Hendon Hooker Draft Fits: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFL Draft history tells us that destination matters as much as preparation, especially with quarterbacks. There's a direct correlation between successful first-round quarterbacks and winning franchises, and the opposite is ugly; historically poor franchises draft quarterbacks that don't make it to a second contract at an alarming rate.
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is likely about to become a first-round draft pick. There's been a lot of speculation about his draft stock, but the consensus among league executives is quite high on Hooker. There's a lot to like in his games; he stands 6-4 and 225 pounds, has a strong arm, and is athletic. Hooker also has some drawbacks that keep him out of the top-10 conversation; his age, injury, and college system are common conversations.
Fans can tell, for the most part, which teams drafting highly need a quarterback. Some franchises come out and just say they are going to take a quarterback, but once you get outside the top of the draft, things get unpredictable. NFL front offices have varying levels of confidence in their starting quarterbacks, and we learn these opinions at draft time.
Therefore, finding a landing spot for Hooker is difficult. One destination that makes a lot of sense is Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers signed quarterback Baker Mayfield this offseason to compete with Florida's Kyle Trask for the starting job. They are attempting to replace legendary quarterback Tom Brady, who retired for the second time in one calendar year this offseason. Mayfield is the leader in the clubhouse for the starting job, but he hasn't been viewed as a franchise guy since his 2020 run with the Cleveland Browns.
The Bucs hold the No. 19 overall pick, and Hooker could be available. Having Mayfield as a bridge for Hooker could be helpful; Baker has seen a lot of football and played in big games. He could assume the reigns this year while Hooker continues recovering from his ACL tear and then hand off the job ahead of the 2024 season.
Tampa Bay has a lot of offensive talent to surround Hooker. Wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are perennial Pro-Bowlers with a history of making big plays. Tackle Tristan Wirfs is one of the best offensive linemen in football, and the timing passing offense matches what Hooker brings.
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