Marcus Mariota Could Find Fresh Start With Raiders
While the novel coronavirus has shut down most of the sports world, the NFL continues to push through, at least on the business side. Earlier this week Marcus Mariota signed a deal with the Las Vegas Raiders.
For me, that is still strange to say, but fans of Oregon who followed Mariota while he was with the Tennessee Titans watched six seasons of a player that worked as hard on the field as he did off the field. On several occasions, injuries got in the way. The former Oregon Quarterback also worked through several coaching staffs with the Titans.
More from Autzen Zoo
- Oregon football: Ducks and Coach Prime playing it cordial leading up to Saturday
- Oregon Basketball: Non-conference slate features Michigan coming to Eugene
- Oregon football: Ducks find complete game effort in win vs Hawaii
- Oregon Ducks must get run game going against Hawaii
- 8 Pac-12 teams represented in Associated Press Top 25 after Week 2
Now, he lands with the Raiders and could find himself competing with Derek Carr for the starting position this fall. He has been under center for 61 starts in his career and may not be the answer entering the season. In fact, the Raiders may still look to the upcoming NFL Draft for another potential signal-caller.
The Raiders have had a busy week. Jason Witten signed with the team as he looks to continue a resurgence for his playing career after not doing so well in the broadcast booth. He can close to $5 million with incentives and should be an offensive leader in the locker room. The team has also signed former Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver Nelson Agholor.
Wide Receivers with the Raiders, outside of Antonio Brown, and we know how well that went, have not been household names. While Agholor brings some experience, he was not often a target of Carson Wentz in Philadelphia, but he brings some experience to a unit that is in need of it. I also expect the team to go after another Free Agent and also address the Wide Receiver position in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Since the NFL Draft is in Las Vegas, it will be interesting to watch to see what the Raiders find in the way of talent with their Draft picks. The team has seven picks with two in the first round at 12th and 19th. There may be enough options that the may have the chance to move up for a pick if they choose to.
The NFL Draft is set to begin on April 23rd.