2015 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Taylor Heinicke

We are back for another season of NFL Draft scouting reports as we get you ready for the 2015 NFL Draft. Last season, we gave you scouting reports on Dri Archer, Jeff Mathews, and Terrance West. Archer got drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, West got drafted by the Cleveland Browns and Mathews got picked up in the CFL recently. Hopefully by time the draft comes around we will have over 100 scouting reports at your disposal on your favorite players.

The first player that we will take a look at is Old Dominion quarterback Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke is a prolific passer out of ODU that has put ridiculous numbers. Over his four-year career with the Monarchs, Heinicke threw for 14,959 yards, 132 touchdowns, 39 interceptions and had a 67.7 completion percentage.

In the 2012 season, Heinicke had the best game of his career throwing for a Division-I record 730 yards against New Hampshire in a 64-61 shootout, when ODU was playing in the FCS. In that game, he also completed 55 out of 79 passes and threw for five touchdowns. That is one problem Heinicke will not have at the next level as he can sure sling the ball around the field.

But let’s dive into Heinicke’s scouting report starting off with his strengths:

• Played in a spread offense – It seems like in college football these days it is normal to play in a spread offense rather a traditional pro style offense. Heinicke did well in the spread as some teams in the NFL are implementing different variations of the offense.
• Quick release – One thing, you need as a quarterback especially at the next level is a quick release. Heinicke does not hold on to the ball long but pulls trigger when he finds his first read.
• Good patience in the pocket – With Heinicke only coming in at 6-foot-1 and playing in the shotgun, he is able to sit back and read defenses to find his right read. Heinicke will sit in the pocket sometimes with defenses bearing down on him until his wide receivers get open.
• Mobile – In the NFL today, with defenses that are getting faster you need a quarterback that has a little bit of mobility. Heinicke has mobility as he will run when the opportunity presents itself to either get out of trouble or to pick up a first down.
• Can make the throws outside the hash – After sitting back and watching Heinicke against the swarming defense of Middle Tennessee, he constantly was able to hit his wide receivers outside the hash marks which is good to see because he will need to make those type of throws at the next level.

With the strengths, come the weaknesses so here are things Heinicke needs work in:

• Focuses on one read – This is a glaring issue with a lot of spread quarterbacks as they focus on their first/hot read. If it is not there, they will start to panic and that is where trouble begins to happen. I saw this in both of his games this past season against Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee.
• Inaccuracy – Heinicke is inaccurate at some points during a game despite his 65.9 completion percentage against Middle Tennessee State and 58.3 completion percentage against Vandy. His inaccuracies will show on deeper routes and when he throws off his back foot because of pressure he does not feel coming towards him.
• Height – Heinicke’s height will make it tough for him in the NFL being only 6-foot-1 he will have a tough time seeing over his offensive linemen hence him playing a lot of shotgun in college. In the NFL, Heinicke will have to play under center sometimes but as we seen quarterbacks like Drew Brees and Russell Wilson, who are smaller guys, have made a living and won Super Bowls.

Here are his stats from this season: 3,476 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, 16 interceptions and a 141.8 quarterback rating

Here are his stats from his best season which was in 2012: 5,076 passing yards, 44 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and a 162.6 quarterback rating

NFL Draft Projection: UDFA