Marcus Mariota, Oregon, 6-4, 218, 4.55, JR … Athletic dual-threat QB with top 5 potential for this year’s draft; angular player built along the lines of the 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick, but with a better arm; still doesn’t have true elite arm strength, but can make all the throws in the NFL including the deep out; stands tall in the pocket and has a quick, easy delivery with a high release point; very accurate passer with a career completion rate of 67% (including 69% in 2014), although that number is inflated by the number of possession-type passes in the Oregon spread offense; reads the field well and generally finds the open receiver, but still could be quicker going through his progressions; very poised in the pocket and makes good decisions with the ball; indeed, almost never turns the ball over having thrown just 11 career interceptions, including just one on 2014; long strider with sub-4.6 speed has the ability to extend plays in the pocket, also very dangerous on the edge as he throws well on the run, but can also take off and get upfield in a hurry; in fact, has close to 2,000 career rushing yards; originally from Hawaii is a character player with a phenomenal work ethic; also very humble and soft-spoken and has never been linked to any sort of off-the-field trouble, although he also unlikely to ever be a vocal team leader on or off the field, but does lead by example.
