The NFL Draft is just one day away, and still no one has any idea where Oregon Ducks quarterback prospect Marcus Mariota will go. Jon Gruden, a former Super Bowl winning coach, knows where he thinks Mariota should go however.
"I don't understand why he isn't the No. 1 player in this draft on Mel Kiper's Big Board," Gruden said.
The consensus top pick is Jameis Winston, who despite multiple off-field controversies and a decline in performance from 2013 to 2014, remains the most "pro-ready" passer in the draft class. Gruden thinks that Mariota's hurt by the perception of Oregon's offense though.
"That whole thing about Oregon being a no-huddle, dive-option team, that is just a narrative resulting from a lack of information. The Ducks run a lot of pro-style concepts. Mariota does a lot with the protections. I've seen him throw the ball with touch and timing in tight windows," Gruden said.
The former coach also said that physically, Mariota compares nicely to Winston, and cited his superior speed as a plus.
"Mariota is the same size as Jameis Winston. He runs 4.52 40, he is incredibly elusive, and man, is he a playmaker and a great competitor. I see him functioning in the pocket, out of the pocket, and if you want to run a zone-read, he'll rip the defense apart. He is like Russell Wilson, only he is 6-4."
Mariota was statistically far better than Winston last year, throwing 42 touchdowns against four picks, while Winston threw 25 touchdowns against 18 interceptions. Mariota also ran for 15 more scores, and posted a receiving touchdown.
Right now, a slew of teams are rumored to be figuring out a way to get him. The Tennessee Titans have the No. 2 pick, with the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles looming as trade partners. The San Diego Chargers have been mentioned as well since their veteran Philip Rivers isn't signing an extension, and the Jets at No. 6 remain a possibility.
[ESPN]
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