Why Marcus Mariota’s fantasy football outlook is better than you think
![PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 08: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans looks on from the sidelines in the second half during a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on August 8, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 08: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans looks on from the sidelines in the second half during a preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on August 8, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Ftitansized-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1160455178-850x560-b369f2095eaaf2cd96e4b88aa0fc2fd06e34f433ac4b55a99a23f10f11c67fa3.jpg)
2. Receivers upgrade
One of the biggest problems Marcus Mariota has faced during his career is a lack of weapons in the passing game. The only constant Mariota has enjoyed is tight end Delanie Walker, who was forced to miss all but one game last season after he suffered a broken ankle in Week 1.
Other than Walker, it has been a carousel of unimpressive players at the position during Mariota’s four-year career. Things will change in 2019, though.
On top of getting Walker back—Walker looks healthy after catching two balls and scoring a touchdown in Preseason Week 2—and having Corey Davis in his third season, the Titans added slot receiver Adam Humphries and drafted A.J. Brown in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
Mariota has not had good numbers historically when throwing to the slot, but that’s also a result of him having no talent there. Humphries is easily the best slot receiver Mariota has ever thrown to, and his ability to move the chains will help Mariota and Co. sustain drives.
As far as Brown is concerned: the Ole Miss product finished with over 1,200 yards or more in each of final two seasons in college and has No. 1 receiver potential. But when you stack him up against the rest of the receiving corps. on the Titans, Brown is at best the No. 4 option.
With all that depth, and the use of more three-receiver sets by offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Mariota has and will be able to utilize the best group of pass-catchers of his career. This isn’t your typical Titans passing attack, folks.