Jake Haener (Saints) NFL Draft Preview
Post-Draft Fantasy Outlook
The New Orleans Saints made a bold move in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft by trading up to select quarterback Jake Haener. Unfortunately for Haener, his landing spot in New Orleans is far from ideal.
The Saints signed Derek Carr in the offseason, which means that barring an injury, Haener won’t have a chance to compete for the starting job anytime soon. He is currently third on the depth chart behind Carr and Jameis Winston, two proven quarterbacks with extensive NFL experience. On top of that, Haener will have to contend with Taysom Hill, a versatile player who has been known to take snaps at quarterback.
Haener’s fantasy football prospects in 2023 are bleak. He has no redraft value and is a dart thrown, at best, for dynasty leagues.
Jake Haener NFL Draft Preview
Jake Haener finished his college career with the fourth most passing yards in Fresno State history with 9,013 yards, the highest completion percentage in school history (68.1%), and 67 touchdown passes in only 32 games. Haener was on the preseason watch list for the Maxwell Awards, presented to the most outstanding players in college football and was the MVP of the Senior Bowl. Haener is considered a Day 3 draft pick and will begin his NFL career as a backup.
Measurables
- 6’0” 207 lbs
- Arm Length 29.75”
- Hand Size 9.67”
Fresno State’s Jake Haener, who was dealing with hip pain all night, threw the game-winning TD against No. 13 UCLA with 14 seconds left.
He finished with 455 passing yards, two TDs and the W 😤
(via @MountainWest) pic.twitter.com/r5CgI9ihnZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 19, 2021
Positives
Haener has quick feet and demonstrates solid acceleration to evade defenders when necessary. However, his top-end speed is only average, and he is not a true dual-threat quarterback.
He possesses an above-average arm and can make all the necessary throws on the field. He can drive the ball downfield with velocity. He has a quick release and can get rid of the ball in a hurry when necessary.
Haener is very accurate and displays impressive ball placement, particularly on deep throws. He is very good at hitting receivers in stride and placing the ball where only his receiver can catch it.
He has excellent pocket awareness and displays the ability to feel pressure and move around in the pocket to create throwing lanes. He displays good poise and does not panic when the pocket collapses.
Haener demonstrates solid decision-making skills and typically makes good choices with the football. He doesn’t force many throws and has a good understanding of when to take risks and when to play it safe.
Negatives
He can be inconsistent with his footwork, which can lead to some errant throws. Haener can be a bit slow to process the defense at times, which can result in him holding onto the ball too long or making poor decisions. He is not a true dual-threat quarterback and may struggle to make plays with his feet at the next level.
Haener is undersized for an NFL quarterback, which could be a concern for some teams. He doesn’t have elite arm strength, which could limit his ability to make certain throws at the next level
Grade – B
Overall, Jake Haener is a talented quarterback who possesses a strong arm, excellent accuracy, and solid decision-making skills. He is a natural leader who displays good poise and pocket awareness. However, his size, arm strength, and inconsistency could be concerns for some teams. Haener is likely to be drafted between round 4-7 and should become a quality backup in the league.
Doug Burrell finished 2022 as Fantasy Nerd’s Most Accurate Expert in NFL Picks and Tallysight’s #1 ranked expert Against the Spread Expert out of 200+ experts. He is a veteran, a runner and an avid fantasy sports enthusiast since 1999. You can reach him on Twitter @dougwburrell.
