Despite making a big investment toward their next quarterback earlier in the offseason, the New Orleans Saints look to still be potentially eyeing another quarterback from the NFL Draft: former Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker.
The Saints signed 32-year-old quarterback Derek Carr to a four-year deal back in March. That doesn’t seem to be stopping the team from shopping for more talent, though.
According to a report from NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport on Monday afternoon, the Saints will be flying Hooker in for a meeting with the organization, set for Tuesday. The Saints hold the 29th selection in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
#Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker is flying today for a visit to the #Saints tomorrow, source said. Coming off a clean ACL tear, Hooker's prospects for the 2023 season are positive. New Orleans picks 29th.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 3, 2023
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The report from Rapoport comes just three days after Tennessee’s Pro Day in Knoxville and just six days after a particular mock draft made headlines around the sports world.
While he didn’t actually participate in the Vols’ Pro Day workouts last Thursday afternoon, Hooker did get in a significant amount of throws on the far side of the field in front of scouts and coaches. Hooker was mainly throwing nice and easy passes to former teammates Cedric Tillman and Jalin Hyatt but looked smooth and comfortable doing so.
After receiving ACL surgery back in November 2022, Hooker being able to move around and throw a football here in late March/early April is remarkably impressive.
QB Hendon Hooker received a little instruction from Tennessee OC Joey Halzle while getting some throws in during #Vols Pro Day in Knoxville. pic.twitter.com/xxZgwd3qRS
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) March 30, 2023
While at Pro Day, Hooker told the local media in attendance that he had spoken with all 32 NFL teams throughout the offseason, the Reese’s Senior Bowl, and the 2023 NFL Combine. The Saints, though, seem to be looking for some extra time with the former Tennessee quarterback.
“It’s been great just to be able to sit down and watch ball, showcase some of my things on the cerebral side of the game and just learn from them,” Hooker said on Thursday about the NFL Draft and Pro Day processes. “They answer all of my questions, and I’m just having a great time.”
Just a few days before the Tennessee Pro Day last week, former NFL general manager Mike Tannenbaum listed Hooker as a projected No. 5 overall selection in the first round of his latest mock draft for ESPN. Tannenbaum had Hooker being selected at that position by the Seattle Seahawks.
Tannembaum’s projection was certainly the highest that Hooker had received in the buildup to the NFL Draft.
After being somewhat of a Tennessee hub in the NFL over the last few years, the New Orleans Saints only have two former Volunteers on their roster at this point in the offseason. The Saints have seven-year running back Alvin Kamara and two-year defensive back Alontae Taylor.
The 2023 NFL Draft will begin on Thursday, Apr. 27, from Kansas City.
