Five potential surprise NFL draft first-round picks: Could QB Hendon Hooker rise?

Will the 2023 NFL draft have its own Cole Strange?

When the New England Patriots chose the offensive guard from Chattanooga with the No. 29 pick in last year's draft, the move caught many by surprise. Strange had hardly been a fixture of mock drafts in the previous months, and his selection even elicited an animated response from Sean McVay that the Los Angeles Rams coach later cleared up with Bill Belichick.

When the first round of this year's event begins Thursday in Kansas City, Missouri, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell might not call out a name that can match Strange when it comes to surprise factor. But with fewer consensus first-round players than Day 1 slots, there are sure to be a few figures who unexpectedly crash the party.

Here are five players to keep an eye on:

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Hendon Hooker, QB, Tennessee

Late first-round buzz for a quarterback not already considered in the top tier of passers can often prove meaningless, as the likes of Will Grier, Mason Rudolph and Davis Webb have crash-landed on Day 2 after their hype fizzled out. In Hooker's case, there are several strikes against him that prevented him from being seen as in the same company as Alabama's Bryce Young, Ohio State's C.J. Stroud, Florida's Anthony Richardson and Kentucky's Will Levis, all of whom look to be locks for Day 1. Not only is Hooker already 25 and facing questions about his development given the easy reads afforded to him by Tennessee's offense, he also is still recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered last November.

Why might a player with those strikes still make the cut for the first round? Arriving in a league continuously starved for starting-caliber passers, the 6-3, 217-pounder is a smooth operator from the pocket with pristine footwork and a deep ball that could be dangerous with more consistency. That's an enticing package for any team, but Hooker might prove most alluring to franchises that don't need him to start as a rookie – perhaps the Minnesota Vikings at No. 23 or another team that trades into the back end of the first round.

Keion White, DE, Georgia Tech

When the NFL released its list of 17 players set to attend Thursday's festivities in Kansas City, White stood out as the lone prospect who had not been widely projected in the first round in recent months. Of course, that doesn't mean he's certain to be selected on Day 1. But defensive linemen with elite athleticism are always in high demand, and White can match up with any of his peers when it comes to pure physical tools.

A former tight end who transferred from Old Dominion, the 6-5, 285-pound White has astonishing speed (4.76 seconds in the 40-yard dash) to chase down ball carriers. That blend of burst and power propelled White to 7 ½ sacks in 2022, but a more refined pass-rush approach will be necessary at the next level for him to get results out of his frenetic attacks. Still, this is a project that many defensive coaches would be eager to take on given the upside, and White could be a solid investment for a playoff-caliber team patient enough for the long-term payoff.

Adetomiwa Adebawore, DT, Northwestern

Another hyperathletic defensive linemen, Adebawore set himself apart from his peers at the NFL scouting combine with arguably the best athletic testing of anyone on hand in Indianapolis. The 6-2, 282-pounder blazed a 4.49-second 40-yard dash, the best mark in the event's history for any player weighing at least 280 pounds. A 37 ½-inch vertical and 10-5 broad jump further underscored his explosiveness.

Showcasing that physical profile was important for Adebawore, whose performance at Northwestern was uneven at best. An all-out approach too often took him out of plays or led to missed tackles, but moving from the edge to a three-technique role could better position him to throw blockers off with his leverage and length. There are a handful of teams in the final few picks of the first round that could be in the market for a havoc-inducing interior defender, giving Adebawore a solid shot at making the Day 1 cut.

Mazi Smith, DT, Michigan

While Smith is an incredible athlete in his own way, no one will confuse the 6-3, 323-pounder for the likes of White or Adebawore. That's OK, as Smith offers a distinct skill set that should still be of great interest to many teams. 

A force in the middle, Smith is bound to command double teams every down with his superlative strength. While his playmaking production was modest at Michigan (½ sack in 28 starts and 35 career games), he should still disrupt offenses by pushing the pocket and engulfing ball carriers at the line of scrimmage. Given the proliferation of Vic Fangio-style defenses that depend on light boxes and two-high shells, Smith should have plenty of suitors. He could be in demand for several teams late in the first round, including the Cowboys (No. 26), Saints (No. 29) and Eagles (No. 30).

Anton Harrison, OT, Oklahoma

At least four offensive tackles look ticketed for the first round: Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr., Northwestern's Peter Skoronski, Georgia's Broderick Jones and Tennessee's Darnell Wright. But demand will always outpace supply when it comes to pass protectors with the frame and footwork to stay in front of NFL defensive ends. Harrison definitely hits the mark on the latter, as the first-team All-Big 12 selection projects as a natural left tackle who won't let edge rushers race around him. 

Where Harrison lags behind the top tier of blockers, however, is his strength. The 6-4, 315-pounder is more comfortable ushering defenders away from the quarterback than moving them in the run game, and he'll be tested early by opponents who will look to push him backward. With some work in the weight room, though, Harrison could become a solid starter at a premium position. He could be a fit for several teams in the back half of the first round, including the Buccaneers (No. 19), Eagles (No. 30) and Chiefs (No. 31).

Follow USA TODAY Sports' Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz on Twitter @MikeMSchwartz.