Oregon Ducks

Jon Gruden: 'I don't understand why [Marcus Mariota] isn't the No. 1 player'

Published Apr. 29, 2015 2:29 p.m. ET

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While most agree the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to select Florida State QB Jameis Winston with the No. 1 overall pick, the teams former head coach, Jon Gruden, doesn't agree with that pick. 

Gruden actually feels strongly that Marcus Mariota, Oregon's 2014 Heisman winner, is the best prospect in the entire 2015 NFL Draft class. 

"I don't understand why (Marcus Mariota) isn't the No. 1 player in this draft on Mel Kiper's Big Board," Gruden said, via Rotoworld.

The former Buccaneers and Raiders coach went on to say that no one in this draft can do for a football team what Mariota can. He also compared him favorably to the Seahawks Super Bowl winning QB.

"(Mariota) is incredibly elusive, and man, is he a playmaker and a great competitor. I see him functioning in the pocket, outside of the pocket, and if you want to run a zone-read, he'll rip the defense apart. He is like Russell Wilson, only he is 6-4."

(h/t Roto World)

Photo Credit: Howard Smith - USA TODAY Sports

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