Marcus Mariota is not sure whether or not he will participate in the NFL Combine's throwing drills and he may not have to given his draft stock.

Multiple publications believe the Heisman Trophy winner is at least going to be taken within the first five or six selections, though he could go as high as first overall. Mariota exhibited superb athleticism for the Oregon Ducks, so he should put on a show with his physical drills.

Then there are the passing drills.

"Really, I'm looking forward to throwing if I'm able to do that," Mariota told the Associated Press. "It's going to be a decision that my agent and the team that I have around me will decide when I get closer."

He said his right shoulder, which he sprained against Ohio State in the National Title game, is feeling fine. His "team" may ultimately decide it is in Mariota's best interest to wait until the Ducks' team pro day to show off the QBs arm.

Per Mike Mayock, of the NFL Network, scouts and evaluators look for the following during the combine's passing drills:

  • Footwork on three-, five- and seven-step drops can be crucial for some prospects.
  • The "route tree" tests a QB's ability to throw to receivers running slant, out, in, corner and deep routes.

Mariota took most of his snaps out of shotgun, so evaluators and scouts will be paying a lot of attention to his footwork in pre-draft workouts. The receiver pairing at the combine is random, but on the Ducks' pro day, he will know his targets well. Mariota could also buy himself time to refine his footwork by not throwing at the combine.

The combine is the opportunity for NFL prospects to show off their best attributes and highly projected picks can typically afford to hold the most back. For Mariota, his best attributes are his athleticism and personality, both of which he can showcase at the combine.

He will then be able to convince scouts and evaluators of his pocket passing ability in more controlled environments with extra time to prepare.

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