Taylor Heinicke

An undrafted free agent in 2015, Heinicke finally carved out a playing career the last couple years in Washington. He turned that into a two-year $14 million contract with Atlanta in March, a decent deal for a backup quarterback. He enters training camp No. 2 behind Desmond Ridder, after opening last year as the backup in Washington and ending up a nine-game starter. While he went 12-11-1 as a starter, Heinicke was far from prolific. In 25 games, he completed 64.0 percent of his attempts (23rd) with a 72.0 on-target percentage (22nd). His 7.0 YPA ranked 24th, and his 21 interceptions gave him a 2.8 INT percentage, the seventh-highest rate in the league. Heinicke isn't likely to start putting up big numbers if he ends up playing in Atlanta, where eighth overall pick Bijan Robinson joins Tyler Allgeier in the backfield for an offense that finished second in run rate last season and has virtually no receiving depth behind 22-year-olds Drake London and Kyle Pitts.

Heinicke parlayed his solid showing in a 2020 playoff game into a two-year contract extension, then made 15 starts for Washington in 2021 after Ryan Fitzpatrick injured his hip in the season opener. The 29-year-old QB now slides to a backup role this year after the Commanders traded for Carson Wentz, but Wentz's performance in Indianapolis last season - especially late in the year - suggests Heinicke might get another chance to start before the end of the campaign. The Commanders also have rookie fifth-round pick Sam Howell, who at one point in 2020-21 was viewed as a potential first-rounder.

Heinicke has been bouncing around pro football since 2015, including a stint in the AAF and one start for the Panthers in 2018. He actually was finishing up his engineering degree at Old Dominion last December when he got an offer from Washington to join the practice squad. After an Alex Smith injury and another Dwayne Haskins meltdown, Heinicke ended up starting in the wild-card round of the playoffs, tallying 306 passing yards, 46 rushing yards and two total touchdowns against the eventual Super Bowl champion Buccaneers. Washington saw enough to give Heinicke a two-year, $4.8 million contract, making him the favorite to beat out Kyle Allen this summer for the team's No. 2 QB job. Ryan Fitzpatrick is the Week 1 starter, but Heinicke is just one injury or benching away from seeing the field again.

After playing in just one game through his first three seasons, Heinicke made five abbreviated appearances last year prior to Cam Newton being shut down for the final two games. That opened the door for Heinicke to make his first career start Week 16, when he completed 33 of 53 passes for 274 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He suffered an elbow injury in that contest, however, and was placed on IR shortly thereafter, truncating his opportunity. The 26-year-old subsequently underwent surgery but returned to the Panthers this offseason in hopes of earning a roster spot again. That being said, following the selection of third-round pick Will Grier, the odds don't seem to favor Heinicke.

Heinicke is in a tight battle for the Panthers' No. 2 quarterback job with Garrett Gilbert after playing one game with the Texans in 2017.

Heinicke will try to win a spot as the No. 3 quarterback behind starter Sam Bradford and backup Case Keenum. His status on the active roster may depend on whether Teddy Bridgewater can return at some point from a serious knee injury.

Heinicke enters the 2016 season on the Active/Non-Football Injury list after severely injuring his lower-left leg in a freak accident while trying to break into his own home. He's projected to be back a couple months into the regular season, but he'll be unable to back-up starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for at least the first few weeks. Veteran Shaun Hill figures to secure the No. 2 spot on the quarterback depth chart, but Heinicke has the talent to someday take over the offense if Bridgewater gets hurt. The Vikings also have rookie Joel Stave out of Wisconsin, who'll likely make the roster initially due to Heinicke's injury. Heinicke shouldn't be on anyone's fantasy radar at this point, but he could be a serviceable backup option for the Vikings upon his return.

The undrafted free agent is a long shot to win the third quarterback job.