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We're so used to seeing so many different starting quarterback rankings that it was really refreshing to see Fan Duel do a backup quarterback ranking recently. They ranked all 32 prospective backup quarterbacks in the league and they don't seem to have much faith in Detroit Lions' backup Hendon Hooker in this one. Here's the ranking:
Justin Fields, Steelers
Jake Browning, Bengals
Jacoby Brissett, Patriots
Jimmy Garoppolo, Rams
Joe Flacco, Colts
Michael Penix Jr, Falcons
Jameis Winston, Browns
J.J. McCarthy, Vikings
Sam Howell, Seahawks
Tyrod Taylor, Jets
Andy Dalton, Panthers
Mac Jones, Jagaurs
Cooper Rush, Cowboys
Joshua Dobbs, 49ers
Drew Lock, Drew Lock
Mason Rudolph, Titans
Marcus Mariota, Commanders
Zach Wilson, Broncos
Desmond Ridder, Cardinals
Carson Wentz, Chiefs
Aidan O'Connell, Raiders
Davis Mills, Texans
Kenny Pickett, Eagles
Mitchell Trubisky, Bills
Tyson Bagent, Bears
Josh Johnson, Ravens
Hendon Hooker, Lions
Mike White, Dolphins
Easton Stick, Chargers,
Kyle Trask, Bucs
Sean Clifford, Packers
Jake Haener, Saints
As you can see, Hooker is all the way down near the bottom of the league. The argument could be made that we haven't seen Hooker play yet and that's a fair one. Hooker just wrapped up his first spring in the NFL and is approaching his first training camp and preseason. We'll soon get to see what he looks like on the field in an NFL game in about five weeks.
So far Hooker has had a hot and cold spring. There were moments where he showed off that arm of his and then there were moments where he threw pick sixes or held onto the ball too long and wound up ruining a play with a check down that went for little yardage. He still has a lot to work through.
It's fair to note to that he isn't the only guy on the list that's never played an NFL game. Pennix and McCarthy haven't played a game yet either. They're both rookies, but Hooker technically is too.
We'll see how things go very soon. Hooker will probably get most of the snaps in the Lions three preseason games being that he is expected to be QB2 when the season starts and the Lions traditionally don't like to play their starters. Maybe FanDuel will be changing their rankings in a good way after that.
