With private workouts and visits to various NFL club facilities filling the March and April calendars of Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, the 2015 NFL Draft's top two quarterbacks couldn't be busier trying to sell their merits as top-end first-round draft picks. Here is a look at some of the teams believed to have the highest interest in each, and how they've shown it:
<strong>Why the Jets could pass:</strong> If it's going to be a year or two before Mariota is ready to take over a pro-style offense, Bowles might prefer someone who can impact the team more immediately with a high first-round pick.
<strong>When Mariota visited:</strong> A large contingent of
Jets decision-makers went to Eugene, Ore., for
a private workout of Mariota the last weekend in March.
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<strong>Why the Rams could pass:</strong> St. Louis has plenty of other needs, and if confidence in Foles is high enough, Mariota won't appeal as much as a high-impact offensive lineman. If the consolation prize of the second-chosen receiver between
Amari Cooper or
Kevin White is still available at No. 10, that could be a no-brainer.
<strong>When Mariota visited:</strong> St. Louis will go to UO next week to
watch Mariota work out.
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<strong>Why the Titans could pass:</strong> The Whisenhunt regime might need a quicker turnaround than most second-year coaches face, and Mariota's learning curve might be too steep to contribute much in 2015. NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah
doesn't see it, and neither does former
Super Bowl champion quarterback Phil Simms, for
some of the same reasoning.
<strong>When Mariota visited:</strong>
Tennessee brought Mariota in for a pre-draft visit last week.
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<strong>Why the Buccaneers could pass:</strong> If it's a quarterback Tampa Bay wants, Winston simply makes more sense. He should be ready to play sooner that Mariota, and the No. 1 pick is a little too rich for a guy who might need a year or two to develop.
<strong>When Mariota visited:</strong> Tampa Bay made a media opportunity out of its visits from both Winston
and Mariota, and sent a number of representatives to UO last week
for a private workout.
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<strong>Why the Eagles could pass:</strong> There might not be one good reason. If he were to fall to the No. 20 pick,
Eagles fans would be penciling his name into the slot before the card even reached the podium.
<strong>When Mariota visited:</strong> There are no reports of a visit or workout for Mariota and the
Eagles, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened. With Kelly's knowledge of his former player, he'd get less out of it than any team in the league, anyway.
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<strong>Why the Chargers could pass:</strong> The chances that Mariota could slide to San Diego's pick at No. 17 are slim to begin with, but even if he did, who could fault the team for addressing more glaring needs than
Philip Rivers insurance?
<strong>When Mariota visited:</strong> The
Chargers held
a private workout with Mariota on April 14.
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More Mariota draft buzz: The Washington Redskins had a pre-draft visit from Mariota set, but scheduling problems forced a scratch. ... The Chicago Bears, with the No. 7 overall pick, brought Mariota in for a pre-draft visit earlier this month. ... The St. Louis Rams will work out Mariota and Winston in the same week.
Latest news or analysis:
» Scout: Winston, Mariota best QB prospects since Andrew Luck
» NFL executive: Mariota could face Aaron Rodgers-like draft-day slide
» Mike Mayock explains why he ranks Mariota ahead of Winston
» Phil Simms: Titans should pass on Mariota at No. 2
» Scout vs. Scout: Is Mariota worth a top-10 pick?
Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter @ChaseGoodbread.