Power ranking all 32 NFL starting quarterbacks for 2018

Power ranking all 32 NFL starting quarterbacks

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 17: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers looks to the sideline against the Carolina Panthers in the fourth quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

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GREEN BAY, WI – AUGUST 09: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans drops back to pass against the Green Bay Packers during a preseason game at Lambeau Field on August 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Titans 31-17. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

18. Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans

It’s not a good sign for a quarterback when you third season in the NFL is worse than your first two. That’s the ugly reality for Mariota and the Titans. Even so, there’s still ample reason to believe he can emerge as a league average starter in 2018.

The easiest way he can improve is to cut down on his interceptions. He gave the ball away 15 times last season through the air. That’s far too many for a player who only threw for 13 touchdowns.

Bad luck was almost certainly a contributor to that number of turnovers. Mariota’s completion percentage remained at 62% which is right in line with his career average. Having a little better luck combined with taking a few less chances should be enough to clean that up for Mariota.

The other thing Mariota can do is to try to take advantage of his mobility more often. There’s an obvious temptation to keep him in the pocket to avoid taking unnecessary hits. That’s all well and good, but he’s a player who can really hurt opposing defenses on the edge via the rush. Getting him on the edge should be a priority for the Titans this season.

If they can give him some more creative play calling, then a bounce back season is definitely what you should be betting on. He may never become the franchise player the Titans envisioned when they drafted him, but there’s no reason he shouldn’t be a league average starter moving forward.