Taylor Heinicke, QB
Let’s be honest, Taylor Heinicke was probably never going to be the regular starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings but he has the potential to step into a game and play at a high enough level to get a win.
Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2015, Heinicke showcased some exciting play in the preseason when given opportunities but a non-football injury saw the Vikings waive him with an injury settlement.
He joined the Patriots practice squad then made his way to the Texans and Panthers before joining the St. Louis Battlehawks of the XFL but not playing there. It was when he signed with the Washington Commanders that he started making a lot of noise.
Filling in for an injured Alex Smith, Heinicke had a high-profile playoff contest in 2020 against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers and saw more action when Ryan Fitzpatrick went down in 2021 and Carson Wentz in 2022.
Now, Heinicke signed a two-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons and will attempt to prove that he’s more than just a high-quality backup. The Vikings’ backup quarterback situation was rough for a while, and they definitely could have used someone like him to secure the position.