The return of Matthew Stafford and the backup role that is potentially awaiting Baker Mayfield makes selecting a quarterback far from a priority for the Los Angeles Rams in April’s draft. But what if there was a fit that LA couldn’t pass up on?
The Los Angeles Rams have multiple options at quarterback heading into next season.
Despite retirement speculation, Matthew Stafford is set to start for the team in Week 1. Baker Mayfield provided a spark for LA after a sudden arrival last season and could be Stafford’s backup if he doesn’t end up elsewhere. But should he remain a Ram, coach Sean McVay would have a luxury with Mayfield as an option if the aging Stafford gets hurt again.
This makes drafting a quarterback far from a priority in April’s draft … but what if there was a fit that LA couldn’t pass up on?
Enter Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker, who NFL Network draft expert Daniel Jeremiah believes could “do everything” for McVay.
“I really like Hendon Hooker,” Jeremiah said on a conference call. “I think he is a good player. I think he can do everything that Sean McVay wants to do. I think you start with accuracy and decision-making. He can move around, so you are going to be able to use all that stretch boot. He is going to be very comfortable doing that. He can think the game really well.”
Hooker, who was a Heisman-level talent this past season for Tennessee, tore his ACL in November and seems unlikely to be ready for preseason snaps. Due to this, he could almost certainly be available for LA’s first pick of the draft at No. 36 overall.
Burning a second-round pick on him would mean the Rams would have to be blown away by him during the draft process as he prepares for the season that he’s unlikely to be 100 percent for.
A poised passer who keeps the ball safe and has shown some underrated dual-threat ability, Hooker already played like a seasoned vet during his five years at the collegiate level.
Hooker, even in a season where the Heisman hype continued to mount on him, stayed cool and threw just two picks while tossing 27 touchdowns and a career-best 3,135 yards. The season before, he had just three interceptions compared to 31 passing scores.
This wasn’t a one-time thing either. Even before Hooker got to Knoxville, he was keeping the ball safe with the Virginia Tech Hokies, as he tossed just seven combined interceptions across three seasons with the program.
Add that to the fact that he had 25 rushing touchdowns in his collegiate career, and the Rams wouldn’t be taking too much of a second-round risk on a quarterback that would’ve been talked about as a first-round talent if not for his injury.
Should the Rams snag Hooker with their first pick, they’d be showing the willingness to stay patient and invest their future at quarterback in him. And if he really can do “everything” for McVay – like eventually win LA another Super Bowl – than why would the Rams pass him up?
You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7
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