With the 2023 NFL draft now just eight days away, mock drafts are getting last-minute pushes to prepare for what kind of hauls could be on the board. One of those mock drafts was completed by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, who completed a full seven-round simulation. Even though the Cleveland Browns do not have a first or second round pick, they do have six picks in the middle rounds of the draft to play around with.
With defensive tackle, defensive end, linebacker, and wide receiver still lingering, who did the Browns land in Brugler’s simulation? We take a look there next to see who the draft expert mocked to Cleveland.
The Fresno State quarterback was a fantastic player for the Bulldogs the last three years. How does he stack up as a prospect?
Welcome to SKOL Search!
This series will be your guide to the 2023 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.
The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at wide receiver, running back, cornerback and both interior and edge pass rusher.
The Vikings are slated to have five picks going into the NFL draft and they need to make the most out of them.
The Fresno State star wide receiver was a favorite target of Jake Haener. How does Jalen Moreno-Cropper stack up as a draft prospect?
Welcome to SKOL Search!
This series will be your guide to the 2023 draft class. From scouting reports to mock drafts and exploring different scenarios, we will be covering the NFL draft and the future of the Minnesota Vikings from all angles.
The focus of the draft class in this space will be on the Vikings’ major needs at wide receiver, running back, cornerback and both interior and edge pass rusher.
The Vikings are slated to have five picks in the NFL draft and they need to make the most out of them.
Former Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener is set to begin his NFL career in a few short weeks.
He is ready to join the likes of Trent Dilfer, David Carr, Derek Carr and Tom Brandstater as an NFL quarterback. Haener’s journey to the NFL was one that was not forecasted when he began his college career in 2017. Haener first joined the University of Washington and spent two seasons with the Huskies.
Following the 2018 season, Haener transferred to Fresno State and sat out the 2019 season due to the transfer rules. When Haener received his first starting opportunity as a quarterback in 2020, he made the most of the new situation at Fresno State. In a COVID-19 pandemic-shortened season, Haener proved himself to be a quality starting quarterback. In 2020, Haener finished the season with 14 touchdowns, 5 interceptions, and 2,021 passing yards in six games.
In 2021, Haener made a significant jump in his second season with the Bulldogs. Haener guided the Bulldogs to a 10-3 record and a New Mexico Bowl win against UTEP. That season, Haener passed for 33 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, and 4,096 yards.
Before the end of the 2021 season, Haener’s future at Fresno State was in question. Kalen DeBoer, who was Fresno State’s head coach at the time, left Fresno State for Washington. Haener entered the transfer portal in December 2021 and planned on returning to Washington to play for DeBoer in 2022. Ultimately, Haener removed his name from the transfer portal and decided to play for Fresno State in the 2021 New Mexico Bowl.
Haener remained at Fresno State in 2022 and that decision worked out in his favor. Haener suffered an ankle injury against USC in Week 3 and missed four games before returning on Oct. 29. With 10 games under his belt last season, Haener threw for 2,896 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions in 10 games.
The Jimmy Kimmel LA Bowl was one of Haener’s best performances in 2022. Haener’s two touchdowns and 280 passing yards led Fresno State to a 29-6 win over Washington State in the LA Bowl in December.
In three seasons at Fresno State, Haener proved himself as an accurate passer. At Fresno State, he completed 68.2% of his passes. In his final season, Haener had a completion percentage of 72%. In addition to being accurate, Haener was extremely careful with the football. In three seasons, Haener had a 67:17 TD-INT ratio for the Bulldogs. His three interceptions in 2022 was his lowest in a single season since he transferred to Fresno State.
Weaknesses
As a smaller quarterback with below-average arm strength, Haener will likely start out as a backup quarterback. His inability to get the ball out quickly and make deep throws could impact his draft stock. Defenses will force Haener to make throws in tight windows with little time to adjust. Haener will need to pick up blitzes and pressures and get rid of the ball.
NFL Comparison
Taylor Heinicke
Haener and Heinicke are averaged sized quarterbacks with below-average arms. Heinicke relies on his decision-making process. Haener will need to make wise choices in the pocket to have success in the NFL. Haener mirrors Heinicke’s ability to move inside and outside of the pocket to make throws.
Haener will likely begin his career as a backup quarterback and could see playing time if a starter gets injured. If Haener succeeds as a backup, he could have a long career in the NFL. Another quarterback that Haener can have a similar career path as is Baltimore Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley.
Draft Prediction
Expect Haener to be drafted late on Friday or early Saturday afternoon. Haener will be drafted early in the fourth round.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell shares his thoughts on what his ideal quarterback is at the NFL level.
With the NFL draft just two weeks away, the Minnesota Vikings may seek a successor for quarterback Kirk Cousins who has only one year left in his contract. The question is: what type of quarterback are the Vikings looking for to replace Cousins?
In an interview with Colin Cowherd from Fox Sports last fall, head coach Kevin O’Connell may have provided an answer to that question.
“We talk a lot about fundamentals and techniques: how you deliver the football, the rhythm and timing, your ability to be twitchy and speed it up when you have to. Those are all great things. But, when that rock leaves your hands, when you throw that football, you have to be in control of it at this level. And be able to put it where you want it and do it in different rhythms, timings, and anticipations.”
The Vikings have the 23rd overall pick, making it difficult to select Tyler Forness’ top quarterback C.J. Stroud who fits O’Connell’s description. However, they could target Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener later in the draft. Haener boasted a 72.9% completion rate last season according to Pro Football Focus, tying him for second among college quarterbacks with at least 120 dropbacks.
There are many routes the Vikings can go in the NFL Draft. If they choose to select a quarterback, they will likely opt for someone who can throw the football accurately. We’ll have to wait and see which decision they ultimately make.
Is quarterback a priority for the New Orleans Saints in the 2023 NFL draft? We’re updating their depth chart at QB after free agency and weighing their options:
We’re just weeks away from the 2023 NFL draft, so it’s a good time to recap the offseason so far and take stock of the New Orleans Saints’ biggest positions of need.
And we’ll start with the most important position on offense: quarterback. Here’s the list of passers under contract for 2023, with new additions in bold:
Derek Carr
Jameis Winston
Jake Luton
The Saints rostered just two quarterbacks a year ago in Winston and Andy Dalton, who left on a free agent contract with the division-rival Carolina Panthers. Luton joined the practice squad during the season and hung around to return on a reserve/future deal.
There’s some logic in drafting another quarterback. Winston is playing on a one-year deal and could be traded to a desperate team if an unexpected injury strikes. Carr’s contract was written with an off-ramp in 2025, so developing a possible Plan B could prove to be a wise investment. It just shouldn’t override heavier concerns like the defensive line and offensive depth.
So if a prospect like Hooker or Haener is available after the Saints have already picked some immediate contributors in the first round or two, it’s an easy move to understand. Bypassing those other priorities to spend a luxury pick on a quarterback the team hopes they don’t have to play in his rookie year would be a hard sell. But if nothing else, general manager Mickey Loomis and his front office are sure to take an unconventional approach to the NFL draft and zig when others would zag.
As the Browns look for a long-term backup quarterback, they bring in a gamer for a 2023 NFL Draft visit
It appears the Cleveland Browns may be in the market for a backup quarterback beyond 2023. Despite signing Joshua Dobbs back to the team on a fully guaranteed contract, he is back on just a one-year deal. This means the Browns may be looking for a quarterback to compete with Kellen Mond on a rookie contract. First, they have spent time with UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, and now they have brought in Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener for a visit before the 2023 NFL Draft.
Haener, a gamer who has consistently fought through hits to deliver strikes under pressure, is coming off of a pre-draft process where he was named the MVP of the Reese’s Senior Bowl. His ability to take hits and operate the short game at a high level makes it impossible not to see shades of Ryan Fitzpatrick or Taylor Heinicke.
Projected as a day-three pick, Haener could be the long-term backup to Deshaun Watson in Cleveland.
Evaluating quarterbacks requires more film work than any other position group. The quest to find the consistency of mechanics, as well as how things like pocket presence, accuracy, awareness and athleticism worked in college and twill ranslate to the next level is arduous — and inexact. Yet it’s also the most critical position for NFL teams to get right.
The Rams could look to select a QB in the 2023 NFL draft and Jake Haener is a name to keep an eye on.
When looking at the current makeup of the Los Angeles Rams, it’s evident that they need to add a reliable, preferably long-term option at the backup quarterback spot. Matthew Stafford will be back under center next season, while the No. 2 on the depth chart is undetermined with Baker Mayfield and John Wolford being free agents.
The Rams could elect to address the need for a backup signal-caller in free agency or the 2023 NFL draft. Even though the Rams don’t possess a first-round pick, they’ll have a handful of opportunities to select one in the draft.
If the Rams do happen to add a quarterback via the draft, Jake Haener out of Fresno State is a name to watch.
Here are a few quarterbacks expected to test well at the Combine who the Los Angeles Chargers could target to back up Justin Herbert.
The on-field portion of the NFL Combine begins on Thursday, marking the start of the testing circuit that propels some prospects into the stratosphere while ruining the stock of others. To prepare, we at Chargers Wire are previewing players from every position.
With the quarterback position, Los Angeles, obviously, will not be in the market until maybe later in the draft. Justin Herbert is unquestionably the face of the franchise, but both of last year’s backup options are pending free agents.
