Raiders Today

Raiders NFL Draft Prospect: QB Jake Haener, Fresno State

The Las Vegas Raiders can add talented and developmental quarterback Jake Haener from Fresno State in the 2023 NFL Draft.

Jairo Alvarado

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Las Vegas Raiders Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham led the National Team to victory in the 2023 Reese’s Senior Bowl.

As the head coach of the National Team, Graham had a first-hand look at a group of seniors ready to bring their talents to the NFL.

While the Silver and Black look to draft heavily on the defensive side of the ball, the draft can be a good source to select a developmental quarterback if they decide to bring in a veteran during the off-season.

It is obvious the Raiders need a quarterback, and they might just be able to add a valuable piece in the upcoming draft.

We will be working alongside SI’s Draft Bible to get you the latest information on any potential linebackers the Raiders might consider drafting.

“We’re going to continue to find players who fit what we look for, and continue to build this team in our vision, and I think we’re going to, at the same time, our goal is to win football games, and our goal for next year is to make an improvement over where we were this year,” Raiders General Manager Dave Ziegler said.

Quarterback Jake Haener, Fresno State

The 6-1, 200-pound quarterback out of Fresno State solidified himself as the best quarterback in the Senior Bowl and earned MVP honors in the all-star game.

“Extremely tough and poised at the QB position. Excels off script and has a very aggressive mindset. He could be a quality NFL backup,” Draft Bible said of Haener.

The Fresno State product demonstrated crisp and accurate passes last Saturday and showed the ability to move the ball downfield.

Haener completed 12 of 19 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown.

Haener was sidelined due to an injury in the third game of the season against USC and was out for six weeks before picking up where he left off.

Before his injury, Haener passed for over 300 yards in each of his first two games of the 2022 season and would come back to throw for over 300 yards in the next four games.

Haener would finish the season completing 252 passes for 2,896 yards and 20 touchdowns with only three interceptions.

“Overall, he has shown solid arm talent. Shows a good understanding of where to go with the ball based on pre snap reads,” Draft Bible added

“Haener throws with good anticipation and is very aggressive. His best trait is his off script ability. He does a good job keeping his eyes and excels with ball placement while on the move. Additionally, pocket awareness and mobility are outstanding which allows him to extend plays and give himself throwing lanes.”

In a recent article by Jordan Reid of ESPN, he mentioned Haener’s possible fit with the Raiders:

“In an offense that’s predicated off of rhythm and timing, Haener would fit well in Las Vegas," Reid wrote. "He has a limited arm but plenty of mobility and play-making ability, so being in a Josh McDaniels offense could help him eventually become a serviceable No. 2 option in the NFL.”

As for the Raiders, drafting a quarterback like Haener in the later rounds seems to be good if they go out and get a veteran quarterback this off-season.

Drafting Haener will give the Raiders some time to develop a quarterback for the future and at least bring in depth at a much-needed position.

The NFL Draft will occur at Union Station in Kansas City, Mo., from Thursday, April 27 to Saturday, April 29. ESPN, ABC, and NFL Network will broadcast all seven rounds.

The NFL Scouting Combine is Feb. 28-March 6, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind. March 7, 2023, before 4 p.m. EST, is the club's deadline to designate Franchise or Transition Players.

March 13-15 is the free agent negotiation period. Starting at 12 p.m. EST on March 13 and ending at 3:59:59 p.m. EST on March 15, clubs are permitted to contact and enter into contract negotiations with the certified agents of players who will become Unrestricted Free Agents upon the expiration of their 2022 Player Contracts at 4 p.m. EST on March 15.

The 2023 NFL Year and Free Agency period begins at 4 p.m. EST on March 15. The Raiders are expected to be significant players in the free-agent market this season.

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Jairo Alvarado
JAIRO ALVARADO

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