2015 NFL Draft: Spotlighting Top 10 Prospects
Jan 1, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs off the field following the first half of the 2015 Rose Bowl college football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
1. Marcus Mariota, QB (Oregon)
Marcus Mariota is who I believe is the best quarterback available. He has the arm talent, the accuracy and the high football IQ that I want from a quarterback in the NFL. Mariota is going to be special and is much less of a risk than Winston.
Mariota’s big knock is the offense he played in at Oregon. I have no doubt that he can learn to play in a pro-style offense and it will be an easy transition. He is too talented for something like that to be what derails him.
Mariota has beautiful touch to his passes. One of the reasons he threw so few interceptions was his ability to put the ball where only his receiver can catch it. Mariota is a master at the back shoulder pass. He routinely trusts his receivers to make a big time catch, not needing them to be wide open.
Mariota is a really good quarterback, a stoic leader and a great man on and off the field. I would take him number one overall if I was the GM of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I seem to be in the minority on this one, but I firmly believe Mariota is the most special prospect in the 2015 NFL Draft.