Why are the Rams flirting with a Hooker?

[AvengerRam]

…and does that make the Rams Hugh Grant and Matthew Stafford is Elizabeth Hurley?

Seriously, though…

View: https://twitter.com/_ryanfowler_/status/1648347065674608641?s=46&t=bbzb7IDvfGm9LeJP7BVpnQ

I’m trying to contemplate a plausible scenario in which the Rams end up with Hendon Hooker that I could get on board with…

Nope…can’t think of one.

 

[Flatlyner]

I have seen it reported that this is the 2nd time they have visited with Hooker also. I'm definitely not on board with him in the 2nd. Now, if he was sitting there in the 3rd, I'd likely have some interest. I'm in the camp of hoping he goes in the 1st though honestly. That would push another guy we want down the board. Not being able to evaluate him in any semblance of an NFL offense, 26 years old this season, and a ACL tear is not a ringing endorsement.

 

[Merlin]

I don't think adding Hooker would be bad. I'd like to see him on our depth chart but not for a second round pick. Use that 4th rounder you get in a trade down for the backup QB, or the 5th rounder. He'll be off the board by then though.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Wrong hooker for me.

It’s a no.

 

[AvengerRam]

I’d be okay, I suppose, if we took a flyer on him in Round 3 or later. Most mocks I’ve seen, though, have him going in the first 50 picks.

 

[Flatlyner]

Yeah, I honestly can't see him getting out of top of 2nd. Too many teams need a QB still.

 

[rdlkgliders]

Protects the football, high completion rate can get out of his own way under pressure, has accuracy at all levels, and possesses excellent lower-body mechanics. Without the Injury, he would likely be a guaranteed 1st rounder.

 

[Ram Ts]

Assuming Stafford plays 2 more years, that’d make Hooker 27 when he took over. Kinda old.

But if he or some other QB is available when we pick and they believe he can be elite and take over when Stafford is done; and it saves us from using our first round pick next year on a QB. Then sure why not in that scenario only.

 

[Flatlyner]

My fear with taking any QB highly this year, what IF we play as bad as our lineup is on paper currently? I think there is no scenario where any team can pass on taking Williams at #1 if he plays like he has the last 2 years. No indicator that he won't either. Statistically superior to Mahomes in college. If we ended up with a high pick, then whoever we take highly this year would be a permanent bench player. Don't think we can waste that capital.

 

[PARAM]

I have seen it reported that this is the 2nd time they have visited with Hooker also. I'm definitely not on board with him in the 2nd. Now, if he was sitting there in the 3rd, I'd likely have some interest. I'm in the camp of hoping he goes in the 1st though honestly. That would push another guy we want down the board. Not being able to evaluate him in any semblance of an NFL offense, 26 years old this season, and a ACL tear is not a ringing endorsement.

Yeah, I hope all the top QBs go before we pick. All the top LTs. All the top DTs. The more the merrier.

 

[ArkyRamsFan]

Assuming Stafford plays 2 more years, that’d make Hooker 27 when he took over. Kinda old.

But if he or some other QB is available when we pick and they believe he can be elite and take over when Stafford is done; and it saves us from using our first round pick next year on a QB. Then sure why not in that scenario only.

This scenario you outlined is exactly what went through my mind when thinking about Hooker. If the Rams are high on him, and they know that Staff is probably done in 1 or 2 years, then it is reasonable to assume they might pull the trigger on a QB with first round talent who inadvertently drops to us.
Definitely worth considering if you ask me.....

~ArkyRamsFan~

 

[Loyal]

I’d be okay, I suppose, if we took a flyer on him in Round 3 or later. Most mocks I’ve seen, though, have him going in the first 50 picks.

Getting a QB that high is awful risky... ~ Gibbs

 

[WestCoastRam]

I’d be okay, I suppose, if we took a flyer on him in Round 3 or later. Most mocks I’ve seen, though, have him going in the first 50 picks.

He's a guy who's got such a high variant cause of the offense he played in. I would not be shocked if he's drafted 3rd day. I am shocked he's being mocked in the 1st and that he'd go there.

 

[WestCoastRam]

This scenario you outlined is exactly what went through my mind when thinking about Hooker. If the Rams are high on him, and they know that Staff is probably done in 1 or 2 years, then it is reasonable to assume they might pull the trigger on a QB with first round talent who inadvertently drops to us.
Definitely worth considering if you ask me.....

~ArkyRamsFan~

He's definitely a guy with 1st round tools but he's gonna have to learn an NFL offense which his one-read gimmick, super wide split offense has nothing to do with. It sounds like he saw very little zone D because of it and he's gonna have to learn to play against zone, it's gonna eat him up right away. It would probably be ideal for him to sit for 2 years.

 

[oldnotdead]

Hooker is expected to potentially drop into the second half of the first round. I have long felt that the Rams should approach Holmes offering him a third round this year and 2 first round picks (24 &25) for their #18 pick if a targeted QB drops that far. Hooker is a one or two year developmental prospect which is why he might drop. It would be a mistake to force him to be a first year starter. As such, he would be a fit in terms of the Rams expecting Stafford to retire after 2024 or 2025 seasons if he lasts that long. They could be looking at a two year span to develop Hooker who is not without flaws.

What makes him a fit for McVay's offense is his arm & deep accuracy. That is a must for Sean's offense. Hooker is looked upon as being a high character guy. As a first round pick even if he is a backup for 2 years they still control his rights for 3 more. Tune is more pro-ready, but Hooker has a higher ceiling. Would they trade up for Tune? They might if his workout impressed him, especially with his deep throws, and if he maintains his accuracy on those throws.

McKee is the most likey QB to drop to them at 36 and he definitely had the arm and accuracy for McVay's offense. More than that McKee has experience in reading defenses lacking in both Hooker and Tune. I've said it before when I said McKee is probably the biggest QB sleeper in this draft.

Bottom line is that I wouldn't be disappointed in any of the three.

 

[WestCoastRam]

My fear with taking any QB highly this year, what IF we play as bad as our lineup is on paper currently? I think there is no scenario where any team can pass on taking Williams at #1 if he plays like he has the last 2 years. No indicator that he won't either. Statistically superior to Mahomes in college. If we ended up with a high pick, then whoever we take highly this year would be a permanent bench player. Don't think we can waste that capital.

Why? Why not take multiple shots at the big apple. QB is the most important position in football and one that's almost impossible to compete for a SB without.

If Arizona had thought that way they might still be struck with Rosen.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

He seems like a better version of Trey Lance. He’s a high risk to use an early pick on. I think he’s a backup type. Don’t use early picks on backups. But Snead and McVay just did that two years ago, so who knows.

I hope this doesn’t become a “Sean had to have him” situation.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Protects the football, high completion rate can get out of his own way under pressure, has accuracy at all levels, and possesses excellent lower-body mechanics. Without the Injury, he would likely be a guaranteed 1st rounder.

By now Snead should have learned not to waste early picks on players with serious injuries.

 

[dieterbrock]

Well I suppose I am in the minority here, but without injury Hooker is a top 5 pick. Going to a team that doesnt need him to see the field, like Mahomes in KC, is the perfect scenario.
So when (if) the Rams pick in round 2, would I be disappointed if they call his name? Heck no, I'd be behind it 100%.
If they go a different route, that's ok too.

His age is irrelevant. He's only 1 year older than Will Levis

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Well I suppose I am in the minority here, but without injury Hooker is a top 5 pick. Going to a team that doesnt need him to see the field, like Mahomes in KC, is the perfect scenario.
So when (if) the Rams pick in round 2, would I be disappointed if they call his name? Heck no, I'd be behind it 100%.
If they go a different route, that's ok too.

His age is irrelevant. He's only 1 year older than Will Levis

Being 25 is fine. They’d get his best years from 27-30 ( maybe 26-30 if Stafford retires or the Rams trade him) then they could franchise him, or allow him to leave as a free agent if they wanted. By then they’d have a good idea if his knee was going to hold up.