X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Defending Marcus Mariota

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota has struggled in recent years. Justin Carter defends Mariota as a QB who could still bring value to fantasy football rosters in 2019 drafts.

As a longtime fan of the Houston Texans and, therefore, a longtime hater of the Tennessee Titans, it takes a lot for me to defend a Titans player.

But all of this Marcus Mariota hate has to stop. Yes, his career up to this point hasn't resembled what people wanted from it and he's not a fantasy QB1, but there's still a lot of potential for Mariota to succeed in a revamped Titans offense, and he's likely heading for a season that looks more like 2016, when we thought he was breaking out, than 2017 or 2018.

Let's talk about why everyone should be higher on Marcus Mariota than they currently are and why he can be a streamable fantasy quarterback in 2019.

Editor's Note: Discover RotoBaller’s top Fantasy Football Sleepers to gain an edge in your drafts. Our free who to draft tool and expert picks spotlight undervalued players, breakout candidates, and late-round gems for all league formats.

 

Marcus Mariota Isn't That Bad, Y'all

Look, I get where everyone is at with Mariota at this point, and I get that the addition of Ryan Tannehill isn't good for him. He's never finished better than QB12 and has never played a full 16 games. Those aren't good things. He's combined for 24 touchdown throws over the last two seasons, which doesn't even match his 2016 production, when he threw for 26 of them. And last year, he threw for under 200 yards per game. Bad stuff, yes.

But let's look beyond those raw numbers. PlayerProfiler has some advanced stats that have me still occupying Mariota Island.

First off, the Titans just didn't throw the ball last year, with the team averaging just 30.2 pass plays per game. The elevation of tight end coach Arthur Smith to the offensive coordinator role doesn't suggest much about the team's plans to change that, but their other offseason moves do. For example, the Titans brought in one of the best (and most underrated) slot options in the NFL last year in former Buccaneer Adam Humphries, who suddenly gives the team a reliable option at the slot.

They also drafted A.J. Brown in the second round and will have a healthy Delanie Walker at tight end. Mariota should be throwing more this year for the simple reason that he has good options to throw the ball to. Last season, Corey Davis was targeted 112 times. Running back Dion Lewis was second on the team at 67, and then you get to the team's other wide receivers, Taywan Taylor and Tajae Sharpe. Those guys will be significantly less involved this year, with the team's new acquisitions taking on a larger share of the offensive load.

Beyond that, though, there are numbers from last year that suggest Mariota can excel on a team that dedicates more time to the passing game. Among all quarterbacks, he had the seventh-best deep ball completion percentage. He had the fifth-highest true completion percentage, a number that factors in throwaways and drops. And while he was 29th among quarterbacks in air yards, he was only 17th in air yards per attempt. If he stays on the field, we'll see Mariota throwing the ball deeper more often. The deeper the target, the better chance it results in a big play.

Marcus Mariota also ranked eighth among quarterbacks in accuracy rating, but his receivers dropped 19 passes. This is where the new receiver corps comes in, and why I'm pretty high on Adam Humphries this year. Humphries had the 11th-best catch rate among wide receivers last year and proved to be a very solid guy after the catch, racking up 428 YAC, eighth-best at his position. I can't say enough about how much I think having a guy like Humphries is going to help Mariota this season.

(Also, a non-advanced stat here: Mariota completed 68.9 percent of his passes last year, tied for fifth in the NFL.)

Mariota is also a mobile quarterback, which increases his fantasy value. He's rushed for over 300 yards in each of the past three seasons and had five rushing touchdowns in 2017. Is he Cam Newton or Kyler Murray? Nah, but he's capable of giving fantasy owners a couple of extra points per game with his legs, and a couple of extra points per game can make a difference over the course of a season.

 

Don't Believe Me? Just Watch

Let's head to the tape and show some visual evidence of why Mariota deserves more love.

First, if you want a more in-depth breakdown, last season I wrote about and broke down Mariota's Week 10 performance, when he threw for 228 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Patriots. He showed a lot of promise in that game, and the Titans had him moving around in the backfield and firing the ball downfield.

But let's look at some tape from some other games.

Here's a touchdown throw against the Jets from last season. The Titans run this play out of the shotgun -- which, it should be noted, the Titans used on 51 percent of snaps last year, the league's sixth-lowest rate -- on third and six. When you have a mobile quarterback like Mariota, I like running plays from the gun as much as possible, and I hope the Titans understand that this year and put Mariota in this position more.

Anyway, Mariota gets the snap, the Titans offensive line does a good job keeping the pocket clean for him, and Mariota is able to thread the ball between two Jets defenders to Davis right at the first down line, who turns upfield to get those final four yards.

The thing about this play is the accuracy that Mariota shows. He gets the time to throw that he needs, and because of this is able to deliver a pass right to Davis. Remember those advanced metrics from earlier that suggest Mariota is actually a really accurate passer who has been hurt by his supporting cast?

Yeah. I'm buying that conclusion.

Titans Film Room has a great compilation here of Mariota's ability to anticipate where his receivers are going to be:

More evidence here of how a clean pocket and good receivers can help Mariota excel. He's shown some really good ability to put passes where they need to go and to lead his receivers. This year's improvements to the roster will give him his best chance since 2016 to actually turn that potential and that accuracy into solid production.

I don't think Mariota's heading for a QB1 year. The volume just isn't there for that. But he will see more volume than last year, and I think he's got a chance to be solidly in that QB2 tier, maybe in the QB15-18 range. That's not fantasy starter material, but it does make him a viable streaming option for fantasy owners who go that route. It makes him a bye week replacement. And it makes him a value play in Superflex leagues. So, let's stop hating on Marcus Mariota, okay?

More ADP Values and Sleepers




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Thriston Lawrence

a Decent Fit For John Deere Classic
Tom Kim

Not Finding Much to be Happy About Ahead of John Deere Classic
Nolan Arenado

Dealing with Finger Sprain
ANA

Mikael Granlund Moves to Anaheim on Three-Year Deal
Jacob Wilson

Scratched With Hamstring Soreness
NJ

Jake Allen Signs Five-Year Extension With Devils
VAN

Brock Boeser Remains in Vancouver on Seven-Year Deal
Conor Garland

Signs New Six-Year Deal with Canucks
Thatcher Demko

Signs Three-Year Extension with Canucks
Brandon Woodruff

Ready for Season Debut
Martin Fehérváry

Martin Fehervary Agrees to Seven-Year Extension with Capitals
Garrett Mitchell

Out for the Rest of the Season
MLB

Brewers-Mets Postponed on Tuesday
MLB

Tigers-Nationals Postponed on Tuesday
Zach Neto

Returns to Tuesday's Lineup
Milwaukee Bucks

Gary Harris Inks Deal With Bucks
MLB

Padres-Phillies Postponed on Tuesday
Charlotte Hornets

Mason Plumlee Heading Back to Charlotte
Si Woo Kim

is a Prohibitive Fade at John Deere Classic
Hunter Goodman

Back Behind the Dish on Tuesday
Jakob Poeltl

Agrees to a Contract Extension With Raptors
Ben Griffin

is the Appropriate Favorite at TPC Deere Run
Jason Day

is a Fine Play With Limited Upside at John Deere Classic
Vasilije Micić

Vasilije Micic Dealt to Bucks on Tuesday
Daniel Suarez

and Trackhouse Racing Parting Ways After 2025 Season
Luke Clanton

Looks to Have Another Strong Week at TPC Deere Run
Pat Connaughton

Traded to Hornets
Atlanta Hawks

Luke Kennard Lands in Atlanta
Breece Hall

Aiming to Prove He is "Still One of the Best in the League"
T.J. Watt

Steelers Not Planning to Trade T.J. Watt
Sacramento Kings

Dennis Schroder Set to Join Sacramento
Bo Bichette

Out Again on Tuesday
Trent Grisham

Likely Heading to Injured List
Boston Celtics

Luke Kornet Agrees to Contract With San Antonio
Jonas Valančiūnas

Nuggets Trade for Center Jonas Valanciunas
Royce Lewis

Twins Activate Royce Lewis
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Signs Massive Extension With Oklahoma City
Corbin Carroll

Eyeing Return Before All-Star Break
New York Knicks

Knicks Pick Up Guerschon Yabusele
Yordan Alvarez

Could Return Early Next Week
NFL

Negotiations on 18-Game Season Not Expected Until Next Year
Indiana Pacers

Myles Turner Leaves Indiana, Signs With Milwaukee
Kerry Carpenter

Shelved with Hamstring Issue
Tyler Boyd

Steelers Have Talked With Tyler Boyd
Milwaukee Bucks

Damian Lillard Waived By Milwaukee
Darren Waller

Coming Out of Retirement to Play for Dolphins
Alexander Romanov

Islanders Retain Alexander Romanov on $50 Million Contract
Andrei Kuzmenko

Signs Up for One More Year with Kings
Morgan Geekie

Signs Long-Term Extension with Bruins
Ivan Provorov

Stays in Columbus on Seven-Year Deal
Alex Pietrangelo

Stepping Away From Golden Knights for Health Reasons
Matias Maccelli

Maple Leafs Bring in Matias Maccelli
Evan Bouchard

Inks $42 Million Contract with Oilers
Vladimir Tarasenko

Wild Acquire Vladimir Tarasenko From Detroit
Patrick Kane

Signs New One-Year Deal with Red Wings
Brad Marchand

Lands Six-Year Extension
Aaron Ekblad

Remains a Panther on Eight-Year Deal
Mitchell Marner

Heads to Vegas
Randy Arozarena

Homers Twice, Plates Four Monday
Shea Langeliers

Hits Three-Run Homer In Return From Injured List Monday
Wilyer Abreu

Belts Grand Slam and Hits Inside-the-Park Home Run
Philadelphia 76ers

Trendon Watford Lands in Philadelphia
New York Knicks

Jordan Clarkson Expected to Sign With Knicks
Zack Wheeler

Tosses Eight Shutout Innings, Punches Out 10
Santi Aldama

Remains with Grizzlies
Atlanta Hawks

Nickeil Alexander-Walker Lands in Atlanta
George Springer

Exits Early Monday With Neck Injury
Jalen Ramsey

Could Move Around in Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Clippers

Brook Lopez Strikes Deal With Clippers
Jonnu Smith

to be Used in Hybrid Role
Terry McLaurin

Commanders, Terry McLaurin Not Close on Contract Extension
Hunter Goodman

Likely Headed to Injured List
Chicago Bulls

Tre Jones Remaining in Chicago
Michael Mayer

Raiders Not Interested in Trading Michael Mayer
Houston Rockets

Dorian Finney-Smith Signing With Rockets
Atlanta Hawks

Caris LeVert Joining Pistons
Aldrich Potgieter

Wins Rocket Mortgage Classic
Thorbjorn Olesen

Finishes Tied for 41st at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Denny McCarthy

Finishes Tied For 12th at Travelers Championship
Chris Kirk

Finishes Tied For Second at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Michael Kim

Finishes Tied for 26th at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Max Homa

Misses Cut at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Lucas Glover

Finishes Tied For Ninth at Travelers Championship
PGA

Nico Echavarria Finishes Tied For Sixth at Rocket Mortgage Classic
Pittsburgh Steelers

Rumors Still Swirling Around Potential T.J. Watt Trade
Ilia Topuria

Becomes The New Lightweight Champion
Charles Oliveira

Knocked Out At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Alexandre Pantoja Submits Kai Kara-France
Kai Kara-France

Submitted At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Extends His Win Streak
Tyler Boyd

Interested in Playing for Steelers
Miami Dolphins

Dolphins Now Looking to Acquire a Tight End
Brandon Royval

Drops Decision
L'Jarius Sneed

Says he's Healthy
Renato Moicano

Loses Back-To-Back Fights
Beneil Dariush

Gets Back In The Win Column
Felipe Lima

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Payton Talbott

Bounces Back
Minkah Fitzpatrick

Heading Back to Miami
Jonnu Smith

Shipped to Pittsburgh
Alex Bowman

Competitive Run Ends With Third-Place Finish at Atlanta
Erik Jones

Secures A Top-Five Finish After Adversity In Atlanta
Tyler Reddick

Collects A New Career-Best Finish At Atlanta
Jalen Ramsey

Steelers Acquiring Jalen Ramsey
Jonas Brodin

Expected to Miss Start of Next Season
TB

Conor Sheary Placed on Waivers for Contract Termination
Dante Fabbro

Stays with Blue Jackets on Four-Year Deal
Chase Elliott

Ends Winless Skid With Atlanta Victory
Brad Keselowski

Falls Short of Atlanta Victory
NFL

NFL Won't Hold Supplemental Draft This Year
Damon Arnette

Getting Second Chance With Texans
Deommodore Lenoir

Arrested for Obstruction of Justice
Carson Hocevar

Recovers From Big One to Finish 10th at Atlanta
William Byron

Caught up in Atlanta Big One but Retains Points Lead
Denny Hamlin

Top In-Season Challenge Seed Denny Hamlin Eliminated in Lap 70 Crash
Ty Dillon

Bottom Seed Ty Dillon Upsets Denny Hamlin to Advance in In-Season Challenge
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Expected to Make Second-Year Jump
Jalin Hyatt

Looking to Flip the Script in 2025
Kyle Larson

Don't Expect Kyle Larson to Win First Drafting Track Race on Saturday
Christopher Bell

Unlikely to Complete Atlanta Sweep
Brad Keselowski

Seeks Another Clutch Win for Hail-Mary Playoff Bid
Chris Buescher

Unlikely to Lead Enough to Have Much DFS Value
Alex Bowman

Qualifies Best Among Non-Fords but Unlikely to Contend at Atlanta
Ryan Preece

Will Probably Run Better Than Usual at Atlanta
Austin Dillon

Consistently Mediocre at Atlanta
Ty Gibbs

Slightly Faster Lately but Unlikely to be a Factor at Atlanta
Erik Jones

a Low-Key Strong DFS Option
Noah Gragson

Could Have DFS Value as One of the Lowest-Qualifying Fords
Riley Herbst

Unlikely to Replicate February Atlanta Finish
Charles Oliveira

Can Become A Two-Time Lightweight Champion
Ilia Topuria

A Favorite At UFC 317
Kai Kara-France

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fourth Title Defense At UFC 317
Joshua Van

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Brandon Royval

Looks For His Third Win In A Row
Renato Moicano

Returns At UFC 317
Beneil Dariush

An Underdog At UFC 317
Payton Talbott

Looks To Bounce Back
Felipe Lima

Set To Open Up UFC 317 Main Card
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF