There has been an unprecedented amount of speculation leading up to this year’s NFL draft, and most of it will wind up being unfounded. However, one storyline that might be understated at this point is the New York Jets’ interest in Marcus Mariota.
In addition to visiting Oregon for an on-campus workout with Mariota on March 27, Albert Breer of NFL Media reports that the Jets hosted him for a private workout in New Jersey just five days later on April 2. The Jets are one of just three teams to hold a private workout with Mariota and bring him to their team facility for a visit. The others are the Buccaneers and Titans, who hold the first two picks in the draft.
The Jets currently hold the No. 6 pick, and they may have to move up if they want to draft Mariota. Assuming the Bucs take Winston first overall, the Titans would be wise to at least pretend they’re interested in Mariota. There have already been reports of teams wanting to trade picks with the Titans so they can select the former Oregon star, and the Jets might enter that mix.
In the event that the Titans don’t select Mariota and opt to keep their pick, Mariota would likely fall to at least the Redskins at No. 5. Both the Jaguars (3rd overall) and Raiders (4th overall) drafted quarterbacks last year who are now their starters.
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock recently said the Jets should look to make a deal with Washington if that situation plays out.
“If I’m the Jets at six and he gets past Oakland at four, I’d be on phone with Washington, saying, ‘Hey, what’s it going to take to move one spot?’ — just to guarantee I can get the kid,” he said, per ESPNNewYork.com’s Rich Cimini. “Washington would love it because they can get whatever player they want, plus pick up a second- or third-round pick by moving down one.”
A previous report indicated that the Eagles would make a trade with the Jets at No. 6 if Mariota fell that far, but that seems highly unlikely now. Given how the Jets feel about Geno Smith, we wouldn’t be surprised if they had their sights set on Mariota.
