Vikings NFC North Rivals Could Try to Snatch Promising QB Prospect in 2023 NFL Draft
Josh Frey
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In recent weeks, there has been increasing buzz that the Minnesota Vikings could target Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker as early as the first round in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, apparently the Vikings aren’t the only NFC North team interested in the QB prospect.
On Friday, it was reported that the Detroit Lions will host Hooker on a top-30 visit prior to the NFL Draft. He is one of two Volunteers visiting Detroit in the next couple weeks, joined by offensive tackle Darnell Wright.
Hooker has been skyrocketing on draft boards in the same time that many mock drafts have sent the QB prospect to Minnesota. There are even reports of some NFL franchises having him as the third-best quarterback prospect in this draft ahead of Will Levis and Anthony Richardson.
The intrigue for the Vikings drafting Hooker is obvious: it is a way for Minnesota to officially part with current starter Kirk Cousins, who is entering the final year of his contract in 2023 and could be due for a $40+ million pay day next offseason.
For the Lions, the motive is likely very similar. While Jared Goff isn’t as old as Cousins, he is set to carry cap hits of $30.1 million in 2023 and $31.6 million in 2024. Bringing Hooker on opens the door to freeing up more cap space next offseason for free agency.
The main concerns with Hooker as a prospect boil down to three items:
- He is 25 years old, making him very old for a rookie
- He is coming off a torn ACL suffered in November 2022
- Tennessee’s playstyle often only forced him to make ‘one-read’ throws
Meanwhile, there are still many positives to Hooker’s game. He is mobile in the pocket, adding an element that has never truly been a strength in Cousins, and he is extremely accurate on a number of his throws. His deep passes especially draw a lot of intrigue for him in a Vikings offense that should feature Justin Jefferson for years to come.
That being said, it does not feel like the smartest move for Minnesota to draft Hooker in the first round if they don’t need to. Currently, the Vikings have only five selections in this month’s draft, and they still have multiple needs across the board. If they were to trade down from No. 23, that opens the door to selecting him in Day 2, but even still, the Lions have much more flexibility with a pair of first-round picks and the Vikings second-round selection.
The 2023 NFL Draft is set to get underway on Thursday, April 27th, and we may then find out where Hooker will suit up at the NFL level.
