Honestly, I keep going back and forth about what I think is likely to happen.
Look at the quote below from a recent Tennessean article. Maybe it's just a smokescreen to bait a trade. Maybe it's not. Mariota's agency also said Tennessee has been very interested.
I have assumed that Mariota just isn't a fit for Whiz. He likes pro style QBs that will go through their progressions. That's why Locker wasn't a fit here anymore. He will take off and run very early and often goes through his progressions incorrectly.
However, Mariota gets high praise from Chip Kelly and Scott Frost (yeah, they will be biased). I have thought that if these traits come through to the Titans in their interviews, workouts, and evaluations, then I could definitely see them drafting Mariota for sure. I don't think you can pass on someone you believe has that much potential. Mett really only started 4 full games this season. Are they so sold on Mett that they are really willing to pass on Winston or Mariota?
The interesting thing about the Mettenberger situation is that he could actually be the starter for a while if Mariota takes some time to adapt to the NFL game. The Jags were going to sit Bortles the whole year so there is precedent. The Titans sat Locker his whole rookie year because he was raw as well.
Overall, I won't be surprised if the Titans do end up drafting Mariota. Those they say it won't happen think they know Mariota without having evaluated him themselves.
Tennessean article
Since January, I've had Zach Mettenberger listed as the starter in 2015. But now I'm less convinced it's a slam dunk.
Marcus Mariota impressed the Titans at the NFL combine. With the Buccaneers expected to select Jameis Winston with the No. 1 pick, the Titans could have Mariota with the No. 2 pick.
They will spend more time with the former Oregon star at his pro day and in Nashville — taking the no-stone-unturned approach. I'm still not convinced he will be able to adjust effectively to a pro-style offense after playing in the Ducks' unique attack.
As for trading for someone such as Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, forget it.
Scott Frost comments
"To say Marcus can't play in a pro style offense is like saying Dwyane Wade can't play in the triangle offense," Frost told King. "To say he can't do the things an NFL quarterback can do--I laugh when I hear people say that, and I am keeping track of all the experts who've said it. He changes protections, he slides protections, he shifts protections, he makes reads, he changes calls at the line. Watch our games. We have every protection at Oregon that they have in the NFL. He changed protections at the line seven or eight times a game. He completely changed the play two or three times a game."
http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2015/03/scott_frost_comes_to_the_defen.html
Chip Kelly comments
"He might be the fastest guy on the field. But his mind is even faster," Kelly said. "(He) thinks like Peyton Manning."
http://www.nj.com/eagles/index.ssf/2015/01/eagles_chip_kelly_compares_oregons_marcus_mariota.html