Titans may find QB clarity at combine

Armed with the second overall pick in the NFL draft, the Titans face a mammoth decision at the quarterback position.

They're not necessarily picking between Florida State's Jameis Winston and Oregon's Marcus Mariota, however. Throw Zach Mettenberger into the mix. Put him front and center, in fact.

Ultimately, the Titans must decide whether they're better off sticking with Mettenberger or rolling the dice with someone else. The NFL combine in Indianapolis this week will provide some clues.

"We like Zach, and I think Zach has the tools to play and start in the league," Titans general manager Ruston Webster said. "We've said all along that this is a part of this process, and we have to do our due diligence all the way through. Zach knows we are going to do that, and this is just kind of part of it.

"These guys are part of the evaluation process along with other positions. And we'll take a good look at them."

Early indications are the Titans are leaning toward giving Mettenberger a chance to prove himself as the full-time starter rather than drafting Winston or Mariota with the second pick. Mettenberger, a sixth-round pick last year, started six games as a rookie while Jake Locker and Charlie Whitehurst started the other games.

Of course, chances are the Titans won't have Winston and Mariota to choose from. The quarterback-needy Buccaneers have the first overall pick, and the early buzz is they're zeroing in on Winston.

For the Titans, the combine is a chance to continue their research on both quarterbacks in workouts and interviews.

"For those guys it is really kind of the first step and our first real shot —outside of watching them play — to get a feel for them as players, as people and all those things," said Webster, who attended the Rose Bowl where Oregon routed Florida State. "They'll make the decision on whether they'll throw or wait until their pro day or whatever. But it is really the first step for them and us."

Questions surrounding the two players are completely different.

Mariota, who excelled in an unconventional offense at Oregon, must convince NFL teams he can drop back and throw from the pocket. By all accounts he's a smart, well-rounded player with a solid arm.

Most observers agree Winston is a better fit for the NFL, however, because he's a big, strong, tough player who stands in pocket. Some of his off-the-field decisions have called his character and maturity into question, however.

"The quarterback position is one of the weakest in the 2015 draft," NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock said. "There are two guys clearly at the top of the board. I have Jameis Winston No. 1. The reason is in his offense, I can see everything you want out of a quarterback. He has a big arm, he throws with anticipation, he understands timing — he gets the whole pocket awareness thing.

"Now, I don't like all of the interceptions he throws; he reminds me a little bit of a Jay Cutler coming out of Vanderbilt. He has no conscience whatsoever; he'll let it rip, but he has the physical skill set to play and succeed in the NFL at the highest level. Obviously a whole host of off the field concerns have to be evaluated."

As for Mariota, Mayock said: "It's a whole different conversation. I love him off the field and all of the individual components on the field work; he's fast, he's going to run 4.5 to 4.6, he has a big arm, athletic, great feet. But because of the spread offense run by Oregon, we don't know if he can put all of those individual components together and play as a pocket quarterback in the NFL. He reminds me a little bit of Colin Kaepernick."

The combine begins Wednesday. Pro days and prospect visits to NFL teams will help determine the fate of Mariota and Winston in the April 30-May 2 draft.

As for Mettenberger, who was 107-of-179 passing for 1,412 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2014, he'll wait to find out what the Titans decide.

"Zach has done a great job of everything we've asked," Webster said. "He's working hard, and it is important to him. He just needs to keep doing that. … I know with all the questions it's difficult, but he just needs to keep doing what he is doing, and he understands that.

"There's also some other players involved, too. There's going to be good defensive players, good receivers, and where do those other guys fit in? Really, the (second overall pick) is not all about the quarterbacks. A lot of other positions are involved, too."

Reach Jim Wyatt at 615-259-8015 and on Twitter @jwyattsports.

NFL DRAFT

Where: Chicago

When: April 30 (round 1), May 1 (rounds 2-3), May 2 (rounds 4-7)

TV: NFL Network, ESPN