Pick #222: Mark Mariani, WR, Montana

We should've taken Freddie Barnes. Considering the Mariani-Fisher connection, there would've been no doubt we could've gotten him as an UDFA.

 

Check out 2 of the "super sleepers" from this year's draft.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/football/nfl/draft-2010/04/18/sleeprs/index.html

 

I'm not sure he'd have made it through the end of the draft. Both the Colts and Texans had had him in for visits before the draft, and between the two of them they had four picks after we selected him.

I'm telling you, he's gonna turn heads in camp.

 

Positives...
The kid is a GAMER! Reminds me of a bigger Wayne Chrebet. Appears to have very good hands, knows how to find open space, can make catches in serious company, and was a playmaker. He has returned both punts and kickoffs and has had to work hard to get here. While the combine took days for prospects to do the myriad of drills, he did all of his combine drills in about 2 hours and still has excellent comparable results. The kid's a gamer!

Negatives...
Not a burner. He's got some wiggle and decent cod, but he got caught from behind too often. He also seems to think he's a bit faster than he is. On several of his returns, with one man to beat, he usually breaks to the outside and tries to outrun 'em instead of slowing for a block or trying to make a move on the last guy. He also gambles too much in catching the ball with a gunner in his face or bearing down on him. Mouton did this too and we paid for it last season. NFL gunner's are faster and hit harder. Some of these returns would turn into turnovers in the pros. Unfortunately, I have zero faith that Lowry can 'coach' anyone up in ST's. As a WR, I have not seen him beat press coverage. Could be a nice 4th WR and a decent return guy, but I do't think he has the speed to be a big time returner. Still, a guy who will catch the ball and get us some yards sounds like an improvement over last year!

Overall - He's a tough kid with excellent hands who knows how to make plays as a WR/PR/KR. If he continues the hard work, gets acclimated to the pro game as a wr and returner, he could be a nice player who could be a steal as a 7th rnd pick. Remember the Jets basically picked up Chrebet o have a local kid and he turned into a Pro Bowl caliber WR.

Gut

 

Reminds me of Patrick Crayton. Not the best speed but somehow gets runs around guys.

 

He's going to have to be something special to dress on Sundays.

Gage
Britt
Washington
Williams

I dont see any way he can make it on the field ahead of any of those guys