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NFL: 15 Rookies who are future Pro Bowlers

By Andrew Garda

May 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) is introduced at a press conference at One Buc Place the day after being selected as the number one overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) is introduced at a press conference at One Buc Place the day after being selected as the number one overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs with the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the game at AT&T Stadium. The Buckeyes defeated the Ducks 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs with the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the game at AT&T Stadium. The Buckeyes defeated the Ducks 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans

Marcus Mariota’s journey to the Pro Bowl could take a little while, but I feel pretty confident that he’ll get there.

It just might take a while for a number of reasons.

Let’s start with the offensive line problems. Last season things went south in a hurry with Michael Oher ending up a free agent bust and Andy Levitre having issues. They had drafted Chance Warmack, and Taylor Lewan, but Warmack struggled. Lewan had a nice season and hopefully he can build on it.

The Titans are hoping for big improvements from Warmack and Levitre this season and that would certainly help Mariota as he strives to reach his potential.

If the line struggles again, Mariota’s mobility will help bail him out, but it could still hamper his overall development.

From a weapons standpoint, we don’t know if what the Titans have is quite enough. I think Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter are both solid, while Delanie Walker has been very productive at tight end. Dorial Green-Beckham is amazing (mostly) on the field but the Titans ignored some big red flags on the guy and one hopes he doesn’t implode like Kenny Britt used to.  Keeping him focused would make a huge difference for Mariota’s development.

The backfield continues to be a mess though, and Mariota will struggle with some high pressure from defenses who don’t have to worry about the run game. Luckily he’s a very mobile quarterback, but we’ve seen guys who have to run, rather than want to run, struggle to adapt to the pro game. That’s not to say he couldn’t be successful – just that it might take a while.

Overall, Mariota has Pro Bowl talent, and he should be able to reach that pinnacle. However he has a lot of issues around him which are not in his control but will factor in.

Next: Devin Smith, WR, New York Jets

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