The New Orleans Saints may have found their QB for 2023 and beyond in Derek Carr, but it appears that they’re still bringing other QBs in for visits – including a very notable name.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Saints are bringing Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker in for a pre-draft visit this week. Hooker tore his ACL late in the 2022 college football season, but by all accounts he is making good timing on his recovery.
Rapoport noted that the Saints pick 29th in the draft. Hooker remains one of the top quarterback prospects in the draft despite his injury.
“#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,” Rapoport wrote.
Saints fans appear to be totally on board with drafting Hooker – especially if he can be had in the later rounds. Between his potential to be a backup to Derek Carr and his potential to be their Plan B if Carr struggles, fans are starting to like the idea:
This is big. I said earlier that the Derek Carr signing might not stop the Saints from drafting a quarterback on day 1 or 2 https://t.co/8fmJLbuUQx
— Nathan Mihet (@NMihet) April 3, 2023
If the Carr experiment plummets, this could be a good way to have a backup plan. I know Hooker is older, but he has tools and is pro-ready at the position. Carr’s deal is essentially for two years https://t.co/KiIBT8M1J1
— Nick Muzzillo (@bigmuzz26) April 3, 2023
I like it. Don’t know why we paid Jameis to be a backup anyway. Hendon has waaaay more upside. https://t.co/A21HAOfw9h
— INF ELI🖤🌹 (@LifeOfAJet) April 3, 2023
If he there in round 2 they might do it lol https://t.co/wPapTEqADb
— Sade stan account (@dandre985__) April 3, 2023
The New Orleans Saints haven’t drafted a QB in the first three rounds since Garrett Grayson back in 2015. They haven’t taken one in the first round since Archie Manning himself back in 1971.
But the Saints need to find a permanent replacement for Drew Brees and if there’s anyone who doubts whether Derek Carr is the one to do it, having another QB to develop couldn’t hurt.