As time continues to tick away prior to the 2015 NFL draft, nearly all eyes are on the Tennessee Titans and the second overall pick. With Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston more than likely to go first overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Titans hold the future of the draft in their hands with the second selection.
From Houston and San Diego to Philadelphia and St. Louis, teams are pining over the quarterback consolation prize to Winston, Marcus Mariota. If reports are anything to go by, Mariota will go second overall.
But to which team?
As ESPN’s Bob Holtzman is reporting, multiple teams appear to be in on the Mariota sweepstakes, but should not get too excited.
However, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport indicates that teams are looking at the Titans asking price for the second pick and concluding that they might very well just select the Oregon product and be done with it.
While the second pick is being shopped, apparently the asking price is too steep for most teams. No franchise wants to be the next Washington Redskins, who mortgaged their future back in 2012 to select Robert Griffin III. Three years of futility later, the Redskins’ actions are potentially making teams shy away from the supposed three first-round selections the Titans are asking for.
It is highly likely that this situation will not be sorted until the Titans are on the clock after the Buccaneers make their selection, but Mariota’s future is worth monitoring as the day unfolds. Titans coach Ken Wisenhunt’s system could be the only thing keeping the Titans from taking Mariota themselves, adding yet another interesting variable to a fluidly abstract situation.
Regardless, Mariota is the hottest commodity on the market, and some team will move worlds to take the Oregon prospect, be it with the Titans or a team picking later in the top five.
Photo: USA Today Sports