Although the focus of the upcoming NFL draft has been mostly on quarterbacks, one team with an early pick thinks they already have thier future star behind center.
The Tennessee Titans hold on to the No. 2 overall pick in the draft but the team may not be looking to take Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota. According to a report from David Climer of The Tennesean, the Titans have strong faith in second-year quarterback Zach Mettenberger. Climer wrote that team management compared Mettenberger to New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
"In short, [coach Ken] Whisenhunt and [general manager Ruston] Webster think they pulled the steal of the 2014 draft. Titans brass see Mettenberger as a poor team’s Tom Brady. He's the quarterback," writes Climer.
In his rookie season, Mettenberger appeared in seven games and threw eight touchdowns to seven interceptions and 1,412 passing yards. One similarity between Mettenberger and Brady is that both were chosen in the sixth rounds of their respective draft classes. The Patriots quarterback would eventually prove draft prospects wrong by winning four Super Bowls among a list of other accomplishments.
CBS Sports reports that before last year's draft Mettenberger was being considered as a possible second round pick. An ACL injury during his senior year at Louisiana State University and concerns about off-the-field issues pushed the quarterback down to where the Titans would eventually draft him. Mettenberger's career may not reach the heights of Brady's, but the Titans believe in him enough to lead the team for years to come.
The 2015 NFL draft will take place on April 30.