Hendon Hooker Is Coming To Town (For A Visit)
April 6th, 2023
Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker.
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker is going to walk into One Buc Palace. But maybe not as a Bucs quarterback.
One of the top quarterbacks in the draft is expected to come to Tampa to have a sitdown with Bucs brass as part of the Bucs’ 30 official visits.
This is coming from Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. Joe already shared (from Jason Licht himself) that five quarterbacks will be among those 30 visits.
Joe is a big Hooker fan and if not for his knee surgery that may keep him out most of this year, Joe is convinced he would be a top-10 pick.
Joe hoped the Bucs would be able to move up in the second round or back into the first round to grab Hooker. But dang, if there really is a general manager crazy enough to draft Anthony Richardson in the top-10, then Joe doubts Hooker will make it to the Bucs at No. 19.
This would be a smart move. If Baker Mayfield/Kyle Trask can’t get the job done, then you’ve got Hooker ready to take over in 2024.
Many folks believe Mayfield is a “bridge” quarterback. If the Bucs draft Hooker, then we know where that bridge leads.
Hendon Hooker’s ability to stand in the pocket and process information are two of his best traits. #HendonHooker #tennessee #NFL #NFLHighlights #NFLToday pic.twitter.com/UF5ogBAnq9
— Mike Tannenbaum (@RealTannenbaum) April 4, 2023
Great fun ahead at the brand new Big Storm taproom in the heart of Ybor City! Upstairs in Centro Ybor with public parking all around. It’s big, bold and beautiful.
…Courtesy of Florida’s Elite Restoration, you can win $500 in our “Pick The Pick” contest, which was a huge hit at the 2021 NFL Draft party, plus another $500 in an additional contest. Hang with great Bucs fans, Ira Kaufman and Florida’s best craft beer and food.
April 6th, 2023 at 8:41 am
Hendon Hooker was a Heisman candidate before he blew out his knee. Id have no issues if hes still available in the third round.
April 6th, 2023 at 8:41 am
I am with you Joe. I am a big believer in Hendon Hooker and think he could potentially be a home run pick for the draft. The guy has excellent character and leadership to go along with accuracy and production.
April 6th, 2023 at 8:43 am
He won’t be available in the 2nd round never mind the 3rd round.
April 6th, 2023 at 8:45 am
No way he gets out of the second round. He’s honestly the reason I want them to trade back. Get a interior platter or safety then go get him if you feel he can be the guy which I personally think he can be a top qb In a few years
April 6th, 2023 at 8:48 am
@buc50
You are correct and I am not sure he will even be available at 19.
April 6th, 2023 at 8:50 am
Arguably the best QB in this years draft, you’ve got to be impressing pro teams and scouts to be rising up draft boards while you are unable to work out fully because you’re rehabbing an ACL injury. Teams are bringing him in their buildings and seeing the value.
April 6th, 2023 at 8:59 am
3rd-4th then I’d be okay with it. Anything earlier is a big No.
April 6th, 2023 at 9:07 am
Would be fun to watch, but the Bucs aren’t going to get him.
No one needing a QB will trade away the chance to get him, not to mention that the Bowles cleaner is a defensive guy, so first round will be a defensive guy.
Also, the Bucs have too many soft spots not to. at least, trade down a time or two to get more draft picks.
I would lean more towards Stetson Bennett in the 5th
April 6th, 2023 at 9:18 am
I’ve read that Dallas likes Bijan Robinson. If we could trade down with them and pick up a late third rounder I’d be ok with taking him at 26.
That said, I still think we’d be better off developing our trenches.
April 6th, 2023 at 9:22 am
Unless we trade up to get him, its not happening. Just roll with Baker and work on our other needs.
April 6th, 2023 at 9:37 am
I think we would be very lucky to land Hooker
April 6th, 2023 at 9:43 am
What’s with all the hype? The guy has never played a down in the NFL, and even Joe says that’s a problem!! (Read -Trask here)
April 6th, 2023 at 9:46 am
He might be an expensive hooker. On the other hand, he might be a cheap hooker. By some standards he is an old hooker.
April 6th, 2023 at 9:51 am
If he’s there at 19, No brainer. We were stuck for too many years with picks around 17-20. We should be glad he tore up his knee and fell to us. Draft both lines with the next couple of picks. Maybe grab a rb in the 4th since this class is so deep.
April 6th, 2023 at 10:24 am
Jameis 2.0
April 6th, 2023 at 10:27 am
Joe “is a big Hooker fan”, but he was also a big Jameis Winston fan and Johnny Manziel fan.
April 6th, 2023 at 10:35 am
Not impressed at all
April 6th, 2023 at 10:37 am
Draft the best left tackle…then draft the best gaurd…then draft best cb..then draft best linebacker… and by best I mean best available
April 6th, 2023 at 10:38 am
Another hooker on dale mabry
April 6th, 2023 at 10:41 am
drafting a QB is a roll of the dice. He could be a great QB, but the Bucs need to fix their OL first or it won’t matter who is taking snaps.
This is the year to fix both trenches and address TE. Next year draft a QB (if needed) and two new WR’s to grow with him.
April 6th, 2023 at 10:47 am
Another RG3…….Too risky.
April 6th, 2023 at 10:47 am
It hurts my soul to say this as a life long Gators fan but man I would much rather have this guy than AR15.
April 6th, 2023 at 10:47 am
No way we get him, unless we trade up
April 6th, 2023 at 10:50 am
Nope, not unless later rounds. Too many other needs this year and this guy is too risky. Bucs can sign another FA QB if they want three in camp.
April 6th, 2023 at 10:51 am
To me, drafting a 25yr old QB that’s 4mths Post-op ACL…(meaning on shelf & likely a no-go during camp…meaning starts career in IR when 53man gets set in Late AUG23 as he’d just be <9mths Post-op ACL)…& would be 26yrs old before actually competing for QB1…Makes zero sense, considering Trask has been an Elf on the shelf for 2yrs & 2024 QB class is HELLA DEEP…Maybe the best/deepest QB class since 1983.
If the FO isn't in position to go get AR or Levis in this draft…It'd be better to stay away from chasing a QB in 2023, all together…Roll dice on BakerBay/Traskcan & wait on 2024.
April 6th, 2023 at 10:58 am
I don’t know what to say about those saying they are not impressed. He destroyed the best conference in college football, has the arm strength, accuracy, maturity and leadership you want in the position.
If he did not get injured, he would almost certainly be a top 10 pick (he may be anyway).
Nothing is guaranteed with the draft especially at that position, but I think he has a chance to be a great pick and my guess is a lot of NFL scouts think the same thing.
April 6th, 2023 at 11:05 am
bno Says:
April 6th, 2023 at 10:24 am
Jameis 2.0
Hendon Hooker 2022 stats are “3,135 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions”
So how in the hell is he Jamies 2.0?? Or are you just comparing “something else” that him and Jamies have in common? 🤔
April 6th, 2023 at 11:08 am
I prefer Tom Brady like Quarterbacks who can stand in the pocket, make smart decisions, and accurate passes
Running quarterbacks don’t last long in the NFL and don’t win Super Bowls
April 6th, 2023 at 11:08 am
25 yo and unable to play until next 2024?
26 yo rookie season. No thanks.
Teams envision players taken in R1-2 will play 7-8 years. Hooker will last 3-5 round.
April 6th, 2023 at 11:11 am
Hooker would be a great pick for the bucs, the dude threw 3 INTs last year to 45 TDs or something, that is insane and he was always on the mark and he does not need to play this year
April 6th, 2023 at 11:27 am
“2024 QB class is HELLA DEEP”
erroneous statement usually proceeded by “draft x-position next year” as if college players aren’t prone to injury, fall off the preseason hype map, or coming back after having success and not finding comparable success in the last year of their collegiate careers before going pro.
“So how in the hell is he Jamies 2.0?? Or are you just comparing “something else” that him and Jamies have in common? 🤔”
Hmmm, it’s really not hard to figure out what “something else” is, in fact it’s high key obvious.
April 6th, 2023 at 11:29 am
Will be a comprehensive visit not only skills challenge there will also be an oral test
April 6th, 2023 at 11:36 am
A smart move? Coming off torn ACL, won’t be ready to start until 2025 at earliest.
Who will be Bucs receivers in 2025? If you go by his college career- he didn’t really blossom until his 5th year. 4th round pick- maybe.
April 6th, 2023 at 11:38 am
Son of Trask back again. And of course unless daddy is going to play the season is a loss. Every QB is Winston 2.0.
April 6th, 2023 at 11:41 am
Dusthty Rhothdes Says: “The dude threw 3 INTs last year to 45 TDs or something, that is insane”
But … But … I though college stats mean nothing? Or, is it that college stats mean nothing for certain types QBs, and mean everything for other types of QBs? Hmmm.
April 6th, 2023 at 12:17 pm
All these QBs get hyped up this time of year. The more hype the better. It pushes down on talent at other positions. They have so many needs. I’m usually not a fan of trading out, but this upcoming season is unique. You can bet your ass someone will trade up for Hooker. Watched a few Tennessee games and he was impressive. But the jump is where many of these GMs have blind spots regarding QBs. They’re talking about 4 maybe 5 QBs taken in the top 10. I think that’s insane. Hooker may not even make it out round one
April 6th, 2023 at 12:26 pm
Nothing against Hooker, but I’d be shocked if the Bucs draft a QB in the early rounds this year. They kept Trask and added a (former 1st round pick) vet, so maybe they add a round 5 or later (or FA) QB for depth? After winning a bad division with a 8-9 record (and getting bounced out of the post season) I have to think the HC seat is at least a little warm for Bowles. The win now move would seem to be fill roster holes at OT and DB with rookies that could play this year.
April 6th, 2023 at 12:33 pm
Joe is a big Hooker fan and if not for his knee surgery that may keep him out most of this year, Joe is convinced he would be a top-10 pick.
————
BSPN had him picked at #5 overall last week in one of their many mock drafts. The buzz on the guy is increasing, and I’m starting to think he won’t be there.
Then again, other mock drafts have the KY QB slipping to the Bucs at #19, and don’t have Hooker going until ‘late’ day 2.
So who knows.
But based on watching his tape, I wouldn’t really have an issue taking him at #19. He doesn’t really excel at anything, he also seems to do everything well. At 25 he’s a very ‘mature’ QB, and if he’s healthy, he looks like a guy that could play early.
At the same time I think back to last offseason when all those Florida fanboi idiots here were telling me that Bucs could trade Trask for a 1st rounder. LOL! Truly stupid, are they.
April 6th, 2023 at 12:44 pm
We need to draft for the offensive line. Period. The line opens holes for the running backs and buys time for the quarterback and receivers. Without a line we suck. Like last year’s 8-10 losing season – and that was with Tom Brady behind center. All you idiots falling for all these overhyped journeymen (6’0″ Mayfield) and college kids (“ACL” Hooker) have apparently never put on a helmet. Y’all are clueless.
April 6th, 2023 at 12:48 pm
You’d think that after the dumpster fire that was the overhyped Jameis Winston, at least some Bucs fans would temper their enthusiam for 6’0″ journeymen quarterbacks (Mayfield) and torn-ACL quarterbacks (Hooker). But it doesn’t look like anyone learned anything. 🙁
April 6th, 2023 at 12:51 pm
Dusthty Rhothdes Says: “Hooker threw 3 INTs last year to 45 TDs”
Actually, it was only 27 TDs to 2 INTs. But don’t let that stop you from hyping! lol
April 6th, 2023 at 1:44 pm
Hey Dooley…The 2024 QB class will be 16-20 deep (min) w/ 8 or more Day1/2 guys. I’d call that Hella Deep & multiple flavors/styles – shapes & sizes.
Caleb Williams
Drake Maye
Quinn Ewers
Shedeur Sanders
Mike Pratt
Devin Leary
Jaydon Daniels
Cam Ward
Michael Penix Jr.
Spencer Rattler
JJ McCarthy
Bo Nix
Sam Hartmen
KJ Jefferson
Cam Rising
Tyler Van Dyke
Will Rodgers
Baby Tua 2.0
DJ Uiagalelei
Jackson Dart
Without mentioning the likelihood that a small/non-P5 school guy or 2 pops into the picture…
April 6th, 2023 at 2:12 pm
@Catcard
That’s just a list of names, again Will Levis was considered a top 5 pick after the end of the 2021 college season. Went back to Kentucky last year and fast forward to 2022 and he’s being projected to be in our range at 19th overall. So again, that list looks good now, but things happen in football and there could easily be 5-10 players who aren’t worth drafting on that list. Plus, all those names aren’t upperclassmen nor do any of them have a pro resume and a fraction of the players on that list will have a significant impact. Which boils down to surety, how sure can you be on the “depth” of the last when they’ve all got a season of college ball ahead of them?
April 6th, 2023 at 2:17 pm
Also @Catcard
You’re list doesn’t even include Grayson McCall who’s a better prospect than Ewers, Dart, and Cam Rising isn’t get drafted on day 1 or 2 next year, but again nice list.
April 6th, 2023 at 3:03 pm
The stadium on Dale Mabry — where the Hooker goes to ball out.
April 6th, 2023 at 3:25 pm
> catcard202 says: “…& would be 26yrs old before actually competing for QB1…Makes zero sense..”
And if I told you we could get a 43 year old QB on 3 year rental but we would have a SB win during that time? That’s a big ‘Yes’
It’s about talent enough to QB a team to win in regular season, then win in playoffs and then win the big one.
It’s not about the age. IF we only have him from 26years old to 30 years old but he’s a good chance to get us a ring? Then its a big “Yes”
April 6th, 2023 at 3:52 pm
Comment of April (so far) and in the running for comment of the year. LOL 🙂
April 6th, 2023 at 4:14 pm
Hendon Hooker is a luxury pick, He would not be able to compete for the starting job come this September. A certain percentage of the fans and other experts would howl if he was our first pick in this year’s draft. He would be insurance if both Mayfield and Trask don’t pan out. Should they both look solid then we would be sitting in a strong position a year from now. Then we could focus completely on the significant holes in our roster in the 2024 offseason. We would become relevant again. Taking Hooker would be a big gamble so I DON’T see a us taking that chance.
April 6th, 2023 at 4:17 pm
BTW, you CAN draft QB’s in back to back drafts. True story. In fact you can even take multiple QBs in the same year… In fact you can take multiple QBs in the same draft.
For example, the Cowboys took Troy Aikman #1 overall in 1989 AND then took Steve Walsh using their supplemental #1 pick the same year. I’ve never understood why teams haven’t emulated this. Pick two guys, let them compete, keep the winner, and flip the loser. In this case, Walsh was traded to the Saints for a 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
Another example, the Washington Redskins. In the first round they take Heath Shuler, and take Gus Frerotte in the 7th. Shuler was a bust, Frerotte meanwhile became a pro-bowler and played for 14 years.
Just a few years ago, the Cardinals took Josh Rosen in the first, then the next year, they took Kyler Murray.
The Bucs CAN pickup Hooker this year, but it doesn’t mean they’re marrying him. They can always dump him and get someone else next season if they’re not impressed.
April 6th, 2023 at 4:20 pm
JimbobBucsFan Says:
Hendon Hooker is a luxury pick, He would not be able to compete for the starting job come this September.
——-
Everything I’ve heard says he’ll be healthy and ready to go. All he’d have to do is beat out Mayfield and Trask, that’s the lowest bar in the NFL. So long as he’s healthy, he could be the opening day starter for all we know.
Also this year doesn’t matter. The team isn’t winning the SB. The only ‘luxury’ pick would be at RB where you can find a RB in any round, in any year. QB’s, meanwhile, they’re not luxury picks. Now, if he’s the wrong pick, that’s a different story, but having a QB isn’t a luxury.
April 6th, 2023 at 4:37 pm
I was not aware that he would be able to compete in the upcoming training camp. That changes everything. I would be in favor of drafting him. Not looking for a SB this year. Am looking for how to build a continuous contender for several years to come.
April 6th, 2023 at 4:56 pm
Good 3rd round prospect. Anything before is a waste.
April 6th, 2023 at 5:09 pm
Heard he is visiting Green Bay as well.
April 6th, 2023 at 6:32 pm
It’s hard to use an early pick on a guy who can’t even suit up this season. Just sayin. Also, injuries have killed this team the past 2 years. Is he that good, to risk an early draft pick? So many needs so few picks!
April 6th, 2023 at 6:52 pm
Pass! I just heard his acl tear was bad and he recently stood up to throw a bit. He’ll be 26 during the season. His first year will be wasted, then a true development year. No way, not in round 1 or 2. Too risky. We must hit on a lot of picks the next couple of years, namely qb.
Look what Lamar has done and their the same age.
April 6th, 2023 at 6:52 pm
Joe, just because a comment used your old $#!+% nickname for the Bucs stadium doesn’t make it funny or good.
April 6th, 2023 at 7:31 pm
Imma big HH fan.
He’d look perfect in a creamsickle uni.
I saw an interview with McAfee, and he blew me away with his focus, smarts, moxie, & maturity.
Get him, Licht.
April 6th, 2023 at 11:25 pm
Probably a first rounder…maybe early 2nd at the latest
April 7th, 2023 at 12:26 am
Hooker … gimmick college offense! NFL ready …No way
We have enough projects that are not living up to expectation!
April 7th, 2023 at 12:37 am
I know nothing about the kid…but…it doesn’t take much for a quarterback to slide in the draft. Seems to be not playing much of a rookie season would do just that.
Coaches my not want to risk their jobs by taking him in the first round.
We’ve seen plenty of QBs slide for no good reason over the years. The ACL injury would be a good reason.
April 7th, 2023 at 12:40 am
Bigz Says:
“He’ll be 26 during the season.”
not really a factor for a goid QB, considering thay have the longest NFL careers.
April 7th, 2023 at 12:44 am
Looks like Mike C could use some Hooker help.
April 7th, 2023 at 8:22 am
A 25 year old coming off an ACL with the potential to be the next Bridgewater… and Joe has a crush. He’ll be better than Manziel. I’ll give Hooker that. But that’s it.
April 7th, 2023 at 8:24 am
Bonzai-
Name one decent NFL QB that was 25 or older in his rookie season and was a successful QB. Staubach doesn’t count. He played his college football at 18-21.
Who you got? Weinke, Brandon Weeden? Waiting.
April 7th, 2023 at 8:53 am
Goatfarmer, I KNOW you could use some. If you can still do that at your age.
April 7th, 2023 at 3:06 pm
LOL Mike C