The Tennessee Titans have signed Marcus Mariota to a contract after a long negotiation and now the rookie quarterback will be ready for training camp and this comes as wide receiver Justin Hunter is also expected to be there despite the wide receiver getting arrested on assault charges, while the Titans have David cobb and Bishop Sankey battling to start at running back.
The Titans and Mariota reportedly had an issue with offsets, but the sides were finally able to agree on a contract. According to ESPN.com, the deal is a four-year, $24.2 million contract and it has a player option for the fifth season. Mariota was the last first round pick to sign his contract and that means he will not have any issues missing training camp, which will be crucial if he ends up starting in Week 1 of the season.
Mariota is expected to be the starter for the Titans and there have been some questions coming out of the draft about whether or not he can adapt to the NFL. Mariota is hoping to have all his wide receivers in camp and reports have Justin Hunter expected to be there despite his recent arrest. According to Pro Football Talk, Ed Werder at ESPN and the Tennessean are reporting that the team is expecting Hunter to be in camp and the same was said by Hunter's attorney.
Hunter is coming in after making 28 catches for 498 yards in 12 games last season and he has been looked at as a sleeper in fantasy football. The Titans felt that Hunter made good progress and could breakout this season and now his future could be up in the air. Reports have Hunter facing charges after he "sucker punched" a man in a fight and he reportedly left him with a broken jaw. As of now the Titans expect Hunter in camp, but things could change as time goes on.
The Titans have a battle brewing at running back for the upcoming season, as Bishop Sankey is trying to hold off Dexter McCluster and rookie David Cobb on the depth chart. The Titans moved on from Shonn Greene and now Sankey is coming in as the "favorite" to start, according to the Nashville Tennessean. Sankey did not have a great rookie season, but he was solid with 569 rushing yards and now he will get the chance to keep the starting job over Cobb and McCluster.
Cobb comes in after being very productive in college and according to ESPN's Paul Kuharsky, Cobb could be in line to have the most carries for the Titans this season, as he can handle short yardage and goal line situations better than Sankey.
Whether or not that ends up happening remains to be seen, but Hunter is coming in with Kendall Wright, Jacoby Ford, Harry Douglas and Dorial Green-Beckham on the depth chart. Mariota put up some great numbers in college and the Titans are hoping that he can jump in and learn quickly in training camp. Mariota threw for 42 touchdowns last season and had over 4400 passing yards for Oregon and the Titans are expecting him to put up strong numbers moving forward.
Check here for more on the Titans offseason and competitions coming into camp with Hunter.