Vikings Draft Thermometer: QB Hendon Hooker
Josh Frey
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Welcome to the Vikings Draft Thermometer series, PurplePTSD‘s one-stop shop for all your 2023 NFL Draft needs. Throughout this series, we will be examining a number of prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, what exactly their role could be at the NFL level, and most importantly, whether or not they could end up playing their first NFL snaps in a Vikings uniform. With that, let’s take a look at today’s prospect: Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker.
Background
- Height: 6’4″
- Weight: 218 pounds
- School: Virgina Tech (2018-20), Tennessee (2021-22)
- Games Watched: South Carolina (2021), Ball State (2022), Florida (2022), Clemson (2022)
Statistics
- 2018: N/A
- 2019: 99/162 (61.1%), 1555 yards, 11 TDs, 2 INTs (10 Games)
- 2020: 98/150 (65.3%), 1339 yards, 9 TDs, 5 INTs (8 Games)
- 2021: 206/303 (68.0%), 2945 yards, 31 TDs, 3 INTs (13 Games)
- 2022: 229/329 (69.6%), 3135 yards, 27 TDs, 2 INTs, (11 Games)
Strengths
Throughout his college career, you can see how Hendon Hooker’s poise has grown in terms of his pocket presence as well as his accuracy as a passer. During his time at Virginia Tech, he was a bit erratic and seemed to panic when there facing pressure.
However, over the past two years at Tennessee that has gone from a weakness to a strength in Hooker’s game. Pairing this with a very live arm, and he can be a weapon through the air.
Additionally, Hooker has always been a very impressive runner as well. He brings impressive speed, and that skill should translate very well to the NFL level.
Weaknesses
As much as Hooker has progressed over the years, he remains inconsistent in some of his throwing mechanics. Especially when he’s on the run, he becomes sloppy and inaccurate as a thrower. He also goes through progressions slower than you would like, leaving him vulnerable to pressure, especially against the better defenses.
Finally, the ACL tear that he suffered in November will inevitably impact his draft stock. The expectation as of now is that he will be ready to go by training camp, but he will put together very little work between now and the draft.
Some may question the idea of drafting a 25-year-old quarterback as well, but personally, I wouldn’t be too worried about that. Remember that Joe Burrow turned 24 during his rookie season in Cincinnati after being drafted first overall.
NFL Projections
- Draft Round: Mid Second-Early Third
- Immediate Role: QB2 with potential for starting later in rookie season
- Best Case Scenario: Taller Russell Wilson
- Vikings Draft Temperature: 20
Overall, Hendon Hooker is going to be a work-in-progress early on in his NFL career, but he shows the traits to be a starter at some point. Unfortunately, the Vikings have other priorities than quarterback this offseason, and with Hooker’s projection, he may fall just out of range for the Vikings to pick him.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.