NFL executive pictures draft pick in Alabama offense while evaluating potential

The New Orleans Saints took a fourth-round flier on Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener in the 2023 NFL Draft last month. And speaking with the New Orleans Times-Picayune, assistant general manager Jeff Ireland shared an interesting perspective on how they view Haener.

While Haener was a successful starter at Fresno State, even leading a few high-profile upsets, but Ireland said he tried to envision what the quarterback would look like with better skill. He imagined what Haener could’ve accomplished playing with the type of talent that Alabama has had in recent years.

“But there are some similarities that make you feel like, ‘OK, maybe he can play similarly to that person.’ And you thought, ‘OK, well you got another short quarterback in the league, you got Bryce Young. He just got picked first in the draft. What if Jake’s in that offense (at Alabama)?’ I just think, hypothetically, Jake would have success if he’s at Alabama,” Ireland said to Jeff Duncan of the Times-Picayune.

While Ireland’s overall thought process — that Haener would’ve had success at Alabama, given the talent around any quarterback there — isn’t an orthodox NFL evaluation, it at least has some merit. And he was making an effort to not try and compare Haener to the Saints own famous short quarterback, Drew Brees.

“You wouldn’t think he was 6-foot tall when you watch him,” Ireland said. “He’s got great processing ability. He’s got great vision. He’s got a quick stroke. He’s extremely smart. He’s a sixth-year senior, so he’s really mature for being a college senior. He’s competed in two different programs, he’s competed at Washington, competed at Fresno State.”

But drawing the direct comparison to Young, the No. 1 overall pick, is quite lofty for the 25th pick of the fourth round.

There were reasons that Young was taken first overall and Haener was not, and lack of talent around him was not the main one. And many of those same reasons are why Haener was at Fresno State for most of his playing career while Young played at Alabama and won the Heisman Trophy.

This is not to say Haener can’t or won’t be a good professional quarterback. He’ll likely sit and learn behind Derek Carr and Jameis Winston in New Orleans for at least this season and the Saints front office clearly sees something worth investing in. Haener is, in all likelihood a year away from being the primary backup, as Winston departs in free agency.

Whereas the player Ireland drew a comparison too, Young, will be thrust into a starting job from day one. Much of that is borne out of circumstance, but also the promise that Young can fulfill.

The Saints and Ireland are right to be bullish on their new quarterback, but they invested the No. 127 overall pick, not the most premium of NFL draft assets — and actions speak louder than words.