Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota seems to be regaining favor in the eyes of certain NFL Draft experts, though still not enough to be the top overall pick.
In his fourth official mock draft, ESPN analyst Todd McShay projected the Oregon quarterback to go second overall to the Tennessee Titans. McShay previously had him going to the New York Jets sixth overall.
One thing has not changed as the NFL Draft has now come to within a month's time and that is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' apparent intention to draft Jameis Winston. No team may be more in need of a franchise QB and the front office has indicated their first overall selection will be spent on one. Barring a 13th-hour surprise, all reports say they will take Winston.
In his mock draft, McShay suggested drafting Mariota has now become the Titans' best option with their selection. However, he said taking USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams or trading the pick to someone willing to pay a King's ransom for the pick, presumably to take Mariota.
But SB Nation's Dan Kadar seems to agree with McShay, also projecting the Titans to draft the Oregon QB. Mariota is widely viewed as less "NFL ready" than Winston, but the second overall pick would very likely start week one. Mariota's key selling points are his attitude, sterling off-field reputation and freakish athleticism.
Still, CBS Sports and Bleacher Report are holding fast in the belief that the Titans will take Williams. While B/R projected Mariota to go to the Jets, CBS Sports' Dane Brugler projected the Washington Redskins to swap out their own Heisman winner for the new one.
With Robert Griffin III already on the roster, it seems unlikely the Redskins would want to bring in another young, dual-threat QB to compete for the job, especially with the fifth overall pick. Likely available to them would be either a highly talented pass rusher or wide receiver.
