profootballnetwork.com/overall-nfl-draft-grades-2023/

CBS (68. Lions: Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee - Grade: B-.  This is closer to where I had him graded. Pocket passer with some athleticism but won't run away from NFL defenders. Accuracy and arm strength are good, not great. Threw to many wide open receivers in college. Somewhat of a strange long-term option at QB given his age. Exudes leadership. Teddy Bridgewater type. ):  https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2023-nfl-draft-day-2-grades-tracker-analysis-and-projections-for-all-third-round-picks-nfl-draft-order/

FTW (Detroit Lions (Detroit Lions from Denver Broncos (68): Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee - When you can get a quarterback of the future behind Jared Goff, you simply have to ensure he’s only three years younger with a low ceiling. — RZ.  Grade: C):  https://ftw.usatoday.com/lists/nfl-draft-second-round-grades-tracker-2023

Yahoo (5 (68). Detroit Lions (from Broncos): Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee — The Lions got a quarterback prospect, but Hooker faces a massive adjustment coming from Tennessee's wide-open passing game to an NFL passing game. He's an older prospect at 25 and is still recovering from an ACL injury. This pick feels like a long shot to work out, but the Lions needed to add a QB prospect in this draft, which helps the grade a little bit. Grade: C-):  https://sports.yahoo.com/2023-nfl-draft-second-and-third-round-instant-grades-for-every-pick-of-day-2-012417512.html