Fansided

Mel Kiper Mock Draft: Jameis Winston-Marcus Mariota go 1-2

By Ernie Padaon

Jan 1, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) is defended by Florida State Seminoles cornerback P.J. Williams (26) and defensive end Chris Casher (21) on a 23-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter in the 2015 Rose Bowl college football game at Rose Bowl. Oregoon defeated Florida State 59-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) is defended by Florida State Seminoles cornerback P.J. Williams (26) and defensive end Chris Casher (21) on a 23-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter in the 2015 Rose Bowl college football game at Rose Bowl. Oregoon defeated Florida State 59-20. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Mel Kiper released his latest mock draft and he has Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota starting out the selections going 1-2. 

Mel Kiper has released his latest mock draft and again he has Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota going with the top 2 selections. Winston goes with the first selection to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Mariota goes number 2, but Kiper is not sure if Mariota will be selected by the Tennessee Titans with that selection. Kiper thinks Mariota will be drafted 2nd, but it doesn’t sound like he thinks the Titans will make the selection.

More from Chicago Bears

Here is what he says about the selection:

"Analysis: Reminder: I don’t project trades here. But in talking to people inside and outside the league, my sense is that Mariota is likely to be taken here — it’s just hard to say which team is making the pick. Yes, it could be Tennessee, but it could be a handful of other teams if a deal gets done. (San Diego, the Jets, Chicago, St. Louis … many have been named as possible fits.) As I’ve said before, I think Mariota has done as much as he can to show he wasn’t just a system guy at Oregon. I wouldn’t want to start him right away in 2015, but you can’t question Mariota’s physical profile or his potential to improve and grow as an NFL quarterback given his attitude and work habits."

There are a number of teams that could be in the bidding for the 2nd overall pick. The Tennessee Titans hold all the cards with that draft spot and could bring in a nice haul with that draft pick. Who will draft Mariota? Which team will jump in to make a play for him? The San Diego Chargers have been mentioned a number of times with the possibility of trading Philip Rivers to Tennessee. The Jets could use Mariota to lead the offense. The Bears would love to move on from Jay Cutler. Teams are interested.

Rounding out the top 10, here is what Kiper has mocked:

3. Leonard Williams – Jacksonville Jaguars
4. Amari Cooper – Oakland Raiders
5. Dante Fowler Jr – Washington Redskins
6. Brandon Scherff – New York Jets
7. Kevin White – Chicago Bears
8. Vic Beasley – Atlanta Falcons
9. Shane Ray – New York Giants
10. Breshad Perriman – St. Louis Rams

Perriman seems like a huge jump into the top 10 for Kiper. He jumped over DeVante Parker at the receiver position and is now projected by Kiper to move to the top 10.

At this point, the quarterbacks are expected to open up the draft. How that 2nd selection goes will determine how the rest of the round goes down. If the Titans are not able to find a suitable partner for a trade, then teams will battle for position to take him in the next few selections. The Oakland Raiders are always willing to make a move in the draft and they own the 4th overall selection. That seems like a spot that teams could trade up to.

More from FanSided

Home/Chicago Bears