Marcus Mariota NFL Draft 2015: Scouting Report, Grade for Titans' Rookie

STRENGTHS

The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner, Marcus Mariota leaves college highly decorated and with outstanding numbers.

After the 2014 season he took home every major quarterback award (Heisman, Maxwell Award, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm and Davey O’Brien National QB Award), while being named a first-team All-American and Walter Camp Player of the Year. Mariota was a three-year graduate at Oregon with a degree in general science.

Mariota has the overall athleticism to scare defenses. He’s a true speed threat at quarterback and can pick up yards as a runner on both designed plays and when the pocket breaks down. He uses that athleticism to slide in the pocket when needed and is a dangerous thrower on the run.

Mariota has above-average arm strength and can generate velocity or deep touch as needed. He has a clean, crisp delivery with a fast strike at the end of his release. He’s athletic enough to make throws off balance, off his back foot and on the run. Mariota’s accuracy is very good to all levels of the field. He throws to every level with varied touch and understands how to put the ball in a catchable location.

Mariota protected the ball well as a passer, throwing just 14 interceptions in three years of starts. In that same time he amassed 105 touchdown passes and a 66.8 completion percentage.

A quiet player with great character and intelligence, Mariota is a lead-by-example type whom coaches and teammates love.

WEAKNESSES

Mariota is a project, more so than a regular draft prospect. The things he did in the Oregon offense do not translate well to the majority of NFL offenses. He took just five snaps from center in 2014 and has little-to-no experience taking a 3- or 5-step drop after receiving the snap.

The Oregon offense allowed Mariota to throw to spots, and rarely did he have to challenge defenders by throwing his receivers open. The offense relies on speed and misdirection to get a matchup in space, and Mariota was asked to find this spot (basically one read) and throw to the open player.

Fumbles were an issue throughout his career (27 total), and he takes unnecessary hits in the pocket if he’s asked to wait for the play to develop in front of him. If asked to sit in the pocket and read the defense before making a throw, it would be new territory. Mariota did not call plays in the huddle at Oregon or audible on his own accord pre-snap and must learn both things.

Mariota has a great ceiling but a very low floor. Depending on the type of offense he’s drafted into, a steep learning curve should be expected.

PRO COMPARISON: Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

Mariota doesn’t have Wilson’s arm strength—and Wilson doesn’t have his height—but they are similar athletes who play the position with the same intelligent, low-turnover mentality.

2014 STATISTICS

Passing Yards: 4,454
Touchdowns: 42
Interceptions: 4

FINAL GRADE: 7.20/9.00 (Top-15-Player Potential)