Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay discuss teams potentially trading into first round for Hendon Hooker

Hendon Hooker has become one of the most interesting names in the 2023 NFL Draft cycle as a potential wild card at the quarterback position.

The former Tennessee signal-caller is currently recovering from an ACL tear and is older at 25 but has the talent and skills to maybe work his way into the first round.

Mel Kiper Jr. released his mock draft on Tuesday and during ESPN’s mock draft show later in the day, he discussed why he had the Seattle Seahawks trading back into the first round to select Hooker at No. 30.

“I have Philadelphia at 30 moving out, down to 37,” Kiper said. “Seattle moving up getting their third first round pick in Hendon Hooker, which would be the heir-apparent possibly to Geno Smith. We said Hey, Anthony Richardson would look good in a Seahawk uniform because he could sit behind Geno. It’s a win-win. Hendon Hooker, coming off the ACL, need to adjust from that quarterback friendly college offensive at Tennessee with Josh Heupel needs a little bit of time. Would be a nice scenario late first round. We always talk about that fifth year option. Seattle has two second round picks. They have the ability pick wise to move up and get a pick in the late first round from Philadelphia and acquire Hendon Hooker, quarterback Tennessee.”

Chris Mortensen then chimed in, agreeing with Kiper’s assessment about enticing getting that extra fifth year option for Hooker would be.

“Hooker, coming off that late season ACL injury so that’s another factor here,” Mortensen said. “He says he’ll be ready by the fall but you don’t rush him. That’s a reason why — if you have a first round grade on him — then you go ahead and move into the bottom of the first round and get as you say that fifth year options. I will say. Coming into the draft all these years. It’s seldom you find 32 teams — even though there’s only 31 first round picks this year – who have that many first round great job players. So going into first round to secure an extra year with Hendon Hooker for whoever does it makes a lot of sense.”

Todd McShay agreed with what they were saying, although he added Hooker might not make it past the Minnesota Vikings at No. 23.

“The Vikings have done a lot of work on this quarterback class,” McShay said. “They’ve got a 35-year-old quarterbacks turning 35 this summer in Kirk Cousins. 23 in QBR last year, struggling in moments. Will he be available after that 23rd pick. If he is, for Seattle, it makes all the sense in the world. I agree with these guys. I would move up, secure that fifth year. Geno had a great year. We’re not sure that he’s going to continue to have that success and let’s face it: in this league now, you want to get quarterbacks on the cheap and always have that second guy developing to be your future.”