The Hendon Hooker-to-Minnesota hype train is full steam as ESPN’s Todd McShay is the latest to connect the Vikings to the 25-year-old quarterback who led Tennessee to its most successful season in two decades.
First it was NFL Network‘s Daniel Jeremiah mocking Hooker to the Vikings with the 23rd pick. Then it was The Athletic‘s Bruce Feldman mocking the same Hooker-to-Minnesota pick. Former Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum went ever more wild, projecting Hooker to be a top-five pick.
McShay being the latest begs the question: If there’s smoke, is there fire? Here’s what he wrote about his Hooker-Minnesota pick (subscription required).
The Vikings have quietly been putting in some work on this QB class. Despite the team’s 13-win season, Kirk Cousins was just 23rd in QBR at 49.9. Plus, he’s turning 35 this summer and will be entering the final year of his deal. Sitting behind Cousins for a year to learn the pro game and fully recover from his torn ACL could be the perfect setup for Hooker, who led the nation in QBR last season before the injury (89.5).
Hooker is accurate to every level of the field but really thrives throwing deep. Some scouts might be wary of drafting a 25-year-old QB, but he has the talent to lead an NFL offense. I’ve talked to folks with a few teams that even have Hooker above Levis on their internal boards. He has interviewed really well this spring, and the tape is phenomenal. Alternatively, Minnesota could try to get another receiver alongside Justin Jefferson, go back to the cornerback well or bring in another big tight end.
Hooker, who is recovering from a torn ACL suffered late in the college football season, led the Volunteers to nine wins in ten games to start the 2022 season before he blew out his knee Nov. 19 against South Carolina. In the past two seasons he shredded SEC defenses and racked up 58 touchdown passes compared to only five interceptions.
Related: By the numbers: Should the Vikings prefer Will Levis or Hendon Hooker?
