Todd McShay Mock Draft: Jets Select Marcus Mariota 6th Overall
Todd McShay Mock Draft: Jets Fans Will be Happy If This Most Recent One Comes To Fruition
It is officially NFL Draft season, as everyone and anyone is releasing mock drafts, taking their best shot at guessing which NFL team will choose which college player. The latest mock draft from ESPN’s Todd McShay will have New York Jets fans doing backflips, as his most recent one has them landing the quarterback that they covet in Oregon’s Marcus Mariota.
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Mariota was the No.1 pick in McShay’s previous mock draft, and said that he tumbled down to the Jets because he questions Mariota’s ability as a pocket passer and if he can succeed at the pro level. While on ESPN’s First Take Thursday, McShay went as far as to say that Mariota would have received a third or fourth round grade based on his pocket passing, but is mocked at sixth overall because of how well he performs at everything else.
Instead of McShay having Mariota in the top spot, Florida State’s Jameis Winston took over the top spot, going to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Jets aren’t the only team at the top of the draft with quarterback needs, and will have to have the Tennessee Titans and Washington Redskins, picking second and fifth respectively, to pass on Mariota and or Winston for the Jets to have a chance at either player.
Mariota might not be the most skilled pocket passer, or a finished product in general, but if you are the Jets sitting at six and he is available it would be hard to pass him up. There is a clear need at the position, and filling it with a player that has the college stats, albeit in a fluky sort of spread offense, speaks for themselves. This past season Mariota won the Heisman Trophy, throwing for 4,454 yards with 42 touchdowns and 181.7 passer rating, throwing only four interceptions. He also added 770 rushing yards with 15 more touchdowns. He even caught a 24 yard touchdown this past season.
His athleticism would be an asset, and the Jets have a relatively strong offensive line still that a younger quarterback should be able to succeed behind.
Mariota also has the prototypical size you would want in your quarterback, with the elite athleticism being an added bonus. He has all the intangibles you would from from your quarterback as well. Some people wish he was a little more boisterous in the huddle, but he is a leader by example, with a great work ethic. He has shown that he will get into his teammates face when needed though, which is all you want from the leader of your team; too much in your face screaming and rah rah on the sidelines will sometimes be taken the wrong way by fans and media people.
Another reason the Jets are a fit is because of offensive coordinator Chan Gailey. Gailey was brought out of retirement to be on Todd Bowles’ staff and has experience running a spread offense with success. That is the type of offense that Mariota’s skill set would fit into, and it would make for an easier transition from the college game to the speed of the NFL. The more comfortable and easy the transition is made, the better Mariota will perform.
But, there is still no exact science to predicting mock drafts, so this is sure to change again over the next three months leading up to the NFL Draft. This is one mock that Jets fans will be excited to see, but it could look totally different next week, let alone April 30th when the draft is held.