Rich Cimini, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Todd McShay's latest mock: Marcus Mariota to Jets

ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay released his updated mock draft Thursday and, lo and behold, he projects quarterback Marcus Mariota to the New York Jets with the sixth pick. This seems to be the popular choice lately, and it makes sense. In the drafting business, they call it marrying need and value.

The Jets have a need at quarterback and Mariota represents value at No. 6. Easy, right? As I wrote last week from the scouting combine, it would be a mistake for the Jets to pass on Mariota. Publicly they haven't shared their feelings on Mariota (or Jameis Winston, for that matter), but the preliminary sense is they're not necessarily looking to draft a quarterback that high. We'll see if they feel the same way come April 30.

There's no doubt about how Jon Gruden feels about Mariota. ESPN's "Monday Night Football" analyst raved about the former Oregon star Thursday on the "Mike & Mike" radio show. Check out some of Gruden's comments:

  • "If you don't like Marcus Mariota, you don't like human beings."

  • "He's the most humble, hard-working guy maybe in this draft. I want him on my team. I'll put my system in around him."

  • "I think, personally, Marcus Mariota can play in any system. Just give him the playbook, put him in the individual drill period, train him. Give him a little time. He's not a senior, a fifth-year senior. Train the kid, teach the kid and you're going to like what you see -- fast. He's going to be relentless in his work ethic. Off the field, he's special."

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