The New York Giants are hosting former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker on a private pre-draft visit, according to multiple reports. Hooker has been picking up steam as a potential first-round pick, but the Giants shouldn’t consider drafting Hooker with the No. 27 overall selection.

Hooker has been busy with a lengthy pre-draft tour that includes multiple stops. NFL franchises are permitted to do medical checks during a pre-draft visit. Teams are interested in receiving an update on Hooker’s rehabilitation from a season-ending torn ACL. The Giants are doing due diligence, but legitimate interest in Hooker would qualify as a surprise.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a four-year extension worth $160 million earlier this offseason. Jones convinced Schoen that he’s his quarterback of the future after enjoying a career-best campaign in 2022. Jones helped lead the Giants to their first playoff victory since 2011. Schoen’s focus in the 2023 NFL Draft should center around surrounding Jones with more talent as opposed to drafting a potential replacement like Hooker in the first round.

Schoen has multiple needs on offense to build around Jones and Saquon Barkley. Trading for tight end Darren Waller helped, but the Giants need more pass-catching help if they hope to see Jones take another step forward. Schoen retained Darius Slayton in free agency and also added Jamison Crowder and Parris Campbell. They’re hardly needle movers. Richie James and Kenny Golladay are a part of the outgoings.

The Giants have hosted several wide receivers such as Jordan Addison, Zay Flowers, Jalin Hyatt, and Marvin Mims Jr. on similar visits. Addison or Flowers could be a target with the 27th overall pick. Hyatt would add elite speed to Brian Daboll’s receiver corps.

The Giants also lost starting center Jon Feliciano in free agency. Felicano, who played nearly 1,000 snaps in 2022, is an underrated departure. Schoen hosted top-ranked center John Michael Schmitz on a private visit in response. Michael Schmitz would be plug-and-play with the 27th pick. Drafting Schmitz would significantly help the 2023 Giants more than Hooker would.

The Giants have two additional top-100 selections (No. 57 and 89). If Hooker remained available at one of those selections, Schoen could seriously consider drafting him. But all current indications are that Hooker will claim top-32 status.

Alternatively, the Giants could draft a mid-round quarterback if they’re interested in attempting to locate Jones’ potential successor. Schoen is equipped with three selections between 128th and 172nd overall. That’s prime territory for a developmental quarterback like Clayton Tune, Jake Haener, or Tyson Bagent. Haener has been described as this year’s Brock Purdy.

Hooker was outstanding throughout 2022. Hooker completed 70% of his passing attempts for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns, and two interceptions. Hooker was named First-Team All-SEC and earned SEC Offensive Player of the Year for his efforts. Hooker led the entire nation in passing yards per attempt (9.5) and adjusted passing yards per attempt (10.9), per Sports Reference. The Giants are showing interest.

Both Jones and the Giants took sizable steps forward throughout the 2022 campaign. The 2023 NFL Draft provides Schoen with an opportunity to further prepare his roster to compete for the NFC East division title. Drafting Hooker would be counterproductive for the Giants.