The Washington Commanders liked Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker in the pre-draft process, sending offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to his pro day and hosting him on a top-30 visit.
Therefore, multiple mock drafts had Hooker going to Washington at No. 16 overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. That didn’t happen, as the Commanders selected Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes.
Hooker, along with Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, weren’t selected in the first round and are among the players expected to go somewhere early on day two.
With Hooker still on the board, second-round mock drafts are again projecting Hooker to the Commanders.
From CBS Sports:
Commanders add competition to Sam Howell with Hooker. Should be a fascinating battle between the former ACC quarterbacks.
An ESPN mock draft also sent Hooker to Washington:
Sam Howell (2022 fifth-round pick) and 30-year old journeyman Jacoby Brissett are expected to compete for the starting QB job, but it might be that neither will be the long-term answer for the Commanders. Getting Hooker here is an excellent value, and he is capable of competing for the job as soon as he recovers from the ACL injury to his left knee he suffered in November.
Hooker or Levis were never a consideration for Washington in the first round. We’ll see if that changes on Friday. Of course, that depends if either are on the board at No. 47.
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