New York Jets: 2015 NFL Draft Preview: Marcus Mariota

With the 2014 season all but over for the New York Jets, it is time to start looking ahead. Specifically, we look ahead at the upcoming NFL draft, which will take place in Chicago for the first time next year.

One of the biggest questions the Jets have, as we all know, is the quarterback position. Do the Jets have a franchise quarterback? They obviously don’t think so, as the days of Geno Smith seem to be over. That means they likely will look to the NFL draft. We will take a much closer look at potential draftees as the draft gets closer, but I wanted to take an initial look at one of the biggest names, QB Marcus Mariota.

The junior star for the Oregon Ducks is having a huge season, with 26 touchdowns and only two interceptions to date. Mariota is also a threat with his legs, with 410 yards rushing to go along with seven touchdowns on the ground. He clearly is a talented player, but is he the guy for the Jets.

Take a look at some video on Mariota, and I will give you some thoughts on the other side:

Marcus Mariota has a strong arm, and he is accurate. You cannot put up the numbers that he has put up without having both of those characteristics. Mariota can run with the best of them, showing signs of Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson when he runs. He has a quick burst of speed and can make people miss.

But I do not like Mariota with regards to fundamentals. Despite all of the running ability, you know what I always talk about on here, is that a quarterback has to make all of the throws. Look at that tape. There are multiple occasions when Mariota does not set his feet and step into his throw correctly. There is one throw in particular, at the :46 second mark, where although he was rushed, he had time to set his feet and make a throw. Instead, he throws off of his back foot, which he will never get away with in the NFL.