Marcus Mariota is making a pre-draft come-up that Jameis Winston can't be pleased with. Right after Winston's lawyer was quoted as saying that the former Florida State quarterback isn't ready to be an NFL player off the field, Mariota's own draft stock has seemingly surged. Or, at least the damaging quote from Winston's lawyer has served as a springboard for Mariota's own claim to the No. 1 overall pick in this month's NFL Draft.
According to ESPN's Ron Jaworski, his sources around the league have Mariota pegged as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' pick at No. 1:
"Mariota's stock, remember it was quiet for a while? And there's a reason for that. There's a lull every year until about 30 days before the draft. Now the coaches get involved. Prior to that, it's the scouts, it's the roadies that are filling out the paper work. Now the coaches get involved. Now team owners get involved. Now general managers get involved. So you're starting to see, in my opinion, Winston's stock starting to slide a little bit and Mariota's stock starting to go up a little bit."
Amidst his trove of off field incidents, the Buccaneers have reportedly expressed internal concerns about making Winston the new face of their franchise. Maritoa, whose "character" has been repeatedly praised in pre-draft chatter, is being perceived as a stronger choice for the Bucs.
But could it all be talk to get Chip Kelly grassed up for a Mariota trade? Jaworski added his own insight, saying, "I've heard it from a couple or three people that have had conversations with Chip Kelly, and Chip Kelly said, 'Marcus Mariota will win multiple Super Bowls in the National Football League.'" That sounds like a player Kelly would *probably* want on his team.
Can't wait to see Chip Kelly hold a boombox blasting "Lovin' You" outside of Mariota's hotel room the night before the NFL Draft.
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[via Philly Mag]
