When it comes to quarterbacks, two names that are often compared are Daniel Jones and Marcus Mariota. While both players have had their share of successes and failures, the question remains: who is the better quarterback? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at both players and compare their stats, skills, and potential.
Daniel Jones
Daniel Jones was drafted by the New York Giants in 2019 as the sixth overall pick. Since then, he has emerged as the team’s starting quarterback, replacing Eli Manning. Jones played college football at Duke University, where he set school records for passing yards and touchdowns.
During his rookie season with the Giants, Jones played in 13 games and threw for 3,027 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also had two rushing touchdowns. While Jones showed promise, he struggled with consistency and turnovers.
In his second season, Jones has continued to improve, throwing for 1,984 yards, nine touchdowns, and nine interceptions in eight games. He has also rushed for one touchdown. Jones has shown flashes of brilliance, such as leading the Giants to a comeback win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 8.
Marcus Mariota
Marcus Mariota was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2015 as the second overall pick. He played college football at the University of Oregon, where he won the Heisman Trophy and led the team to a national championship game.
During his five seasons with the Titans, Mariota threw for 13,207 yards, 76 touchdowns, and 44 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,487 yards and 11 touchdowns. While Mariota showed flashes of greatness, he struggled with injuries and consistency.
In 2020, Mariota signed with the Las Vegas Raiders as a backup quarterback. He played in one game, where he threw for 226 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also rushed for 88 yards and one touchdown.
Stats Comparison
When it comes to stats, Daniel Jones and Marcus Mariota are fairly similar. Jones has a career completion percentage of 62.7%, while Mariota has a career completion percentage of 63.2%. Jones has thrown for 5,011 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions in 21 games, while Mariota has thrown for 13,207 yards, 76 touchdowns, and 44 interceptions in 63 games.
However, it’s worth noting that Mariota has had more opportunities to play and has been in the league for longer than Jones. It’s possible that Jones’ stats could improve over time if he continues to develop as a quarterback.
Skills Comparison
When it comes to skills, Daniel Jones and Marcus Mariota have different strengths and weaknesses. Jones is known for his mobility and athleticism, as well as his ability to make big plays down the field. However, he has struggled with fumbling and turnovers.
Mariota, on the other hand, is known for his accuracy and decision-making. He is also a capable runner and has shown the ability to make clutch plays in pressure situations. However, he has struggled with injuries and consistency in recent years.
Potential Comparison
When it comes to potential, both Daniel Jones and Marcus Mariota have shown that they have the talent to succeed in the NFL. However, it remains to be seen whether they will reach their full potential.
Jones is still a young quarterback who has shown improvement in his second season. If he can continue to develop and cut down on turnovers, he could become a franchise quarterback for the Giants.
Mariota, meanwhile, is looking to revive his career with the Raiders after five up-and-down seasons with the Titans. If he can stay healthy and regain his form from earlier in his career, he could become a solid starting quarterback in the NFL once again.
Conclusion
So, who is the better quarterback: Daniel Jones or Marcus Mariota? The answer is not clear-cut, as both players have their strengths and weaknesses. Jones has shown promise in his short career, while Mariota has had more experience and success in the NFL.
Ultimately, it will come down to how both players continue to develop and improve over time. If Jones can cut down on turnovers and Mariota can stay healthy and regain his form, both players could have bright futures in the NFL.