The New York Jets are serious about the possibility of selecting Marcus Mariota in this year’s NFL draft.
The Jets are sending six top decision-makers — including general manager Mike Maccagnan, head coach Todd Bowles, offensive coordinator Chan Gailey and quarterbacks coach Kevin Patullo — to Oregon for a private workout Saturday with the quarterback, The New York Daily News’ Manish Mehta reported Friday. Mehta said the team plans to test Mariota with on-field drills and classroom work.
The Heisman Trophy winner is expected to be the second quarterback to go in the draft, but it’s unclear when that will happen. The Jets have the No. 6 pick this year, but if they like what they see, they could trade up.
Still, it’s entirely possible that New York won’t have a chance to do that, as the Tennessee Titans haven’t ruled out selecting Mariota with their No. 2 pick.
“It’s hard to not be impressed with what he did in college,” Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt said at the league meetings, per the Daily News. “If he comes to us at No. 2, if we pick him at No. 2, then you definitely think he’s going to be the Day 1 starter.”
The Jets also might want to be wary of trading up for a quarterback who excelled in college but is considered a very raw talent at the pro level. The Washington Redskins traded up from No. 6 to No. 2 to land Robert Griffin III, and that’s been an extremely rocky relationship despite his successful rookie season in 2012.
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