Cowboys hold ‘extensive’ meeting with Dak Prescott’s potential new backup
By Jerry Trotta
No matter how hard the NFL media and certain reporters push the narrative, there’s no controversy surrounding Dak Prescott’s future with the Dallas Cowboys. It’s not an “interesting” talking point.
Prescott is still one of the 10 best quarterbacks in the league. On his best day, you can argue he belongs in the top five. On his worst day — which have been few and far between in his career — he’s somewhere in the 12-15 range.
Having said that, it wouldn’t be crazy of the Cowboys to draft a quarterback this year. Jerry Jones strongly hinted at the Senior Bowl that’s the plan.
Cooper Rush is a free agent, and Dallas is quietly good at developing QBs. Why not have Prescott’s next backup on a cheap rookie deal?
It’s anyone’s guess whom Jones, Will McClay and the drafting team have on their radar, but Cowboys fans got a big hint in that regard when The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler reported Tennessee star Hendon Hooker met extensively with Dallas during the pre-draft process.
Hooker also met with the Giants, Saints, Panthers, and Raiders.
Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker has met extensively with the Raiders, Panthers, Giants, Saints, and Cowboys during the pre-draft process, per source.
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) February 21, 2023
The dual-threat talent is expected be healthy and ready for training camp after suffering a torn ACL in Nov.
Is Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker the favorite to become Cowboys’ Dak Prescott’s new backup?
This news comes after Sports Illustrated’s Mike Fisher reported the Cowboys are “intrigued” by Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud. Widely viewed as a Day 2 pick, though, Hooker qualifies as a realistic target for Dallas, whereas Stroud is likely to be off the board within the first five seven picks, if not higher.
There doesn’t seem to be a general consensus on Hooker’s draft stock. NFL Network’s Bucky Brooks has him as the No. 3 QB in the 2022 class, while Hooker didn’t make The Athletic’s Dane Brugler top-100 prospects list. Pro Football Focus has the former Volunteer as the sixth-ranked quarterback.
At the end of the day, Hooker is a polished passer who protects the football and possesses sneaky scrambling ability. He profiles as a pass-first QB who can make plays with his legs if necessary. Remind you of a certain someone?
In 2022, Hooker was a projected Heisman Trophy finalist before a torn ACL suffered in November derailed those hopes. He completed 69.6% of his passes for 3,135 yards and 27 touchdowns to just two interceptions for the Vols.
Injured or not, Hendon Hooker is no worse than the QB3 in this class. Talented and experienced with the athleticism and passing prowess that is required to play at a high level in this league. There might be sexier prospects, but there are not many QBs with better skills than HH.
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) February 7, 2023
In 2021, Hooker was more efficient (albeit in two more games), posting a 68.0% completion rate while throwing for 2,945 yards and 31 TDs to three picks.
Of course, Hooker isn’t a perfect prospect. The ACL injury is one thing, but he’s already 25 years old — is there any room for growth? — and will have to adjust from playing in a limited offense that had ample spacing to the NFL.
With all that being said, the Cowboys have a history of drafting players who are coming off a major injury, and it’s not like Hooker will take the franchise QB mantle out of the gates .. if he ever even gets that opportunity.
If Dallas wants a readymade backup for Prescott, Hooker fits the bill.
