Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota announced today that he will enter the 2015 NFL draft, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports. The redshirt junior had one year left of college eligibility.
This move isn't exactly unexpected as the Heisman Trophy winner has long been considered the top quarterback prospect, slightly ahead of Florida State's Jameis Winston. Mariota is coming off a season in which he set several career-highs by throwing for 4,454 yards and 42 touchdowns against just four interceptions. The 21-year-old lived up to his dual-threat reputation by rushing for 770 yards and 15 touchdowns as well.
Oregon's disappointing loss to Ohio State in the title game Monday night certainly takes a little of the sheen off of Mariota's incredible season. But the loss is not expected to hurt his draft stock.
ESPN's NFL Draft Insider Todd McShay has Mariota being selected first overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his Mock Draft 1.0.
"Mariota is a dynamic athlete with excellent top-end speed," McShay wrote. "He is elite at throwing on the run. He has a quick and compact over-the-shoulder release, and he possesses excellent intangibles. The concern I have with him is that while he's good with his anticipation and accuracy when passing from inside the pocket (and he's gotten better at it this season), he isn't great - and that's the most important quality for QBs transitioning to the NFL level. Is that enough of a risk for the Bucs, a team in serious need of a franchise quarterback, to pass on him?
"Maybe, or perhaps they would wind up giving Winston a higher grade. But I just can't see either of these guys sliding out of the top 10. This is as shallow of a draft at the QB position as I can remember - at least in the past several years."
If Tampa Bay passes on Mariota, the Tennesse Titans (No. 2), Washington Redskins (No. 5) and New York Jets (No. 6) are all possible landing spots at the top of the draft. SBNation.com and Draftsite.com have Mariota being selected by the Titans, with Winston being the top overall choice.
