Numbers And (Computer) Models Say Bucs Are In Running For Hendon Hooker
April 25th, 2023
Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker.
No, this isn’t about what Instagram models or TikTok babes think the Bucs will do Thursday night in the NFL draft.
Seth Walder of BSPN shats numbers. He never met a number he doesn’t like. Joe swears he has to run some obscure computer program to tell him when to go to bed, what to eat and how to wipe his arse.
It’s all numbers with this guy. Zero context. ZEE-row.
So Walder ran a bunch of (computer) models to try to figure out how the first round of the draft shakes out. And his results show the Bucs are one of four teams in the mix for Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker.
The wide range of outcomes for Tennessee’s Hooker is one of the most interesting stories of this draft. He could reasonably be a mid-first-round selection or fall to the late second. If Hooker goes in the first round, his most likely landing spot is pick No. 23 — currently held by the Minnesota Vikings — with roughly a 9% chance to be selected there. Pick Nos. 19 (Buccaneers), 20 (Seattle Seahawks) and 22 (Ravens) are all possibilities, too, with most picks in the back half of the first round presenting at least a 1% shot to be Hooker due to potential trades.
Well, Joe would pick Hooker before even entertaining a thought about drafting Anthony Richardson. And yes, Joe’s decision here is all about numbers. Wins. Completions and completion percentages.
To Joe, Hooker is so head and shoulders better than Richardson it is not funny. And Joe doesn’t give a spit if Hooker is 30. Unlike Richardson, Hooker is a proven, accurate passer in college football’s toughest league.
Personally, Joe would love to see Hooker wearing pewter and red (and the creamsicles, too).
April 25th, 2023 at 3:34 pm
If Hooker and AR fell to us, we might get some nice trade down offers. An additional 2nd round pick to slide down less than 10 spots would be pretty nice, assuming we’re not losing out on a tackle or edge we really like.
April 25th, 2023 at 3:36 pm
We would have 2 first round QB”s and a 2nd round QB. I would rather ride with Baker this year if we suck hopefully we have enough draft capital next year to get a QB unless we suck so bad we have a top 3 pick.
April 25th, 2023 at 3:41 pm
At a draft position in the teens, you can do much worse than Hooker as the best QB prospect available in most drafts. I’m not giddy about Bowles’ future with the Bucs, but if drafting a talented QB prospect will buy you an extra year, I don’t mind that at all.
April 25th, 2023 at 3:48 pm
Agreed!
if Hooker is available they should definitely take em!
i think he will be a very good QB at next level.
April 25th, 2023 at 3:51 pm
People are going to argue against having as much viable talent in the QB room as possible, watch lol. Dream sceanrio would be taking a trade back and still seeeing Hooker there on the board.
April 25th, 2023 at 3:51 pm
Now I could get behind Hooker (no pun intended)… still need OL and front seven help. I hope JL can get a dance partner and trade down so Bucs can get additional day 2 picks.
April 25th, 2023 at 3:51 pm
Unless the guy is a “can’t-miss” prospect, we don’t need another QB to compete with Traskfield. We need to plug the o-line, get an edge rusher, and help in the d-backfield. Forget QB in this draft.
April 25th, 2023 at 3:57 pm
Another QB out of the draft would not be competing with the other 2. He would be learning. I don’t like drafting a QB, though. We do need 3 going into the season but I think we could pick one up later. Maybe even in FA. I just don’t see wasting an early pick on one.
April 25th, 2023 at 3:57 pm
DRAFT HOOKER!
April 25th, 2023 at 3:58 pm
I personally think Hendon Hooker will slide…into the 3rd or later. Simply because of his age and injury.
April 25th, 2023 at 3:59 pm
Everyone knows the body doesn’t heal as fast at 30 as it did when younger.
April 25th, 2023 at 3:59 pm
If Hooker is still there at 19 perhaps another team will trade up with us to select him.
I just don’t think we should be drafting a QB in round 1…….I’m all for Stetson Bennett in the 5th…..
April 25th, 2023 at 4:00 pm
With his ACL injury, it isn’t beyond reason to suggest that Hooker won’t be able to play until 2024. I’m not sure it’s worth the risk in the first round. We need OL, RB, DL, LB. Rather get those first.
April 25th, 2023 at 4:00 pm
If he falls to the 4th round…take him. Maybe he will have that ‘chip’ on his shoulder…and we’ll still have to option of drafting a QB next year.
April 25th, 2023 at 4:02 pm
Hooker is already 30 years old but with his Tom Brady like playing style he could last in the NFL until he’s 40
April 25th, 2023 at 4:04 pm
Joe(s), let me start by saying I love y’all Mfers and I’m a crazy frequent visitor of this site. That being said, this Hendon Hooker love affair you have is killing me Smalls. The last two QB’s y’all pined over were horrible. Manziel and Winston. I don’t need to explain why those two were horrible. I’m not saying Hooker will be bad, I’m just saying……..
April 25th, 2023 at 4:07 pm
Some of the mock models have Hooker being there when the Bucs pick at 50. That’s ridiculous. But if it were to happen for real, I don’t see how Jason skips over him.
April 25th, 2023 at 4:08 pm
If the Bucs take a QB in the later rounds it should be Tune out of Houston dude has potential!
April 25th, 2023 at 4:08 pm
I guess you’re just exaggerating because Hooker is only 25.
April 25th, 2023 at 4:10 pm
Sasquatch – love the trade down scenario. For Richardson though only. If Hooker is available then we should be grateful that he is and take him. The Bucs will be irrelevant until the end of time until we get a legitimate franchise quarterback. Of course, people can throw out an “exception to the norm” example like Brock Purdy but the Bucs arent a BRAND like the 49ers and we arent constructed like them
April 25th, 2023 at 4:13 pm
Ugh!
April 25th, 2023 at 4:16 pm
You’re killing me Smalls……Hahaha that’s classic….
Stop all that Hooker love, Joes. I don’t want to be reading about you guys getting hot over a Hooker. Keep your drawers zipped and draft some line beef.
April 25th, 2023 at 4:36 pm
This would be a huge mistake. He has bust written all over him.
April 25th, 2023 at 4:38 pm
The only model that matters is the Jason Licht model – whomever he chooses in the draft. Everything else is just yakking.
April 25th, 2023 at 4:38 pm
why dont we use all our picks on QB’s
we would be the envy of the league with 6 QB’s dressing every week!
April 25th, 2023 at 4:43 pm
Hendon Hooker is NOT 30 geez.
He is 25 and just look at the numbers.
He doesn’t throw picks.
He had only 12 total picks is 900 pass attempts.
He had 80 total TDs.
His completion rate was never below 65%
He is LICHT YEARS better than the two we currently have.
Think Double Hs from here till Thursday because it’s gonna happen.
Will Levis betting for #1 pick sky rocketed today.
Reddit post from friends said Carolina told him they were taking him.
Crazy
April 25th, 2023 at 4:45 pm
This pick makes a little more sense than Will Levis – however I would not spend pick #19 on Hooker…
Pick #50 – maybe.
Pick #82 – Why not?
We need OT, DB, Edge, TE, RB, IDL and WR.
April 25th, 2023 at 4:51 pm
I don’t get age being such an issue with Hooker. So what he’s 25! If he is here and proves to be a franchise quarterback, we could have him for a decade or possibly longer. And the maturity and experience of a 25 year old would seem to be a plus!
I’m not advocating for a QB in the first round, with everything the team needs. But if one were to be taken, he seems to be a great candidate.
April 25th, 2023 at 5:08 pm
I’m not worried about age….Trask will be 35 before he gets a chance to start
April 25th, 2023 at 5:10 pm
I’m not opposed to Hooker at all, but I can’t see spending our first on him, (no idea if he’s worth it) but we HAVE no 4th, and we’re not likely to give starting O-line, edge or slot corner talent with 5th+
April 25th, 2023 at 5:12 pm
wasted pick …next year’s new regime will want their own guy
April 25th, 2023 at 5:20 pm
Thursday can’t get here fast enough.
April 25th, 2023 at 5:24 pm
I like Hooker. But guys, We just got to many needs in this draft. And his talent just do not supersede those needs. Nope. Better stick with a Tackle, DE, and a DB right out of the gate.
April 25th, 2023 at 5:42 pm
I like Hooker but not at #19( offensive line with 1st pick ) maybe trade down and pick him up at #50 and the trade down pick pick a safety.
April 25th, 2023 at 5:51 pm
Bucs please trade down for more picks.
April 25th, 2023 at 5:59 pm
Hard Pass. Get the edge rusher or tackle that pays dividends for years.
April 25th, 2023 at 6:06 pm
@ Pelsbuc
I would be fine with that…
If we can trade back with the Bengals at 28 – pick up an extra 2nd and 4th – then draft LT – A. Harrison.
That would probably be the best case scenario for the Bucs this draft.
April 25th, 2023 at 6:08 pm
I believe we won’t get the opportunity to get Hooker I believe he will not get past the Titans.
April 25th, 2023 at 6:15 pm
Spending the first pick on a QB guarantees that this is the final season for Todd Bowels…….
April 25th, 2023 at 6:18 pm
Hooker’s ceiling is no where near Richardson…& 1st rd coin is BU QB coin the 1st 4yrs.
If your swinging for the fence for a franchise QB…You take the young athletic freak & develop him…Not the 25yr old 6th yr Super-SR that 100% should be better as a college QB than the soon to be 21yr old.
April 25th, 2023 at 6:22 pm
Marine, I love that scenario of trading down to 28 and getting Harrison. I think he should be our first round target anyway. And with the bonus pick in the second, I wouldn’t mind taking a flyer on Hooker. I think had he will have a nice future in the NFL.
April 25th, 2023 at 6:23 pm
if they clean house, the new regime will want their own quarterback. I have no faith in Bowles……
April 25th, 2023 at 6:30 pm
Drafting a Hooker is a crap shoot. We have enough CRAP. Draft OL where QB’s and RB’s are made.
April 25th, 2023 at 7:00 pm
Some dumb team will draft Richardson way before the Bucs pick.
April 25th, 2023 at 7:03 pm
and Joe writes this : Seth Walder of BSPN shats numbers. He never met a number he doesn’t like. Joe swears he has to run some obscure computer program to tell him when to go to bed, what to eat and how to wipe his arse. My lord Joe you are a truly a real talent yourself. I almost lost it when I read this guys shats numbers
April 25th, 2023 at 8:03 pm
“Hooker captivates many Bucs fans, while Glazers like Penix.”
April 25th, 2023 at 8:16 pm
I don’t mind Hooker’s age going forward however a 25 year old college football player is a man playing with a lot of boys. I don’t mean that term offensively if really young men is better I’m cool, just look at Anthony Richardson at 20.
There is a big difference in maturity, both physically and mentally and emotionally between 25 year olds like Stetson Bennett and Hooker versus as 20 or 21 year old. Levis is 23 which is mature but 25? That’s a freaking man playing with kids.
How much better are Hooker and Bennett going to be?
April 25th, 2023 at 8:22 pm
no other position offers “Lottery Pick” potential as drafting a QB does…
Go Bucs!
April 25th, 2023 at 9:10 pm
OH brother!!!
Friday morning can’t come soon enough… strengthen the trenches…
April 25th, 2023 at 10:24 pm
If Bijan Robinson and Hendon Hooker are on the board at #19, I’ll put my money on Bijan Robinson being the pick.
You need 2 RBs in this league if you expect to challenge for the playoffs. With the worst rushing attack last year, how do you not address the position?
I think we will get a OT in the 2nd unless some dude falls. Jason Licht knows how to find value on the OL. If there’s no prospect like Wirfs in the 1st Rd, Licht will be comfortable handling the OL in the 2nd., with the possibility of moving Wirfs to LT.
April 25th, 2023 at 10:48 pm
Hooker shows ball skills as Penix underperforms.
April 26th, 2023 at 1:46 am
I don’t know. I’d personally be a little wary of trusting anything a stat geek shats out when it comes to QB. I guess anything could happen, but I don’t see us passing on the needs at oline and dline
April 26th, 2023 at 7:59 am
The team that lands Hooker will end up with the best NFL career QB in this draft. If you didn’t watch him play at UT, see his leadership and maturity both on the field and in the locker room, and see his stats, it’s tough to judge what he will bring to a team. I’m betting he has a better start and career than any QB in the 2023 draft. But every team will have different needs on critical positions they need to shore up.