Fansided

NFL Draft Rumors: Tennessee Titans ‘very serious’ about Marcus Mariota

By Will Osgood

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota throws a pass during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota throws a pass during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Tennessee Titans are reportedly very much a player in the Marcus Mariota sweepstakes in the upcoming NFL draft

More from NFL

The Tennessee Titans haven’t been to the playoffs since 2008. Zach Mettenberger and “Clipboard Jesus” Charlie Whitehurst are the lone quarterbacks on their current roster.

Both are statuesque in their very natures. And truthfully, it is that kind of quarterback which head coach Ken Whisenhunt has always had. But, as Peter King notes, it may not be the case forever.

Of course King is not able to reveal the identity of his source, but King does have inside info that few reporters can match. Yet, it is also the time of year for a smokescreen, even with a trusted reporter.

In fact, King’s platform and reliability make him the perfect messenger for a message which says your franchise is “very serious” about a player in the NFL draft.

Of course that all may be overthinking things. The Titans may be legitimate players for the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner from Oregon. As I wrote in December, the Titans should be all-in on Mariota, and that was when he was the presumptive No. 1 overall pick.

Mariota has apparently dropped to the presumptive No. 2 quarterback and is viewed to be the potential second through 18th (maybe?) player taken in this year’s draft as a result.

The Eagles under Chip Kelly–who recruited Mariota to the University of Oregon–were expected to be the leader to trade up to pick Mariota before they traded for Sam Bradford on Tuesday (though not everyone is sure this isn’t still a move made to acquire his former college QB).

The Jets would also seem to be a reasonable fit at No. 6, should Tennessee not take Mariota.

Of course this all assumes that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers take Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston No. 1 and not Mariota. While it seems likely, there is no guarantee of such a move.

But the Titans would be wise to acquire Mariota, as they already possess two of the game’s best young talents at the wide receiver position in Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter.

Giving them a potential franchise quarterback to get them ball would seem to be a priority in today’s day of football. Then again, Mariota is not a great fit for Whisenhunt’s offense.

Next: NFL Free Agents list: Best available by position

More from FanSided

Home/NFL