NFL Draft 2015: Top 10 Pac-12 prospects

Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota throws a pass during the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

My biggest concern about Mariota is if he’ll be able to improve as a passer when his pocket is disrupted. When he was under duress at Oregon, his mechanics and accuracy suffered and his ability to avoid the initial rush and reset his feet and throw accurately will define whether Mariota is a good quarterback or a great one.

He should be the No. 2 pick in the draft.

" >

2

Marcus Mariota

QB, Oregon

Marcus Mariota won the Heisman Trophy in 2014 and had a record-breaking career at Oregon where he led the Ducks to the national championship game as a redshirt junior. He added weight in his last year after bypassing the draft last year and is up to 222 pounds on his 6-4 frame and didn’t lose any of his trademark speed, running a 4.52 40 at the combine.

Mariota has zero character concerns and has been the model student and citizen while at Oregon with the biggest question surrounding his game is if he is built for a big city, being a vocal leader and if he can play under center and anticipate throws. He didn’t have to do the last two at Oregon but that doesn’t mean he’s not capable of doing so. Sure, he will have to adjust to reading from under center as opposed to three yards behind him and make throws in tighter windows, but he can and will do it.

My biggest concern about Mariota is if he’ll be able to improve as a passer when his pocket is disrupted. When he was under duress at Oregon, his mechanics and accuracy suffered and his ability to avoid the initial rush and reset his feet and throw accurately will define whether Mariota is a good quarterback or a great one.

He should be the No. 2 pick in the draft.

Next: Leonard Williams