After a couple trade backs all the way out of the second round, the Detroit Lions took Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker with the 68th overall pick.
The Detroit Lions made two picks in the second round on Friday night. Then they traded back from their original pick No. 55, not once but twice to add some extra Day 3 draft capital, all the way out of the second round to pick 68 in the third round.
With that pick, the Lions selected Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker.
With the 68th overall pick in the 2023 @NFLDraft, the @Lions have selected @Vol_Football QB @henhook2.
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) April 29, 2023
Hooker was named the 2022 SEC Offensive Player of the Year, leading the FBS in avg. yards per pass attempt (9.53) and ranking 2nd in pass efficiency (175.5).#OnePride pic.twitter.com/Adc55G8N3M
If not for a torn ACL that ended his final season at Tennessee, Hooker would have surely been a first-round pick and as it was he got some buzz as a possible first-rounder. He is also 25 years old, and might be 26 before he takes a meaningful NFL snap.
Over almost two full seasons as the Volunteers’ starting quarterback, Hooker threw for 6,080 yards with 58 touchdowns and just five interceptions along with over 1,000 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground. Despite missing the end of last season, he finished fifth in Heisman Trophy voting.
2023 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions secure potential QB of the future in Hendon Hooker
Beyond his injury recovery, which appears to be going very well, Hooker has to make the transition to an NFL offense after the offense he ran a Tennessee offense that was very basic (like he rarely had to get to a second read in a progression).
Hooker will certainly not be able to suit up for at least part of his rookie season, so he won’t be starting right away no matter what team drafted him. The Lions, with Jared Goff in place as the starter for at least 2023, are an ideal landing spot for him. He is also a refreshing changeup, with mobility under center the Lions haven’t had in seemingly forever.
But as soon as 2024, Hooker could at least push Goff for the starting job, if not be deemed ready to replace him. The Lions can part ways with Goff easily next year, if they want Hooker to be the guy.