Marcus Mariota, Quarterback, Tennessee Titans (1st Round, 2nd Pick)
It was presumed that Mariota would be selected second overall in this year's 2015 NFL Draft following fellow quarterback Jameis Winston. That is exactly how it played out with the Tennessee Ttians who received multiple trade inquiries for Mariota during the path leading to the draft. Whether the Titans were settled on Mariota the entire time, or were actually open to trade offers that would have landed Mariota to another team, we may never find out.
Let's take a look at Winston's college career that has led him the NFL and the world of fantasy football moving forth.
College Career:
Stats: 66.8 Completion, 10,796 Passing Yards, 136 Total Touchdowns and 14 Interceptions
The Heisman Trophy winning Mariota was selected by the Tennessee Titans after receiving a phenomenal accumulation of 2014 awards including AP Player of the Year, Davey O’Brien, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, Maxwell, Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year and Walter Camp Player of the Year.
It is no surprise to see the extensive list of awards considering Mariota is coming off of a stellar 2014 college season where he led the Oregon Ducks to win 12 of their 13 regular season games. After a major 59-20 victory in the Rose Bowl, Mariota and the Ducks were unfortunately defeated by Ohio State in the National Championship, losing 20 to 42.
Mariota also hit college-career highs in 2014 passing for a fantastic 4,454 yards and 42 touchdowns. His ground numbers were exceptional as well where he totaled 770 rushing yards along with 15 rushing touchdowns.
Prior to Mariota’s final year at Oregon, he led the team to two victories at the Alamo Bowl in 2013 and the Fiesta Bowl in 2012. Over his 2012 and 2013 college seasons, Mariota and the Ducks won 21 of 24 regular season games. And, during this two-year period of time, Mariota managed a total of 6,342 passing yards, 1,467 rushing yards and 78 total touchdowns.
A stunning fact to point out regarding Mariota over his three years at Oregon, is his extremely high passing touchdown to interception ratio 105/14. Wow.
It is no wonder that Mariota was considered one of the cream of the crop quarterbacks in this year’s draft. While it was nearly a given that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were going to select Jameis Winston, Mariota drew in many suitors prior to the draft. Wildly rumored to land with his former Oregon coach Chip Kelly, and the Philadelphia Eagles among several other teams, likely had the Titans knowing the loss they would suffer if they dealt their draft pick.
Whether Mariota can keep up with his elite stat line as he transitions to the NFL will remain to be seen. This is providing he does assume the starting role which all reports seem to point towards at this time.
Competition:
Currently Mariota enters Tennessee with a second-year partial season starter, Zach Mettenberger in his path. Mettenberger is a sixth-round draft pick from 2014 and he started for the Titans in six games last year. Sadly for Mettenberger, every game was a loss. Playing in seven games overall, Mettenberger’s stats were not exactly worthy of writing home about. He totaled 1,412 passing yards, scored eight touchdowns and threw seven picks. Despite Mettenberger’s unimpressive attempt as a starter, he seems to be under the opinion that he will resume his role in 2015.
Behind Mettenberger awaits Charlie Whitehurst who has been bounced around the NFL since 2006. The seven games for which he played in 2014 were the most of any season in his career. Compared to Mettenberger, Whitehurst managed seven touchdowns and only two interceptions and actually won one game.
Mariota was certainly not brought in by the Titans in the first round to let either of these two quarterbacks start while he warms a bench. There really is no competition in sight although the Titans may just have to hold a faux one to not step on current toes.
2015 Outlook:
This is where things might get a little sketchy for Mariota is in the fantasy department this year. The Titans lack true elite fantasy football wide receivers. Currently Mariota’s supporting cast consists of Kendall Wright, Hakeem Nicks, Justin Hunter, and Harry Douglas. Newly drafted wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham could provide some upside to this lackluster bunch if given the chance to start.
Of the receivers listed above, Wright was the top-performing fantasy receiver of the group in 2014. He ranked 37th overall among last years’ wide receivers with 715 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Nervous yet?
Mariota does receive a quality tight end however with the big-bodied Delanie Walker haunting the red zone. Walker surprised and actually ranked seventh in fantasy points last season totaling 890 yards and four touchdowns. Mariota's ground support consists of second-season running back Bishop Sankey, who fell flat as a fantasy option last year, and veteran Shonn Greene. Like the wide receiver group above, these two will really need to step up and help their new quarterback in the offense.
As far as where to draft Mariota, he appears to be backup worthy considering he has a lot to accomplish with his scraggly receiving corps. Stash him for a backup or match-based play only guy to be used if your starting quarterback misses time this season.
Dynasty Outlook:
A keeper moving forward, Mariota should be drafted in dynasty leagues. He will not always be stuck with a sub-par receiving unit, so it will be some time before the first-round pick pays off. However, Mariota’s ability to reward in keeper leagues in the future has huge upside considering the dynamic numbers he posted in college. A positive attitude, no off-field issues, an arm that can throw forever along with his mobility will have Mariota a supreme fantasy quarterback at some point in his career. Just give him a couple of years and he should be able to work his way up into the top 10 – a spot Mariota will be able to hold for years to come.