NFL Rumors: Hendon Hooker Was Only QB Who'd Have 'Tempted' Commanders in 2023 Draft

University of Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker was reportedly the only signal-caller that interested the Washington Commanders in the 2023 NFL draft.

According to ESPN's John Keim, a team source said Hooker was "the only quarterback who would have tempted them," but only if he was available when they picked in the third round.

Hooker ultimately went 68th overall to the Detroit Lions in the third round, 29 picks before the Commanders used a compensatory third-round selection on Arkansas center Ricky Stromberg.

Washington acquired quarterback Carson Wentz from the Indianapolis Colts last offseason in hopes that he could resurrect his career, but he struggled and got injured, which caused the Commanders to turn back to Taylor Heinicke.

While Heinicke had his moments, including a win over the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles, he didn't do enough to earn a long-term commitment either.

As a result, the Commanders moved on from both Wentz and Heinicke this offseason and signed journeyman veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who started 11 games for the Cleveland Browns last season and previously made starts for the New England Patriots, Colts and Miami Dolphins in his career.

Brissett will perhaps have a chance to compete for and win the starting job in 2023, but the leader in the clubhouse is 2022 fifth-round pick Sam Howell.

The North Carolina product started the final game of the 2022 season, throwing for 169 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a victory.

Howell has upside, but there was still some thought that the Commanders could target a quarterback in a draft that had the potential to produce five first-rounders at the position.

Ultimately, only three quarterbacks went in the first round, as the Carolina Panthers took Bryce Young first overall, the Houston Texans took C.J. Stroud second overall and the Colts took Anthony Richardson fourth overall.

Kentucky's Will Levis fell to the Tennessee Titans in the second round, and Hooker was scooped up by the Lions in the third.

Hooker's case was a unique one, as he put up massive numbers in his final two college seasons at Tennessee, but suffered a torn ACL in November.

Before Hooker got injured last season, he was completing 69.6 percent of his passes for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and just two interceptions in 11 games, plus he had rushed for 430 yards and five scores.

The Volunteers were in the thick of the College Football Playoff race as well, but they fell off once Hooker went down.

Hooker's talent is undeniable, but the injury coupled with the fact that he is already 25 years old may have scared some teams off.

While drafting Hooker would have brought some added competition to Washington's quarterback room, going with Howell may be the best thing for the future of the franchise.

If Howell succeeds in 2023, the Commanders have their quarterback of the future, but if he fails, they may pick high in the 2024 NFL draft and have a chance to select USC quarterback Caleb Williams or North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye.