Drew Brees is 6-feet tall and Russell Wilson is 5-11. Both have Super Bowl rings. That’s enough evidence for Taylor Heinicke to believe he can make it in the NFL.

The Old Dominion quarterback was not selected in last week’s NFL draft, in part because he said scouts were wary of his height. Heinicke, who measured at 6-feet, 3/8th inches at his school’s pro day, has agreed to terms with the Vikings and is expected to sign a free-agent contract Thursday.

He put up all sorts of gaudy statistics with the Monarchs, but he wasn’t one of the seven quarterbacks drafted. All of those selected stand 6-2 or taller.

“I’m short in size, and that could have factored into not being drafted,” Heinicke said. “But I’ve been hearing that ever since high school. When people say that kind of stuff, I always point to Drew Brees and Russell Wilson. They’re getting it done, and Russell is two inches shorter than me, and he’s killing it out there.”

Brees won a Super Bowl after the 2009 season with New Orleans, and Wilson did so with Seattle four years later. Both are considered among the league’s top quarterbacks.

For now, Heinicke is trying to win any kind of NFL job, but the Vikings seem to like him. The quarterback said they have promised a $10,000 signing bonus and guarantee $10,000 of the $435,000 on the first year of his otherwise non-guaranteed, three-year rookie deal.

Minnesota’s starter is Teddy Bridgewater, and the backup is Shaun Hill. Heinicke is expected to battle Mike Kafka, who at 6-3 is not exactly short, for the third-string job.

“I’m very confident,” Heinicke said. “That’s not taking anything away from Kafka or anybody else. … But I know how hard I’ve been working the past several months.”

Heinicke’s agent, Chris Cabott, is even more confident. Of the Vikings’ No. 3 job, Cabott said, “I can’t see why he would not win it. He’s a dynamic, special player.”

Heinicke will begin to show the Vikings what he can do at a rookie minicamp, which runs Friday through Sunday at Winter Park, and will stay in Minnesota throughout spring workouts, which conclude June 18.

He said other teams vying to sign him as an undrafted free agent were Atlanta, Detroit and San Diego. While the Falcons were enticing because Heinicke is from the Atlanta area, he chose the Vikings because of the ability to compete for the No. 3 job.

“It’s a great situation for me,” he said. “They showed me the most interest before and after pro day, and I developed a good relationship with (quarterbacks coach) Scott Turner.”

Playing in Old Dominion’s spread offense, Heinicke completed 1,238 of 1,829 career passes (67.7 percent) for 14,959 yards with 132 touchdowns and 39 interceptions in four seasons. He won the Walter Payton Award, which goes to the top player at the FCS level, after throwing for 5,076 yards and 44 touchdowns as a sophomore in 2012.

Heinicke’s statistics dropped a bit as a junior and senior because, he said, the Monarchs’ competition was better. Old Dominion moved up to FBS in 2013, playing one year as an independent before joining Conference USA last year.

“Heinicke is a cerebral passer who operates really well in the spread, using timing and quick strike throws,” NFL draft analyst Dane Brugler said. “He lacks ideal physical traits, with an average arm, but he exudes leadership and toughness, playing with a chip on his shoulder. If given a chance, he could carve out a backup job.”

The chip on his shoulder comes from years of hearing he is too short to play quarterback. Heinicke said that’s why he didn’t get a single big-school scholarship offer before he went to Old Dominion.

Heinicke, though, said being a short quarterback can have advantages. Heinicke, who scored 22 college touchdowns on the ground, pointed to his running ability.

“I think you’re going to be seeing a lot more short quarterbacks in the NFL,” he said. “Russell Wilson loves to throw the ball, but if he needs to run, he will, and it helps a lot. You look at (Denver’s 6-5) Peyton Manning, and he’s stuck in the pocket. I’m not taking anything away from him, he’s a great, amazing quarterback, but teams can only rush three people and drop eight against him because they know he’s not going to take off and run.”

Wilson’s Seahawks defeated Manning’s Broncos 43-8 in Super Bowl XLVIII. Heinicke watched that game with great interest.

Follow Chris Tomasson at twitter.com/christomasson.