4 major gambles the Commanders cannot afford in the 2023 NFL Draft

Commanders can’t gamble on Hendon Hooker

There seems to be a lingering interest from the Washington Commanders where Hendon Hooker is concerned. The quarterback spent time at the facility speaking with assistant head coach/offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy on Tuesday, which was the latest in a series of interactions between the former Heisman Trophy candidate and the franchise.

According to John Keim of ESPN, the Commanders like Hooker and could take the signal-caller in the second or third round if he makes it that far down the order. However, this appears unlikely based on most current projections.

While it might be tempting – especially if Bieniemy likes what he sees in the prospect – the Commanders shouldn’t take the plunge. The Tennessee product could be a solid pro with a smooth transition, but there are some serious red flags that cannot be ignored.

First, Hooker is on the old side at 25. Not exactly a big deal considering how long quarterbacks tend to play these days, but it’s something to take into account nonetheless.

Also, Hooker is coming off a significant knee injury that could complicate his chances of making an immediate impression. The offense run at Tennessee was nothing like a pro-style scheme, which only adds to the difficulty of his upcoming adjustment.

Washington would be wise to move forward with Sam Howell and Jacoby Brissett as planned. If neither makes the most of this opportunity, then the Commanders can look towards a phenomenal-looking class of signal-callers in 2024 for a long-term solution.