Where Raiders QB Derek Carr ranks in the NFL after free agency
By Jason Willis
Ranking every starting quarterback in the NFL after 2022 Free Agency
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB. Marcus Mariota. 44. . 31. player
Another quarterback who is getting a second chance in 2022, Marcus Mariota joins his third team as a member of the Falcons. Going through a massive rebuild on the offensive side of the ball, Mariota rejoins Arthur Smith, who was his offensive coordinator in Tennessee, as they look to replace Matt Ryan.
In 2021, Mariota was used sparingly. A gadget player in the Raiders offense, he recorded a rushing touchdown but did almost nothing in the passing game. His shining moment in Las Vegas came in relief of Derek Carr in 2020 on Thursday Night Football against the Chargers. Although his team would lose the game, he was dynamic as a runner and showed aggressiveness as a passer. The Falcons will be hoping that is the version of Mariota they’re getting.
With him in Atlanta is a poor group of receivers. Calvin Ridley is suspended, Russell Gage is in Tampa Bay and Julio Jones is long gone. Star utility guy Cordarrelle Patterson is still here along with first-round pick Kyle Pitts at tight end. Alas, this is an offense that severely lacks talent overall. While Mariota likely deserves a second chance as a starter, he gets it in a dreadful situation.