When the Detroit Lions selected quarterback Hendon Hooker with the No. 68 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, they knew he would take time to develop because of his ACL injury, but were excited about his upside.
The Lions made it clear they were not going to rush Hooker back from his injury and planned on making sure he was fully healed before they put him on the field. At the same time, that on-field learning would be incredibly valuable to his development, and as soon as he was ready, they wanted to immerse him in what it means to be a quarterback in the NFL.