NFL rumors: Pros and cons of Detroit Lions selecting Hendon Hooker
By John Buhler
2023 NFL Draft: The cons of Detroit Lions selecting Hendon Hooker in first round
Hooker is a good story, but I have major reservations about taking him high in the first round. I have come to grips with the fact he will be over-drafted into the top 31 because of the position he plays and the fifth-year option. However, the Lions could be making a GOB Bluth huge mistake by taking at No. 18, let alone doing the unthinkable and using their No. 6 pick from the Rams on him.
The first is I like Jared Goff, probably because I have a special place in my heart for Chris Chandler. When my Atlanta Falcons replaced Chandler, it was with Michael Vick, and no one questioned it. The same principle will not apply if Hooker is drafted by Detroit. He was awesome at Tennessee, but he is not a blue-chipper. Hooker is old, hurt and starred playing in a gimmicky Air Raid offense.
The other incredibly important thing here is Dan Campbell is a CEO-type head coach, not an offensive guru. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson is, and he will be an NFL head coach in 2024. His departure will stunt Hooker’s development, not that he has much room to grow to begin with. Instead of replacing Chandler with Vick, you would be replacing Goff with the next Kenny Pickett.
Let’s not take into account what the Green Bay Packers did with Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love.
So what should the fricking Lions do here, man? They gotta figure this Hooker problem out fast!