McShay Mock 4.0: Marcus Mariota To Tennessee Titans
By Les Bailey
Even Todd McShay told us on Monday that he may be hedging his bets in his McShay Mock 4.0, but he sees a strong possibility that Marcus Mariota will land in Nashville after the dust settles on round one of the 2015 NFL Draft. Of course, he’s not ruling out the potential trade value from teams actually wanting a spread quarterback.
With only a month left until teams make their first selections, experts like McShay are now trying to work the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner into the Tennessee Titans week one lineup this fall.
In his Mock 4.0 Draft, McShay tells us the three things we already knew. The Titans can play it safe, and take USC Defensive End, Leonard Williams with the second pick, take the University of Oregon quarterback, or probably the most prefferred option, trade down.
The only thing that has changed since the 3.0 Mock, is Titans Head Coach Ken Whisenhunt’s conversation about the young quarterback. If coach Whis wants teams to come all the way up to the second pick for Mariota, he will need to sell the world on his intentions to take him at number two,
Titans fans around the internet are really split on this subject. Many want to take Leonard Williams, and be done with it, while others think they need to take Marcus Mariota, and bring a franchise quarterback to Music City. I personally think if General Manager Ruston Webster and Ken Whisenhunt whiff on this position, they wont be here at this time next year.
With the instability at the top of this organization, I’m not sure that Webster, and Whisenhunt can survive no matter what happens. For that reason, I’m not sure that going with the safe pick, continue the defense rebuild, and take Williams is the thing they should do.
The McShay 4.0 Mock Draft names the the New York Jets, and St Louis Rams as being the top suitors to come up to the second pick for Marcus Mariota.
The Jets have spent a lot of money during free agency, and the only missing piece, is a franchise quarterback. The jury is still out on West Virginia Quarterback, Geno Smith, and the suitors include Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Matt Simms out of Tennessee.
Head Coach, Todd Bowles, and his offensive coordinator, Chan Gailey have the ability to actually develop Marcus Mariota, and let’s face it, I’m not sure the Titans have the skills on-staff to handle the job.
The option that brings the St. Louis Rams up to the second pick is the one that intrigues me the most. I remember at being excited when I thought Chip Kelly might trade up for the Oregon star, but the Rams only need to move up from the tenth pick, and now have Nick Foles.
This is the trade that makes the most sense. Adding Nick Foles to this deal, and still getting a top ten pick makes more sense than anything. Coach would get his pocket quarterback to give Zach Mettenberger some competition in training camp, and there will be some great options left for Dick LeBeau to sort through with the tenth pick.
Who knows, the Titans may even get another second-round pick to help with re-stocking the lineup.
I like it!
Next: Wide Receivers Available in The Second Round