Zach Mettenberger Says He'd 'Beat Out' Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota

The Tennessee Titans have the chance to add a franchise quarterback in this year's NFL draft. They hold the No. 2 pick and will be able to draft either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota, depending on which player isn't chosen with the top selection, if one of them ultimately goes first overall.       

But Titans QB Zach Mettenberger, last year's sixth-round pick, doesn't think the team needs to select anyone at the quarterback position at all since he plans on being the starter.   

“They are obviously very talented guys,” he told the media before appearing on 104.5 The Zone’s SportsFest, via ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky. “…If they were here I think they would say the same thing: If we had to compete out there, I think I’d beat them out.” 

James Kenney/Associated Press

And his teammate who was also on the broadcast, offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, loved hearing that.

“I think any person that doesn’t say that is not going to be successful," Lewan said, per Kuharsky. "There are only so many positions in the NFL you can be a part of. If another guy comes in that’s a first-round pick or a second-round pick or a higher pick than you were, you either fold it up or you can take that adversity and thrive with it.” 

Mettenberger appeared in seven games last season, throwing for 1,412 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 59.8 percent of his passes. While those numbers weren't great, they were coming from a rookie with limited weapons to work with, and many folks have felt the Titans would give Mettenberger another season to prove whether he can start at the professional level.

That's no guarantee, of course, as Bob Glauber of Newsday passed along a quote from Tennessee general manager Ruston Webster:

Whatever the Titans ultimately decide to do, one thing is for certain—Mettenberger will approach next season willing to scrap for the starter's gig.

If the team does draft a quarterback at No. 2, whichever player is taken will be in for a fight.