5 quarterbacks Seahawks should wait to take in the 2023 NFL draft

Hendon Hooker, Tennessee

Hooker played at a much better level for him in 2021 after transferring from Virginia Tech to Tennessee. Hooker can play another year in college – his sixth overall – because of new NCAA rules due to how COVID-19 affected the 2020 season and it’s fortuitous for him. While he was great last year, he needs to show that the reason he was good was that he has excellent skill and not just UT coach Josh Heupel’s system.

Hooker, however, is extremely athletic and throws a great deep ball. He is also big enough to be an NFL quarterback at 6’4″ and 220 pounds. But is he a system quarterback that throws great in rhythm or is he a quarterback who can make changes at the line of scrimmage and throw on the move?

Hooker isn’t going to step in on day one of 2023 and be the Week 1 starter. It is going to take him some time to get used to Shane Waldron’s system. The great thing, though, is that Hooker will be coming from the SEC so the speed of the NFL won’t be as difficult to acclimate to as, say, Malik Willis as Willis played at Liberty.

Hooker, unless he absolutely goes off in 2022 (which is definitely a possibility because Tennessee’s offense should be very good), is unlikely to be a first round draft pick. The Seahawks currently have two first-round picks in 2023. Hooker might be a steal in round two but this would only mean Seattle finds its future quarterback while also building a good team around him.