2023 NFL Draft: Hendon Hooker Leads Undervalued Rookies
The 2023 NFL Draft is just about two weeks away and the excitement is beginning to ramp up for NFL and fantasy fans alike. Today we are going to take a look at some of the most undervalued players heading into the draft both by NFL teams and fantasy owners.
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Quarterback
Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
Of all the potential future fantasy stars heading into the 2023 NFL Draft, none is more criminally underrated than Hooker. Somehow, people have convinced themselves that guys like Anthony Richardson and Will Levis are better quarterbacks. While we aren't even completely sure that Hooker doesn't deserve to be in the same conversation as CJ Stroud and Bryce Young. The kid is that good. He was on a torrid pace last season before unfortunately tearing his ACL late in the year which has caused his value to drop. Still, we have seen plenty of quarterbacks bounce back just fine from ACL tears and return to 100% both as a passer and a runner. This should not deter teams from drafting him. If you go all in on a QB it's a 10-year investment and a lack of instant impact shouldn't stop you from making a smart decision. If you watch film of Hooker, Richardson, and Levis, there is no argument to be made that Hooker isn't easily the best and most NFL-ready quarterback of the three.
Physically, Hooker has ideal size standing 6'4, 218 pounds with impressive dual-threat ability. During his two seasons at Tennessee, he threw 58 TDs and just five interceptions while adding over 1,000 yards and 10 TDs on the ground. His efficiency is off the charts. Beyond his ridiculous TD:INT ratio, he also completed 69.6% of his throws last season and averaged just under 10 yards per attempt. These are numbers and abilities the other quarterbacks in this draft that he's being compared to can only dream of.
Running Back
Kendre Miller, TCU
We all have "that one guy" that we fall in love with during the draft process that we are higher on than anybody else. This is my "that one guy." There is no reason to believe Miller can't be an outstanding NFL running back and it looks like he's going to be drafted on Day 3 of the NFL Draft. Last year, he put together a monster season rushing for 1,399 yards on 6.2 yards per carry and scored 17 TDs. His 6.2 yards per carry were actually his lowest of the year and he also scored a TD in every single game he played with the exception of the playoff game against Michigan when he got hurt early and only saw a handful of snaps. The injury also cost him the National Championship Game, but it is not expected to be an issue heading into 2023. Which is why he has foregone his final year of college and at just 20 years old has entered the NFL Draft.
Miller has displayed one of the most well-rounded skill sets in the country and is still being undervalued. His combination of size, speed, and toughness is evident every time he takes the field. What really makes him special though is the vision and creativity that gives him his game-breaking ability. To go along with his rushing ability, he is also an outstanding blocker in blitz pickups. This is a skill few rookie running backs bring into the league and he has shown the ability and toughness to stand in there and take on blitzes head-on. That's the kind of thing that gets you on the field as a young player. His numbers as a pass-catcher won't wow you, but he showed the ability to be a strong receiving back if a team decides to use him as one. There is no glaring flaw in his game. The only issue is he isn't a jaw-dropping athlete, but that shouldn't be enough to scare NFL teams neither should his injury concern. Miller is as productive and well-rounded a running back as there will be available in the draft after the first round.
Wide Receiver
Rashee Rice, SMU
You are going to hear a lot of names thrown around as to who the WR3 in this draft class is. Slot guys like Jordan Addison and Zay Flowers come up a lot. A guy whose name doesn't come up as frequently in the top three or even the top five is Rice. Nevertheless, we have him ranked in that WR3 spot. This is a player who is good at football. Something that often goes overlooked in the draft process somehow. We love measurables and combine numbers and stuff like that, but Rice is good at his job. He has excellent film and understands how to beat defensive backs one-on-one and make a play of the ball. It seems simple, however, many seem to forget that the ultimate goal is to build a team with good football players and not guys who can be track stars. That's not to say Rice isn't an explosive athlete. He actually surprised many and had an outstanding combine. More importantly, he showed off his hands and route running ability at his Pro Day, and that doesn't get the attention it deserves.
To go along with his explosiveness, hands, and route running, Rice is also 6'2, 204 pounds, and very productive. Despite battling through a broken toe last season he still managed to catch 96 passes for 1,355 yards and 10 touchdowns. On top of his ability and production, he's a hard-working 22-year-old with plenty of room to grow and improve. It's looking like Rice will be a Day 2 pick, nonetheless, we have given him a first-round grade and whoever gets him will be getting a gem. The teams that draft other "play-makers" ahead of him will live to regret their choice.
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