I always think players should come out when their eligible, you can develop at the pro level, and you can always go Back to school, you can't always be a top ten pick..

I love the player..

 

I wouldn't go pro either when the team drooling for you is the Jaguars..

 

Yea, I wish Kiper, McShay, et al would list their top 20 or whatever with players who will be in the draft (Seniors) or those who have declared.

 

If you're a top pick, you're going to some ****ty team no matter what.

 

What!!

Wow..I'm shocked at some of the grades that some folks are giving this kid..

Imo, he'll be the first player taken next year.

 

Jameis Winston die?

 

not many sophomore qb come out.

 

Its a pretty loaded QB class this year anyway.

 

I'm a Mariota fan, seen every snap of his college career, season tickets to the Ducks. He NEEDS another year. He plays in an awesome system surrounded by very talented players. Manages the game well and can make some great throws.

He also fumbles a TON when he gets hit. His ball protection is abysmal.

He can run, but isn't a great passer on the run. Often leaps to throw the ball, throws off his back foot, and doesn't have great touch on his passes. Misses way too many play-action passes.

He hasn't showed well against "top tier" defenses. The only real defenses he seen in his career are K-State, and Stanford. Both times against Stanford he's shat the bed...BAD. They have his number and are in his head.

He's not a vocal rag rah leader. Has been described as soft spoken. I don't care about that, but other players apparently do.

He has yet to "put the team on his back" and step up when the pressure is on. He often times buckles in the spotlight.


Love the kid, was surprised he was in the Heisman race. He validated my questions. Hope he wins us a natty next year and turns the corner. But he's not there yet. You can get in his head and it affects him.

 

Any team is better than living in Jacksonville, I'm still wondering how that city got a franchise when there's places like Alabama, Oregon, Oklahoma City and even Arkansas that would provide a better environment.

 

My evaluation takes into account all that, meaning if that guy is in the draft, it's about taking the player who I think will become the best..it's all potential based..I would totally take into account he will be only 20 years old when I draft him and that he was 19 years old when he displayed the issues that you describe, and the flashes of greatness you didnt describe..

It's ok, he's 20, and will be twenty when the next season starts..

All I'm saying is it would not affect my decision if he was in this years draft..

 

I think he's very coach able, but he's very raw. Best case scenario for him I believe is to stay put and get more reps under his belt at the college level. If he were a high draft pick and was put drafted behind a ****ty OL on a ****ty team, I've got money that his career would be short. I would not us a high pick on him at this stage in his career. In the right circumstances (good team that can let him sit for a few years) he could be awesome. I don't think he would be a difference maker on a bad team, and as a high draft pick that's what he'd be required to be.

Maybe we have a different draft philosophy, but I wouldn't put a high pick on a guy who has those kinds of question marks. If he can come out and prove that he can lead a team and go toe to toe with a top tier defense under pressure I'll change my stance. But until then I think he's overrated as a first round pick.

 

yeah I think we do Dp, for me its about acquiring the guy that I believe has the highest ceiling, I too see some of the things you speak of, but once again, were talking about a 19 year old kid,and if that kid decided to enter the draft, im not gonna hold it against him, he's like a stock to me if im a GM, im surely gonna buy high even if its a baby, cause I really don't want anyone else to wind up with him.

its not against the law to develop him on your bench in your system, I would make provisions in the interim..but ill be damned if im gonna let someone pass because their to young.

 

who says he has to?

 

I tend to agree with this analysis.

He'd have struggled to get taken in the 2nd round this year. I'm not sure it would've happened. I think 3rd round.

 

Agreed, but who is going to use a high pick on a young guy who's going to ride the pine for a few years? Mariota has the potential to be a high pick and get paid a lot of money if he were to answer those ?'s. The way he played this year however wasn't indicative of a high first round pick. Teams with those picks need production, and I don't think he'd haven given it to them. Which means he drops and doesn't get paid. So might as well "gamble" in his own ability to produce next year, go back to school, turn the corner, and become a top 10 pick and get paid.

There are a few teams that I think he would fit on....namely Denver, KC, Eagles, and maybe NE. They're good enough at QB to compete, but they'll be looking to move on in a couple of years (unless you think Foles is the answer, which he might be...I have no opinion on that). I could see one of them drafting him and sitting him on the bench to develop him to replace Manning, etc. problem with that is, they all have low picks, and I'd wager that few of them would use a first rounder in him. 2nd maybe, unless they were REALLY convinced on his talent...but after the last 3 weeks I'd find that hard to believe.

Anyway, good player, potential to be great, but overrated IMO. Give me another year of competing for a Natty and I'll be happy ;) hope he blows up next year and shuts me up. Would be great to see.

 

Could see a team trying to pull a Favre/Rodgers with their current QB and Mariotta. Broncos, Steelers, Pats etc. Maybe a mid round team like the Bears taking a stab.