Logan Thomas selected by Arizona Cardinals
Logan Thomas of Virginia Tech (3) throws against the South squad during the first half of a game at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback prospect Logan Thomas is the first signal-caller to fall on the third day of the 2014 NFL Draft, as the Arizona Cardinals have selected him with the 20th pick of the fourth round. Thomas is one of the more intriguing developmental quarterbacks in this year’s draft, and there are a number of people who are high on his upside and believe that he will fare out much better by developing on an NFL coaching staff.
Thomas has terrific physical tools with mouth-watering size, speed, and arm strength, but those physical tools are marred by poor mechanics and some of the most atrocious decision-making of any quarterback in this draft class. I took a look at some of his tape against the Duke Blue Devils, and I was appalled by the sheer number of throws he made into triple coverage and passes he directed right at defensive backs.
There was a point in the pre-draft season when Thomas was the favorite sleeper quarterback of draft analysts, but that quickly disappeared and morphed into the Tom Savage love-fest. Savage, of course, has yet to be selected in this year’s draft after once receiving second-round buzz from some draft insiders. Thomas will develop behind veteran quarterback Carson Palmer, and it will be interesting to see if Bruce Arians can morph the incredibly raw Thomas into a legitimate quarterback. The odds of finding a legit QB on the third day aren’t good at all, but we’ll see if the Cardinals can mold Thomas into one of the exceptions. He has the mobility, arm strength, and size to fit Arians’s scheme, and the Cardinals offense has plenty of playmakers to help Thomas if he does one day become the starter in Arizona.