Feb. 17--If we know anything about the NFL draft and the never-ending buzz that surrounds it, it's that it will never be too early for a good dose of "what if?" debate.
So on the first day of the league's scouting combine, try this hypothetical on for size. It's April 30, the draft clock is ticking and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota is slipping. The standout quarterback is not taken by the Buccaneers with the top overall pick and then the Titans pass on him at No. 2.
The Jaguars at No. 3 and Raiders at No. 4 are unlikely to select a quarterback this year after investing in the position in the draft a year ago. The Redskins, picking fifth, may not need Mariota as much as they need to address other deficiencies. So what if, then, the Jets pass on Mariota at No. 6?
Suddenly, the Bears are on the clock. New general manager Ryan Pace has his first big call to make. And the latest Heisman Trophy winner is available as an option at quarterback, the position Pace has emphasized is the most important to get right.
So ... Mariota to the Bears?
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock doesn't believe that would be the right play for Pace and the Bears, even with the upside and value that option might present.
"I would struggle with the Mariota pick there if he was available," Mayock said during a conference call Monday afternoon. "I still think it's hard to move away from a guy like Jay Cutler, even though he has some issues. He's still proven that when he plays he can play at a high level. He cuts both ways obviously. And Ryan Pace and John Fox and (offensive coordinator) Adam Gase kind of have to figure that out. But I would struggle with saying that, at seven, you're going to take Mariota and get rid of Cutler."
Mayock believes the Bears would be better suited to take an edge rusher with their top pick -- Florida's Dante Fowler is tops on his board -- while riding with Cutler at quarterback for at least one more season.
Let it be said that Mayock's opinion will hardly be shared unanimously as the discussion of Cutler's future in Chicago continues.
Mariota's intangibles and track record of success in college will be appealing to some NFL team picking high in the draft. And even with questions about whether he can run a pro-style offense with as much expertise as he did Oregon's spread offense, Mariota presents plenty of intrigue to any team that doesn't have its franchise quarterback locked in.
Whether the Bears will get the chance to make that call or not remains to be seen. But certainly it's a debate the new decision-makers at Halas Hall will engage in very soon. Every hypothetical is worth sounding out at this stage of the game.
dwiederer@tribpub.com
