Latest ESPN 2023 NFL Mock Draft Keeps the QB Train Rolling for the Vikings
Josh Frey
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Over the past few weeks, the Minnesota Vikings have had a new trend for the 2023 NFL Draft, per mock drafters. That trend involves selecting a quarterback in the first round, specifically Hendon Hooker.
And on Tuesday morning, that trend continued with the latest ESPN 2023 NFL mock draft written by Todd McShay. In his two-round mock draft, the analyst once again has the Vikings selecting Hooker with the 23rd overall pick. Here are his thoughts on the selection:
The Vikings have quietly been putting in some work on this QB class. Despite the team’s 13-win season, Kirk Cousins was just 23rd in QBR at 49.9. Plus, he’s turning 35 this summer and will be entering the final year of his deal. Sitting behind Cousins for a year to learn the pro game and fully recover from his torn ACL could be the perfect setup for Hooker, who led the nation in QBR last season before the injury (89.5).
Hooker is accurate to every level of the field but really thrives throwing deep. Some scouts might be wary of drafting a 25-year-old QB, but he has the talent to lead an NFL offense. I’ve talked to folks with a few teams that even have Hooker above Levis on their internal boards. He has interviewed really well this spring, and the tape is phenomenal. Alternatively, Minnesota could try to get another receiver alongside Justin Jefferson, go back to the cornerback well or bring in another big tight end.
Based on comments regarding our own articles involving Hooker, there are a number of Vikings fans that are concerned with the fact that the QB is already 25 years old. This is a valid concern, especially in Minnesota where he will likely lose an additional year due to sitting behind Kirk Cousins in 2023.
That being said, if the goal is to find a franchise QB (and it should be if the Vikings are taking one with their first-round pick), the age shouldn’t be the main concern. A QB of that age likely loses 3-4 years of his career as a starter, but there’s no reason to believe that he can’t start 10-plus seasons simply due to his age.
Ultimately, the main concern for your humble author in regards to drafting Hooker, especially in the first round, is the fact that Tennessee largely played an ‘air-raid’ style offense with one-read looks to some of the most talented receivers in college football. Both Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman will be among the top-100 picks in this spring’s draft, and Bru McCoy looks like another potential top wide receiver in the 2024 Draft.
Hooker made many of his throws look easy because they were intended to be easy, especially against defenses that had no match against such a talented receiver group. It is a similar reason why Ohio State quarterbacks weren’t viewed in the highest light during the 2010s.
This doesn’t necessarily mean Hooker can’t lead an NFL offense, but the fact that we didn’t see him do so during much of his collegiate career is concerning and should place him well below other QBs in this class such as a Will Levis or Anthony Richardson.
That being said, there is a reason why Hooker has been getting draft buzz lately. He was an extremely efficient passer throughout college, completing 68.8% of his passes during his two years at Tennessee. He also has a good deep ball, and he is mobile in the pocket. There are tools in his repertoire that could lead to him eventually being a starting NFL quarterback.
The concerns with Hooker may not outweigh the potential benefits, but if the Vikings are going to select him this month, hopefully they can find a way to do so with a Day 2 pick rather than one in the first round.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.