SPORTS

Should Titans draft backup QB for Marcus Mariota?

Jason Wolf
USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

Marcus Mariota is the Titans’ unquestioned franchise quarterback for the next decade or longer, as long as he remains healthy.

Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs  holds the MVP trophy after the Vols' 38-24 win over Nebraska in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl at Nissan Stadium on Friday in Nashville.

But he has missed five games to injuries over his first two NFL seasons – four because of sprained knees as a rookie, and last season’s finale with a broken right leg, which required surgery.

Mariota is on pace to be healthy for next year’s season opener, Titans coach Mike Mularkey said Wednesday during an event for season ticket holders. But the Titans’ backup quarterback situation remains unsettled. Veteran Matt Cassel, who signed a one-year deal last March and started the finale against the Texans, is a free agent and will turn 35 before the start of next season. Alex Tanney, 29, remains under contract, but has just two quarters of NFL game experience.

RELATED

The Titans have eight picks in the upcoming NFL draft – two in the first round, two in the third, and one each in the fourth through seventh rounds. Should the Titans consider drafting a backup quarterback?

Here are five prospects to watch:

Nathan Peterman, Pittsburgh, senior

6-foot-2, 225 pounds

Peterman was a two-year starter for the Panthers, tossing 47 touchdowns to 15 interceptions after transferring from Tennessee. In 13 games last season, he completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 2,855 yards, 27 touchdowns and seven picks. Peterson has an accurate deep ball and the mobility to move the pocket and take off if a running lane appears. He and the rest of the quarterback on this list could be final-day picks, going anywhere between the fourth and seventh rounds.

Davis Webb, California, senior

6-5, 229

Webb lost the starting job at Texas Tech, then transferred to Cal as a graduate student. He started all 12 games this season in replace of Jared Goff, the top overall pick last year, completing 61.6 percent of his passes for 4,295 yards, 37 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The bulk of his pass attempts were 10 yards or shorter.

Jerod Evans, Virginia Tech, junior

6-2, 238

The former JUCO quarterback played just one season for the Hokies after turning down an offer from Texas A&M. In 14 starts, the dual-threat quarterback completed 63.5 percent of his passes for 3,546 yards, 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also rushed for 846 yards and 12 touchdowns on 204 carries.

Joshua Dobbs, Tennessee, senior

6-3, 216

Another dual-threat quarterback and playmaker outside the pocket, and perhaps one of the more intelligent prospects in the draft. The aerospace engineering major started every game over the last two seasons. In 13 games as a senior, Dobbs completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,946 yards, 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 831 yards and 12 touchdowns on 150 carries.

C.J. Beathard, Iowa, redshirt senior

6-3, 219

Could the local guy return home? The Franklin native and former Battle Ground Academy standout was a two-year starter for the Hawkeyes. But he seemed to regress last season, completing just 56.5 percent of his passes for 1,929 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He has decent arm strength and mechanics, but analysts say he struggles with pocket awareness and accuracy downfield. He has experience running play action in a pro-style offense.

Reach Jason Wolf atjwolf@tennessean.comand follow him on Twitter at@JasonWolfand on Instagram and Snapchat atTitansBeat.

KEY DATES

NFL Combine: Feb. 28-March 6

Free agency begins: March 9

NFL Draft: April 27-29