Poll: How Will Texans Proceed With No. 2 Overall Pick?
Enough smoke has emerged here that it would be a slight surprise if the Texans selected a quarterback with their latest top-three pick, but the team does have that option — and a glaring need — at No. 2 overall. Houston faces perhaps the most intriguing decision in this year’s draft.
The Texans were long believed to have made the right call by trading up for Deshaun Watson six years ago, but that assessment changed rapidly in 2021. Since a tornado of sexual misconduct accusations led Watson out of town, Houston did not make a true effort to replace him. Taking Davis Mills 67th overall represents the most notable investment, and after 26 starts, the Stanford product no longer appears in the organization’s long-term plans. This draft represents a chance to upgrade, but the Texans may not view the non-Bryce Young QB contingent as worth this pick.
It would still invite considerable risk for the Texans to pass on a quarterback at 2, with only Mills and Case Keenum rostered. GM Nick Caserio and HC DeMeco Ryans may be on different timelines, however. Caserio has hired three head coaches in three offseasons, and while he denied rumors he would be leaving after the draft, the third-year GM’s stock has dropped a bit. Texans ownership is believed to be more involved in this year’s draft, despite Caserio extracting historic value for Watson and selecting a host of starters in 2022. Ryans, conversely, signed a six-year contract and will be given a much longer leash compared to one-and-dones David Culley and Lovie Smith. And the former 49ers staffer built his HC resume on a defensive acumen.
C.J. Stroud was believed to be in the mix to go No. 1 overall, but the two-year Ohio State starter has been the player most affected by the Texans’ perceived QB hesitancy. Stroud having hired Watson agent David Mulugheta is viewed as an issue for the Texans, though it is worth wondering how much of a concern it would be if the team was more sold on the ex-Buckeye. Will Levis brings superior arm strength into the equation, and while he did not possess anything close to Stroud’s weaponry, the Kentucky prospect took a step back last season.
The Texans, who were believed to be targeting Young when they entered trade talks with the Bears about the No. 1 pick, have met with both Stroud and Levis. The team could still use its No. 12 overall pick to move up for a passer, though that would require giving up more draft capital compared to simply taking a QB at 2 and keeping its future picks. Hendon Hooker also visited the Texans and could be on the radar here, age (25) and health status aside.
Houston, which has either held a top-three draft choice or secured such draft real estate in each of the past three seasons, also could attempt a long-game strategy of targeting Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. Both are viewed as top-flight 2024 prospects. The Dolphins utilized this strategy in 2019, saving their QB move for Tua Tagovailoa in 2020, while the Jets took Jamal Adams over Watson and Patrick Mahomes in 2017 and maneuvered for Sam Darnold in 2018. While many teams do not expect to be picking high again, the Texans’ prolonged rebuild does point to another chance next year. And the team has a third Browns-obtained first-round pick to use in 2024 as well.
If the Texans are intent on charting this complex course at quarterback, they look to have a choice between edge rushers. While Will Anderson Jr. emerged as the early favorite, Tyree Wilson‘s upside has allowed him to enter the equation. Anderson compiled 27.5 sacks over the past two years at Alabama, but questions about his ceiling have allowed Wilson to catch up.
The Texans passed Wilson on his pre-draft physical, per Albert Breer of SI.com, who adds not every team did. Some teams view Wilson’s foot trouble as an issue that could be a long-term problem, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano. the Texans do not appear one of them. Wilson finished with seven sacks in each of the past two seasons, but a fractured foot ended his junior year after 10 games. Wilson also brings a different body type to the table, weighing 271 pounds at the Combine. Anderson weighed 253.
The Jaguars made a potential-over-production pick last year, taking Travon Walker over Aidan Hutchinson, which sent the Michigan product to the Lions. The Texans let Ogbonnia Okoronkwo and Rasheem Green walk in free agency, leaving their edge landscape fairly open. It is interesting that Houston not only could gamble by passing on a QB at 2 but could pass on the more proven edge defender for the potential of another.
If the Texans find a trade partner for the pick, teams like the Titans, Raiders and Falcons have been linked to potentially moving up. Houston moving out of No. 2 could certainly hurt Arizona’s chances of trading out of No. 3. A move down would allow the Texans to recoup assets and potentially grab a quarterback that aligns with their draft board.
After the Panthers’ expected Young pick, how will the draft’s second selection play out? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.
How will Texans proceed with No. 2 overall pick?
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Draft C.J. Stroud 28% (418)
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Draft Will Anderson Jr. 27% (411)
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They will trade down 23% (355)
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Draft Will Levis 11% (163)
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Draft Tyree Wilson 11% (161)
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Draft another player (specify in comments) 1% (10)
Total votes: 1,518
2023 Prospect Profile: CB Deonte Banks
Cornerback is one of the most difficult positions for analysts to evaluate from the college to professional levels, especially once you get past the first few names on the board. That’s currently where Maryland cornerback Deonte Banks sits: in that danger zone that normally falls from the middle to the end of the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. 
Banks is a hometown kid, going to Edgewood High School (Maryland), about an hour north of the University of Maryland. He was a three-star athlete that, despite some impressive play-making ability, struggled to attract much attention on the recruiting circuit. He didn’t receive his first offers until just after his junior season when he received interest from a number of Division II and FCS schools, eventually attracting the attention of a couple of Group of 5 schools like Buffalo and Kent State. Just before his senior season, Banks got the dream offer from his home-state school. He committed two weeks later.
Banks became an earlier contributor for the Terrapins as a freshman, making 28 tackles and tallying one interception and two passes defensed while starting eight of 11 games. He returned as a starter in 2020, but due to the COVID-shortened nature of the season, he was only able to make three starts in five games. His junior season was cut short, as well, when he suffered a season-ending shoulder surgery in just his second start of the season.
Coming back from the long-term injury, Banks shined in his return to the field as a redshirt junior. He reached career highs in total tackles (38) and passes defensed (9) while adding on another interception, half of a sack, and half of a tackle for a loss. He had perhaps his strongest game under the brightest lights, limiting Ohio State’s star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. to five catches for 68 yards and no touchdowns. In that game, Banks tallied two pass breakups and blocked an extra point that got returned by a teammate for a defensive two-point conversion.
There are a couple parts of his game that could cause him to struggle in the NFL. A lack of production isn’t uncommon in college football, where the easiest way to avoid turnovers is to not target the opposing team’s best corner, but I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that Banks only recorded two interceptions during his four years in College Park. He’s not too far behind the draft’s top corners in that regard, though. Oregon’s Christian Gonzalez only had four interceptions, with all of them coming this season. Devon Witherspoon out of Illinois has five interceptions even though he had zero in two of his four seasons of play. Joey Porter Jr. at Penn State had even less that Banks, recording only one interception in four years.
Besides that, Banks is physical, which defensive coaches love, until they don’t. If he draws too much attention at the NFL level with his aggression on defense, he’ll be the target of quite a few penalties, which are much more costly in the NFL than in college.
On the positive side, though, Banks has an ideal frame, matching size, strength, and speed. He uses his aggression to perfection to slow receivers off the line of scrimmage then uses quick hips and smooth footwork to trail receivers relentlessly. He could do a better job of reading between the quarterback and receiver, usually focusing only on the receiver, but he reads the receiver with impressive consistency and does a good job playing through their hands. He utilizes his aggression just as successfully on run plays and special teams and has the relentless motor needed for both.
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly which team may end up selecting Banks, as pretty much any team could use more depth at cornerback, besides maybe the Dolphins, but it’s hard to imagine Banks slipping out of the first round with how many playoff teams in the back half of the first round desperately need help at cornerback. The Steelers would love a young Day 1 starter opposite Patrick Peterson. The Giants need someone to hold down the other side opposite Adoree’ Jackson. The Vikings are short on big names at the position, as well. I imagine Banks would love nothing more than to continue putting on for his city and playing for the nearby Ravens, who need someone opposite Marlon Humphrey with Marcus Peters still on the free agent market.
So far, there’s been no shortage of interest in Banks. All four of the above-mentioned teams, and an impressive 11 more, have met with the 22-year-old. It seems the biggest indicator for when he will be picked is going to be when the cornerbacks ranked above him get drafted. If Gonzalez and Witherspoon get selected relatively early, the teams in the late 20s likely won’t see Banks on the board. But if the draft is slow to cornerbacks, Banks could find himself in a pivotal role for a playoff contender.
5 Key Stories: 4/16/23 – 4/23/23
With the draft just days away, a number of key developments continue to take place around the league. In case you missed any of the top stories from the past week, here’s a quick recap:
- Hurts Signs Record-Setting Eagles Extension: A number of young quarterbacks are up for massive extensions this offseason, and the Eagles became the first team to get their mega-deal done by signing Jalen Hurts to a five-year, $255MM contract. The $51MM AAV of the pact, which kicks in next season, is the highest figure in league history, and Hurts will see just over $179MM in guaranteed money. His pact will represent another benchmark in negotiations for the likes of Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert. Hurts, 24, confirmed his status as the Eagles’ starter in 2022 and put himself in the MVP conversation while helping guide the team to the Super Bowl. He will remain in place as their franchise centerpiece for the foreseeable future as the QB market continues its upward trajectory.
- Williams, Four Others Suspended For Gambling: The NFL levied suspensions against five players for violations of the league’s gambling policy, a group headlined by Lions receiver Jameson Williams. He, along with teammate Stanley Berryhill, will be sidelined for six games in 2023 for placing bets on non-NFL games at the team’s facility. Receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore (who have been let go by the Lions), along with Commanders pass rusher Shaka Toney, have been banned indefinitely and will miss at least the 2023 season. The latter three bet on NFL games, as the recently reinstated Calvin Ridley did before his year-long suspension in 2022. The Lions also fired a number of team employees for violations of the gambling policy, adding to the growing list of personnel to face discipline recently.
- Hamlin Cleared To Return: Damar Hamlin’s recovery took another step forward as he was given full clearance to resume football activities. The Bills safety’s playing future was in doubt following his cardiac arrest in January, but he made it clear earlier this offseason that he intended to return to the field when given the green light to do so. Doctors are in agreement that he is safe to take part in the team’s offseason program, putting him on track to suit up for the start of the 2023 campaign. A backup role presumably awaits him this season, but the fact that the 25-year-old is likely to be on the field in any capacity is of course a newsworthy and welcomed development.
- Steelers Acquire Robinson: The Rams continued to move on from some of their more expensive veterans, sending wideout Allen Robinson to the Steelers for a swap of seventh-round picks. Los Angeles will retain two-thirds of Robinson’s 2023 compensation, giving Pittsburgh a relatively cost-effective addition to their pass-catching corps. The 29-year-old had an underwhelming tenure with the Rams last season, but his latest change of scenery could give him the opportunity to return to full health and boost his value. Robinson is under contract through 2024, but no guaranteed money remains on his deal at that point. This move thus represents a one-year audition for the former Pro Bowler as part of a talented WR room.
- 49ers Receiving Calls On Lance: San Francisco faces plenty of QB uncertainty heading into 2023, but they have seen interest from a number of teams regarding the availability of Trey Lance. The former third overall pick was set to take over the starting role in 2022, but his season lasted less than two games. Seventh-rounder Brock Purdy eventually took over the No. 1 role, and is the favorite for the top spot when he is healthy (something which very much remains in the air). The Vikings are among the teams who inquired about Lance, 22. San Francisco would be hard-pressed to get anywhere near the value back in a deal that they paid to move up and draft him just two years ago, making it unlikely a move is made at this point. It remains clear, though, that Lance’s start to his NFL career hasn’t gone according to plan.
Poll: Who Will Acquire DeAndre Hopkins?
A second DeAndre Hopkins trade could transpire soon — perhaps by next week’s draft — and while the Cardinals wide receiver is a bit past his peak, he could impact the Super Bowl LVIII chase if sent to a contender. Will a team come through with a trade?
Hopkins, 31 in June, has loomed as a departure candidate for nearly a year; he is believed to want to land with a contender. The Cardinals have not ruled out retaining the accomplished wideout, but that does not appear the likely conclusion. This does not appear to be an acrimonious split.
“I’ve had a lot of interaction with Hop. He’s been great. Good discussions back and forth,” Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort said (h/t GoPHNX.com). “Hop’s proven to be a good player in this league, and he’s obviously a very talented player. Productive conversations with Hop, but going to keep those between us.”
Hopkins’ second Texans contract ran (five years, $81MM) ran through the 2022 season. While the Cardinals scrapped that deal upon acquiring the former All-Pro in 2020, the extension the sides agreed to tacked on two extra years to Hopkins’ contract. The Cards gave Hopkins $42.75MM fully guaranteed, and the two-year, $54.5MM bump ended up impacting the receiver market in 2022. Now, that contract calls for a $19.5MM base salary. Hopkins’ cap number sits at $29.9MM on Arizona’s payroll.
Although Hopkins previously said he would be open to adjusting his contract to facilitate a trade, the Cardinals have not received big offers. Some teams believe they Arizona be forced to release the 11th-year veteran, and a few have been connected as a destination for the Clemson alum.
A potential AFC duel probably should be mentioned first. The Chiefs have been connected to the big-bodied wideout for several weeks now, being tied to both he and Odell Beckham Jr. Now that OBJ is a Raven, the Chiefs — who lost JuJu Smith-Schuster and Mecole Hardman — are running short on options. Kansas City has Marquez Valdes-Scantling in place as its most reliable receiver, though Kadarius Toney provides more upside (and considerably more risk). Andy Reid‘s team bowing out of a Smith-Schuster sweepstakes that ended in an $8.5MM-per-year Patriots deal points to the Chiefs waiting out a Hopkins release. If Hopkins were available in free agency, the Chiefs’ Reid-Patrick Mahomes setup presents receivers a compelling pitch.
The other team Hopkins sounded receptive to playing for, the Bills already roster a high-variance boundary wideout (Gabe Davis) and can use Stefon Diggs across the formation. But they were mentioned as an early suitor. The Bills’ Von Miller move showed the urgency Brandon Beane and Sean McDermott are operating with, and while Diggs’ $24MM-AAV contract would be a complication regarding a Hopkins acquisition, the Bills certainly make sense as a free agency suitor — as acquiring a five-time Pro Bowler would stand to bolster their receiving corps and impede a Chiefs upgrade.
While the Cardinals look to be working with Hopkins’ camp here, his PED suspension voided the no-trade clause in his contract. That would open the door to more options, depending on the compensation offered. The Ravens just outbid the Jets and Giants for Beckham, and a report from ex-GM Michael Lombardi (Twitter link) indicated Lamar Jackson wanted the team to add OBJ and Hopkins. The Ravens have chased receivers for years. Their run-heavy offense has steered some — including Smith-Schuster — away, but they convinced Beckham to sign up to reunite with OC Todd Monken. The team does not have another notable receiver contract on its payroll, though Jackson’s $32.4MM franchise tag poses a problem.
The Giants lurked in the Beckham pursuit, offering an incentive-laden deal, and have either re-signed or added a host of slot receivers this offseason. New York has also done extensive homework on this draft’s receivers, being closely connected to adding one of the first-round-caliber targets. The team did pursue Jerry Jeudy and Brandin Cooks previously. Jets interest probably does not need to be explained much. Expected Jets QB Aaron Rodgers placed Beckham on his wish list, and the team has already added Hardman and Allen Lazard. If the Jets were willing to add Beckham, they are probably open to Hopkins.
Hopkins’ most recent podcast appearance pointed to less interest in being dealt to the Jets or Patriots compared to a Bills or Chiefs landing, and Bill O’Brien — who traded Hopkins when working as the Texans’ GM — coming to New England certainly would create an awkward fit. But if Matt Patricia and Darius Slay can work together again, just about any NFL relationship is salvageable. The Pats discussed Hopkins with the Cards earlier this offseason.
While the Cardinals having shopped Hopkins and discussed him in trades for months, it sounds like the rebuilding team will move on. If the team — which would eat $21.1MM in a pre-June 1 trade, without any contract adjustments — does not receive the offer it wants, is an unexpected reunion completely off the table? Aside from the aforementioned suitors, is there another team who could make a play here?
Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.
Who will acquire DeAndre Hopkins?
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Buffalo Bills 27% (981)
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Kansas City Chiefs 27% (957)
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Another team (specify in comments) 13% (474)
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Baltimore Ravens 13% (464)
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He will stay with the Cardinals 8% (296)
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New York Giants 7% (268)
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New York Jets 5% (166)
Total votes: 3,606
NFL Draft Prospect Profile: TCU WR Quentin Johnston
We all know the recent history of drafting TCU wide receivers, especially in the first round. Since 2000, only Jeremy Kerley has surpassed 600 yards receiving in a season, while former first round picks Josh Doctson and Jalen Reagor both failed to finish out their rookie contracts with the teams that drafted them. Doctson was released just before his fourth year in the league, while Reagor was traded around the same time last year. The latest Horned Frog to attempt to erase the dreadful history of receivers out of Fort Worth is junior wideout Quentin Johnston. 
Johnston was a consensus four-star wide receiver out of Temple High School (Texas) in the Class of 2020. After initially committing to Texas before his senior year, Johnston would eventually flip to TCU after the dismissal of Longhorns wide receivers coach Drew Mehringer. With Reagor leaving for the NFL, a spot at the top of the depth chart was wide open for the taking.
Johnston earned a starting role in Fort Worth immediately as a freshman, leading the team with 487 receiving yards and earning honorable mention All-Big 12 honors. As a sophomore, he would earn first-team All-Big 12 honors after leading the team in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Then, this past year, Johnston lead the Horned Frogs in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns en route to his second straight year on the All-Big 12 first team. Over his three-year career at TCU, Johnston totaled 115 catches for 2,190 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Among the other top receiver prospects, Johnston reigns as the biggest of the bunch, establishing himself physically as a potential WR1. His size obviously assists him, with length and strength inherent in his frame, but it doesn’t keep him from being as agile as the smaller receivers in the draft. Johnston used his burst and acceleration to rank second in the nation in yards after catch per reception. His combination of size and elusiveness make him one of the tougher receivers to bring down after the catch. Before the catch, he has great awareness to track the ball and use his leaping ability and body control to make grabs.
The biggest problem showing up on Johnston’s film is drops. Whether it’s a lack of confidence in his hands that results in inconsistent body-catching or a lack of focus as he fails to secure the ball before turning his eyes upfield to run, drops plagued Johnston in 2022. Luckily, drops have been a bit of an issue for the rest of the receivers expected to be first-rounders, as well, making his eight drops hurt a little less. Boston College’s Zay Flowers surpassed Johnston with nine drops of his own this year. Ohio State’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba dropped six passes in his only full season of play. USC’s Jordan Addison only had two this year but had 21 during his two years at Pittsburgh. Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt may be the exception of the group, with only eight drops in his collegiate career, but five of those came in 2022.
Looking past the drops, Johnston has only a few other things to work on. Tight hips and a lack of variety at TCU mean that he has some work to do on route-running. Also, despite his size, Johnston didn’t have the best track record with contested catches.
Plenty of teams have done their homework on Johnston. So far, in the pre-draft process, Johnston has met with or planned to meet with the Giants, Ravens, Chiefs, Cowboys, Cardinals, Falcons, Vikings, Jaguars, and Titans. Basically, any team looking to add some size to their receiving corps has done some research on Johnston.
The 21-year-old makes a lot of sense for that purpose. The disastrous history of TCU wideouts going pro and Johnston’s drops will be overlooked fairly easily. Not only will teams overlook them because of his size but because he uses his athleticism to blend that size congruously with speed and strength. He’s almost certain to hear his name on Day 1 of the 2023 NFL Draft later this month, but at what point in the night he is selected has yet to be determined.
5 Key Stories: 4/9/23 – 4/16/23
Attention continues to shift to the draft, but teams are still making moves on the free agent and trade fronts in advance of adding rookies to their rosters; one major off-the-field development took place recently, as well. Here is a quick recap of the past week’s top headlines:
- Harris Reaches Agreement To Purchase Commanders: The Dan Snyder era in Washington appears to be on the verge of coming to an end, with the Commanders owner reaching agreement on a sale which would see the group led by Josh Harris take over the Commanders. The $6.05 billion price would make this the second straight year in which the North American sports record was shattered in terms of sale price (with the Broncos going for $4.65 billion last summer). Harris is already a majority owner in the NBA, NHL and English Premier League. Now, he is poised to inherit a franchise which has been marred by poor play, numerous scandals and the need for a new stadium (unless today’s news regarding new bidder Brian Davis changes the situation). Investigations into workplace culture and financial impropriety centered on Snyder’s tenure at the helm, meanwhile, remain ongoing.
- Lions Deal Okudah To Falcons: The Lions moved on from the third overall pick in 2020, cornerback Jeff Okudah, in a trade with the Falcons. By receiving a fifth-round pick in return, the move marks a highly underwhelming end to Okudah’s tenure in Detroit, which included multiple injury problems. The 24-year-old showed some of the substantial potential he had coming out of college during the 2022 campaign, and should have a significant role in the Falcons’ new-look secondary. A strong season in 2023 could bode well for both team and player, though, with Okudah looking to play his way into a second contract in Atlanta or elsewhere.
- Ravens, Beckham Agree To Deal: All signs seemed to be pointing to Odell Beckham Jr. signing with the Jets, but the veteran wideout instead agreed to a one-year deal with the Ravens. Baltimore guaranteed $15MM for the three-time Pro Bowler, while incentives could push the maximum value of the pact to $18MM. That far outpaces what many believed Beckham, 30, would be able to sign for considering his missed time (including the entire 2022 season) due to multiple ACL injuries. The Ravens’ gamble comes as part of their retooling effort in the passing game, and it has led to the further expectation that quarterback Lamar Jackson (who helped recruit Beckham) will remain with the team in one form or another in 2023.
- White, Baker Request Trades: Two high-profile defenders – Buccaneers linebacker Devin White and Cardinals safety Budda Baker – have each asked to be traded amidst unproductive contract talks. White is under contract for one more season on the fifth-year option, but he is reportedly seeking one of the most lucrative deals at the position from Tampa or an acquiring team. Baker, meanwhile, let the Cardinals know in February that he was eyeing a new deal to make him the league’s highest-paid safety; two years remain on his 2020 extension, which doesn’t include any guaranteed money in 2023 or ’24. Both teams will look to navigate these developments as they continue contract talks in an attempt to avoid needing to part ways with either player.
- Carter Still Likely Top 10 Pick? Plenty of speculation has surrounded Jalen Carter in the build-up to the draft, considering his legal situation and underwhelming showing at Georgia’s pro day. Despite those factors, the defensive tackle is still expected to be a top 10 pick. The Bears and Eagles – who hold picks No. 9 and 10, respectively – have both shown interest in Carter and would be well-suited to add him to their defensive fronts. Other teams like Seattle, Detroit and Las Vegas have done their homework on him, which could create a competition to secure him early on Day 1. Despite a number of teams reportedly taking Carter off their draft boards altogether, he shouldn’t have to wait long to hear his name called next week.
NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker
We’ve already seen plenty of reports on the 2023 NFL Draft class’s top passing prospects. After the expected first-rounders (Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Florida’s Anthony Richardson, and Kentucky’s Will Levis), nearly all other quarterback prospects aren’t expected to hear their names until Day 3 of the draft. The exception to that statement is Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, considered one of the draft’s top passers who shouldn’t be available for long, if at all, after the first 31 picks. 
Hooker is one of the older quarterbacks in the draft, graduating from Dudley High School (NC) back in 2017. Considered a Top 247 player and the fifth-ranked dual-threat quarterback by 247Sports, Hooker initially committed to Virginia Tech a few weeks after receiving an offer and stuck with the Hokies despite some late flirting with Oregon.
In Blacksburg, Hooker competed with redshirt freshman Josh Jackson for the starting job at quarterback before redshirting, himself. In 2018, he would sit once again behind Kansas transfer Ryan Willis. The next year, Hooker would finally get an opportunity to start for the Hokies after a disappointing start to the season for Willis. With Hooker behind center, Virginia Tech rebounded to find their way to a bowl game thanks to Hooker’s 1,555 passing yards, 18 total touchdowns, and only two interceptions. Hooker returned as the starter in 2020 but only appeared in eight of 11 possible games. Overall, during his career with the Hokies, Hooker completed 63.1-percent of his passes for 2,894 yards, 22 touchdowns, and seven interceptions over 21 total games, adding 1,033 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.
Seeking greener pastures, Hooker transferred to Tennessee with many thinking he would back up Joe Milton, the Michigan transfer who was widely expected to take over after the departure of Jarrett Guarantano. An early injury to Milton, though, opened the door for Hooker to take the reins, and Hooker didn’t look back. A breakout season saw Hooker throw for 2,945 yards and 31 touchdowns to just three interceptions, adding 616 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. He utilized his extra COVID year of eligibility to return in 2022. Playing in two fewer games due to an ACL tear that ended his final year early, Hooker threw for 3,135 yards and 27 touchdowns to just two interceptions, adding 430 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
The late-season ACL tear obviously hurts his draft stock, but maybe not quite as much as you might think. The 25-year-old was already likely expected to need some development after playing in Josh Heupel‘s extremely quarterback-friendly offense in Knoxville. His jump in success from Virginia Tech to Tennessee could be a result of the Volunteers’ offense that included mostly play action passes that had largely predetermined targets.
The convenient offense affected his ability to make reads which led to frequent checkdowns when his initial reads weren’t there. When he didn’t immediately check down, any hint of pressure would push him out of the pocket. While finding success on rollouts and scrambles, it did lead to a worrying 39 fumbles over his college career.
Additionally, his knee might not be the only concern health-wise. A potential heart condition was discovered when undergoing tests after a positive COVID test, according to Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports. The condition was determined to be a “false alarm” as a result of a procedure, but Hooker later suffered a convulsive episode that he blamed on medication from the heart procedure.
Looking past all that, Hooker was dominant at Tennessee. He took advantage of the quarterback-friendly offense for a masterfully efficient 58 touchdowns to five interceptions. He has a strong arm and touch that makes him a phenomenal deep ball passer. He didn’t rely on it in college, but he has an instinctive ability in the open field, utilizing agility, elusiveness, and toughness. Heupel lauded him as a hard worker and a strong leader, as well.
There’s a lot to like about Hooker’s long-term upside. His mental development over his collegiate career bodes well for his ability to attack the learning-curve he’ll face in the NFL. He boasts some strong tools, as well, that will come in handy when he does catch up to the professional game. As long as health is of no concern, there’s no reason that Hooker can’t develop into a starter at the NFL-level.
So who will take a chance on Hooker? As a bit of a project with recent health issues, it will likely be a team with a short-term or unproven situation at quarterback in 2023. Think the Commanders (Sam Howell), the Falcons (Desmond Ridder), the Colts (Gardner Minshew, Nick Foles), or the Texans (Davis Mills). The Ravens might even be a possibility with the current uncertainty surrounding Lamar Jackson.
While many expect him to fall to the second round, it wouldn’t be a total surprise to see a team trade up to the back of the first round as Baltimore did with Jackson in 2018. The extra fifth-year option could prove useful if Hooker sits for a year or two. Even if that’s not how it plays out, Hooker likely won’t sit around for long into Day 2. We’ll find out in just under two weeks from now.
5 Key Stories: 4/2/23 – 4/9/23
The countdown to the NFL draft continues, but a number of notable developments continue to take place around the league in the relatively quiet time between the initial waves of free agency and the arrival of the latest crop of rookies. Here is a quick recap of some of the top storylines from the past week:
- Titans Sign Simmons To Monster Deal: An extension for Titans defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons had been considered one of the team’s top priorities for the offseason, and it has now been taken care of. The two-time Pro Bowler inked a four-year, $94MM extension which will take effect starting in 2024. The pact places Simmons, 25, behind only Aaron Donald in terms of average annual value ($23.5MM) and slightly ahead of the Rams superstar in guarantees ($66MM). Tennessee has moved on from a number of veterans this offseason, but the ascending talent at the heart of their defensive line will be in place for years to come, while other DTs up for extensions will look to use his deal as a benchmark for their own contracts.
- Patriots Looked To Move Jones? Things didn’t go according to plan on offense for the Patriots in 2022, and the fallout from their much-maligned coaching setup continues. The relationship between quarterback Mac Jones and head coach Bill Belichick is not in a good place, and the Patriots reportedly shopped the 2021 first-rounder earlier this offseason. Jones, 24, repeatedly expressed frustration with the team’s underwhelming passing attack last year, something which no doubt contributed to his statistical regression compared to his rookie campaign. Belichick recently hinted at a training camp competition between the Alabama product and 2022 fourth-rounder Bailey Zappe, despite owner Robert Kraft‘s firm support of Jones. Potential developments for New England under center (which is not expected to include a Lamar Jackson pursuit) will certainly be worth watching.
- Jets To Host Beckham: The Jets continue to negotiate with the Packers on an Aaron Rodgers trade, something which is expected to produce a number of other moves on New York’s part. One of those would be a deal with free agent wideout Odell Beckham Jr., and the team will take a step closer to that on Monday by hosting him on an official visit. The 30-year-old sat out the entire 2022 season while rehabbing an ACL tear, and the list of serious suitors appears to have shrunk relatively recently. The Jets have long been connected to Beckham (especially given the assumption they will acquire Rodgers), and this sit-down will be his first official one. A deal sending him back to the Big Apple could soon follow.
- Panthers Favor Young With Top Pick? When the Panthers traded up to the No. 1 spot in this month’s draft, their intentions of selecting a quarterback were confirmed. It had originally seemed their preference was Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, but signs are now pointing to Alabama product Bryce Young being the target. The latter has many fans inside Carolina’s organization, and is generally seen as the top passer in the 2023 class. His size is often named as a concern, though, especially within the context of the QB profile head coach Frank Reich tends to work with. Young, the 2021 Heisman winner, put up two highly productive seasons as the starter for the Crimson Tide and is, along with Stroud, seen as a known commodity compared to the other signal-callers in this class. Carolina will continue to evaluate their options, but Young hearing his name first on Day 1 would come as less of a surprise now than it previously would have.
- Cards’ Bidwill Facing Cheating, Misconduct Allegations: Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill is the subject of an arbitration claim filed by outgoing team executive Terry McDonough following alleged actions which took place in 2018. Specifically, McDonough claims he and then-head coach Steve Wilks were forced to illegally communicate with then-general manager Steve Keim during his suspension that year. The fallout from objecting to that plan, according to McDonough, has resulted in a number of actions taken against him by Bidwill which left him in a position of lower standing in the organization and off the radar for GM positions for other teams. The Cardinals have firmly denied the misconduct allegations, which also include claims of creating “an environment of fear for minority employees.” The matter will be resolved through the league’s arbitration policy.
Breakdown Of Top 2023 QB Draft Prospects
After last year’s draft, which saw only one quarterback taken in the first two rounds, this year’s draft class boasts a bit more top talent at the NFL’s signature position. The group’s superior personnel has already created a small amount of chaos atop the draft order with Carolina trading into the No. 1 overall pick. With three of the teams drafting at the top of the first round expected to have a need for a new quarterback, and several others having the option to trade up for one, there is a consensus that four quarterbacks should hear their names called on the night of April 27.
Teams interested in a new passer will have their choice between whoever is left of Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, Florida’s Anthony Richardson, and Kentucky’s Will Levis. Below, we’ll explore the benefits offered by each young quarterback and provide some reasoning as to why they may or may not hear their names called first.
Bryce Young
Not only was Young the best recruit in his state or at his position coming out of high school, the young athlete out of Mater Dei (California) was rated as the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in 2020, according to 247sports.com. He committed to nearby USC with two years left of high school play but flipped his commitment to Alabama at the beginning of his senior year. 
Young played sparingly as a freshman in Tuscaloosa, backing up junior starter Mac Jones. With Jones having departed for the NFL, Young took over the Crimson Tide offense as a sophomore. He took the college football world by storm in 2021, completing 66.91% of his passes for 4,872 yards and 47 touchdowns while only throwing seven interceptions. He took Alabama to the title game, falling to Georgia but stoking early perceptions of himself as a future No. 1 overall draft pick. In 2022, Young continued to impress despite the loss of several top receivers, two to the first two rounds of the previous year’s draft. He completed 64.47% of his passes for 3,328 yards, 32 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Young came into college as the nation’s top dual-threat passer but never developed as much of a rusher at Alabama. Instead, he utilized his versatility to be an effective passer on the run. Young’s eyes and mind work fast through progressions and help him to anticipate throwing lanes at an elite level. He’s adapted to his smaller size in terms of vision, but he requires his lower body to make strong throws. Teams don’t seem to worry about his lack of size as much as his durability. In a league that’s already seen success from a smaller quarterback in Kyler Murray, Young is expected to become a starting quarterback at the NFL level before long.
C.J. Stroud
Not far from Young in the southern California area, Stroud came out of the same class out of Rancho Cucamonga (California). Not quite as touted as Young, Stroud still boasted five stars as the nation’s second-best pro-style quarterback, according to 247. He made his decision late in the process but enrolled early shortly after committing to Ohio State.
Stroud also sat his true freshman season, redshirting behind starter Justin Fields. He was easily as productive as Young in their first years starting. In 2021, Stroud completed 71.88% of his passes for 4,435 yards and 44 touchdowns while only tossing six interceptions. Last year, Stroud, too, saw a bit of a drop-off in production, losing two receivers in the first round, but still impressed while completing 66.32% of his passes for 3,688 yards, 41 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
Stroud seems to be the most prototypical of the four options. His size, strength, and athleticism all signify a routine pro quarterback. His size gives him an ideally strong platform from which to throw and allows him to layer balls into short and intermediate levels over lineman and backers. The size does limit his agility, making him slow out of breaks and inaccurate when throwing on the run. His biggest strength, though, is his pure passing ability. He throws a strong, tight ball in a smooth motion, resulting in passes that receivers love to catch. His traditional quarterback makeup could be what makes him so attractive to a team like the Panthers at No. 1.
Anthony Richardson
Richardson is far and away the wild card of this group. A consensus four-star, dual-threat quarterback out of Eastside (Florida), Richardson stayed home in Gainesville for college after some back-and-forth on his commitment to the Gators. 
Richardson is the least experienced of the four top options at quarterback. Richardson redshirted behind Kyle Trask as a freshman and sat behind Emory Jones as a sophomore. It wasn’t until last year that Richardson found himself starting behind center. Unlike the unquestionable success of Young and Stroud, Richardson’s results were hardly as impressive. Last season, Richardson completed 53.82% of his passes for 2,529 yards and 17 touchdowns while throwing nine interceptions. He did display a stronger rushing ability than the above two, racking up 654 yards on 103 rushing attempts and tacking on nine scores with his legs. As a starter for the Gators, Richardson ended college with a 6-7 record.
Despite the seemingly mediocre production, Richardson has skyrocketed up draft boards as pundits have fallen in love with his potential. Richardson has a large frame, similar to Stroud, but boasts an athleticism that makes it much more dangerous. His size and burst make him reminiscent of a young Cam Newton with the ball in his hands. Richardson has a rocket for an arm, completing easy throws with only a flick of the wrist. The physical frame and abilities are there in a raw form, but much molding is necessary. He’s extremely inconsistent in his decision-making and accuracy, resulting in dangerous passes into a crowd and misses that never stand a chance of hitting their targets.
This is a common high-risk, high-reward situation with drafting quarterbacks. Richardson could develop into an All-Pro or flame out, unable to make the most of his abilities.
Will Levis
Levis is another curious prospect whose production doesn’t quite match his hype as a top draft pick. A three-star prospect leaving Xavier (Connecticut), Levis committed to Penn State as part of the 2018 recruiting class. After redshirting as a freshman, Levis sat for two years behind Sean Clifford before transferring to Kentucky.
Levis took over as an immediate starter in Lexington and won 10 games for the Wildcats in 2021, completing 66.01% of his passes for 2,826 yards and 24 touchdowns while tossing 13 interceptions. Levis also displayed an ability to run the ball that year, producing 376 yards and nine touchdowns. When Wan’Dale Robinson and Josh Ali departed for the NFL, Levis’s production suffered as a result. In 2022, injuries and the loss of his top targets led to a down year in which he completed 65.37% of his passes for 2,406 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, all without displaying the rushing ability of prior years.
Like Richardson, Levis boasts the size, arm strength, and athleticism that make him an extremely attractive prospect on paper. There are latent abilities available within Levis, but a lack of sound technique and procedure hold Levis back from his full potential. He can throw strong balls through tight windows but also struggles with consistent accuracy. He is physical and tough but needs that toughness when standing too long in the pocket. There are strong tools to utilize at the NFL level, but it will likely take time and a good coach preaching strong technique in order for Levis to become a strong starter at the next level. Teams want him to be the next Josh Allen, but he has a way to go in order to get there.
There we have it: two strong options who seem ready to start in Week 1 and two developmental projects who could turn into stars in the right system. Which team needs which quarterback the most? Tell us in the comments who you’d want your team to take a chance on.
5 Key Stories: 3/26/23 – 4/2/23
The first few waves of free agency have come and gone, but plenty of key storylines remain in place around the NFL. Here’s a quick recap of some of the top headlines from this past week:
- Packers, Jets Continuing Rodgers Negotiations: It is well known around the NFL that Aaron Rodgers wishes to continue his career with the Jets, and that the Packers are more than willing to move on from the four-time MVP. Trade talks between Green Bay and New York are now centered on the compensation (particularly in 2024 draft capital) which will be needed to finalize a swap. There is a growing sense that no first-round picks will be included in the package sent to the Packers, given the uncertainty surrounding Rodgers’ playing future beyond 2023. Most of the elements of this trade – including, quite possibly, the financial work which will be required for the Jets to absorb the 39-year-old’s contract – are said to be in place, though, so trade compensation likely represents the final hurdle to a deal being consummated.
- Jackson Goes Public With Trade Request: The saga surrounding Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has taken a number of turns recently, including his Twitter posts stating that he asked for a trade one month ago. Negotiations have remained ongoing for years now, but not much traction has been gained between player and team. The former MVP’s market has not heated up, as no serious suitors for an offer sheet or tag-and-trade have emerged to date. The issue of draft compensation, along with the matter of guarantees (although Jackson is reportedly not seeking a fully-guaranteed pact), has left the 26-year-old’s future in the air well into the offseason.
- Commanders Sale Approaching? Signs continue to point to the Dan Snyder era in Washington nearing an end. Two fully funded bids (from the groups led by Josh Harris and Steve Apostolopoulos) have been submitted, despite the fact that it is not known with certainty whether or not Snyder intends to sell. The latter’s recent actions, including reportedly moving himself and his family to England, however, have further fueled the belief that a sale will be finalized in the near future. In addition to Harris and Apostolopoulos, Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta and an unnamed fourth bidder are in place as potential new Commanders owners.
- Hopkins Trade Market Heating Up? The 2023 free agent class of wideouts has, as expected, produced little in the way of big-money deals. One of the top trade candidates at the position, DeAndre Hopkins, is drawing interest from a number of teams, as the Cardinals continue to shop him. To no surprise, the 30-year-old is eyeing a contending team as his next home, but his contract represents a significant obstacle. Hopkins would likely sign an extension upon arrival with a new team to lower his 2023 cap hit ($29.99MM), but Arizona has remained firm in seeking a trade package including at least one second-round pick in return for the three-time All-Pro. Interested teams (including the Bills, Chiefs, Ravens and, perhaps less feasibly, the Patriots) are intent on having the Cardinals eat a portion of Hopkins’ remaining compensation to make a trade more manageable. The degree to which Arizona is willing to do so will no doubt go a long way in determining his playing future.
- Campbell Heading To Atlanta: After three years in Baltimore, six-time Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell was a cap casualty of the Ravens this offseason, allowing him to head elsewhere on the open market. He did just that, inking a one-year deal with the Falcons which includes $7MM guaranteed and has a maximum value of $9MM. The 36-year-old proved he can still be an effective producer in the run and pass game in 2022, and will look for career sack No. 100 with an Atlanta team which has made a number of noteworthy additions so far in free agency. A strong year with his fourth career franchise will help the 2010s All-Decade member add further to his legacy.