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Marcus Mariota

Running QB could be fantasy factor

The Raiders are apparently considering an upgrade at quarterback. One report indicates that either Derek Carr or Marcus Mariota is available, though Las Vegas would prefer to trade Mariota. It makes sense, with him being the backup all season, and Carr having a credible year in the starting lineup until the team faded late. Should Mariota be traded, those in fantasy leagues shouldn't dismiss the possibility of him being fantasy relevant.

Mariota played extensively in just one game last season, a loss to the Chargers, but in that contest he carried the ball 9 times for 88 yards and a touchdown. That's Lamar Jackson territory, and Mariota won't be that busy a runner if he starts somewhere. But he should be one of the league's more productive quarterbacks in that area.

Mariota was drafted back in 2015, going on to start for the next four years in Tennessee (until the team made the switch to Ryan Tannehill midway through the 2019 season). In each of his four seasons starting at least half the time, he averaged over 20 rushing yards per game. Since he entered the league, there have been 51 seasons of a quarterback averaging 20-plus rushing yards. Three guys have authored at least four of them: Cam Newton, Russell Wilson and Mariota.

QUARTERBACKS AVERAGING 20-PLUS RUSHING YARDS, 2015-PRESENT
YearPlayerStPassPaTDRunRuTDRun/G
2019Lamar Jackson, Balt.153127361206780.4
2020Lamar Jackson, Balt.152757261005767.0
2018Josh Allen, Buff.11207410631852.6
2020Kyler Murray, Ariz.163971268191151.2
2017Cam Newton, Car.16330222754647.1
2015Tyrod Taylor, Buff.14303520568440.6
2015Cam Newton, Car.163837356361039.8
2020Cam Newton, N.E.15265785921239.5
2016Colin Kaepernick, S.F.11224116468239.0
2016Tyrod Taylor, Buff.15302317580638.7
2017Russell Wilson, Sea.16398334586336.6
2018Cam Newton, Car.14339524488434.9
2015Russell Wilson, Sea.16402434553134.6
2018Deshaun Watson, Hou.16416526551534.4
2019Kyler Murray, Ariz.16372220544434.0
2020Russell Wilson, Sea.16421240513232.1
2019Josh Allen, Buff.16308920510931.9
2015Alex Smith, K.C.16348620498231.1
2020Daniel Jones, NYG14294311423130.2
2018Mitchell Trubisky, Chi.14322324421330.1
2020Taysom Hill, N.O.89284457828.6
2017Tyrod Taylor, Buff.14279914427428.5
2015Colin Kaepernick, S.F.816156256128.4
2018Blake Bortles, Jac.12271813365128.1
2017DeShone Kizer, Cle.15289411419527.9
2020Deshaun Watson, Hou.16482333444327.8
2019Deshaun Watson, Hou.15385226413727.5
2020Josh Allen, Buff.16454437421826.3
2018Jameis Winston, T.B.9299219281125.5
2018Marcus Mariota, Ten.13252811357225.5
2019Gardner Minshew, Jac.12327121344024.6
2017Brett Hundley, G.B.918369270224.5
2016Cam Newton, Car.14350919359523.9
2017Alex Smith, K.C.15404226355123.7
2018Russell Wilson, Sea.16344835376023.5
2016Marcus Mariota, Ten.15342626349223.3
2015Blaine Gabbert, S.F.8203110185123.1
2016Aaron Rodgers, G.B.16442840369423.1
2017Carson Wentz, Phil.13329633299023.0
2020Carson Wentz, Phil.12262016276523.0
2016Andrew Luck, Ind.15424031341222.7
2016Blake Bortles, Jac.16390523359322.4
2017Dak Prescott, Dall.16332422357622.3
2015Aaron Rodgers, G.B.16382131344121.5
2019Daniel Jones, NYG12302724279221.5
2019Russell Wilson, Sea.16411031342321.4
2015Marcus Mariota, Ten.12281819252221.0
2017Marcus Mariota, Ten.15323213312520.8
2017Mitchell Trubisky, Chi.1221937248220.7
2020Patrick Mahomes, K.C.15474038308220.5
2017Blake Bortles, Jac.16368721322220.1

It's easy to make light of Mariota; I did as much in a post yesterday. If and when the Raiders trade him, it will probably be a situation where he's competing to start -- not handed the starting job necessarily.

But if goes somewhere and takes over the starting job, that rushing potential could make him a viable fantasy quarterback, and somebody who should be on rosters in fantasy leagues. Dynasty leagues with open waiver wires can consider finding room for him, just in case.

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index