Marcus Mariota is rapidly recovering from his broken leg, and he's expected to be 100 percent healthy by training camp.

If Mariota is healthy as expected going into the 2017 season, the Tennessee Titans quarterback will enter the season with high expectations.

"By the time next season is over, he'll be viewed as a top-five quarterback," an AFC coach told bleacherreport.com. "Maybe even top three or four."

Placing Mariota in the "top-five" among NFL quarterbacks would mean his name would be mentioned in the same elite category with quarterbacks such as New England's Tom Brady, Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers and Seattle's Russell Wilson.

That would likely mean guiding the Titans to their first playoff berth since 2008. Reaching the playoffs is certainly within doable for Mariota and the Titans.

They were in the thick of the race for the AFC South title going into Week 16 during the 2016 season. Mariota suffered his season-ending broken right leg in the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars that effectively ended the Titans title hopes. The Titans finished with a 9-7 record, their best record since 2011.

The Titans offense made major strides in all categories in 2016 and the unit is expected to improve again in 2017. Mariota is expected to improve, simply because he'll be playing with another year of experience.

The Titans, who have drafted and signed players primarily to help Mariota, did so again in 2017 by selecting Western Michigan wide receiver Corey Davis in the first round of the 2017 NFL draft. Wide receiver Rishard Matthews produced a career year in 2016, but Davis is a big-time player and expected to quickly become the Titans top receiver.

Another reason some people are predicting the Titans to earn a playoff berth, they play in the weak AFC South. The Houston Texans, the defending champions, could be starting a rookie - Deshaun Watson - at quarterback. The Indianapolis Colts are regressing and the Jacksonville Jaguars seem destined for another disappointing season.

ESPN NFL analyst and former coach Jon Gruden is high on Mariota and the Titans in 2017.

"I think he can be a great, front-line Pro Bowl quarterback in the league, I don't have any doubts about that if he can stay healthy and they can add a few pieces to their receiving corps," Gruden told bleacherreport.com. "He just has all the intangibles and all the qualities I am looking for personally."

-- Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold