NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Do the Tennessee Titans think Zach Mettenberger and a top pick at a position other than quarterback wins when measured head-to-head with Marcus Mariota?
How about against Jameis Winston?
Those are equations they will likely be calculating between now and the draft. They are currently in line for the second pick.
Mettenberger is done for the season after he suffered a Grade III sprain a week after a Grade I sprain of his throwing shoulder. (I wrote Sunday about how coach Ken Whisenhunt is culpable for the injury.)
The team loses three games of further evaluation of Mettenberger. He started five games. Earlier he mopped up the team’s Sept. 28 loss at Indianapolis. Per ESPN Stats & Information, he played a total of 288 snaps in his rookie season.
He finished with 1,416 passing yards, a 59.8 completion percentage, eight touchdown passes, seven interceptions, 18 sacks and four fumbles (two lost).
Team president and CEO Tommy Smith has said Whisenhunt and GM Ruston Webster won't be replaced.
The biggest decisions they will make going forward is to determine if Mettenberger is the guy to build around, and the choice they make with that high pick.
Do they need to take Mariota or Winston with that pick?
Greg Cosell of NFL Films said on a Nashville radio station last week he wouldn't touch a quarterback with a top five pick with Mettenberger in hand.
ESPN.com's resident scout Matt Williamson is of the same thinking.
"I like Mettenberger a lot," Williamson said. "He is big with a big arm and although he isn't mobile, he can move around the pocket pretty well and should only get better. He isn't bashful and the game doesn't get too big for him.
"It would take a lot for me to use a very early pick on a QB if I were the Titans. I say stick with Mettenberger and build around him."
