One of the fastest-rising quarterback prospects, Pittsburgh’s Tom Savage, has declined an invitation to attend the NFL Draft in Radio City Music Hall in New York City on May 8.
Savage, who has risen from a middle-round selection to potentially one of the first five quarterbacks taken, did not provide a reason as to why.
#Pitt QB Tom Savage has declined an invitation to attend the #NFLDraft in New York. He is one of the draft’s fastest rising prospects.
— Pitt Football (@GoPittFootball) April 19, 2014
Savage “has a very real sot of landing in the top of the second round,” according to NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah, who references the number of workouts he has had over the past few weeks. “That’s hard data you can tell that there’s buzz and some excitement building on him.”
The 6-foot-4, 228-pound Savage threw for nearly 3,000 yards with 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season at Pitt. And it’s his big arm that has grabbed scouts’ attention.
“The arm strength is so easy to notice,” Jeremiah said. “He’s got a big arm and you see him make some drive throws you don’t see the other guys make. When I watched him early in the year, he took so many sacks and I kind of worried about his ability to navigate in the pocket and get out of trouble.”
Jeremiah names the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars and two quarterback-needy teams where Savage fits in best. Texans coach Bill O’Brien is in the market for a quarterback, especially if it drafts a defensive player with the top overall selection. Jaguars general manager David Caldwell has assembled teams based on pocket passers like Matt Ryan and Peyton Manning, and Savage fits that mold.
The New York Jets signed the best free-agent wideout on the market this offseason in Eric Decker, but the team is bringing a trio of likely first-round wide receivers for visits this week.
According to multiple reports, LSU’s Odell Beckham Jr., Oregon State’s Brandin Cooks and Texas A&M’s Mike Evans will be heading to the Jets facilities.
Jets bringing in a few WRs this week, including LSU’s Odell Beckham, Jr on Monday/Tuesday. Oregon State’s Brandin Cooks visiting wk too #nyj
— Manish Mehta (@MMehtaNYDN) April 20, 2014
Saw @MMehtaNYDN mention WRs Odell Beckham Jr, Marqise Lee + Brandin Cooks visiting NYJ tomorrow. Add Mike Evans to that list.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 21, 2014
Beckham and Cooks are certainly more likely to be on the board when New York is on the clock at No. 18, while Evans has become a potential top-10 selection. Beckham, one of the fastest-rising wide receiver prospects since the NFL Scouting Combine, is not expected to make it past No. 20 come may, per reports.
I’m hearing Odell Beckham will NOT make it to #20 in this year’s draft. Two teams very high on him at this point. Will address in next mock
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) April 19, 2014
