Oregon Ducks Have More NFL Draft Prospects Than Mariota

Dec 5, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) celebrates with right guard Jake Pisacrik (76) and right tackle Matt Pierson (62) after scoring a touchdown in the third quarter against the Arizona Wildcats in the Pac-12 Championship at Levi

Bottom Line

I love Mariota just like everyone else does as I love my Pac-12 but I have to be honest and say Mariota is a project. He’s the greatest in college football but as an NFL prospect, Mariota isn’t even the best on his own team. That defense that really won the day in the Pac-12 Championship Game has some real prospects on it and they’re being overshadowed by Mariota right now.

I’m not saying Mariota won’t ultimately succeed but he needs to sit his first year while working on his accuracy and functioning in a pro style offense. The three defensive prospects I mentioned in the previous slides can walk into their respective buildings and be major contributors right away. As a matter of fact, especially Armstead and Ekpre-Olomu, they can be starters and stars for their respective teams right away.