Name: Marcus Mariota
College: Oregon
Class: JR RS
Position: QB
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 215
Background/Character | Leadership: 10 | Experience: 9 | Off-the-Field: 10 |
| Mental Capacity: 9 | Mental Toughness: 9 | Durability: 9 |
Marcus Mariota is a quality leader on and off the gridiron. He returned for his third starting season although he could have left and completed his degree later. Tough competitor with a history of fighting through injuries. Very smart player that allows his playmakers to do heavy lifting. Doesn't have experience in an NFL-type passing offense, which is going to be an issue early in the league.
Final Grade: 9.16
Athleticism | Balance: 9 | C.O.D: 10 | Explosiveness: 10 |
| Flexibility: 10 | Coordination: 10 | Body Type: 8 |
Mariota is a fantastic athlete, ranking as one of the best in the history of the NFL as far as QB prospects. He’s a terrific runner with great acceleration. His ability to create for the offense as a runner is a nice bonus. Highly explosive and game changer with what he can do with his legs.
Final Grade: 9.5
Arm Talent | Arm Strength: 8 | Velocity Control: 8 | Touch: 9 |
| Arm Adjustment: 9 | Release Quicks: 9 | On the Move: 10 |
Mariota has good arm strength, but his velocity tends to give out at the tail end of passes to the far sideline. When everything works for him technique-wise, this isn't a big issue. He shows good touch on passes short and intermediate, but does struggle on deep attempts. Lethal passer when on the move, specifically in the red zone. Gets the ball out quickly and efficiently after finding the open man.
Final Grade: 8.83
Passing Technique | Mechanics: 8 | Release: 8 | Under Pressure: 7 |
| Drops: 8 | Movement: 8 | Throwing Base: 10 |
Mariota struggles with his velocity at times due to his lower body mechanics. To improve his arm strength and accuracy, he needs to use his core and legs to drive into passes. He tends to sail passes down the seam and over the middle high, and downfield pass accuracy is low. The ball comes out odd at times despite a good base. This could be due to overcompensation for arm strength.
Final Grade: 8.16
Passing Instincts | Football IQ: 9 | Pre-Snap Reads: 9 | Field Vision: 8 |
| Decision Making: 8 | Pocket Presence: 8 | Poise: 8 |
Most of Mariota’s throws are determined pre-snap and are very QB-friendly. That being said, Mariota tends to read these well and make the right decision. Once pressured, he does a great job of extending plays and creating. He does show nervousness in the pocket and will lose his poise when he sees the pressure. This must improve. His worst decisions and passes come when he’s pressured. In all likelihood, the NFL will bring more pressure on Mariota since his surrounding case will be worse. When passes aren't wide open, he does not show the willingness to make tough throws.
Final Grade: 8.33
| Player Comparison: | Alex Smith/Ryan Tannehill |
| Projected Draft Position: | 1st Round |
| Best Scheme Fit: | Spread |
| Injury History: | Minor leg injuries in 2013 |
| Career Accolades: | 2014 Heisman Winner, All-American |
| Career Stats: | 10,463 yards, 103 touchdowns, 13 INTS |
Final Analysis
Finding a quarterback as decorated and good in collegiate football is nearly impossible. Mariota comes from the easiest system in college football, and weekly benefitted from defensive breakdowns and elite playmakers around him. The NFL will not be comparable, and how Mariota responds to much tighter passing windows and more traditional routes is going to be a major question mark.
He rarely throws with anticipation, and will progress slowly through his keys. Once he finds an open man, he has a quick release and shows good overall accuracy and great ball placement. The issues come when he doesn't have much time and his receivers aren't open. He struggles to make those plays work as a passer. He’s smart, but he’s more prone to turnovers than the numbers show.
Marietta projects as a quality starting quarterback in the NFL. He can end up in the top 10-15 range if he fixes his lower body issues, and that’s worthy of a first round grade.
Final Grade: 8.60- 1st Round Value