Hayes: He simply isn't worth it
In this draft, every effort should be made to reconstruct the secondary, to add depth on the offensive line and to add depth at linebacker. Seldom is a draft strategy this simple. Keep It Simple, Stupid.
Are we still talking about this?
After Marcus Mariota's underwhelming performance in the national championship game?
After so many draft analysts have recognized Mariota's shortcomings as a pocket passer?
Look, defensive coordinators love quarterbacks who cross the line of scrimmage and try to make plays. Why?
Because then you can pound on them with impunity.
Because then they don't set their feet to throw, which results in more intercept-able passes.
Because then they don't last long.
Remember when everybody wanted a Colin Kaepernick? And RGIII?
Yes, the highest-rated passer in history is Aaron Rodgers, a good runner, but Aaron Rodgers is Michael Jordan. The top-10 passers in history are Tony Romo, Steve Young, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Philip Rivers, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, Kurt Warner and Joe Montana. Some of those guys were mobile but only Young really ran a lot, at a cost: He had just eight real NFL seasons before concussions pushed him out of the game.
All but Romo and Rivers won a Super Bowl.
Russell Wilson, an excellent runner, won one, too. He, like Young, is an exception.
There is no reason to think Mariota will fail in the NFL. He has size, decent arm strength, intelligence, big-stage experience.
There is less reason to believe he will succeed immediately, more proficiently than incumbent starter Nick Foles.
Most analysts believe the scheme in which Mariota won his Heisman at Oregon translates poorly to NFL offenses — even Chip Kelly's.
Most analysts believe Mariota lacks pocket presence, a sense of the rush, the willingness to throw receivers open.
Is it worth multiple first-round picks and current ascending talent — Fletcher Cox, Mychal Kendricks — to determine if Mariota can withstand an NFL pass rush? Can throw through NFL secondaries? Can endure an NFL sack?
Of course not.
Assuming receiver Jeremy Maclin returns, the Eagles have a 2-year window in which to exploit a superb offensive line, outstanding skill position players, a surging front-7 on defense and a coaching staff in lockstep with each other. In this draft, every effort should be made to reconstruct the secondary, to add depth on the offensive line and to add depth at linebacker.
Seldom is a draft strategy this simple.
Keep It Simple, Stupid.