Late round quarterback options for the Green Bay Packers

Oct 12, 2013; Blacksburg, VA, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Logan Thomas (3) looks to pass the ball during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Lane Stadium. The Hokies defeated Pitt 19-9. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest needs for the Green Bay Packers entering the 2014 NFL Draft is backup quarterback though the Packers will definitely not take a quarterback before the third round.

Most of the speculation has been around Matt Flynn returning as the backup quarterback, but the Packers can’t rely on Flynn forever as the backup for Aaron Rodgers.

Also, Matt Flynn does not have much trade value after he failed to earn starting quarterback jobs in Seattle and Oakland. The Packers need a young quarterback who could be a trade chip in a few years and be a solid backup quarterback.

So, who could the Packers look at taking in the later rounds of this weekend’s Draft?

Jan 3, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Tajh Boyd (10) passes the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second half of the 2014 Orange Bowl college football game at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Clemson QB Tajh Boyd

There seems to be a small chance that Tajh Boyd ends up being undrafted but right after last year’s draft, Boyd seemed likely to go in the first two rounds. Tajh Boyd had another strong season as he finished off what was a very impressive career. A lot has changed since then but Boyd is still a quarterback that projects as a solid backup immediately with solid potential for the long-term.

Boyd is a mobile quarterback but has very good composure in the pocket and an ability to make tons of play. Boyd has also developed into a very good leader and this is the type of guy that you want in an emergency case to replace Rodgers if he gets injured. Boyd has a solid arm and has proven an ability to take advantage of having talented receivers like Sammy Watkins, DeAndre Hopkins, and Martavis Bryant.

Boyd is undersized and is not an elite prospect but he is a guy that can be a quality backup early on and has the talent to develop into a solid starter and could be selected in the fifth round or later.

Nov 16, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray (11) throws the ball to running back Todd Gurley (3) during the fourth quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers won 43-38. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia QB Aaron Murray

Aaron Murray is another one of those very experienced quarterbacks like Boyd who is ready to be a solid backup quarterback immediately in the NFL. Aaron Murray showed some mobility this past season and while he is undersized, he knows how to rollout and make some quality plays down the field. Murray did tear his ACL this year and that is a little bit of a concern but Murray has proven that he is recovering well and should be ready to go as a backup QB by the start of the season.

Murray has had a very successful career at Georgia and he is the type of player who will get the job done and play well enough to give his team a chance to win but not throw the game away. That is what the Packers need in a backup quarterback and Murray fits exactly what Green Bay could use in terms of experience. Murray seems likely to go around the third or fourth round and can be a solid value at this point in the draft.

Virginia Tech QB Logan Thomas

Virginia Tech’s Logan Thomas did not have anywhere near the success that the other two quarterbacks had on this list but Thomas might just have the biggest ceiling of any quarterback in this draft. Logan Thomas is an elite athlete that was originally meant to be a tight end for the Hokies but was moved to quarterback due to need. Thomas had a solid career for the Hokies but was a guy that never lived up to the potential that he had during his time in Blacksburg and frustrated many Hokies fans, including myself.

However, Thomas has elite arm strength and can really make some big plays down the field. Thomas is also a very mobile quarterback that can make plays with his legs outside the pocket in the running game and is willing to go up the middle to do that and not just to the outside.

The concern with Thomas is the fact that his accuracy is below average and that is the one thing that hindered him in his Virginia Tech career. Mike McCarthy and the Packers are well known for developing quarterbacks and Logan Thomas would be a developmental project that could bring the Packers a very high draft pick in the future and could provide value in the third to fifth round.