Hendon Hooker generated buzz as a possible late-first-round pick, but the Tennessee quarterback fell out of Round 2. The Lions will stop his fall, selecting him at No. 68 overall. 
Detroit moved down twice in Round 2, sliding back to from No. 55 to No. 63 and back to No. 68. They now have a unique developmental quarterback set to work behind Jared Goff. Hooker, however, spent six years in college and is going into his age-25 season. He is also coming off an ACL tear sustained in November.
After four years at Virginia Tech, Hooker transferred to Tennessee to take over after the departure of Jarrett Guarantano. A breakout season saw Hooker throw for 2,945 yards and 31 touchdowns to just three interceptions, adding 616 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. He utilized his extra COVID year of eligibility to return in 2022. Playing in two fewer games due to the ACL tear that ended his final year early, Hooker threw for 3,135 yards and 27 touchdowns to just two interceptions, adding 430 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
His knee might not be the only concern health-wise. A potential heart condition was discovered when undergoing tests after a positive COVID test, according to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports. The condition was determined to be a “false alarm” as a result of a procedure, but Hooker later suffered a convulsive episode that he blamed on medication from the heart procedure.
Looking past all that, Hooker was dominant at Tennessee. He took advantage of the quarterback-friendly offense for a masterfully efficient 58 touchdowns to five interceptions. He has a strong arm and touch that makes him a phenomenal deep ball passer. He didn’t rely on it in college, but he has an instinctive ability in the open field, utilizing agility, elusiveness, and toughness. Heupel lauded him as a hard worker and a strong leader, as well.
There’s a lot to like about Hooker’s long-term upside. His mental development over his collegiate career bodes well for his ability to attack the learning-curve he’ll face in the NFL. He boasts some strong tools, as well, that will come in handy when he does catch up to the professional game. As long as health is of no concern, there’s no reason that Hooker can’t develop into a starter at the NFL-level.
Hooker lands in a beautiful spot to develop with the Lions. Detroit had an impressive season behind their veteran quarterback in Goff. Goff had a resurgent season last year but still holds a massive $30.98MM cap hit in 2023 and a $31.65MM cap his in 2024. If Hooker can take up the Lions offense quickly while sitting behind Goff as a rookie, Detroit may feel comfortable taking on the $5MM of dead money they would incur by releasing Goff in 2024.
If not, Goff has two years left on his contract. If the Lions are planning to transition to an offense lead by Hooker, he’ll have one to two years to get comfortable running an NFL attack. If they’re happy with Goff and plan on extending his stay in the Motor City, then they’ve acquired a strong upgrade at the backup quarterback position.
How are you all you doubters feeling today?
doubters? about the lions? prove it. hooker isn’t gonna help this year. campbell is a nut case. and, it’s still detroit
dude is 3 years younger than Goff and can’t walk currently. haha
The Lions an hour ago were one tweaked Goff ankle from losing three straight games and not making the playoffs again. Now they have a reasonable QB2 who can weather a short stint without Goff and they can continue their assent to the top of the lie division and hosting a playoff game (which they could actually win!).
And if Hooker plays at the Heisman level that he did this year (especially against Alabama) then Detroit could have found their QB of the future in the 3rd round!
And just when he is ready, it’s time to retire.
I mean…he’s only under contract until he’s 29. This age crap is overblown.
I was kidding
I like the pick, mostly due to the presence of Ben Johnson. Hooker is a guy who will benefit with a well constructed playbook and variable schemer. Goff will hold down the starting job in all expectation, and Hooker has proven that he can enter into a new environment and learn, and I don’t think that he necessarily NEEDS to play now. I think that he’s a great pick here.
I think the Lions have had one of the best drafts so far
I agree. I don’t get all of the negativity. Through free-agency and the draft they have literally addressed every need they had except another edge rusher, which I expect them to draft today.
They have. I’m not on the Hooker bandwagon would have looked at McKee or something else but in general the Lions have done well.
31 million isn’t really a massive cap hit for a quarterback these days, is it? Two more contract years and a possible tag year gives you roughly 3/110m. Absolute steal (not to mention the two firsts in the Stafford trade).
Exactly, it’s nowhere near a “massive” hit at this point.
Is he coming in to compete for the starting job? Goff didn’t have that bad of a year did he??
Barring injury, I’m guessing they’ll “redshirt” him for a year to learn Johnson’s system.
Nah, he’s coming into develop and compete for the backup role. He could be Goff’s successor if Detroit doesn’t want to sign him to a big contract after 2024
Same crap was said about Brad Holmes draft last season and what did we get? 3 starters (James Houston, Kirby Joseph and Malcolm Rodriguez) all in the 3rd round or later! This is an excellent draft and will show as much in 2-3 years. Gibbs is going to be a PERFECT compliment to D. Montgomery in the backfield and LaPorta will thrive alongside St. Brown and JaMo when he returns. And Campbell will be a tackling machine with Rodriguez and Anzlone making up the rest of the LB core. You put that with all the CB talent we signed in the offseason, not to mention Hutch and Houston getting after the QB? I’m thrilled with this draft and cannot wait till kickoff!