NFL Draft Profiles: Quarterbacks The Chiefs May Want Target

Dec 26, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback

(7) during the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl against the Bowling Green Falcons at Ford Field. Pittsburgh Panthers defeated Bowling Green Falcons 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

TOM SAVAGE

HEIGHT: 6-4 WEIGHT: 228 COLLEGE: Pittsburgh

40 TIME: 4.97 3-CONE: 7.33

CAREER STATS: 37 TD, 19 INT, 56.8%, 5,690 yards in 757 attempts over 31 games

Tom Savage is a really interesting case as a quarterback prospect. Savage started his career at Rutgers but was replaced as the starting quarterback after a coaching change. He transferred to Arizona State on to see the coach there get fired immediately after arriving. This put Savage in a situation where he was forced to transfer again, this time to Pittsburgh. His waiver to skip his one-year sit out time was rejected by the NCAA so he was forced to sit out another year before he could play for Pitt.

As a result of the changes, Savage did not play a single game in the 2011 or 2012 season. His first game back after sitting out all of that time? A game against Florida State. The kid could not catch a break.

Two years removed from the game, Savage started for the Panthers in 2013 and looked impressive. He has a great arm, highlighted by a six touchdown performance against Duke. In his final nine games he threw only three interceptions. There is a lot to like here with Savage, especially given the lack of talent around him at Pittsburgh.

Here’s what Derek Stephens had to say about Savage and his strengths.

"Big, tall strong-armed gunslinger who can make all the throws from the pocket, with a quick, fluid throwing motion. Could have the strongest arm in the 2014 class. Consistent drop exhibiting light feet to slide and move within the pocket. Senses pressure to side-step or elude to buy time. Leads receivers nicely on crossing routes, slants and out routes. Will drop it in the bucket. Impressive strength to drag or shrug off bigger defensive linemen and break tackles. Not an elite athlete but has a quick enough first step to escape the pocket with better-than-average acceleration for his size."

Savage would likely be the least athletic quarterback Andy Reid has had in his time as a coach so there are some concerns there. Then again, Tyler Bray is not the most agile quarterback either, so maybe there is something there Reid doesn’t mind working with that will fit his scheme.

There is a lot of boom/bust potential with Savage, and with his draft stock being somewhere in the late rounds, it may be worth it to take the risk.