Report: Texas Tech QB Patrick Mahomes excelled in private workout for Cardinals
Mar 29, 2017, 9:12 PM | Updated: Mar 30, 2017, 8:49 am
FILE - In this Nov. 25, 2016, file photo, Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes looks to throw against Baylor during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Arlington, Texas. Mahomes is bypassing his senior season for early entry in the NFL draft. Mahomes, the FBS leader this season with 5,052 yards passing, announced his decision during a campus news conference Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
(AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)
As much as the Arizona Cardinals might want to find a quarterback of the future in the first round 2017 NFL Draft, there are more immediate needs that could be addressed.
And if Arizona goes another direction at No. 13 overall, general manager Steve Keim might have no choice but to find his future signal-caller later on in the draft.
So it was notable that a group of Arizona leaders, including coach Bruce Arians and owner Michael Bidwill, took in a workout last Thursday for Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes II, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.
It seems that workout impressed the Cardinals quite a bit.
Arizona Cardinals have worked out Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes privately, sources say he excelled for large contingent of staffers
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 30, 2017
Cardinals conducted a private workout Thursday in Lubbock for Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes, according to a source
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 25, 2017
Mahomes is considered by ESPN’s Mel Kiper as the fourth-best quarterback prospect in the draft, making him a potential second- or third-round selection.
Others, like Sports Illustrated’s Chris Burke, believe Mahomes could be the second quarterback taken behind Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, and before Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer and North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky.
Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes leads all draft prospects with 18 total official visits and private workouts, according to a source.
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 30, 2017
Though his mechanics are considered raw, Mahomes’ biggest challenge in finding an NFL home is proving running the spread Air Raid offense in college is not a red flag toward his transition to professional football — Arians, for example, has often scoffed at young quarterbacks who have never taken a snap under center.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound Mahomes has proven arm strength and surprising mobility, but he’s knocked for his freelancing and lack of discipline.
“He is going to drive his head coach crazy for the first couple of years and there is no getting around that. If it clicks for him and he’s coachable, I think he could become a special quarterback,” an NFL executive told NFL.com.
Mahomes threw for 5,052 yards, completed 66 percent of his passes and threw 41 touchdowns to 10 interceptions his junior year in 2016.
That included a 734-yard performance in a 66-59 loss to Oklahoma, which tied an NCAA record held by Washington State’s Connor Halliday.
