Saints to host big-name quarterback on pre-draft visit

Saints to host big-name quarterback on pre-draft visit

The New Orleans Saints may have signed Derek Carr as their new starting quarterback, but they aren’t leaving any stone unturned at the position.

 

 

They are using this week to take a look at one of college football’s top signal callers as Tennessee’s Hendon Hooker is flying in for a visit.

 

 

Hooker produced 3,135 passing yards and 27 touchdowns with just two interceptions while completing 69.6 percent of his passes in 2022.

 

 

Add another 430 yards on the ground with five rushing touchdowns, Hooker earned himself first-team All-SEC as well as SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors and it put him at the top of the list of Heisman candidates.

 Saints to host big-name quarterback on pre-draft visit

 

 

Unfortunately for Hooker, he suffered a torn ACL in a loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks last November which ended his collegiate career.

Of course, this type of injury will make teams cautious about taking a player in the NFL draft, especially at quarterback.

 

 

 Saints to host big-name quarterback on pre-draft visit

There’s the age factor thing with Hooker as well. Hooker is 25 due to spending three years at Virginia Tech before transferring to Tennessee.

 

 

Don’t tell NFL Network’s draft guru Daniel Jeremiah that though. In an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show in February, Jeremiah pounded the table for him.

“I don’t like there’s been enough talk about him,” Jeremiah said. “I think with all the age and injury, look, you should be thinking about things in terms of four and five years in the NFL, everything can change. If you tell me right now that I’m gonna get four, five, six years of really above average, borderline, close to elite quarterback play, who cares if a guy is older? take it.”

Hooker completed 68% of his passes and put up 2,945 yards and 31 touchdowns with just three interceptions to go along with 616 rushing yards and five more scores in 2021. So, he’s no one-year wonder by any means.

The Saints could address a more important roster spot and then snag Hooker on day two of the draft because of his injury. Or, with a fifth-year option available, they may want to get him in the first round.

New Orleans has different routes they could take to get Hooker but the interest is certainly there.