Hendon Hooker, Tennessee Volunteers. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions will have two opportunities to make former Tennessee Volunteers star Hendon Hooker a first-round pick.
By bringing in Hendon Hooker for a top-30 visit, the Detroit Lions are super serious about potentially taking the former Tennessee star in the first round.
While selecting him No. 6 overall is absolutely bonkers, keep in mind this was not originally their pick. It once belonged to the Los Angeles Rams. Yes, they won a Super Bowl with Matthew Stafford, but resolved into dog food this past year. It’s the way she goes, man. But if No. 6 is too bold for Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell, the Lions also have their own selection at No. 18 overall.
No matter how you want to look at it, the Lions do seem to be a team where Hooker could end up.
Let’s discuss the pros and cons, as well as what the Lions should do about their Hooker dilemma.
2023 NFL Draft: The pros of Detroit Lions selecting Hendon Hooker in first round
There are several pros when it comes to drafting Hooker high if you are the Lions. The first is you can afford to do it this year, as you have both the Rams’ pick at No. 6, as well as your own at No. 18, to maneuver around the draft board. It would be bonkers to take him at No. 6, but if the Lions made an attempt to move back, that could work. Even better, trade up from No. 18 if you need to.
Given that the Lions already have a proven starter in Jared Goff, Hooker does not have to start right away. This will afford him even more time to get his surgically repaired ACL right ahead of his second year in the league in 2024. Goff may be good enough to start and win games, but he has become his generation’s version of Chris Chandler. You are always looking for something better…
While playing at least nine games in division indoors annually is pretty swell, I think the best reason to take a flier on Hooker is the culture the Lions seem to be building feels rock solid. They have to win games, of course, but Campbell and Holmes seem to be here for the long haul. Having the fifth-year option available to potentially take Hooker top-31 is not a bad tipping point either.
If any team is able to reach on a borderline first-round quarterback talent this spring, it is Detroit.
Let’s take a look at why it is a bad idea for the Lions to think about getting into bed with Hooker.
