Gallery: 8/11
No. 4 Mariota Kart
Anything that is a reference to the legendary video game Mario Kart, I am going to nominate as a top fantasy name. This name suggestion from Sporting News has lots of potential logo designs with Marcus Mariota playing as your favorite Mario Kart player.
It looks like people are sleeping on Mariota's fantasy upside. According to Fantasy Pros, Mariota has an ADP of 130.6, making him the 17th quarterback off the board. This means, in most leagues, teams are beginning to pick their second quarterback before Mariota is selected. What's the reason for his low draft spot? Mariota had a difficult 2017 throwing more interceptions (15) than he did touchdowns (12).
Mariota threw for 3,232 yards and rushed for another 312 yards along with five rushing touchdowns. Mariota offers a nice dual-threat option, in fantasy if he is able to cut down on the turnovers that plagued him last season. Back in 2016, Mariota threw 26 touchdowns and just nine interceptions. If the Titans quarterback can have a similar season this year, it would put him in the running to be a top-12 quarterback. Titans Online reported that Mariota looked faster during practices this off-season.
"Quarterback Marcus Mariota is still getting used to the changes around him, from the new scheme to the new coaching staff to new players," Titans Online noted. "Minus the bulky knee brace he’d worn previously, however, he’s sure looked fast on the occasions when he’s taken off. Mariota also made progress while working to clean up some technique issues. It should pay off when training camp rolls around."
One of the things that would help Mariota's numbers would be for second-year wide receiver Corey Davis to have an uptick in production.
"Multiple reporters at Wednesday’s joint practice with the Buccaneers noted that Davis and Mariota were a dominant duo in team drills thanks in large part to their improved timing," USA Today reported. "So much of a successful quarterback-wide receiver relationship relies on timing. However, Davis isn’t limiting his on-field work to his time with Mariota. He’s also been a regular participant on the Jugs Machine after practice."
Mariota's formula for fantasy success involves a decrease in turnovers, increased production from Davis and a natural progression in some of the other key statistical categories. If some combination of this happens, the Titans quarterback will live up to the Mariota Kart name.