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NFL Draft: Ranking 5 Potential Landing Spots For Marcus Mariota

By Robby Sabo

Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) warms up before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) warms up before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher looks on during the second half against the New York Giants at the Edward Jones Dome. New York defeated St. Louis 37-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher looks on during the second half against the New York Giants at the Edward Jones Dome. New York defeated St. Louis 37-27. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

5. St. Louis Rams, 10th Overall Pick

Draft Possibility: Not Likely

The chance that general manager Les Snead will mortgage the future to move up to snare Mariota remains slim. Their current franchise model doesn’t support that philosophy. Instead, it continues to be “acquire assets and develop.”

Therefore, what Snead and the Rams have to hope for is an epic slide. For it to happen, it’ll have to start with the Tennessee Titans passing at the No. 2 spot.

Then, the Oakland Raiders, Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets will all have to pass the kid up as well. What has the Rams hopeful is the fact that each team (other than the Jets) in this group already has their franchise signal-caller in place.

The No. 7 through 10 slots are guaranteed that Mariota won’t be taken (minus the possibility of a trade). The Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants will pass for obvious reasons.

So the likelihood that Mariota lasts to No. 10 is at best descent. The problem comes from the movers and shakers. Both the Titans and Jets could look to trade out of their respective spots to a Mariota-type team.

Does Marcus Mariota Fit?

Whether or not Mariota finds himself in St. Louis remains to seen. We’ll of course have to wait a couple more days.

Nevertheless, he does provide a descent fit in a Rams uniform.

First of all, any quarterback who plays for head coach Jeff Fisher will have a leg up. Despite Fisher coming from the defensive side of things, he understands the position. It is something that escapes some NFL defensive-minded head coaches in the league today.

With former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer now in the college ranks at Georgia, Frank Cignetti, a guy who really knows quarterbacks, has taken over the offense in St. Louis.

Cignetti has served as the quarterbacks coach under Fisher since 2013 and has done well wherever he’s gone. A fresh franchise quarterback could be the ticket in St. Louis to pair with a fresh offense.

Furthermore, with Nick Foles in the fold, Fisher could easily hold back Mariota for a full season, if not part of the season. It could allow Mariota a deep breather in year-one as he adapts to pro-ball. Many talent evaluators believe Mariota needs time, and the Rams situation could be perfect for the kid.

Next: Number 4

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