Could the New Orleans Saints shock the world and make former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft? It’s an eventuality that NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah isn’t dismissing out of hand, though he went in another direction with his final mock draft by projecting the Saints to pick former Clemson Tigers pass rusher Myles Murphy as his first choice.
“I wouldn’t rule out Hendon Hooker going to New Orleans if he’s still available,” Jeremiah wrote. “But in this case, the team fills a need off the edge and lets the Derek Carr era begin without a first-round rookie passer in the fold.”
Hooker dropped back to pass for the first time this week since his high-profile mid-November injury, and he’s consistently said he expects to be medically cleared in time to participate this season. With the Saints having signed Carr to a hefty free agent contract and named him their unquestioned starter, that would give Hooker the luxury of time to finish recovering and pick up the playbook before he’s expected to even hit the practice field.
Still, that wouldn’t be the best use of resources. The Saints need to find players who can contribute this year and help Carr get them to the playoffs. Give him a fair shot before you go looking for his replacement. If the Saints can get an impactful defensive or offensive lineman or a playmaker at tight end at No. 29, that should be the move. We’ll see whether they agree in just a few hours.
First day of dropping back during this mornings session… feels great to move around again #StackingDays pic.twitter.com/Pqy9aKnFhP
— Hendon Hooker (@henhook2) April 26, 2023
