The Story of the Saints Draft: QB Jake Haener and How He Fits
Not many were looking at the quarterback position when it came to the New Orleans Saints in the NFL Draft. After securing veteran passer Derek Carr as their new starter this offseason and with former starter Jameis Winston sticking around, it looked like the quarterback room was in a good place. But the Saints never turn down an opportunity to build on a strength and plan for the future. That is why the selection of Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener makes so much sense.
Oct 23, 2021; Fresno, California, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs quarterback Jake Haener (9) walks on the field before the start of the fourth quarter against the Nevada Wolf Pack at Bulldog Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
With Winston on a one-year deal, the organization is clearly changing its old ways when it comes to securing talent at the games most important position. While the Saints were equipped with one of the NFL's best quarterbacks for a decade and a half, they never spent much draft capital on the position. Why would they instead of continuing to build around their franchise star? But things are different now.
Taking shots at a succession plan in the draft is a much more cost-effective and proactive way to keep your team afloat for its future. Barring anything completely unseen, Haener will not see the field in his early New Orleans career. And that is more than okay. This pick is a smart pick for the team's future and one that shows growth and change in their roster-building approach.
Even if Haener never takes a snap as the Saints' starting quarterback in his career, this pick illustrates a positive shift in thinking by the team. But if there was a mid-round quarterback in this year's class that could win games in New Orleans, it was Haener.
The Fresno State passer is accurate with NFL arm talent, understands how to move and navigate the pocket and is a good decision maker. That and his ability to change arm angles and quick mental processing are the things that allowed him to excel with the Bulldogs despite his size.
"I've had to prove people wrong my entire career," Haener told New Orleans media. "I've had to outwork everybody. I feel like the preparation I put in has helped me get to this point. There's still a lot left, still a lot in the tank. And I couldn't be more excited to get to New Orleans here in a week or two and start learning. Start growing and continue to become a better passer."
Nov 25, 2022; Fresno, California, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs quarterback Jake Haener (9) throws a pass against the Wyoming Cowboys in the third quarter at Valley Children's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
At 5-foot-11 and 207 pounds, Haener is not the prototypical NFL quarterback. But as a franchise that had so much success with a shorter passer in Brees, (Haener's favorite quarterback and the reason he wore No. 9 in college) they have every reason to believe that their fourth-round investment could work out in their system.
The expectations for quarterbacks selected in the third round or later may not be lofty, nor do they need to be. If Haener pans out to be a long-term backup in for the Saints - this is a win. If he turns out to be more than that, things have gone really well for New Orleans in the 2023 NFL Draft.
This pick allows New Orleans an opportunity to be set at backup quarterback for the next few seasons after Winston potentially departs. Beyond that, it pairs Carr with a mentee that he already mentors and that he already has an existing relationship with. As Fresno State graduates, Haener and Carr attended the same college program. In his introductory presser, the Saints 2023 selection said that he had just gotten off the phone with Carr before hopping on the Zoom call with local media.
Oct 15, 2022; Fresno, California, USA; Fresno State Bulldogs quarterback Jake Haener (9) meets with Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr before the start of the game against the San Jose State Spartans at Valley Children's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
With his previously existing relationship with Carr, his familiarity with the Saints system and culture and respect for the franchise's top player in Brees, Haener is a perfect fit. He may not contribute early, and he may not contribute as a starter. But if he ever does, the Saints believe they have a good one.
"(Quarterback is) always a position we pay close attention to," head coach Dennis Allen said. " I think this was a process of there was a guy that we liked at that position, that was available in the fourth round. We felt like the value was really there. So we wanted to go get him."
The Saints traded their earlier of two seventh round picks they had at the time and a future fourth round selection to move up for Haener, taking him No. 127 overall. If the last ten years have anything to say about it, keeping expectations for quarterbacks drafted in this range realistic is necessary. But if they Saints even so much as get a long-term back up that can win games out of Haener, they are one step closer to a successful future.
