Oct 5, 2013; Boulder, CO, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles in the first quarter against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
1. Marcus Mariota, QB (Oregon)
The Oregon Ducks Quarterback is going to change the NFL forever. A league that really has embraced many of college football’s spread offense principles can’t be scared of a spread offense quarterback. The Green Bay Packers offense for example (the gold standard in the NFL) resembles Oregon’s offense more than Florida State’s. Put Mariota in the Shotgun and let him spread the ball around to playmakers all over the place and he will be amazing.
The dirty little secret about Mariota, is that he is not just a system guy. He goes through his progressions, he reads coverages and he is trained to make a quick decision that gives you a quick release. Mariota is a wonderful passer, he hits targets in a way that gives the receiver a chance to make a play, and limits the interceptions and passes that get defended.
At the end of the day it comes down to making those throws that there is absolutely no defense for. The big plays that win games, third down conversions, weaving it into the end zone, that is what Mariota does better than anyone in this draft class. Mariota is a star, and he should be the most coveted. Even if he isn’t.
Next: The Best Overall Player Not A QB